I'm not a Blogger! - My First Official Blog.

Sup People? So I'm not necessarily a "Blogger" but realized that this may be a more effective way to communicate with my fan base/friends then Facebook or twitter. We shall see. 
So this is my first Blog and wanted to use something that was already established by my good friend Alex Gurn. Alex had set up this Blog after I had been assaulted by MA State Police a fews years back. I am extremely thankful to have a friend like Alex and everyone else who helped to make sure that I received justice in the in-justice system that is currently in place. Well... I did receive something much more: Inner peace and a sense of direction and purpose. Throughout that experience I was able to face many fears, embrace help and support and look critically at myself. This was a truly humbling experience and has made me a better human being for it. In the future Blogs I hope to write about my music, tools I use that better my myself, update on Blest Energy (my Arts and Culture multi-media company) and share information that is beneficial to humanity. All of this hopefully in an entertaining manner that inspires and moves folks towards a personal revolution and promotes a social and spiritual evolution. This is my intent. 
1 loVe
Tem BleSSed 

Freedom!

Dear friends and family of TemBlessed Ferreira,

The sun is shining in New Bedford.

Tem has been found not guilty on all of the previous charges. This is a great victory for The People! Tem's lawyer stated that we would not have been able to get this great outcome if it had not been for all of you who called in, wrote letters, donated, e-mailed and spoke to people, prayed for him, and provided all around support to Tem and his family. This shows the real power of Love.

Tem and his wife are overjoyed and express a great deal of appreciation and respect for all of you. I cannot stress this enough. Because of you justice for Tem was finally obtained! This victory gives us all hope. Thank you.

In unity,

The Ferreira Family

Case Update

Thank you to all who supported Tem at the court house on March 11^th 2008. Your consistent support will see us to our goal: Justice for Tem. We are one step closer to winning the case. Attorney Guadalupe convinced the court to order the State Police and the UMass Dartmouth Police to grant access to internal affair records of the officers who racially profiled and attacked Tem on October 29, 2006. This was a small victory towards exposing the truth and clearing Tem of all charges.
The next court date is May 8, 2008. We need to get as many people at this date as possible. The court will be hearing motions to dismiss some of these charges and set the terms for the trial. Although we are sure of Tem’s innocence, we need to help "the system” to adopt a new approach towards fair and true justice. This is our time. A time for change with a renewed promise of hope. In order to succeed we need your help. We must continue to: spread the details of this event, hold fundraisers, contact state representatives, mayors, city counselors, our family, etc. The People will set Tem free and show that through out history power rests in the hands of the people.
ONE LOVE

Tuesday March 11

Greetings Friends and Family,

Tem needs your support. On Tuesday, March 11 (tomorrow), Temistocles Blessed Ferreira will once again be in court. Tem’s attorney will be arguing several motions towards proving Tem’s innocence. We need to continue to show that the community of friends and family are still committed to making sure justice is served for Tem. If you are available, please be at 3rd District Court, 75 North Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA, 02740, at 9 am on Tuesday morning.

Thank you for your continued support.

Tem's Next Court Date

This Friday, January 11th at 9:00 AM, Tem is scheduled to appear in the New Bedford District Court (75 North Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740).

With a new attorney, we hope to resolve this case with a justified end. Once again, thank you for everyone's support and continued presence at hearing after hearing. Bless to all who can make it out again.

Ella Baker Center Supports TemBlessed

Thanks to the Bay Area PoliceWatch, an Ella Baker Center initiative, which has shown its support for TemBlessed fight to maintain his freedom. An excerpt from their site: "Tem Ferreira has proven time and time again to be a man of the people, and has used his creative voice as a vehicle to speak out for and against the social, economic and political injustices suffered by communities of color.
It is a travesty that he is now in a position of having to defend himself for protecting his constitutional rights, and the court must seriously consider the possibility that a grave mistake in judgment has been made in the case of Tem Ferreira."

Video Testimonials

Check out these videos of New Bedford supporters speaking about their experiences with Temistocles.

