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Press Releases R2K LEGAL COLLECTIVE MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2000 CONTACT: Kris Hermes, R2K Legal (215) 925-6791 or John Sellers, Ruckus Society (510) 772-3168 (cell) http://www.r2klegal.org PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH AT 4:00PM WITH JOHN SELLERS OF THE RUCKUS SOCIETY AND TERRENCE MCGUCKIN OF THE PHILADELPHIA DIRECT ACTION GROUP-BOTH ARRESTED DURING THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION AND SLAPPED WITH OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH BAILS Sellers and McGuckin will face trial Tuesday at noon in room 806 of the Criminal Justice Center under the same judicial system that set their bails at unprecedented levels of $1million and $500,000. The two will address the over-reaction by Philadelphia's law enforcement and judicial system and how they were singled out as "ringleaders," persecuted for what they stand for and not what they did. Who: John Sellers of the California-based Ruckus Society and Terrence McGuckin of the Philadelphia Direct Action Group will be tried this Tuesday on multiple misdemeanor charges for their alleged involvement in the Republican National Convention (RNC) protests this past Summer. R2K lawyers, Larry Krasner and Shawn Nolan will also be on hand to answer questions. What: The details of Sellers' and McGuckin's cases will be discussed. Their cases are examples of the over-charging and law enforcement abuse that took place during the RNC-and which takes place on a regular basis across the country. Updates on the status of trials, video footage, and breaking news, will also be provided. When: Tuesday, November 14th at 4:00PM Where: The Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center (CJC) at 13th and Filbert Streets. Why: Due to the high level of Sellers' and McGuckin's bail, and claims by law enforcement that they were "ringleaders," their story is particularly compelling. Yet, at the same time, their cases are merely another form of over-reaction by law enforcement and the judicial system. Their cases are indicative of the over-prosecution of hundreds of activists still facing trials over the next many weeks Background: Sellers and McGuckin will be tried at noon in front of Municipal Court Judge Lydia Kirkland in room 806 of the CJC. Regardless of the verdicts, both adamantly defend their role as activists involved in peaceful, non-violent direct action to demand social change. Sellers and McGuckin feel that they are representative of, and no different than, the masses that had their civil rights violated in an attempt, by the City of Philadelphia, to suppress free speech and dissent. After weeks of trials, with the vast majority of RNC cases being dismissed, acquitted or withdrawn, it is clearly evident that the City of Philadelphia over-reacted. "This over-reaction has not only impacted Sellers, McGuckin and the hundreds arrested but also threatens people's right to speak out against injustice and oppression everywhere," says Zeke Spier, one of the 200 activists who face criminal charges for demonstrating at the RNC. --030-- |
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