First Critical Mass Jury Trial: Tuesday, February 19th - 9:15 AM
The city of Minneapolis desperately grasps at straws as it drags five of
the same people that it threw to the ground during a police riot, used
pain compliance holds on, tased, and maced, through the legal process
which will now come to a head in trials before a jury of their peers.
Fortunately, those five have been well versed in their rights by their
lawyers from the National Lawyers' Guild and have not backed down even
when met with plea bargains that would have 'let them off' easier if they
just ignored what actually happened and plead guilty to the trumped up
charges.
Just as it is clear that the city with its helicopter, undercover
officers, and specific targets had pre-planned the brutal attack on the
8.31.07 critical mass ride, it is also clear that we have to pre-plan our
support of the five people being scapegoated by the city. The lawyers,
defendants, and their families can't do this alone and shouldn't have to.
A large showing of public support similar to the one at the recent January
court hearing will send the clear message to the city that this issue is
not one that will fall silently out of the public eye as well as encourage
a verdict in favor of the defendants. It was obvious that the crowd of
over twenty supporters at a purely administrative hearing was only a taste
of what the actual trials will look like in one week.
Don't let the city get away with its attempt to intimidate political
speech by bringing unsupported charges against a few individuals. Plan on
coming to show your support of Gus Ganley, the first person to go to
trial, on Tuesday, February 19th at 9:15 AM. Bring your own friends,
family, and co-workers to support bicycle, civil, and human rights and
don't let political oppression anywhere go unchallenged!
Details:
Arrive before 9:15 to give time to get through the security checkpoint.
The Hennepin County Government Center is located at 300 South Sixth
Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. There will be people stationed at the
information desk on the main level to direct supporters to the correct
room and you can also ask to see the criminal jury trial calendar. Food
and drink is not allowed in the court room and all supporters will have to
pass through a metal detector. While in court, supporters must remain
silent and will not be allowed to carry signs through the security
station; the strength of our collective presence will send the message we
need to send. Updates will be posted to the site below.
More background and ways to donate for legal defense at:
http://cmsupport.wordpress.com
RNC Welcoming Committee
Come visit in September 2008!
http://www.rncwelcomingcommittee.org
http://www.nornc.org