Part 1


Part 2

Fundraising Brunch this Sunday

Legal Defense Fundraising Brunch for Temistocles Blessed Ferreira

Sunday November 18, 2007
from 12-3pm
@ The Bisca Club 161 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford MA, 02740

Come break bread and biscuits with us at the Bisca Club from 12-3pm.
We will be holding a Brunch (breakfast and lunch foods) fundraiser to help
Tem with the growing legal fees.
$10 General Public
Children under 12 free
For info call 508-858-9261

E-mail us at -justice4temblessed@yahoo.com

Structured Racism Runs Deep

This is ridiculous and sure enough not surprising that police brutality against black folks is still in full force. I have attended a few community meetings where the police authorities have asked that our community collaborate with them in order to restore peace on the streets. But what these authorities do not realize (or choose not to) is that racism is deeply institutionalized through their training, in other words, through their institutional teaching of what it takes to become a police officer. Therefore, if the police authorities want to see change and if they want to see peace on the streets, they need to start with themselves by rethinking what they have been teaching in the police academies. Respect is a two way street, show us some respect as humans and we’ll take care of our end of the bargain.

Peace,
Suely R. Neves
Boston, MA

Another Letter of Support from a Respected Attorney

Criminal Clerk’s Office
Third District Court
75 6^th Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

Re: Tem Ferreira Docket #:06-7332

Your Honor:

As a friend of the court and a member of the bar for the states of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut, it is my pleasure to write a letter on behalf of Tem Ferreira. I have known Mr. Ferreira for over seven years.

It is rare to meet individuals like Mr. Ferreira whose energy is very powerful and magnetic. Mr. Ferreira is a true friend to my family and our children play together. He is very family oriented. He does not abandon his family and/or friends in time of need.

Not only is a role model for his children, but a model for many individuals in the community. He is a great asset to his family and the community. Because of his passion of music, he has touched many lives through his music, spoken word and extensive community activities. Mr. Ferreira is excellent with people. He has a way of commanding the respect from individuals, older and younger, while simultaneously creating a safe space where one can feel free to explore their issues. He loves people for who they are and rarely passes judgment.

As an integral part of the community, he is an advocate for himself and others in the community, especially Cape Verdeans. He listens and goes above and beyond to help those who in need. If he cannot help someone himself, then he will direct that person to someone who can help. He is very resourceful and when one door closes he sees this as another opportunity to figure out how to make it work.

Mr. Ferreira is someone that should not be part of the legal system. This is simply a misunderstanding of the legal process that turned into an unfortunate situation. Given his family background and the fact that he comes from family of professionals, Mr. Ferreira deserves another chance and should given the opportunity to continue to be an upstanding citizen in the community.

Sincerely,

Nadine Mazard, Esquire

Another Letter of Support

There will be no use for long winded words. Well, maybe just a few. Although the reason for this writing is political, this is not a political writing. There will be a few mentions of the fallacy, the various incongruities, and the inherent contradictions that are evident in this system of “Just Us”. Although these issues have much to do with the reason why I actually have to write this, this letter is being written first, foremost and only for my friend and his family.

This is an open letter in support of my boy, my brother, a person whom I hold in the highest regard. As a man, as a friend, as a father, as a husband, as a brother, as a son. Maybe you got the idea; he is a one of my best friends. Contact now may be over a distance, but that does not lessen the impact and importance of friendship. In fact, in my case it makes it all more pronounced.

The words here are for Temistocles Ferriera. Most people may know of him as Tem Blessed; “rapper” and all around trouble-maker. That is your description. You are welcome to that. Hold on to your misconceptions, pre-judgments and lack of understanding. Believe me it runs deeper than that.

He is a man; a father, son, husband, brother, uncle, and my friend. He is an emcee, a powerful voice, an activist, and many other things. I am writing to describe who this man is to me, and why the community needs to support and assist this man in his struggle. I will not regurgitate the numerous and varied accomplishments that he has made, I believe that has been made clear, that the evidence is easy accessed. There are many, many programs, issues, and most importantly, people that Tem has impacted. This is the truth that I want everyone to focus on.

The thing I need you to understand is that it does not matter what “special interest” you represent, this man is about and for the people, all the people, sometimes to his own detriment. The reason for this is he actually cares about the future, he is not focused solely on his future or the futures of those immediately surrounding him, Tem is focused on the future with a capitol “F”. Mine, yours, ours. He believes in the soul of the saying: each one, teach one, that we are indeed a community. What affects one, affects all; injustice to one, is injustice to all.

What is most upsetting to me is how little the community at large seems to understand what the result of this ridiculous “case” could mean. It can be great; Freedom! The removal of the stress and pressure being heaped on top of this man and his family from the agents of the Matrix is the first reward. Through this, the reality of the lives of the under-represented, the trials and tribulations of many oppressed people can gain some level of recognition, and possibly justice. Or it can adversely affect that freedom, the future of a family and the friends of a man. This is no joke, no trivial matter.

