Protesters Arrested

Protesters Sue Anaheim Police For Excessive Force

August 2, 2014 Claudia Koerner, www.ocregister.com Organize! California, Law, police brutality, Protesters Arrested

A man and a woman who took part in July 2012 protests in Anaheim filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Anaheim Police Department of using excessive force and falsely arresting them. Richard Brown and Kristine Hedley, both Los Angeles County residents, are seeking unspecified damages from Anaheim, the police department and several officers, including payment of medical bills and legal fees. They were part of the protests against the Anaheim Police Department following the fatal police shootings of five people that year. Anaheim city officials have not yet responded to the suit’s claims. According to the complaint, Brown and Hedley were standing in front of the Anaheim Police Department headquarters on Harbor Boulevard on July 29, 2012 with cardboard signs. They were part of a group of 50 to 60 people who walked peacefully from the police headquarters toward Disneyland, the complaint said. Helicopters, motorcycle officers and mounted officers surrounded and outnumbered the group, the complaint said. After a mounted officer rode into the crowd, he claimed Brown had touched his horse’s head and bridle. Brown denied making any contact with the officer or horse, the complaint said. Brown allowed his picture to be taken in front of several SWAT officers, the complaint continued. The officers then formed a wall, isolating him from the other protestors. An unmarked van pulled up alongside Brown, and officers got out and ran toward him, the complaint said. They pursued Brown, grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him against a building, the complaint said. He was then thrown to the ground and punched before he was put into handcuffs, the complaint said.

Anti-Drone Activist’s One-Year Sentence Will Not Deter Movement

August 1, 2014 Ben Kuebrich, www.truth-out.org Resist! Drone, Prison, Protesters Arrested, Wars and Militarism

Like most of her supporters in the courtroom, I was enraged when I heard N.Y. Judge David Gideon sentenced Mary Anne Grady-Flores to one year in jail on July 10. But a deep hope prevailed, which characterizes the local anti-drone movement in New York and is no small part of the impact we’ve had. When Grady-Flores was handcuffed in DeWitt Town Court, the 115 people in attendance stood up and sang. Resonating deep from her roots in the Catholic Worker movement, we called out in unison that night in the courtroom: Rejoice in the Lord always Again I say rejoice Rejoice, rejoice Again I say rejoice We shook the room with our song. Some embraced each other and some cried, but everyone sang. When the court guards had enough and told us to leave, the singing only grew louder. We stayed for 10 minutes in that courtroom, repeating the same song, hoping that Grady-Flores could feel us through the court walls. Grady-Flores was sentenced to one year in jail for violating an order of protection at the behest of Col. Earl Evans of the U.S. Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field in Syracuse, Judge Gideon gave her the maximum sentence despite a pre-sentencing report from the parole office recommending that Grady-Flores receive a conditional discharge, which would mean no jail time.

Vietnam Vet Drone Resister’s Trial Ongoing In DeWitt Town Court

August 1, 2014 Upstate Drone Action, www.upstatedroneaction.org Resist! Drones, Protest, Protesters Arrested, Wars and Militarism

Vietnam Veteran and Buffalo resident Russell Brown’s trial began today in DeWitt Town Court in East Syracuse. Mr. Brown is representing himself and is facing charges stemming from his arrest during a nonviolent protest at Hancock Air National Guard Base, home of the 174th Attack Wing, on April 28, 2013. Mr. Brown laid down peacefully with red paint to symbolize the death of drone victims in a roadway across from the Airbase. He is charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration (OGA), a misdemeanor carrying up to a year incarceration and up to $1000 fine, as well as Disorderly Conduct charge, a violation. Mr. Brown’s trial follows about a dozen trials since 2011 in the DeWitt Town Court and is one of 20 upcoming trials of drone resisters working with Upstate Drone Action there. Judge David S. Gideon imposed an Order of Protection (OOP) on Mr Brown on behalf of Colonel Greg Semmel, the Hancock commandant. The OOPs have been imposed on more than 50 nonviolent civil resisters arrested at the Hancock Reaper drone hub in DeWitt since October 2012. Under oath, a military official acknowledged that the protesters were acting nonviolently and posed no threat to the Airbase or military personnel.

