Support rally for SF8 defendant

More than 75 supporters of the San Francisco 8 rallied Aug. 10 in San Francisco to demand that all charges be dropped against the last remaining defendant in this case, Francisco Torres.

Following the protest, the large crowd packed Judge Philip Moscone’s courtroom to learn that the case has been postponed until Oct. 9. On July 6, all charges were dropped against four members of the SF8: Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones and Harold Taylor.

Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim pled guilty to lesser charges and were sentenced to time served and probation. Both are currently fighting for parole in New York state. Francisco Torres is the only defendant left, and supporters hope that his charges will be dropped before the Oct. 9hearing.

The SF8 case stems from a four-decade-old shooting of a San Francisco policeman. All defendants were well-known members of the Black Panther Party and community activists.

The SF8 issued the following statement on Aug. 6: “We and our support committee are claiming victory in this latest battle. As we go forward and prepare for the next one we ask that you lend your strength, your ideas and your spirit to win the dismissal of the charges against Francisco Torres. We also ask that you give your full support to the effort to gain release on parole by Jalil and Herman.”