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Press Releases R2K LEGAL COLLECTIVE PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2000 CONTACT: Kris Hermes, R2K Legal (215) 925-6791 http://www.r2klegal.org PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPERS POSE AS RNC ACTIVISTS Philadelphia judge orders prosection to turn over evidence witheld in RNC cases (Philadelphia, PA) It was confirmed yesterday that undercover state troopers, posing as activists during the Republican National Convention (RNC) protests, infiltrated street demonstrations and were engaged in illegal activity. Six officers, in addition to those involved in gathering intelligence at the puppet warehouse, have now been implicated, bringing the total number of agents provocateur to ten. Nearly half of the two hundred defendants going to trial are affected by police infiltration. This information alluded to during a hearing November 8th in front of Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon, was confirmed by the Philadelphia District Attorney's office. DeLeon ordered the prosecution to supply all evidence of infiltration activities under a "Rule to Show Cause" for withholding evidence. This new evidence, in the form of officers' names, locations, and any communication during their operation(s), must be turned over to R2K lawyers no later than Friday, November 17th. "It is outrageous that only now, this late in the game, and with trials under way, we are getting new facts on the extent of infiltration," says Shawn Nolan of the Philadelphia Public Defenders Association, "especially in light of Police Commissioner John Timoney's unequivocal public denial that this was happening." Evidence points to the Philadelphia Police Department's knowledge of State Trooper activity, violating a long-standing injunction against infiltration of any group or organization. "All that is needed now is to find the smoking gun that implicates the Philadelphia Police Department," exclaims William Beckler, an RNC defendant. "It is absurd to think that the city police had no idea of what was happening right under their nose." There will be a motion heard Tuesday, November 21st on "Outrageous Police Misconduct." In light of the new information about to be obtained on various infiltration activities, the argument presented by R2K lawyers at this motion should be greatly substantiated. Trials affected by police infiltration: Center City Demonstration at 16th and Callowhill Streets (Trial date after motion on 11/21, 14 people)--030-- |
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