Posted on 08/09/2006 7:32:14 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Hundreds of e-mails and letters from across the country supporting two convicted Border Patrol agents are pouring into a local Border Patrol support organization since the Daily Bulletin reported the agents' story Sunday.
Numerous Web sites also are encouraging their users to sign online petitions for a presidential pardon for the two men.
Friends of the Border Patrol, a Chino-based non-profit organization that has been following the story of convicted Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alanso Compean, has launched "Pardon the Agents," a national campaign to assist Ramos and Compean. The group also is asking for a congressional investigation and hearing into the case, hoping to overturn the agents' convictions.
Andy Ramirez, founder and chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, said that in addition to e-mails and letters, he has fielded countless phone calls about the agents since their story came to light.
"Our job is to fight for this family, because that has always been the primary mission of our organization," Ramirez said. "We need the public's help to get this case overturned, and we are appealing directly to George W. Bush to overturn this unjust conviction with a presidential pardon. We are also hoping to raise money to hire new representation for their appeal."
In conjunction with Friends of the Border Patrol, a conservative Web site, Laptop America, is asking for people all across the country to sign a petition that will be forwarded to the White House and congressional leaders. TJ Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represent border agents, said his organization would start a fund for the men next week.
In March, an El Paso jury convicted Ramos and Compean of causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and a civil rights violation.
They are scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 22 by Judge Kathleen Cardone. Each man faces up to 20 years in prison.
On Feb. 17, 2005, Ramos and Compean were chasing Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila -- who was attempting to smuggle nearly 800 pounds of marijuana from Mexico into the U.S. in his van -- near the Rio Grande town of Fabens, Texas, about 40 miles southwest of El Paso. Aldrete-Davila ditched the van and ran away from the agents. Compean caught up with Aldrete-Davila, a scuffle ensued, and Compean fired several shots, none of which hit the Mexican national.
According to Ramos, Aldrete-Davila pointed a gun at him when he eventually caught up with the alleged smuggler. Ramos shot at him. Unbeknownst to Ramos, his bullet struck Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks, though the man made his way into the murky river and back into Mexico, where he was picked up by another van.
U.S. Attorney Debrah Kanof, who prosecuted the case, said the agents destroyed the scene of the incident because Compean picked up his shell casings. She also stated both agents violated Border Patrol policy "not to pursue unless authorized by a supervisor" when they chased Aldrete-Davila. A jury was convinced by her arguments.
Aldrete-Davila, who was given immunity by the U.S. government to testify against the agents, is suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for civil rights violations.
The Ramos family has spent nearly everything it has to cover attorneys' fees and living expenses, since Ignacio Ramos lost his salary, Ramirez said. Ramos has three boys, ages 6 to 13, who have been kept away from the publicity surrounding the agents' trial and conviction, said Ramos' wife, Monica.
"He's spending all the time he has left with them," she said. "This has not been easy on the children, but we are doing our best to protect them.
Ramirez is hoping the conviction will eventually be overturned.
"We want the family to get all the support necessary," Ramirez said. "We will stand by Ramos because he is a hero, not a criminal."
More information: www.FriendsOfTheBorderPatrol.com
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
http://www.FriendsOfTheBorderPatrol.com
Friends of the Border Patrol
People can also help with legal costs as the families are completely tapped out by sending contributions, earmarked for the Ramos-Compean Legal Defense Fund, which FBP will forward, too. Send all letters to our P.O. Box 2685, Covina, CA 91722 and they will be properly forwarded to Agents Ramos and Compean.
Letters of support must be addressed as follows: Judge Kathleen Cardone U.S. Federal Court House El Paso, TX 79911
Be very cautious about signing on line petitions. I signed one for 2 soldiers in Iraq accused of murdering an Iraqi. I used an alias that I made up for that purpose so I could tell that my alias e-mail address was sold to multiple people. I learned of the petition on Free Republic.
I have not found a link to a petition at this time. It may still be in the works.
Letters to the Judge are welcome.
Thanks for the heads up, not a problem so far as I can't find a petition or link to same avaialable yet.
ditto, they do really need public support.
For background on this case and more on the Daily
Bulletin ,,
Beyond Borders
http://www.dailybulletin.com/beyondborders
and for a recent FR thread
Convicted border agent tells his story ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1678755/posts
Posted by NormsRevenge
On News/Activism ^ 08/06/2006 10:57:27 AM PDT · 116 replies · 1,701+ views
Jorge Bush El Gringo Presidente
bump
http://anti-illegalimmigrationevents.com/
August 22 has this listed as,
Nation to mourn the loss of FREEDOM for, Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean
Click on it for the pop-up of details and they have listed everything groups around the country are doing to help the agents.
If you know of anything more citizens are doing you can submit it to the webmaster and they post fast!
Thank you for the link!
I can remember the days when you'd be banned from FR for posting something like that! Shows how low Jorge has sunk in the eyes of true conservatives.
My local Fox station did an in-depth story on this situation last night. I admit I had not looked closely at the details, but from what was presented, something does not look right. The guy accused of running from the agents had in his possession 1000 lbs of marijuana. He has since been busted again with even more pot in his possession. These agents are facing 20-30 years for shooting the guy in the ass. He continued to run across the border into Mexico. Someone please explain to me what I missed.
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