When: Monday, December 2, 11am
Where: Cook County Criminal Court House, 2650 South California Avenue, Room 303
The NATO 3 (Brent Betterly, Jared Chase, and Brian Jacob Church) have another status hearing in front of Judge Thaddeus Wilson. This will be a status hearing on pre-trial issues and oral arguments on motions in limine, which determine what evidence is or is not admissible at trial. The three imprisoned activists have been held for more than a year at Cook County Jail in Chicago since the NATO summit demonstrations of 2012. Following a raid by the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, these three protesters were arrested and charged to intimidate anti-war protest and violently silence dissent against the NATO war-machine.
The arrest and continued prosecution of the NATO 3 is a gross example of political repression, meant to be a message directed at anyone who protests the U.S. Government’s agenda of austerity and violence. We must stand together with our fellow dissenters in the court room and let the state know that we will not follow their order to remain silent in the face of global warfare. Everyone who can be present in court is needed to show our friends that the people are with them as they quickly approach their day in court. Moreover, lawyers for the People’s Law Office and the National Lawyer’s Guild representing the 3 continue to bring to light new disturbing revelations about the surveillance program unleashed against multiple political groups in Chicago, an invasive operation involving the Chicago Police Department’s Field Intelligence Unit, the FBI’s counter-terrorism task force, Homeland Security, and the Secret Service (just to name a few).
Remember, the Cook County Criminal Court does not allow cell phones, other electronic devices, lighters, and a handful of other items into the building, so checkhttp://www.cookcountycourt.org/HOME/CellPhoneElectronicDeviceBan.aspx. We also ask that supporters wear yellow as the NATO 3 are forced to wear yellow jumpsuits during their confinement.
To support them:
DONATE
Donations go to the defendants’ legal costs and some of their commissary needs while they’re in jail or prison. We expect the legal defense bill for the NATO 3 to be at least $20,000-30,000 and commissary items (e.g., toothpaste, stamps, paper, hygiene items, food) are notoriously expensive for prisoners. Every little bit helps!
8th Day Center for Justice has graciously offered to accept tax-deductible donations for us. To make your tax-deductible donation, please send checks or money orders to:
8th Day Center for Justice
205 W. Monroe St. Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Make sure to write “8th Day Center/NATO 5 Defense Fund” in the memo line!
You can also make secure donations online athttps://www.wepay.com/donations/nato-5-defense.