Here you have a person who cares about how this community, who is aware of the effect of ignorance and uncaring negligence that is directed towards our young stars, has on our collective futures. Here is a father, husband, brother and son. His family and friends’ lives are also being threatened. I for one feel better because Tem is around my nieces and nephews. I for one feel better cause they listen to him rhyme. I for one feel better about New Bedford’s future cause he’s at Youth Build. And I for one feel better about our collective future because his family, those Blessed children, those Soul-Jah’s for the Light Brigade are developing at a rapid pace. This is about that community, I couldn’t list everyone involved, but I tell you, the network impacted by and through this community is extensive. Look at where I’m writing from, how we have begun to disperse, and I take a little bit of that community spirit, in essence a bit of Tem, wherever I go. That community and individual spirit is being targeted.

Let’s for one moment put aside the propaganda. Tem is being prosecuted not only because Tem protected his rights, he is being attacked because he protects the rights of others. He causes problems by speaking the truth. He causes trouble by bringing to light the dark realities of others.

Why do we prosecute those that rattle the foundations of what we believe? Why do we not heed these voices, why do we only attack? Unfortunately this is nothing new, the only thing that makes this a different situation is the ability that YOU have. The ability to make a difference.

It is not ironic that this is the situation that Tem finds himself in. Because he believes in the inherit need to protect others is why he needs protection, assistance and he deserves it. The idea has always been offered through Tem and others, to become interested, to become active in the life of someone who needs your help. And you can help. Tem is an example of this. Let the people know what you believe. This is the lesson, what Tem believes in, that each voice is powerful, that you can make a difference. Make a difference in the life of my friend, this father, this son. Let the powers-that-be know that he stands for something powerful and you will not just stand by. We will not allow his courage and effort to be in vain.

Thanx, peace, and blessings

A Luta Continua

Tyson Rose

San Diego, CA

Letter of Support

D.A. Sam Sutter
C/O Pam Cruz
Community Affairs Unit
888 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

November 1, 2007

Dear Ms. Cruz:

I am writing in regards to the pending case against Temistocles Ferreira in the hope that justice may prevail for this young man. I have been kept abreast of the situation through the family and news articles. I have known the Ferreira family for decades and as the Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, I have had the pleasure and the honor of admitting a number of the siblings including Temistocles.

I, like many others, can attest to the fine character and stable, structured upbringing of Temistocles and the other Ferreira siblings. When I last spoke to “Tem”, we were at a family gathering, a multi-generational fun-filled event with well disciplined children and wise elders intermingling. This is the context of family life that I have always observed. I have seen Tem grow into a fine young man; I have known his wife since they began dating, and I have watched Tem mature into an admirable father. Our discussion at this event centered on community and world events and our personal and collective responsibility. Tem has always sought thoughtful, complex and peaceful resolutions to social issues.

The circumstances surrounding this case are in complete contrast to the values and mores that I have admired in Tem and his family. So often we hear of the neighbor who says that s/he was surprised by the action of someone who lived so close. I, on the other hand, have had so much interaction with this young man that he would have to be diagnosed with some bipolar disorder or other psychological disconnect that is deeply compartmentalized, as these accusations against him are so outrageously out of character for this young person. I know that this is not the case.

I hope that this letter reaches you in time to consider that perhaps a well-meaning but over-reactive police force made a mistake. I am advocating for the dismissal of the case. There is no doubt in my mind that Temistocles Ferreira is innocent and would not throw away his future as a good and loving father and husband, nor throw away his chance of finishing graduate school. As important, Tem cares too much about his relationship with family and friends; he is a good role model. I ask that you to review all character references regarding Tem Ferreira; I have great faith that there are no discrepancies.

Sincerely,

Wynora (Aquila) McCants,

Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions (Retired)

An Open Appeal to Sam Sutter, Bristol County D.A.

Sam Sutter
Bristol County District Attorney
888 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

Dear Mr. Sutter:

I am addressing this letter to you the authority and the individual who has the final say in prosecutorial matters in Bristol County. Although I am the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, I personally voted for you in your bid for District Attorney. This I feel is very important to note. The reason why you got my vote was due in large part to the integrity and fairness that I felt you would bring to the office. In the days that you have assumed the responsibility of office you have demonstrated that you do have and have shown real character in discharging your duties as District Attorney. However, there is an issue that troubles me greatly and that is the case of Mr. Temistocles Ferreira.

Mr. Ferreira was arrested in October of 2006 while on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, while preparing to engage in a performance at the school. He was charged with what appears to be a list of offenses, that when scrutinized are totally out of character for Tem. I have known Tem since my return to New Bedford in 2002 and the interactions that I have had with him have been numerous and have always been positive. Tem, who is a graduate of the state university system (U-Mass, Amherst), elected to comeback to New Bedford, not because opportunities were abundant here, but because he wanted to make a positive difference in the community were he was raised. That decision has made a positive impact on the many youth that he has mentored and touched in the years since his return.

