Please demand justice. Follow the link, sign the pledge:
http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar_update/?id=1804-709202
(WARNING! Graphic video shows cop shooting and killing a person)
Showing posts with label police state. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police state. Show all posts
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
White Cops Terrorize Black Citizens On Election Night
Lawsuits Claim Election Night Hate Crimes By Cops
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Two more women are suing Chicago Police for hate crimes and battery after officers allegedly sprayed pepper spray on the women and their children and barged into their West Side home as they celebrated Barack Obama's Election Night victory.
The suit marks the second in two weeks alleging police abuse of civilians celebrating Obama's win. Niger Arnold and Roslyn Arnold filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court on behalf of their six children, including four minors, against five unnamed police officers for the Nov. 4 incident.
"If you can't trust police officers, who can you trust?" Arnold said at a news conference Thursday.
Her family was standing outside their home in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue cheering and celebrating Obama's victory when police squad cars drove down the street and one or more officers hung out the window and discharged pepper spray at the crowd, the suit said.
After some words were exchanged, officers exited their vehicles with guns drawn and kicked open the door to the Arnold family home, according to the suit.
The officers allegedly knocked some of the family members to the ground and made racial comments, the suit said.
Arnold says during this alleged encounter with police, the officers' guns were drawn the entire time, which terrified her 3-year-old nephew. Read On
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Two more women are suing Chicago Police for hate crimes and battery after officers allegedly sprayed pepper spray on the women and their children and barged into their West Side home as they celebrated Barack Obama's Election Night victory.
The suit marks the second in two weeks alleging police abuse of civilians celebrating Obama's win. Niger Arnold and Roslyn Arnold filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court on behalf of their six children, including four minors, against five unnamed police officers for the Nov. 4 incident.
"If you can't trust police officers, who can you trust?" Arnold said at a news conference Thursday.
Her family was standing outside their home in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue cheering and celebrating Obama's victory when police squad cars drove down the street and one or more officers hung out the window and discharged pepper spray at the crowd, the suit said.
After some words were exchanged, officers exited their vehicles with guns drawn and kicked open the door to the Arnold family home, according to the suit.
The officers allegedly knocked some of the family members to the ground and made racial comments, the suit said.
Arnold says during this alleged encounter with police, the officers' guns were drawn the entire time, which terrified her 3-year-old nephew. Read On
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Katrina Pain Index: New Orleans Three Years Later
Tuesday 26 August 2008
by: Bill Quigley, t r u t h o u t Perspective
Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast three years ago this week. The president promised to do whatever it took to rebuild. But the nation is trying to fight wars in several countries and is dealing with economic crisis. The attention of the president wandered away. As a result, this is what New Orleans looks like today.
0. Number of renters in Louisiana who have received financial assistance from the $10 billion federal post-Katrina rebuilding program Road Home Community Development Block Grant - compared to 116,708 homeowners.
0. Number of apartments currently being built to replace the 963 public housing apartments formerly occupied and now demolished at the St. Bernard Housing Development.
0. Amount of data available to evaluate performance of publicly financed, privately run charter schools in New Orleans in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.
.008. Percentage of rental homes that were supposed to be repaired and occupied by August 2008 which were actually completed and occupied - a total of 82 finished out of 10,000 projected.
1. Rank of New Orleans among US cities in percentage of housing vacant or ruined.
1. Rank of New Orleans among US cities in murders per capita for 2006 and 2007.
4. Number of the 13 City of New Orleans Planning Districts that are at the same risk of flooding as they were before Katrina.
10. Number of apartments being rehabbed so far to replace the 896 apartments formerly occupied and now demolished at the Lafitte Housing Development.
11. Percent of families who have returned to live in Lower Ninth Ward.
17. Percentage increase in wages in the hotel and food industry since before Katrina.
20-25. Years that experts estimate it will take to rebuild the City of New Orleans at current pace.
25. Percent fewer hospitals in metro New Orleans than before Katrina.
32. Percent of the city's neighborhoods that have less than half as many households as before Katrina.
36. Percent fewer tons of cargo that move through Port of New Orleans since Katrina.
38. Percent fewer hospital beds in New Orleans since Katrina.
40. Percentage fewer special education students attending publicly funded, privately run charter schools than traditional public schools.
41. Number of publicly funded, privately run public charter schools in New Orleans out of total of 79 public schools in the city.
43. Percentage of child care available in New Orleans compared to before Katrina.
46. Percentage increase in rents in New Orleans since Katrina.
56. Percentage fewer inpatient psychiatric beds compared to before Katrina.
80. Percentage fewer public transportation buses now than pre-Katrina.
81. Percentage of homeowners in New Orleans who received insufficient funds to cover the complete costs to repair their homes.
300. Number of National Guard troops still in City of New Orleans.
1,080. Days National Guard troops have remained in City of New Orleans.
1,250. Number of publicly financed vouchers for children to attend private schools in New Orleans in program's first year.
6,982. Number of families still living in FEMA trailers in metro New Orleans area.
8,000. Fewer publicly assisted rental apartments planned for New Orleans by federal government.
