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 The RNC Protests: Convention Diary 12/21/00 - by Gwen Shaffer - City Paper The story: About 400 political activists were arrested during the Republican National Convention for staging demonstrations against policies such as the death penalty, globalization and the U.S. campaign finance system. Hundreds of people were jailed for misdemeanors and given unprecedented bails — including two set at $1 million and $500,000. Among the most notable incidents, activists were rounded up for carrying cell phones and charged with possessing "an instrument of crime," while 64 others were slapped with "conspiracy" charges for volunteering at a West Philly warehouse where politically symbolic puppets were being made. What happened next: Nearly two months into the trials of these political demonstrators, the District Attorney's cases are collapsing like dominoes. Judges have dismissed dozens of cases on the grounds of pre-emptive arrest, selective prosecution and lack of probable cause. According to the R2K Legal Collective, out of the 158 cases that have gone to trial, judges have made only 13 convictions — nearly all of which are on appeal. Of the original 41 protesters charged with felonies, just 15 remain (and are awaiting trial). The rest of the cases were either dismissed or remanded to misdemeanors. (The District Attorney does not keep statistics and could not confirm these numbers.) The District Attorney plans to press on and try another 65 RNC defendants still awaiting trial for misdemeanors. Meanwhile, civil rights lawyers contend the poor prosecution rate demonstrates that law enforcement overreacted and, thus, violated the constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest. Civil suits charging unlawful arrest could ultimately end up costing the city millions of dollars. |
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