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Press Releases R2K LEGAL COLLECTIVE PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2000 CONTACT: Kris Hermes, R2K Legal (215) 925-6791 http://www.r2klegal.org LAW ENFORCEMENT LOSING WAR ON DISSENT Win rate climbs for RNC defendants as thirty-eight more cases are thrown out of court Monday in the largest and most politicized trial yet for activists arrested during this summer’s protests. As the anniversary of the Seattle WTO protests approaches, activists continue to successfully demand change and take charge of their right to free speech and dissent (Philadelphia, PA) November 30th marks the anniversary of mass protests in Seattle against the World Trade Organization. This was the beginning of a movement throughout the United States in which we saw activists demand social and economic justice. Paralleling this growth of protest has been a national police crackdown on free speech activity. Despite law enforcement’s tactics of preemptive strikes in Seattle, Washington, DC and Philadelphia, and frequent violent behavior by police, they are losing this war on dissent. Defendants arrested during the Republican National Convention (RNC) have taken this movement into the new year by resisting these repressive tactics. After five weeks of trials for RNC defendants, the Philadelphia District Attorney has yet to prove the validity of hundreds of arrests and necessity of charges that kept people in jail for as long as two weeks. For those that have gone to trial with misdemeanor charges, 86% of the cases have been dismissed, acquitted or withdrawn by prosecution for lack of evidence. Fifty percent of the felony cases have been dropped down to misdemeanors or dismissed completely. Despite this amazing win rate, the DA continues to attempt to criminalize non-violent activists. There are still one hundred fifty-one cases yet to go to trial. Monday, in an unprecedented trial, of size and politics, forty-two activists displayed a command of the legal system. Three defendants who represented themselves, pro se, made lengthy and impassioned statements about the right to free speech and standing in solidarity with those charged with felonies. The remaining defendants stood behind them with fists raised, displaying political messages on their bodies. Consequently, thirty-eight people had their cases dismissed, and the rest will appeal their verdict. In a strong show of legal prowess, RNC pro se defendant and activist Ethan Spier argued that the charge of obstructing a highway in this situation was not an "unreasonable inconvenience." "It is not unreasonable for people to have to go a little out of their way to preserve the ability for citizens to speak out in the streets," said Spier during his trial. The level of overcharging and the attempt to prosecute despite meager amounts of evidence illustrates Philadelphia’s zeal to persecute activists needlessly. So far there have been eighty-three people tried on charges made during the RNC protests. From that, there have only been thirteen convictions, seven of which are summaries, no different than a traffic ticket. "It is our message that the authorities fear," says RNC defendant Jennifer Giardina, "not our non-violent tactics. We are being targeted for who we are and not what we did." R2K lawyers argue motions this week on "suppression of evidence," "outrageous police misconduct," "prior restraint," and against the charge of "possession of an instrument of crime." Outcomes from these motions will have a significant impact on many RNC cases as well as other mass demonstrations throughout the country. --030-- |
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