This is an archive of the former website of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, which was run by the now defunct Maoist Internationalist Party - Amerika. The MIM now consists of many independent cells, many of which have their own indendendent organs both online and off. MIM(Prisons) serves these documents as a service to and reference for the anti-imperialist movement worldwide.

Activist arrested, brutalized by MIT cops


A long time activist, Richard Picariello, was arrested on the evening of July 22 by MIT cops for the crime of being in the student center (second floor lounge) waiting for a meeting to take place.

Initially, one cop (out of uniform who did not identify himself properly) approached Picariello and began questioning him about why he was in the building. Picariello stood up to put some space between himself and the cop and as he did so the cop pushed him back down. The cop then initiated a physical confrontation, getting Picariello into a headlock and cutting off his air supply. When Picariello tried to defend himself the cop grabbed for Picariello's testicles. The struggle ended when backup arrived and the cops handcuffed Picariello and then proceeded to brutalize and mace him, clearly using excessive force.

The MIT cops have issued a restraining order on the activist keeping him off MIT property while also bragging that they are going to put him in prison on a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon (the deadly weapon is Picariello's foot.)

WE NEED WITNESSES TO THIS EVENT!

We are searching for other witnesses to the confrontation since the cops failed to interview those in the area and Picariello was not given the chance to collect names of possible witnesses.

It is important that the MIT community and other activists in the area join in this struggle. The battle against police brutality is a difficult one: the cops, the courts, and the entire criminal (in)justice system are stacked against the individual. There are no rights, only power struggles. While we are fighting this out in court we need to also pressure MIT to drop the case against Picariello.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  1. Call the MIT administration to express your outrage that they are allowing their police force to proceed with this case against Picariello after arresting and brutalizing him. (253-3928)

  2. Call the MIT police to complain about officer Smith's harassment and assault of Picariello and about the other officers called to the scene who proceeded to brutalize Picariello. (253-1212)

  3. Copy and distribute this flyer.

  4. If you witnessed this event please come forward to testify.

Join the Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist League (RAIL) in this struggle against police brutality at MIT. To get involved contact us at 617/499-6997 or mim@mim.org

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