10,000. Houses demolished in New Orleans since Katrina.
12,000. Number of homeless in New Orleans even after camps of people living under the bridges have been resettled - double the pre-Katrina number.
14,000. Number of displaced families in New Orleans area whose hurricane rental assistance expires in March 2009.
32,000. Number of children who have not returned to public school in New Orleans, leaving the public school population less than half what it was pre-Katrina.
39,000. Number of Louisiana homeowners who have applied for federal assistance in repair and rebuilding who still have not received any money.
45,000. Fewer children enrolled in Medicaid public healthcare in New Orleans than pre-Katrina.
46,000. Fewer African-American voters in New Orleans in 2007 gubernatorial election than in 2003 gubernatorial election.
55,000. Fewer houses receiving mail than before Katrina.
62,000. Fewer people in New Orleans enrolled in Medicaid public healthcare than pre-Katrina.
71,657. Vacant, ruined, unoccupied houses in New Orleans today.
124,000. Fewer people working in metropolitan New Orleans than pre-Katrina.
132,000. Fewer people in New Orleans than before Katrina, according to the City of New Orleans current population estimate of 321,000 in New Orleans.
214,000. Fewer people in New Orleans than before Katrina, according to the US Census Bureau current population estimate of 239,000 in New Orleans.
453,726. Population of New Orleans before Katrina.
320 million. Number of trees destroyed in Louisiana and Mississippi by Katrina.
368 million. Dollar losses of five major metro New Orleans hospitals from Katrina through 2007. In 2008, these hospitals expect another $103 million in losses.
1.9 billion. FEMA dollars scheduled to be available to metro New Orleans for Katrina damages that have not yet been delivered.
2.6 billion. FEMA dollars scheduled to be available to State of Louisiana for Katrina damages that have not yet been delivered.
Bill is a human rights lawyer, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans and author of the forthcoming book, "STORMS STILL RAGING: Katrina, New Orleans and Social Justice." A version with all sources included is available. Bill's email is quigley77@gmail.com. For more information see the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center and Policy Link.
by: Bill Quigley, t r u t h o u t Perspective
Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast three years ago this week. The president promised to do whatever it took to rebuild. But the nation is trying to fight wars in several countries and is dealing with economic crisis. The attention of the president wandered away. As a result, this is what New Orleans looks like today.
0. Number of renters in Louisiana who have received financial assistance from the $10 billion federal post-Katrina rebuilding program Road Home Community Development Block Grant - compared to 116,708 homeowners.
0. Number of apartments currently being built to replace the 963 public housing apartments formerly occupied and now demolished at the St. Bernard Housing Development.
0. Amount of data available to evaluate performance of publicly financed, privately run charter schools in New Orleans in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.
.008. Percentage of rental homes that were supposed to be repaired and occupied by August 2008 which were actually completed and occupied - a total of 82 finished out of 10,000 projected.
1. Rank of New Orleans among US cities in percentage of housing vacant or ruined.
1. Rank of New Orleans among US cities in murders per capita for 2006 and 2007.
4. Number of the 13 City of New Orleans Planning Districts that are at the same risk of flooding as they were before Katrina.
10. Number of apartments being rehabbed so far to replace the 896 apartments formerly occupied and now demolished at the Lafitte Housing Development.
11. Percent of families who have returned to live in Lower Ninth Ward.
17. Percentage increase in wages in the hotel and food industry since before Katrina.
20-25. Years that experts estimate it will take to rebuild the City of New Orleans at current pace.
25. Percent fewer hospitals in metro New Orleans than before Katrina.
32. Percent of the city's neighborhoods that have less than half as many households as before Katrina.
36. Percent fewer tons of cargo that move through Port of New Orleans since Katrina.
38. Percent fewer hospital beds in New Orleans since Katrina.
40. Percentage fewer special education students attending publicly funded, privately run charter schools than traditional public schools.
41. Number of publicly funded, privately run public charter schools in New Orleans out of total of 79 public schools in the city.
43. Percentage of child care available in New Orleans compared to before Katrina.
46. Percentage increase in rents in New Orleans since Katrina.
56. Percentage fewer inpatient psychiatric beds compared to before Katrina.
80. Percentage fewer public transportation buses now than pre-Katrina.
81. Percentage of homeowners in New Orleans who received insufficient funds to cover the complete costs to repair their homes.
300. Number of National Guard troops still in City of New Orleans.
1,080. Days National Guard troops have remained in City of New Orleans.
1,250. Number of publicly financed vouchers for children to attend private schools in New Orleans in program's first year.
6,982. Number of families still living in FEMA trailers in metro New Orleans area.
8,000. Fewer publicly assisted rental apartments planned for New Orleans by federal government.
10,000. Houses demolished in New Orleans since Katrina.
12,000. Number of homeless in New Orleans even after camps of people living under the bridges have been resettled - double the pre-Katrina number.
14,000. Number of displaced families in New Orleans area whose hurricane rental assistance expires in March 2009.
32,000. Number of children who have not returned to public school in New Orleans, leaving the public school population less than half what it was pre-Katrina.
