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Press Releases R2K LEGAL COLLECTIVE MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2001 CONTACT: Kris Hermes, R2K Legal Collective (215) 925-6791, Lawrence Krasner, R2K Lawyer (215) 731-9500, Paul Hetznecker, R2K Lawyer (215) 893-9640 http://www.r2klegal.org PRESS CONFERENCE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1ST AT NOON TO BE HELD AT THE NORTH-EAST CORNER OF CITY HALL ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MASS ARRESTS MADE AT THE RNC PROTESTS LAST YEAR WITH ACTIVISTS STILL BEING MALICIOUSLY PROSECUTED ON EXCESSIVE CHARGES PEOPLE ARRESTED IN THE PUPPET WAREHOUSE WILL FILE WHAT IS TO BE THE LARGEST RNC CIVIL SUIT TO DATE The vast majority of the over-seventy people arrested in the puppet warehouse last year are committed to filing suit against the City of Philadelphia for what they allege was a clear violation of their civil rights Who: Matthew Hart of the Spiral Q Puppet Theater, and an ex-defendant, will speak on the civil suit being filed. Linda Panetta, Regional Director of the School of the Americas (SOA) Watch will highlight the fact that there are still defendants yet to go to trial a year after the events surrounding the Republican National Convention (RNC). A collection of colorful puppets will also be present to provide the imagery that was denied last year to those that protested issues ranging from the death penalty to mass incarceration of people of color and the poor. What: Attorneys Lawrence Krasner and Paul Hetznecker will file a civil suit in federal court on behalf of what will be dozens of plaintiffs arrested in the puppet warehouse last year. This press conference will be held to highlight the anniversary of mass arrests stemming from the RNC protests and to demand justice not only for those unreasonably arrested inside a warehouse where puppets, signs, and banners were being made -- but also for those defendants that remain languishing in the courts a full year later. When: Wednesday, August 1st at NOON Where: North-East Corner of City Hall (Adjacent to the Criminal Justice Center) Why: In perhaps the most obvious and widely publicized denial of civil rights to come from the RNC protests, the puppet warehouse arrests helped to illustrate the widespread misconduct and excessive nature of the City of Philadelphia and its Police Department. This civil suit will help activists and others to gain some form of retribution through damages, and more importantly through injunctive relief. Now that well over 95% of the cases against people arrested last summer have been thrown out, it is clear that the City known as the "cradle of liberty" was way out of line in their dealing with free speech and dissent. While some whose rights were violated are now filing suit, a handful still languish in the courts. It is time to call for an end to the excessive and malicious prosecution against those that chose to voice dissent during a national political convention. --030-- |
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