When They Call You a Terrorist

In 2003, after Monte’s three-month stay in the psychiatric hospital, Cullors helps him get a job at Rite-Aid. Only a week later, Monte is fired after a background check reveals a felony conviction on his record. His felony record also prevents him from living in Section 8 housing like Cherice’s current apartment. Rather than put his mother at risk of losing her home, Monte moves in with Cynthia, his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his young child, Chase. Cynthia, however, is in no condition to see to Monte’s mental health. A victim of a stray bullet at the age of 18, Cynthia is paralyzed from the waist down.

In 2006, Monte is involved in a minor automobile collision with a White motorist. The driver immediately calls the police, fueling a manic episode in which Monte yells at the woman but does not touch her. When the police arrive, they shoot Monte with rubber bullets and tase him. The authorities charge Monte with terrorism because the woman alleged that he threatened her and made her feel unsafe.

As a terrorist suspect, Monte is classified as a “high-power alert prisoner” (117) by the LA County Jail. This gives the guards license to keep Monte in solitary confinement up to 23 hours a day.