Where have all the Mexicans Gone?

Where Have all the Mexicans Gone?

In most neighborhoods throughout San Josè you will find and see Mexicans and other people from Central and South America. In addition, there are a number of Spanish language newspapers, local Spanish language TV & radio stations and you will see many signs in the Spanish language all over San Josè. Much of the hard physical labor and other undesirable and underpaid jobs are often being done by Mexicans, other people from South and Central America, among other oppressed people. However, for jury pools the Mexicans have all but disappeared and the African-decent people have totally vanished for Santa Clara County. Apparently San Josè is now San Hozey (remember to pronounce San like Sam)
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I sat in the jury selection process today for the trial for Martin Rodriquez, who is taking a courageous stand that he was wrongfully arrested, charged, and kept in the San Josè jail by SJPD back in 2004 for using and possession of Amphetamines and for resisting arrest. He has been refusing to cop a plea since his arrest and has been demanding a jury trial - putting the cops on trial for wrongfully arresting him and for the physical and mental abuse he suffered at their hands. Finally his case has come to trial. Among all the potential jurors, the majority were Asian and European-decent people, some were Mexicans and from other States throughout Central and South America - there was not ONE African-decent person in the entire jury pool. Here is the count we came up with today:
* 38 Asians
* 36 European-decent people
* 14 Mexicans/Central/South Americans
* 3 Indians
* 0 (ZERO) African-decent people

Needless to say that after the Judge removed some of the jurors for cause and then the two attorneys used preemptory challenge to remove the rest of the jurors they didn’t want, the jury is now made up of 2 Mexicans, both women and the remainder of the jury is Asians and European-decent people - the majority are Asians, more women than men and of course not ONE African-decent person.

Martin Rodriquez is a proud Mexican man, an Indigenous man to this land. He is on trial by a system which is STRONGLY prejudiced against him and he is not being tried by a jury of his peers. Although this is the norm for this country - it is important to say it out loud and make it clear - that according to the law, we are supposed to be tried by a jury of our peers and Asians and European-decent people are not peers of Martin Rodriguez.

Please come to the Superior Courthouse in San Jose at 190 West Hedding Street, Dept. 51, 4th floor - to support Martin Rodriquez in his stand for justice for himself. His trial will continue through this week and into next week, i.e.. Wed, Thurs, Fri 19, 20, 21, and Mon, Tues, 22, 23 April. Court starts at 9:00am and continues until 4:30pm with 3 breaks during the day.