39,000. Number of Louisiana homeowners who have applied for federal assistance in repair and rebuilding who still have not received any money.
45,000. Fewer children enrolled in Medicaid public healthcare in New Orleans than pre-Katrina.
46,000. Fewer African-American voters in New Orleans in 2007 gubernatorial election than in 2003 gubernatorial election.
55,000. Fewer houses receiving mail than before Katrina.
62,000. Fewer people in New Orleans enrolled in Medicaid public healthcare than pre-Katrina.
71,657. Vacant, ruined, unoccupied houses in New Orleans today.
124,000. Fewer people working in metropolitan New Orleans than pre-Katrina.
132,000. Fewer people in New Orleans than before Katrina, according to the City of New Orleans current population estimate of 321,000 in New Orleans.
214,000. Fewer people in New Orleans than before Katrina, according to the US Census Bureau current population estimate of 239,000 in New Orleans.
453,726. Population of New Orleans before Katrina.
320 million. Number of trees destroyed in Louisiana and Mississippi by Katrina.
368 million. Dollar losses of five major metro New Orleans hospitals from Katrina through 2007. In 2008, these hospitals expect another $103 million in losses.
1.9 billion. FEMA dollars scheduled to be available to metro New Orleans for Katrina damages that have not yet been delivered.
2.6 billion. FEMA dollars scheduled to be available to State of Louisiana for Katrina damages that have not yet been delivered.
Bill is a human rights lawyer, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans and author of the forthcoming book, "STORMS STILL RAGING: Katrina, New Orleans and Social Justice." A version with all sources included is available. Bill's email is quigley77@gmail.com. For more information see the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center and Policy Link.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Nationalizing Police Suppression of Free Speech
From Glen Greenwald at Salon.com
Sunday Aug. 31, 2008 11:46 EDT
Federal government involved in raids on protesters
(update below - Update II)
As the police attacks on protesters in Minnesota continue -- see this video of the police swarming a bus transporting members of Earth Justice an environmental activist group, seizing the bus and leaving the group members stranded on the side of the highway -- it appears increasingly clear that it is the Federal Government that is directing this intimidation campaign. Minnesota Public Radio reported yesterday that "the searches were led by the Ramsey County Sheriff's office. Deputies coordinated searches with the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Today's Star Tribune added that the raids were specifically "aided by informants planted in protest groups." Back in May, Marcy Wheeler presciently noted that the Minneapolis Joint Terrorist Task Force -- an inter-agency group of federal, state and local law enforcement led by the FBI -- was actively recruiting Minneapolis residents to serve as plants, to infiltrate "vegan groups" and other left-wing activist groups and report back to the Task Force about what they were doing. There seems to be little doubt that it was this domestic spying by the Federal Government that led to the excessive and truly despicable home assaults by the police yesterday.
So here we have a massive assault led by Federal Government law enforcement agencies on left-wing dissidents and protesters who have committed no acts of violence or illegality whatsoever, preceded by months-long espionage efforts to track what they do. And as extraordinary as that conduct is, more extraordinary is the fact that they have received virtually no attention from the national media and little outcry from anyone. And it's not difficult to see why. As the recent "overhaul" of the 30-year-old FISA law illustrated -- preceded by the endless expansion of surveillance state powers, justified first by the War on Drugs and then the War on Terror -- we've essentially decided that we want our Government to spy on us without limits. There is literally no police power that the state can exercise that will cause much protest from the political and media class and, therefore, from the citizenry.
Beyond that, there is a widespread sense that the targets of these raids deserve what they get, even if nothing they've done is remotely illegal. We love to proclaim how much we cherish our "freedoms" in the abstract, but we despise those who actually exercise them. The Constitution, right in the very First Amendment, protects free speech and free assembly precisely because those liberties are central to a healthy republic -- but we've decided that anyone who would actually express truly dissident views or do anything other than sit meekly and quietly in their homes are dirty trouble-makers up to no good, and it's therefore probably for the best if our Government keeps them in check, spies on them, even gets a little rough with them. Read On
Sunday Aug. 31, 2008 11:46 EDT
Federal government involved in raids on protesters
(update below - Update II)
As the police attacks on protesters in Minnesota continue -- see this video of the police swarming a bus transporting members of Earth Justice an environmental activist group, seizing the bus and leaving the group members stranded on the side of the highway -- it appears increasingly clear that it is the Federal Government that is directing this intimidation campaign. Minnesota Public Radio reported yesterday that "the searches were led by the Ramsey County Sheriff's office. Deputies coordinated searches with the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Today's Star Tribune added that the raids were specifically "aided by informants planted in protest groups." Back in May, Marcy Wheeler presciently noted that the Minneapolis Joint Terrorist Task Force -- an inter-agency group of federal, state and local law enforcement led by the FBI -- was actively recruiting Minneapolis residents to serve as plants, to infiltrate "vegan groups" and other left-wing activist groups and report back to the Task Force about what they were doing. There seems to be little doubt that it was this domestic spying by the Federal Government that led to the excessive and truly despicable home assaults by the police yesterday.