DC Protests Against Israel Slaughter In Gaza

July 31, 2014 Codepink, www.codepink.org Resist! Gaza, Israel, John Kerry, Protesters Arrested

On Tuesday, July 29 at 6pm, activists gathered outside the DC home of Secretary John Kerry, calling on him to stand tall against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and to push for a just ceasefire that includes lifting the siege of Gaza. Activists commemorated the over 1,000 deaths, especially the hundreds of Palestinian children killed in the Israeli assault. The group gathered at Kerry’s house at 6pm, then marched through Georgetown and returned for a candlelight vigil at the house. Activists were encouraged that Kerry had recognized that “Palestinians can’t have a cease-fire in which they think the status quo is going to stay. Palestinians need to live with dignity, with some freedom, with goods that can come in and out, and they need a life that is free from the current restraints.” But the US government continues to support Israel militarily and diplomatically, justifying Israel’s massive assault on civilians in Gaza and the civilian infrastructure as part of Israel “right to self defense.” "Israeli actions targeting civilian infrastructure—hospitals, schools, electric power plants, sewage plants—indicate they are attempting to destroy not only Hamas, but the people in Gaza. I call on the United States Government to end its $3 billion annual military aid to Israel and work for a ceasefire that includes lifting the siege on Gaza. It is predictable that as long as the siege continues, the rockets and tunnels will continue," said retired Colonel and diplomat Ann Wright.

Protesters Occupy University Of Birmingham After Pair Banned

July 29, 2014 Matthew Cannon, www.birminghammail.co.uk Resist! Activism, Living Wage, Protesters Arrested, Student Activism

A group of protesters are occupying part of the University of Birmingham today in response to the institution’s decision to ban two pupils last week. The protesters acting under the name of Defend Education Birmingham say the demonstration is needed to defend the “democratic right to dissent on campus”at all English universities. Last week, one month before they were due to graduate, Simon Furse and Kelly Rogers were suspended from their course until March next year for their part in an eight day protest at the ceremonial Senate Chamber in the Aston Webb building. The pair were demanding the living wage be paid to all staff at the Edgbaston-based facility. University chiefs also handed former guild vice president of education Hattie Craig a six-month suspended sentence after the completion of a lengthy nine month disciplinary procedure. Today’s activists have released a list of demands they want to see met before they will leave the grounds.

20 Students Arrested During Sweatshop Protest

July 28, 2014 USAS, www.northfacedeathtraps.com Resist! Human Rights, Protesters Arrested, Student Activism, Sweatshops

Earlier today, 20 students and community members were arrested at an REI location in Rockville, MD, while protesting REI’s refusal to cut ties with serial human rights abuser The North Face. USAS has been demanding REI cut ties with TNF/VF Corporation for several months, but the company’s leadership has refused to even speak with student leaders. Recreational Equipment, Inc does big business with notorious human rights abuser The North Face. Together, they let nothing stand in the way of maximum profits – not even a human life. As a result, since 2005 more than 1,800 garment workers have died in preventable factory disasters. Together with Bangladeshi workers, students and REI members have decided they’ve had enough. United Students Against Sweatshops is calling on REI to cut ties with their corporate cronies at North Face/VF Corporation, until they take responsibility for the safety of their workers and sign a contract to end deathtraps — the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. After months of campaigning by USAS and its union allies, more than 150 companies, including American Eagle, H&M, and Adidas, have signed the Accord. However, VF Corporation, the largest branded apparel manufacturer in the world, has refused to sign. Join us in taking on this corporate co-op to fight for worker safety in Bangladesh!

Anti-drone Protesters Jailed On Bonds Up To $10,000

July 28, 2014 Patrick O'Neill, www.ncronline.org Resist! Drone, Law, Protesters Arrested, Protests

Five people, including the granddaughter of Catholic Worker co-founder Dorothy Day, are being held on bonds ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 after a protest at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base near Syracuse, N.Y., home of part of the U.S. drone program. Seven people, among them Martha Hennessy, Day's granddaughter, and Elizabeth McAlister, a longtime peace activist and widow of Philip Berrigan, were arrested after crossing onto base property Wednesday. During a court appearance before DeWitt, N.Y., Judge Robert Jokl, McAlister, 74, and William Ofenloch, 64, were released without bail, but the other five are being held pending Aug. 5 and 6 court dates. All seven were charged with trespassing. Hennessy, 58, and Clare Grady, 55, are both being held on $10,000 bail. They face up to one year in jail because they were under a court order to stay off base property, where both have been arrested in prior anti-drone demonstrations. In addition to trespassing charges, Hennessy and Grady were charged with violating an order of protection that bars protesters from going near Col. Earl Evans, a base commander.