Tem's commitment to the youth and the community as a whole is well documented, in the activities that he has participated in over the years. Activities that he engaged in along with organizations such as the one I oversee. The list is long, but what is constant throughout that list is the common thread of “social justice”. Tem has lent his services as a performer at no cost at our Annual AIDS Awareness Day events throughout the years, worked as guest presenter for youth during our Youth Empowerment workshops. He has stood toe to toe with me and others in the community, to raise public awareness and promote others to assume an active role in making positive change for all those that reside in New Bedford. He has on many occasions spoke on the behalf of others who felt they did not have a voice. The question for me is that in the many years that Mr. Ferreira has been civically engaged, why now is there this incursion with law enforcement? This case is not about someone reaching a breaking point and snapping, on the contrary. I know based on reports from individuals and the newspaper that security and law enforcement on the U-Mass campus has struggled over the years, in an effort to maintain order in an open campus situation. I suggest that this case is more about the same, over aggressive policing. The evening that Tem was arrested there was a shooting incident on campus. Could the State Police along with Campus police in seeking to reduce the risk to the public, reacted over zealously? More than likely they did.

Mr. Sutter, it is more than ironic, that Tem is faced with a situation that is based on the tenets of “social justice”. Tem is a young man who has over the years demonstrated his commitment to both his community and in particularly the youth in the community based on those tenets. In pursuing prosecution against him, it would mar and diminish his capacity to continue to do the same. This in my opinion, which I share with many others in the community, would have a negative impact for the community he has so faithfully served these many years. As the chief law enforcement authority, I employ you to exercise your right to prosecutorial discretion in this matter and recommend that this matter be dismissed without prejudice, in the interest of justice (for all).

Yours truly,

Drae A. Perkins
Executive Director
Treatment on Demand, Inc.

Jennifer DeBarros' Letter of Support

This letter is concerning the ongoing battle for justice in our community and around the world. More specifically and locally, it is a misfortune that within our judicial system, there exists such a case where someone, exercising their constitutional right, can be beaten, charged and prosecuted while not breaking any laws. Even more troubling, is that the person being accused is Temistocles Ferriera AKA Tem Blessed.

I have known Tem for over ten years in various capacities and one thing that has remained constant is his character. Tem has been a solid resource in New Bedford for many years and has planted many seeds that will continue to grow for generations. He has always been willing to give, willing to stand and willing to sacrifice for the betterment of others. The amount of time he has invested, talent he has shared, and individuals he has inspired is countless! My children have benefited from the SEEDS Mentoring program that he founded and throughout my employment at Treatment on Demand (1996 - 2002) he dedicated his time and expertise through free performances at AIDS Awareness Day, educational workshops for the Youth Empowerment Program, and general support of the overall mission. There is a long list of endeavors, organizations and movements that Tem has either created or played a major role. Above all, he is a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend and has fulfilled multiple other roles.

When I first meet Tem, I immediately observed that he comes from a large, yet close-knit Cape Verdean family with strong values of love, loyalty, and perseverance, all of which Tem embodies. Secondly, with a passion for justice he has demonstrated discipline, accountability and brilliance. Tem is very unique, he is a leader, New Bedford's own and most needed. His character is of peace not of violence. It is imperative that the 3rd District Court and District Attorney's Office no longer waste crucial resources in an already overwhelmed judicial system and drop these unfair and unreal allegations. It is equally imperative that the community of New Bedford reciprocate the support, dedication, and action that Temistocles Ferreira has given. It especially the community organizations that Tem has supported through out the years. Let this be an opportunity to unite and address issues of racial profiling, police brutality and injustice that exists in our community and around the world.

Jennifer DeBarros
New Bedford Native

Kristin St. John's Letter of Support

District Attorney Sam Sutter
888 Purchase Street
New Bedford , MA 02740

By FAX: 508-994-3069

Dear Mr. Sutter,

Since I’m living and working in the Washington, D.C. area, I am faxing this letter in support of Temistocles Ferreira.

I have known Tem for over 15 years – with a friendship that started as we were freshmen at University of Massachusetts. The Tem I know and love so much is a person who is gentle, caring and peaceful. Unlike most college students after graduation, Tem didn’t leave looking for a big paycheck. Instead, he continued to work within the New Bedford community and build a positive world for kids involved with the Upward Bound Program, and with his current role as Director of the Busted Fro Music & Drama Program. His concern and love for children, and the atmosphere they are in, is very apparent – and needed in today’s world.