So here we have a massive assault led by Federal Government law enforcement agencies on left-wing dissidents and protesters who have committed no acts of violence or illegality whatsoever, preceded by months-long espionage efforts to track what they do. And as extraordinary as that conduct is, more extraordinary is the fact that they have received virtually no attention from the national media and little outcry from anyone. And it's not difficult to see why. As the recent "overhaul" of the 30-year-old FISA law illustrated -- preceded by the endless expansion of surveillance state powers, justified first by the War on Drugs and then the War on Terror -- we've essentially decided that we want our Government to spy on us without limits. There is literally no police power that the state can exercise that will cause much protest from the political and media class and, therefore, from the citizenry.
Beyond that, there is a widespread sense that the targets of these raids deserve what they get, even if nothing they've done is remotely illegal. We love to proclaim how much we cherish our "freedoms" in the abstract, but we despise those who actually exercise them. The Constitution, right in the very First Amendment, protects free speech and free assembly precisely because those liberties are central to a healthy republic -- but we've decided that anyone who would actually express truly dissident views or do anything other than sit meekly and quietly in their homes are dirty trouble-makers up to no good, and it's therefore probably for the best if our Government keeps them in check, spies on them, even gets a little rough with them. Read On
More About Police Terrorizing Lawful Protesters At RNC
From Marjorie Cohn, President of the National Lawyers Guild:
Monday, September 1, 2008
Preemptive Strikes Against Protest at RNC
In the months leading up to the Republican National Convention, the FBI-led Minneapolis Joint Terrorist Task Force actively recruited people to infiltrate vegan groups and other leftist organizations and report back about their activities. On May 21, the Minneapolis City Pages ran a recruiting story called "Moles Wanted." Law enforcement sought to preempt lawful protest against the policies of the Bush administration during the convention.
Since Friday, local police and sheriffs, working with the FBI, conducted preemptive searches, seizures and arrests. Glenn Greenwald described the targeting of protestors by "teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets." Journalists were detained at gunpoint and lawyers representing detainees were handcuffed at the scene.
"I was personally present and saw officers with riot gear and assault rifles, pump action shotguns," said Bruce Nestor, the President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, who is representing several of the protestors. "The neighbor of one of the houses had a gun pointed in her face when she walked out on her back porch to see what was going on. There were children in all of these houses, and children were held at gunpoint." Read On
Monday, September 1, 2008
Preemptive Strikes Against Protest at RNC
In the months leading up to the Republican National Convention, the FBI-led Minneapolis Joint Terrorist Task Force actively recruited people to infiltrate vegan groups and other leftist organizations and report back about their activities. On May 21, the Minneapolis City Pages ran a recruiting story called "Moles Wanted." Law enforcement sought to preempt lawful protest against the policies of the Bush administration during the convention.
Since Friday, local police and sheriffs, working with the FBI, conducted preemptive searches, seizures and arrests. Glenn Greenwald described the targeting of protestors by "teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets." Journalists were detained at gunpoint and lawyers representing detainees were handcuffed at the scene.
"I was personally present and saw officers with riot gear and assault rifles, pump action shotguns," said Bruce Nestor, the President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, who is representing several of the protestors. "The neighbor of one of the houses had a gun pointed in her face when she walked out on her back porch to see what was going on. There were children in all of these houses, and children were held at gunpoint." Read On
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Amerika, Land of the Free to Be Illegally Arrested by Police Thugs
Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2008
Contact: Mike Burke
Goodman Charged with Obstruction; Felony Riot Charges Pending Against Kouddous and Salazar
ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on Monday afternoon.
All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back. Salazar’s violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she was slammed to the ground while yelling, “I’m Press! Press!,” resulted in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman’s arm was violently yanked by police as she was arrested.
On Tuesday, Democracy Now! will broadcast video of these arrests, as well as the broader police action. These will also be available on: www.democracynow.org
Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful detention of Kouddous and Salazar who were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were arrested on suspicion of rioting, a felony. While the three have been released, they all still face charges stemming from their unlawful arrest. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with obstruction of a legal process and interference with a “peace officer.”
Democracy Now! forcefully rejects all of these charges as false and an attempt at intimidation of these journalists. We demand that the charges be immediately and completely dropped.
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities’ law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which the Democracy Now! team was arrested, law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, including a photographer for the Associated Press.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and the subsequent criminal charges and threat of charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
wake up! rise up!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Police Suppress Free Speech In Minneapolis Ahead of RNC
Crackdown begins: Food Not Bombs house among Saturday raids
By Paul Schmelzer 8/30/08 9:41 AM
MnIndy RNC reporter Jeff Severns Guntzel is at the Minneapolis Food Not Bombs house, which was raided by police this morning. Facts are still coming in, but Guntzel says that at 8 a.m. neighbors near the home, located at 2301 23rd Avenue South, reported hearing a loud bang followed by yelling. A single police squad car was parked out front. When Guntzel arrived he saw eight or nine officers enter the house in what he says is a joint operation between officers of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department, the Minneapolis Police Depatment, and the FBI.
