Mark Curtis (SWP member)
Encyclopedia
Mark Curtis is a former member of the American Socialist Workers Party (SWP). Curtis was the subject of a high profile defense campaign by the SWP after he was charged and convicted of sexually assaulting
a 14-year-old girl in 1988. The SWP and others of Curtis's defenders claimed that he had been framed by the police due to his politics and his trade union
activities. Curtis was parole
d in 1996 after serving eight years of a 25-year sentence in Iowa State Penitentiary.
The SWP claimed that Curtis was arrested, beaten by the police and framed up for his work in organizing a campaign to defend 17 of his co-workers from Central America
who had been seized in an INS
raid of the Des Moines
meatpacking plant at which they worked. Two police officers who arrested Curtis were found guilty of battery
in 1992 and ordered to pay $11,000 in damages.
Curtis claimed that he was stopped at a traffic light in Des Moines when a woman approached him, said she was being followed and asked for a ride home. He claims that on arriving at her house he accompanied her to the porch at which point police came from behind, handcuffed him and pulled down his trousers.
The 14-year old girl said she and her 11-year old brother were watching TV when Curtis knocked on their door asking for directions. According to the girl Curtis then asked her if her parents were home, she said they were not, and he attacked her and attempted to rape
her. Unbeknownst to Curtis, however, her brother had called the police who arrived on the scene.
The girl's family was awarded $80,000 in damages after suing Curtis. After being arrested on charges of soliciting a prostitute, Curtis was expelled from the SWP five years after his release from prison. Since then, the SWP has ceased discussing or promoting the case.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
a 14-year-old girl in 1988. The SWP and others of Curtis's defenders claimed that he had been framed by the police due to his politics and his trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
activities. Curtis was parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
d in 1996 after serving eight years of a 25-year sentence in Iowa State Penitentiary.
The SWP claimed that Curtis was arrested, beaten by the police and framed up for his work in organizing a campaign to defend 17 of his co-workers from Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
who had been seized in an INS
Immigration and Naturalization Service
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service , now referred to as Legacy INS, ceased to exist under that name on March 1, 2003, when most of its functions were transferred from the Department of Justice to three new components within the newly created Department of Homeland Security, as...
raid of the Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
meatpacking plant at which they worked. Two police officers who arrested Curtis were found guilty of battery
Battery (crime)
Battery is a criminal offense involving unlawful physical contact, distinct from assault which is the fear of such contact.In the United States, criminal battery, or simply battery, is the use of force against another, resulting in harmful or offensive contact...
in 1992 and ordered to pay $11,000 in damages.
Curtis claimed that he was stopped at a traffic light in Des Moines when a woman approached him, said she was being followed and asked for a ride home. He claims that on arriving at her house he accompanied her to the porch at which point police came from behind, handcuffed him and pulled down his trousers.
The 14-year old girl said she and her 11-year old brother were watching TV when Curtis knocked on their door asking for directions. According to the girl Curtis then asked her if her parents were home, she said they were not, and he attacked her and attempted to rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
her. Unbeknownst to Curtis, however, her brother had called the police who arrived on the scene.
The girl's family was awarded $80,000 in damages after suing Curtis. After being arrested on charges of soliciting a prostitute, Curtis was expelled from the SWP five years after his release from prison. Since then, the SWP has ceased discussing or promoting the case.
Books
- The Mark Curtis Hoax: How the Socialist Workers Party Tried to Dupe the Labor Movement ISBN 0929087461
- Why Is Mark Curtis Still in Prison?: The Political Frame-Up of a Unionist and Socialist and the Campaign to Free Him ISBN 0873488067
External links
- Curtis: `Glad To Return To The Class Struggle' , September 2, 1996 in "The Militant".
- Strange doings in the SWP an article from the Workers' LeagueSocialist Equality Party (US)The Socialist Equality Party is a Trotskyist political party in the United States, one of several Socialist Equality Parties around the world affiliated to the International Committee of the Fourth International . The ICFI publishes daily news articles, perspectives and commentaries on the World...
arguing that Curtis was guilty.