More Than 500 Arrested In Hong Kong Democracy Protest

July 3, 2014 Chester Yung, Edward Ngai, and Ned Levin, www.online.wsj.com Resist! China, Democracy, Hong Kong, Protest, Protesters Arrested

Police arrested 511 people who refused to leave a street in the financial district Wednesday, a day after a huge crowd marched across the city to mark the anniversary of the city's handover to China by denouncing interference from Beijing and demanding democratic elections. Those arrested were mostly students who had vowed to stay in the park in the city's Central district until 8 a.m. Police began clearing the park in the early morning hours and the last students were taken at that time after the crowd counted down to 8 a.m. Some of those taken away by police shouted and struggled, while others walked or were carried silently. Police held signs over the crowd telling them to board police buses. The protesters were arrested for unauthorized assembly and obstructing police officers, police said. None of the protesters has been formally charged. Tuesday marked the 17th anniversary of the end of British colonial rule and the city's return to Chinese sovereignty, a public holiday that has become a day of protest. Demands for universal suffrage are growing while the public is increasingly concerned about Beijing's approach to the city, which was promised a high degree of autonomy after the handover.

Take Action: Tell Google Join Net Neutrality Campaign

June 26, 2014 Fight For The Future, www.fight4future.tumblr.com Organize! Google, Internet Freedom, Net Neutrality, Protesters Arrested

Net neutrality protesters arrested late last night at Google headquarters. Fight for the Future supports actions for net freedom, asks Google to dialogue with activists. On Tuesday, June 24th, a group of activists set up tents and banners in front of Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA, announcing their protest online at http://OccupyGoogle.org and tweeting from @OccupyGoogl Late last night, 10 activists, including a journalist who was livestreaming the event, were arrested for trespassing. We at Fight for the Future congratulate these people who are speaking out at this important time. It gives us hope for the future of the web to see young Internet freedom activists so passionate about this issue — and we hope that Google will sit down and talk with them and listen to what they have to say, rather than resort to involving law enforcement.

Kathy Kelly and Georgia Walker Arrested

June 2, 2014 Voices for Creative Nonviolence, www.us1.campaign-archive1.com Resist! Drones, Nonviolence, Peace, Protesters Arrested

Busloads of activists gathered today at the gate of this base in central Missouri to protest drone warfare waged from inside its boundary. The action was the third in a triple-protest called the Trifecta Resista, which also addressed nuclear weapons and the imprisonment of the whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Voices co-coordinator Kathy Kelly crossed the property line with Georgia Walker, community activist from Midtown, a neighborhood in Kansas City. A few hours ago Kathy Kelly and Georgia Walker were arrested at Whiteman Airforce Base where US killer drones are operated from. As the 2 approached soldiers at the base Kathy was carrying a loaf of bread with the intention to break bread and talk with the soldiers while Georgia carried caution tape to symbolise the danger to life which drones impose

Court Sentences Activist Mahienour El-Masry, Others To Prison

May 21, 2014 Ahram Online, www.english.ahram.org.e Resist! Egypt, Political Prisoner, Protesters Arrested

A court in Alexandria has upheld Tuesday an earlier verdict sending a group of activists to two years in jail and fining them LE50,000 for organising an unauthorised protest during the Khaled Said murder retrial. Mahienour El-Masry, Loai Mohamed Abdel-Rahman, Omar Abdel-Aziz Hussein, Islam Mohamed Ahmed, Nasser Abul-Hamed Ibrahim, Hassan Mostafa, Moussa Hussein, and Hassan El-Siyad were convicted of organising an unauthorised protest, blocking the road, assaulting a police officer and destroying a police vehicle on 2 December. The initial verdict was issued in January, appealed in Feburary, where the court upheld the decision. However, some of the defendants were sentenced in abstentia, and they appealed the verdict for the second time. This is another prosecution of non-Islamist activists under the 2013 controversial protest law. On 22 December 2013, a Cairo criminal court sentenced April 6 Youth Movement founders Ahmed Maher and Mohamed Adel, and independent activist Ahmed Douma to three years in jail and a LE50,000 fine for organising an unauthorised protest and attacking security forces outside the Abdeen court in November.