According to one witness who was in the house at the time of the raid, the action is related to last night’s raid on the RNC Welcoming Committee’s “convergence space.” Several other spaces have been raided this morning.
so this is what a police state looks like. more coverage here and here.
By Paul Schmelzer 8/30/08 9:41 AM
MnIndy RNC reporter Jeff Severns Guntzel is at the Minneapolis Food Not Bombs house, which was raided by police this morning. Facts are still coming in, but Guntzel says that at 8 a.m. neighbors near the home, located at 2301 23rd Avenue South, reported hearing a loud bang followed by yelling. A single police squad car was parked out front. When Guntzel arrived he saw eight or nine officers enter the house in what he says is a joint operation between officers of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department, the Minneapolis Police Depatment, and the FBI.
According to one witness who was in the house at the time of the raid, the action is related to last night’s raid on the RNC Welcoming Committee’s “convergence space.” Several other spaces have been raided this morning.
so this is what a police state looks like. more coverage here and here.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Falsely Arrested Anti-War Protester Seeks Apology From DuPage County
[DuPage County, IL]
Downers Grove resident Jeff Zurawski wrote a column that appeared in today's edition of the Downers Grove Reporter. He is one of two peace activists arrested last year after displaying political signs while standing on a pedestrian walkway above a local toll road. Zurawski believes he and his friend, fellow peace activist Sarah Hartfield of Naperville, were wrongfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted. He is seeking apologies from the DuPage County sheriff's department and state's attorney's office.
.jpg)
Contact DuPage County's law enforcement officials and urge them to issue public apologies for their wrongdoing:
Sheriff John Zaruba
DuPage County Sheriff's Office
501 North County Farm Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(630) 407-2400
sheriff@dupagesheriff.org
Joseph Birkett, State's Attorney
503 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8000
stsattn@dupageco.org
Downers Grove resident Jeff Zurawski wrote a column that appeared in today's edition of the Downers Grove Reporter. He is one of two peace activists arrested last year after displaying political signs while standing on a pedestrian walkway above a local toll road. Zurawski believes he and his friend, fellow peace activist Sarah Hartfield of Naperville, were wrongfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted. He is seeking apologies from the DuPage County sheriff's department and state's attorney's office.
.jpg)
Contact DuPage County's law enforcement officials and urge them to issue public apologies for their wrongdoing:
Sheriff John Zaruba
DuPage County Sheriff's Office
501 North County Farm Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(630) 407-2400
sheriff@dupagesheriff.org
Joseph Birkett, State's Attorney
503 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8000
stsattn@dupageco.org
Thursday, August 21, 2008
DuPage Free Speech Case Ends, Score 1 For THE PEOPLE!
Disorderly conduct charges dropped against anti-war protestors
By Christy Gutowski Daily Herald Staff
Charges against protesters dropped
Complaining witness doesn't show up to trial
August 21, 2008
By Jennifer Golz, Naperville Sun
DuPage County war protesters see charges dropped
Main witness fails to show to testify in disorderly conduct case
By Art Barnum Chicago Tribune reporter
11:20 PM CDT, August 20, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: Charges dismissed for protesters
By Dan Petrella, dpetrella@mysuburbanlife.com
Suburban Life Publications
Wed Aug 20, 2008, 02:33 PM CDT
By Christy Gutowski Daily Herald Staff
Charges against protesters dropped
Complaining witness doesn't show up to trial
August 21, 2008
By Jennifer Golz, Naperville Sun
DuPage County war protesters see charges dropped
Main witness fails to show to testify in disorderly conduct case
By Art Barnum Chicago Tribune reporter
11:20 PM CDT, August 20, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: Charges dismissed for protesters
By Dan Petrella, dpetrella@mysuburbanlife.com
Suburban Life Publications
Wed Aug 20, 2008, 02:33 PM CDT
Monday, August 18, 2008
Denver Police Dept Prepares 'Concentration Camp' For DNC Protesters
News crew crashes Denver's DNC 'concentration camp'
Stephen C. Webster
Published: Friday August 15, 2008 The Raw Story
UPDATE: RAW STORY has obtained a letter from ACLU Colorado, sent to the Denver Police Department regarding the protest detention facility. Read it here.
During the 2004 Republican Nation Convention in New York City, over 1,700 protesters were taken into police custody in one of the most sweeping mass-arrests in US history. Many were held in Manhattan's Pier 57, inside a warehouse which was contaminated with lead and asbestos. Some were held for days, and without proper access to food, water, outside communication or legal counsel.
In Denver, police are preparing what a local political organizer calls a 'concentration camp,' laying in wait for mass arrests anticipated during the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
On Wednesday, a Denver CBS affiliate sent a news crew to crash the police department's improvised detention facility, found in a warehouse owned by the city on the north-east side of town.
"This is a building filled with metal holding cells," described reporter Rick Sallinger, introducing the segment. "We showed up at the facility unannounced today, the doors were wide open, and we managed to shoot for several minutes until a Denver sheriff's captain asked us to leave."