When I heard about Tem’s arrest last week I was completely taken aback and wanted to make sure you are able to see a different side of him; a side that those of us fortunate enough are able to experience while in his presence.

I ask that you take into consideration his upstanding role in the New Bedford community as you make your decision regarding this case.

Thank you,

Kristin St. John
Alexandria, VA

Dawn Blake Souza's letter of support

The Standard Times
Elm Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for Mr. Temistocles “Tem” Ferreira, who was arrested in October of 2006 at the University of Massachusetts, in Dartmouth after being stopped by the Massachusetts State Police who were responding to a report of shots fired. The circumstances that led to this travesty of justice have been covered extensively in the Standard Times , but I fear that in the interim time period, they will have been lost, and the injustice will be further compounded when, and if Mr. Ferreira comes to trial next month.

Let me be very clear about one thing: I applaud District Attorney Sutter’s swift and appropriate response to violent crime in our communities, and I appreciate his efforts to make our neighborhoods safer; but I pray that he and his associates will recognize the unique circumstances of this case. There is certainly cause to examine the role that negative stereotyping and, yes, even racial profiling on the part of the police officers may have played that night. I recognize, as well, that the police officers who responded were trying to do the job we all demand of them, and I acknowledge that this requires them to make swift decisions.

Perhaps they overreacted. Perhaps they used poor judgment. Perhaps they had not been adequately trained to deal with issues of racial profiling. I don’t know the answers to those questions because I was not there.

What I do know, however, is what Tem tells me; and because I have known him since he was a young child, and I personally know how his fine parents raised him and his outstanding siblings, I have not one iota of doubt about the veracity of his account of what took place that night.

Like countless other people in our community who support Tem Ferreira, I am gravely concerned that the possibility of losing face, or appearing soft on crime, will cloud the facts and lead to an unjust conviction. Tem Ferreira is a peaceful young family man, a gifted artist, and a graduate student with a brilliant career ahead of him. We cannot afford to take a chance with his life and his future, and I am asking the public to voice their concerns to D.A. Sutter, through Pam Cruz, his Community Liaison. If possible, I would like to see the District Court filled with Tem’s supporters on Friday, November 2^nd at 9:00 A.M. For further information, you can email justice4temblessed@yahoo.com..

Dawn Blake Souza, Dartmouth, Massachusetts 508 524 2001

Tem Blessed a victim of racial profiling

Check out two recent editorial letters published in the Standard Times. They are eloquent testaments to Tem's positive spirit and the injustice of this case. Thank you for these powerful letters of support.

• Dr. Laurie Robertson-Lorant's editorial "Ferreira a victim of racial profiling" marks the first time the New Bedford newspaper prints a title that frames the case as it really is.
• Dawn Souza's editorial "Saving face and the fate of Tem Ferreira" is a passionate plea for the DA to reconsider his position on the case.

An Assault on Justice: A Video Testimonial

The short videos posted below, by Alex Gurn from Boston, discusses Tem's case. The first video presents some of the events surrounding the night of the assualt. The second video offers testimony to TemBlessed's character. [You can also watch the video directly through YouTube]

One of the ways you can get involved in our campaign for justice is by documenting your testimony of Temistocles' character or personal views on the case. Upload your own video to the web, and email the link to actionforjustice@gmail.com We'll post the video on this site. There is no need to be flashy or fancy. It's you support that matters. For more ways to get involved, visit our Take Action! page

Tem's Next Court Date: November 2nd

Temistocles Ferreira, a local community leader and hip hop artist, was assaulted and handcuffed by police in New Bedford in October of 2006. After being attacked, he was refused medical attention and a phone call, nor was he ever read his Miranda rights. Temistoclese was then charged with the very crimes that the officers perpetrated against him.

Now he is awaiting trial for five trumped up criminal charges from the police department that attacked him.

Stand with Temistocles and with all victims of police abuse. Come to support him on November 2nd when his lawyer argues motions with the ADA at the 3rd District Court in New Bedford, MA.

For more information or to get ivolved, email us at:
actionforjustice@gmail.com

Police Abuse Links

• Amnesty International's report: Race, Rights and Police Brutality
• Black Cops Against Police Brutality
  
• Human Rights Watch report: Shielded from Justice documents police misconduct in fourteen U.S. cities
• October 22nd Coalition
  
• Refuse & Resist
  
• Report Police Abuse investigative group