PROTESTERS SEEK JAIL TIME FOR OFFICERS LINKED TO IMMIGRANT KILLING

Citing a lack of faith in the justice system, a small group of
demonstrators Saturday continued to press their demands for prison terms
and other penalties for the officers involved in the shooting of Pedro
Oregon Navarro.

Benito Juarez, organizer for the Houston Immigration and Refugee
Coalition, one of several groups taking part, said the protesters are
seeking justice for Oregon, his family and for other victims of similar
actions by police.

Oregon was shot 12 times, nine times in the back, on July 12 after a
group of Houston police officers smashed into his apartment without a
warrant.

Police officials have admitted the officers were acting on an unfounded
tip from an unregistered informant. But they also contend that Oregon
was armed and pointed a gun at an officer, although they said the gun
was never fired.

One officer was wounded when he was shot by a fellow officer.

The results of the official investigations into Oregon's shooting are
expected to be presented to a Harris County grand jury this week.

"We have been receiving calls about how police are harassing (other
immigrants) for no purpose," Juarez said. He said the harassment
includes police invading homes without a warrant.

He said the coalition of groups wants to make sure that the grand jury
investigation is fair and that justice is done. "We don't see any
indication that this is happening," he said.

The 20 people waving signs in the median of Beechnut, near the Houston
Police Department's Southwest Command Center, attracted little attention
Saturday morning. A couple of drivers honked and waved, apparently
indicating support, and one officer stopped to get one of the fliers
outlining the reason for the protest.

Checked-by: willtoo