Footage of the warehouse revels tall, chain-link fence capped by barbed wire, and segmented pens each bearing an identifying letter at about shoulder height.
The news crew was not invited, nor welcome. Cpt. Frank Gale of the Denver Sheriff's Department called the facility "a secured area," and worried that information related to the site would be used "by people who are potentially trying to be disruptive."
"Each of these fenced in areas is about five yards by five yards," said Sallinger. "There's a lock on the door. How long those arrested will be kept here is not known. A sign on the wall reads, 'Warning! Electric stun devices used in this facility.'" Read On
Stephen C. Webster
Published: Friday August 15, 2008 The Raw Story
UPDATE: RAW STORY has obtained a letter from ACLU Colorado, sent to the Denver Police Department regarding the protest detention facility. Read it here.
During the 2004 Republican Nation Convention in New York City, over 1,700 protesters were taken into police custody in one of the most sweeping mass-arrests in US history. Many were held in Manhattan's Pier 57, inside a warehouse which was contaminated with lead and asbestos. Some were held for days, and without proper access to food, water, outside communication or legal counsel.
In Denver, police are preparing what a local political organizer calls a 'concentration camp,' laying in wait for mass arrests anticipated during the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
On Wednesday, a Denver CBS affiliate sent a news crew to crash the police department's improvised detention facility, found in a warehouse owned by the city on the north-east side of town.
"This is a building filled with metal holding cells," described reporter Rick Sallinger, introducing the segment. "We showed up at the facility unannounced today, the doors were wide open, and we managed to shoot for several minutes until a Denver sheriff's captain asked us to leave."
Footage of the warehouse revels tall, chain-link fence capped by barbed wire, and segmented pens each bearing an identifying letter at about shoulder height.
The news crew was not invited, nor welcome. Cpt. Frank Gale of the Denver Sheriff's Department called the facility "a secured area," and worried that information related to the site would be used "by people who are potentially trying to be disruptive."
"Each of these fenced in areas is about five yards by five yards," said Sallinger. "There's a lock on the door. How long those arrested will be kept here is not known. A sign on the wall reads, 'Warning! Electric stun devices used in this facility.'" Read On
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Surveillance State Rising, Civil Liberties Eroding
Taste of Chicago crowd being watched while they eat
Police testing high-tech observation platform
By Russell Working
Chicago Tribune reporter
9:44 PM CDT, July 5, 2008
A crowd gathered Saturday at Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain to watch a magician pull a coconut out of his derby.What might come as a surprise was that someone was probably watching the watchers via a nearby high-tech observation platform used by Chicago police.
The SkyWatch, which resembles a lifeguard tower on wheels, is being tested at the Taste of Chicago. The towers are used at the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Guantanamo Bay and the U.S.-Mexico border, according to their manufacturer, ICX Technologies of Arlington, Va.
The tower provides a 360-degree view, allowing police to see and quickly respond to problems that might develop in the crowd."Radio communication from sky to ground is also a benefit because it allows the officer to communicate quickly with the troops on the ground, providing them with descriptions and locations" of incidents, said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond.
SkyWatch is equipped with infrared capability, surveillance equipment, lighting and a PA system, Bond said."We are evaluating its effectiveness as a crime-fighting strategy," she said.
Chicago police said the equipment is on loan. The Army recently bought 22 towers for $14 million for bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, the company said.
Though it's unlikely the tower would help in the investigation of Thursday night's shootings near the festival, it could offer more security for an event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a day. Officials said they were beefing up the number of uniformed and plainclothes officers at the festival because of the shootings.
Though much of Saturday's crowd seemed aware of the increased police presence, people appeared more focused on the food and drink.
"I've noticed more [police] horses here than last year. .. . . I didn't see many at all [last year]," said Adam Greenawalt, 26, of Goshen, Ind.
Evelyn Bonner, 41, of Florida and Fred Felton, 42, of the South Side were wandering around the festival in a happy daze Saturday after getting engaged the previous night. Felton said he wasn't impressed by "all the gadgets and bicycles and footmen and high towers.""I think what they need is more footmen walking around," he said.
Back by Buckingham Fountain, Robert Brown, 20, of Chicago glanced up at the darkened windows of the observation tower."We're being watched," he said. "That's good, I guess."
rworking@tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tastejul06,0,4450885,print.story
Police testing high-tech observation platform
By Russell Working
Chicago Tribune reporter
9:44 PM CDT, July 5, 2008
A crowd gathered Saturday at Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain to watch a magician pull a coconut out of his derby.What might come as a surprise was that someone was probably watching the watchers via a nearby high-tech observation platform used by Chicago police.
The SkyWatch, which resembles a lifeguard tower on wheels, is being tested at the Taste of Chicago. The towers are used at the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Guantanamo Bay and the U.S.-Mexico border, according to their manufacturer, ICX Technologies of Arlington, Va.
The tower provides a 360-degree view, allowing police to see and quickly respond to problems that might develop in the crowd."Radio communication from sky to ground is also a benefit because it allows the officer to communicate quickly with the troops on the ground, providing them with descriptions and locations" of incidents, said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond.
