JUSTICE FOR SEAN MONTERROSA

Sean Monterrosa was killed on June 2, 2020, while kneeling with his hands in the air. Sean was unarmed and was complying with police orders, yet he was killed in the police equivalent of a drive-by shooting. 

On May 13, 2021, newly-appointed California Attorney General Rob Bonta broke 11 months of state inaction and announced his office would investigate the killing of Sean Monterrosa. This is the first step towards getting #Justice4SeanMonterrosa.

DEMANDS - 2020/21

Directed at Governor Newsom

1. Appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the murder of Sean Monterrosa.

   Victory - a special prosecutor was appointed by AG Bonta’s office.

2. Fire, arrest and charge Officer Jarrett Tonn.

   Partial - Jarett Tonn has been fired but not yet arrested and charged.

3. Investigate every Vallejo Police Department officer involved in the destruction of evidence in the case.

   Victory - investigation is underway by the Vallejo Police Department.

4. Appoint an Attorney General who is aligned with, and reflects, the values of Californians regarding racial justice and police accountability.

   Victory - Rob Bonta was appointed in April 2021. 

5. Accept a meeting with the Monterrosa family, as you’ve verbally committed to do. 

   No movement - Newsom has not met with the family, but Attorney General Bonta has met with them. 

TAKE ACTION

Below you will find a series of actions you can take to support Ashley and Michelle Monterrosa in their efforts to get justice for their brother Sean.

STEP 1: Download and share the PSA with your network using this toolkit.

STEP 2: Sign the petition asking CA Governor Gavin Newsom to take action

STEP 3: Donate here to directly support the Monterrosa Family.

STEP 4: Donate to The Gathering for Justice’s Rapid Response Fund to support on-the-ground needs for nonviolent direct action.

OTHER VICTORIES

1. City of Vallejo is considering new measures for community oversight of police

2. Former Vallejo City Executive Greg Nyhoff was exposed for corruption and had to resign

3. Vallejo PD’s Union President, Michael Nichelini, was fired from the Department (although that does not affect his union role). Nichelini had ordered the destruction of evidence in Sean’s case. 

4. An independent investigation into the badge bending practice within Vallejo PD resulted in an internal report confirming the presence of the inhumane tradition within the culture

5. CA legislature passed the Kenneth Ross Jr Police Decertification Bill 

in the press