Help Activists On Trial For Blockading 40,000 Tons Of Coal

May 17, 2014 IndieGogo, www.indiegogo.com Resist! Climate Change, Coal, Protest, Protesters Arrested

The Lobster Boat Blockade has provided an incredible opportunity for the climate movement to pursue a new legal tactic in our effort to push for immediate and dramatic emissions reductions. Ken and Jay are preparing to mount a "necessity defense" - potentially the first ever in the US climate movement. This is a powerful opportunity to showcase the seriousness of the climate crisis in a court of law, and put climate change on trial. Ken and Jay choose to take this action because they see no alternative - in both practical political terms and as a moral obligation. Ken has worked on climate change since 1989, as both a professional environmentalists and climate activist, and Jay has been an active citizen organizer working on climate since 2008. Neither have been arrested or charged with any crime before, and are good candidates for a watershed trial. Making a necessity defense means they admit their action and argue that the threat of passing the climate change point of no return is evident and immediate, the contribution of coal burning is clear-cut, available legal avenues for averting the crisis have been tried and are inadequate, and therefore, they were justified in taking action to directly prevent further injury.

ACT NOW! Send Letter In Support Of Cecily McMillan

May 17, 2014 Voice Project, www.voiceproject.org Resist! Occupy, police brutality, Political Prisoner, Protesters Arrested

A majority of the jurors who convicted the Occupy Wall Street activist Cecily McMillan of assaulting a New York police officer have asked the judge in her case to not send her to prison. Join them. Cecily McMillan was found guilty of deliberately elbowing officer Grantley Bovell in the face as he led her out of a protest in March 2012. She has maintained that hers was a reaction to having her breast grabbed from behind by the officer. Cecily is well known among her Occupy peers as one of their staunchest advocates of non-violent protest. Convicted of second-degree assault, a felony, Cecily faces up to seven years in prison. She was denied bail and is being detained at Riker’s Island jail. Nine of the twelve jurors who reached the guilty verdict have since taken the unusual step of writing to Judge Ronald Zweibel to request that he not give her a prison sentence. Sentencing is May 19th.

Update On Cecily: Send A Letter To Judge Zweibel

May 13, 2014 Justice For Cecily, www.justiceforcecily.com Organize! Occupy, Protesters Arrested

Send a Letter to Judge Zweibel As a part of our efforts to get Cecily out of jail, we are asking as many people possible to write letters to Judge Zweibel asking for leniency in sentencing, on the basis of Cecily’s character and the fact that she has suffered enough. If you could write a letter and encourage your friends and networks to write one as well, it would help us and Cecily a great deal. According to her lawyers, this is our greatest chance to save Cecily from significant jail time and is thus incredibly crucial. The easiest way to send a letter is right here. The letter is customizable, so you can use our form letter as a guideline to create a more personalized message about why you believe Cecily deserves leniency in sentencing. You’re also welcome to email letters to zweibel@justiceforcecily.com. For a sample letter and easy form, click here.

Jurors Tell Judge Occupy Activist Should Not Go To Jail

May 9, 2014 Jon Swaine, www.theguardian.com Educate! Occupy, police brutality, Protesters Arrested

A majority of the jurors who this week convicted an Occupy Wall Street activist of assaulting a New York police officer have asked the judge in her case to not send her to prison. Cecily McMillan was on Monday found guilty of deliberately elbowing officer Grantley Bovell in the face, as he led her out of a protest in March 2012. She was convicted of second-degree assault, a felony, and faces up to seven years in prison. She was denied bail and is being detained at Riker's Island jail. However, nine of the 12 jurors who unanimously reached the verdict have since taken the unusual step of writing to Judge Ronald Zweibel to request that he not give her a prison sentence on 19 May. “We the jury petition the court for leniency in the sentencing of Cecily McMillan,” they wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Guardian. “We would ask the court to consider probation with community service. “We feel that the felony mark on Cecily's record is punishment enough for this case and that it serves no purpose to Cecily or to society to incarcerate her for any amount of time.”

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