SkyWatch is equipped with infrared capability, surveillance equipment, lighting and a PA system, Bond said."We are evaluating its effectiveness as a crime-fighting strategy," she said.
Chicago police said the equipment is on loan. The Army recently bought 22 towers for $14 million for bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, the company said.
Though it's unlikely the tower would help in the investigation of Thursday night's shootings near the festival, it could offer more security for an event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a day. Officials said they were beefing up the number of uniformed and plainclothes officers at the festival because of the shootings.
Though much of Saturday's crowd seemed aware of the increased police presence, people appeared more focused on the food and drink.
"I've noticed more [police] horses here than last year. .. . . I didn't see many at all [last year]," said Adam Greenawalt, 26, of Goshen, Ind.
Evelyn Bonner, 41, of Florida and Fred Felton, 42, of the South Side were wandering around the festival in a happy daze Saturday after getting engaged the previous night. Felton said he wasn't impressed by "all the gadgets and bicycles and footmen and high towers.""I think what they need is more footmen walking around," he said.
Back by Buckingham Fountain, Robert Brown, 20, of Chicago glanced up at the darkened windows of the observation tower."We're being watched," he said. "That's good, I guess."
rworking@tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tastejul06,0,4450885,print.story
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Got Privacy Rights?
The powers that be are trying to eliminate the Constitution's Fourth Amendment, the one that is supposed to prohibit the government from subjecting us to unreasonable and warrantless searches and seizures.
I'm glad that some of our Congresspersons, including Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), are willing to stand up and help us fight for our rights.
And I'm grateful for the free-speech rights that allow brave, independent journalists like Amy Goodman from Democracy Now! to bring us real news coverage.
I'm glad that some of our Congresspersons, including Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), are willing to stand up and help us fight for our rights.
And I'm grateful for the free-speech rights that allow brave, independent journalists like Amy Goodman from Democracy Now! to bring us real news coverage.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
F U B A R !
Call 911 for help when your life is in danger and the dispatcher might forget to call you back or might say, "I really don't give a sh*t what happens to you."
Call 911 to harrass two peaceful protesters publicly expressing a political opinion you find offensive and not only will the police be sent to investigate, but they just might collaborate with you and the State's Attorney to have the protesters wrongfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted. You may have to lie and say the protesters are, "acting like they're throwing stuff".
Don't worry though, it's only illegal to make a false report to 911 . And everyone would agree that people should be arrested, jailed, and forced to defend themselves in court against criminal charges that are based on nothing more than a person's baseless claims.
Call 911 to harrass two peaceful protesters publicly expressing a political opinion you find offensive and not only will the police be sent to investigate, but they just might collaborate with you and the State's Attorney to have the protesters wrongfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted. You may have to lie and say the protesters are, "acting like they're throwing stuff".
Don't worry though, it's only illegal to make a false report to 911 . And everyone would agree that people should be arrested, jailed, and forced to defend themselves in court against criminal charges that are based on nothing more than a person's baseless claims.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Domestic Spying Far Outpaces Terrorism Prosecutions
As more Americans are watched, fewer cases are made. The trend concerns civil liberties groups as well as some lawmakers and legal experts.
By Richard B. Schmitt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 12, 2008
WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans being secretly wiretapped or having their financial and other records reviewed by the government has continued to increase as officials aggressively use powers approved after the Sept. 11 attacks. But the number of terrorism prosecutions ending up in court -- one measure of the effectiveness of such sleuthing -- has continued to decline, in some cases precipitously.
The trends, visible in new government data and a private analysis of Justice Department records, are worrisome to civil liberties groups and some legal scholars. They say it is further evidence that the government has compromised the privacy rights of ordinary citizens without much to show for it. Read On
By Richard B. Schmitt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 12, 2008
WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans being secretly wiretapped or having their financial and other records reviewed by the government has continued to increase as officials aggressively use powers approved after the Sept. 11 attacks. But the number of terrorism prosecutions ending up in court -- one measure of the effectiveness of such sleuthing -- has continued to decline, in some cases precipitously.
The trends, visible in new government data and a private analysis of Justice Department records, are worrisome to civil liberties groups and some legal scholars. They say it is further evidence that the government has compromised the privacy rights of ordinary citizens without much to show for it. Read On
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chicago Protesters Slapped With Felony Charges
Friday, April 18, 2008 By: John Beacham
Party For Socialism and Liberation
Criminal prosecution a pattern against anti-war protests
On March 23, six activists from Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War staged a die-in during Easter Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Ill. The protest was one of many direct actions that took place all across the country on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.
Cardinal Francis George claimsanti-war protest with fake blood isan "act of violence."During the die-in, the activists spoke out against the war and spurted a packet of fake blood on themselves to dramatize the violent nature of the U.S. war on Iraq.
All six were arrested shortly after the anti-war action. They were later charged with felonies for criminal damage to property: Purportedly, some of the fake blood stained the carpet.
The outrageous charges against the six are a brazen attack against the anti-war movement meant to discourage protest.
