Fundraiser for the Olga Franco Defense Fund

7/9/2008 - BABALÚ respectfully invites you to:

A FUNDRAISER FOR THE OLGA FRANCO DEFENSE FUND

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 7-10 pm
WHERE: Babalú - 800 N. Washington Ave. - Minneapolis
COST: $50.00 per person (minimum; any additional contribution will be gratefully accepted)

Use your credit card to RSVP
Call Babalú, 612-746-3158 by 7/12/08
Event capacity is 200 people

WHAT: Olga Franco is a young woman from Guatemala who, like many others from Central America, left family and friends to endure myriad risks to personal safety immigrating to the United States, albeit illegally, without English language skills or familiarity with American cultural nuances, but with dreams of earning an income to better her life and lessen the hardships her family endures in her native country. On February 19, 2008, Ms. Franco was a passenger in a mini-van involved in a three-vehicle crash just outside Cottonwood, Minnesota, including a school bus transporting children. Four kids died and many others were injured. It was unquestionably a horrific, life-altering tragedy for many of the affected families.

Another tragedy continues to unfold in the aftermath. Ms. Franco, herself seriously injured, was arrested as she left the hospital in a wheel chair two days after the accident and, unable to post the $400,000 bail, has been incarcerated since, pending trial on multiple charges including criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular injury. Ms. Franco maintains she was not driving the mini-van alleged to be the sole cause – despite the involvement of three vehicles – of the accident and resulting deaths and injuries. Evolving evidence, including recent DNA tests, increasingly supports Ms. Franco’s innocence.

Ms. Franco’s case attracted nationwide media attention due to many factors, not the least being Ms. Franco’s (irrelevant) undocumented immigrant status. Ms. Franco’s counsel will explore the issues and defense and entertain questions from attendees. Babalú will provide a dinner buffet featuring Cuban, Spanish, and Latin American cuisine, make available a cash bar, fresh rolled cigars, and will donate the profits to The Olga Franco Defense Fund.
WHY: A small initial payment for legal fees and defense costs was quickly exhausted. Ms. Franco has no further means to fund her defense. Her parents, with whom she has been unable to speak since the accident, are poor farmers in rural Guatemala. The defense team will continue to represent Ms. Franco pro bono. However, the necessary costs such as for investigation, expert analyses and testimony, trial exhibits, travel (jury trial currently venued in Willmar, Minnesota), and legal research are substantial, continue to accrue, and threaten the ability to provide a defense commensurate to the charges. Your generous contribution through this Fundraiser will enhance the likelihood of justice prevailing over passion and prejudice.

If you cannot attend, but desire to contribute, please send your contribution in any amount to The Olga Franco Defense Fund, c/o Babalú, Attn: Maria A. Caram, 800 N Washington Ave, MN 55408.