Long-time Chicano activist Carlos Montes (photo: StopFBI.net)

Long-time Chicano activist Carlos Montes, who has been active in the antiwar, education and civil rights movements in Los Angeles for decades, was set to go on trial today for bogus charges that are being brought against him for purchasing a gun. I covered Montes’ story here earlier today. I now have news that his trial has been postponed.

Tracy Molm of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression reports there is a witness Montes’ defense wants to sign and they believe it will shed light on the question of whether the prosecution can pursue a case against Montes over charges that depend on whether a prior misdemeanor conviction can be considered a felony.

The District Attorney knows it is pursuing a political trial that involves dubious charges. It seems they have become wary of the fact that the more people who hear about this case, the more support Montes garners against the FBI’s targeting of him for his activism.

“If you look at Carlos’ past, this is what COINTELPRO was all about,” Molm adds. “Basically, going after activists,” bringing trumped up charges against them and engaging in fabrication for prosecutions.

Molm is another one of the twenty-four antiwar and solidarity activists being targeted in an investigation that alleges the activists provided “material support” for “terrorism.” Molm has been an organizer with the Antiwar Committee in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which had its office raided by the FBI in September 2010. Molm was issued a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury. The FBI wanted her to talk about visiting the West Bank in the Palestinian territory as part of a delegation in 2004.

Carlos Montes will be in Chicago for the NATO summit. He will be participating in the major permitted rally and march that is taking place in the afternoon on Sunday, May 20. He will speak at the rally and then march with a “Stop FBI Repression” contingent.

For my full interview with Montes published earlier today, go here.