At an impromptu press conference after the arrests, Cardinal Francis George suggested that the protesters were guilty of committing a violent act. George’s accusation is a preposterous stretch of reality. George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was conducting the Easter Mass at the time of the protest.
All major television news outlets in Chicago cover the holiday mass. The protest and arrests received widespread coverage in both the U.S. and world media.
The big-business media has completely vilified the young activists. But the six protesters are in no way criminals. They are right to take action against an unjust, murderous war based on lies—a war that is solely for profit and colonial domination.
The six protesters are Angela Haban, 20; Regan Maher, 25; Mercedes Phinaih, 18; Ephran Ramirez Jr., 22; Donte D. Smith, 21; and Ryane J. Ziemba, 25.
The felony charges leveled against the young activists are part of a pattern in the Chicago area.
On Jan. 7, four protesters were arrested during a demonstration against President Bush in Chicago. Their crime? Holding a banner in the street that read, “End the War and Occupation: Troops Home Now!” Three of the protesters were charged with disorderly conduct.
On Jan. 25, Andy Thayer, a well-known anti-war organizer in Chicago, was indicted by the Cook County Grand Jury on the felony charge of aggravated battery against a police officer. The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
On May 26, 2007, two anti-war protesters, Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield, were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct more than two weeks after they held a large sign on a bridge over the 335 Tollway in DuPage County, which borders Chicago. The sign read, “Impeach Bush and Cheney—Liars.”
The DuPage County prosecutor alleges that the two were throwing objects onto the tollway. Despite the utter falseness of the County’s claims, Zurawski and Hartfield have been fighting the charges for almost a year now. The trial is scheduled for June 9.
Unlike anti-war protesters who are being unjustly prosecuted in the Chicago area, President Bush, his appointees and the Pentagon generals are real-life criminals. Their war crimes against the Iraqi people would be quite easy to prosecute.
But Chicago-area officials and prosecutors are not concerned with justice. Their main intention is to preserve the status quo of war and class rule. With 80 percent of the U.S. population against the war and the current crisis deepening in all branches of the economy, the U.S. capitalist state is afraid that the anti-war movement might intensify.
Progressives and revolutionaries should demand that all charges against anti-war protesters in Chicago be immediately dropped.
Party For Socialism and Liberation
Criminal prosecution a pattern against anti-war protests
On March 23, six activists from Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War staged a die-in during Easter Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Ill. The protest was one of many direct actions that took place all across the country on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.
Cardinal Francis George claimsanti-war protest with fake blood isan "act of violence."During the die-in, the activists spoke out against the war and spurted a packet of fake blood on themselves to dramatize the violent nature of the U.S. war on Iraq.
All six were arrested shortly after the anti-war action. They were later charged with felonies for criminal damage to property: Purportedly, some of the fake blood stained the carpet.
The outrageous charges against the six are a brazen attack against the anti-war movement meant to discourage protest.
At an impromptu press conference after the arrests, Cardinal Francis George suggested that the protesters were guilty of committing a violent act. George’s accusation is a preposterous stretch of reality. George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was conducting the Easter Mass at the time of the protest.
All major television news outlets in Chicago cover the holiday mass. The protest and arrests received widespread coverage in both the U.S. and world media.
The big-business media has completely vilified the young activists. But the six protesters are in no way criminals. They are right to take action against an unjust, murderous war based on lies—a war that is solely for profit and colonial domination.
The six protesters are Angela Haban, 20; Regan Maher, 25; Mercedes Phinaih, 18; Ephran Ramirez Jr., 22; Donte D. Smith, 21; and Ryane J. Ziemba, 25.
The felony charges leveled against the young activists are part of a pattern in the Chicago area.
On Jan. 7, four protesters were arrested during a demonstration against President Bush in Chicago. Their crime? Holding a banner in the street that read, “End the War and Occupation: Troops Home Now!” Three of the protesters were charged with disorderly conduct.
On Jan. 25, Andy Thayer, a well-known anti-war organizer in Chicago, was indicted by the Cook County Grand Jury on the felony charge of aggravated battery against a police officer. The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
On May 26, 2007, two anti-war protesters, Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield, were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct more than two weeks after they held a large sign on a bridge over the 335 Tollway in DuPage County, which borders Chicago. The sign read, “Impeach Bush and Cheney—Liars.”
The DuPage County prosecutor alleges that the two were throwing objects onto the tollway. Despite the utter falseness of the County’s claims, Zurawski and Hartfield have been fighting the charges for almost a year now. The trial is scheduled for June 9.
Unlike anti-war protesters who are being unjustly prosecuted in the Chicago area, President Bush, his appointees and the Pentagon generals are real-life criminals. Their war crimes against the Iraqi people would be quite easy to prosecute.
But Chicago-area officials and prosecutors are not concerned with justice. Their main intention is to preserve the status quo of war and class rule. With 80 percent of the U.S. population against the war and the current crisis deepening in all branches of the economy, the U.S. capitalist state is afraid that the anti-war movement might intensify.
Progressives and revolutionaries should demand that all charges against anti-war protesters in Chicago be immediately dropped.
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