So this is what happened to me this weekend and what I am facing at this point. I spent 30 hours in a 1 person holding cell in central booking with 8 other women followed by a full day in general population. My bail was $10,000. I hope this posts ok cause it's long:
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Please Distribute Widely
-------------------------
Support The Baltimore Anti-Racist 28!
On the morning of August 24, 2002, twenty-eight anti-racist activists
went
to the Baltimore Travel Plaza to protest the neo-nazi organization "The
National Alliance." Some two hundred racists were gathering there to
meet
before caravanning to their march and rally in Washington, D.C. later
that
day. As the activists entered the parking lot of the Travel Plaza, it
began to storm and the group was confronted by several police cars. The
twenty-eight attempted to return to their cars when suddenly they were
surrounded by dozens of police cars and wagons. Held in the pouring
rain
for nearly an hour, they were eventually cuffed and brought to the
Southeast District police station. After hours of shivering on the
floor
of a conference room without being charged, they were transferred to
Central Booking and held for almost twenty-four hours before receiving
their papers. When they finally were allowed to see commissioners, some
of
the twenty-eight were released on their own recognizance while others
received bail amounts upwards of $10,000. None of these twenty-eight
activists had committed any crime, nor were they told what they were
being
charged with until after they had been interviewed. Bail was raised and
all activists are now out of jail, but the legal battle is just
beginning.
Later that night...
Baltimore police carried out a raid on a community center, the
activists
were using to coordinate jail solidarity, without a warrant. They
confiscated pamphlets, magazines and other literature. Immediately
afterward, police surrounded a progressive activist center and they
attempted another warrant-less search. The activists inside refused to
talk to police and instead called the media. The police left the scene
when the media showed up. Police then followed and pulled over cars
traveling to and from these locations without providing reasons for the
stops. Several people were pulled over at gunpoint for trying to reach
these safe spaces.
The Baltimore Police Department is going forward with their trumped up
charges. Once again the police are protecting violent racists over the
interests of our communities.
In addition to funds, the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 are also in need of
legal support. Any legal resources you can provide will be greatly
appreciated and are desperately needed.
It is clear that the charges against the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 and
the
harassment of the Baltimore Anti-Racist community are part of a larger
attempt to silence the voices of committed activists. Due to the scale
of
media coverage and the various regions represented by the defendants,
this
case is important to everyone continent-wide who is opposed to racial
and
other nazi prejudices.
Accurate information on the charges and the police tactics and response
to
anti-racism must be disseminated. Corporate media accounts are based on
the statements by the police and the National Alliance. Please spread
the
true message as far and wide as you can. Flyers, benefits, teach-ins,
demonstrations, etc. are needed to assist the Anti-Racist 28 through
their
court cases.
The Results:
Twenty-six activists have each been charged with:
One count of rioting (unlimited penalty)
Three counts of second degree aggravated assault (punishable by up
to 10 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine)
One count of possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure
(punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a $1,000 fine)
One count of malicious destruction of property valued over $500
(punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine)
One count of disorderly conduct (punishable by up to 60 days in
prison and/or a $500 fine)
The twenty-seventh activist, a minor, received the same charges plus an
additional 20 counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault. The
twenty-eighth activist, a representative of the National Lawyers Guild,
was also arrested while he attempted to protect the rights of the
activists. He was charged with one count of failing to obey an officer
(punishable by up to 60 Days in prison and/or a $500 fine).
The National Alliance claimed to police that they were confronted by
anti-fascists in the morning. If so, they had been there and left well
before the twenty-eight had arrived. The police decided to round up
anyone
in the parking lot and are attempting to pin any real or imagined
crimes
the National Alliance racists complained of on these innocent
activists.
These anti-racist activists need your assistance as they are facing a
combined total of about 1,177 years of jail time.
Please donate to the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Legal Defense Fund. Many
thousands of dollars will be needed by these brave and dedicated
activists
to fight these bogus charges. Much thanks to all of the great people
who
sent money for bail, but the serious costs will begin now. Every
little
bit counts.
Please send legal support donations to:
Black Planet Books
1621 Fleet Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21231-2931 USA
Phone: 410.537.5005 E-Mail: antifalegal@hotmail.com.
Personal checks or money orders should be made out to Black Planet
Books.
If sending cash, please conceal it well. Please note in envelope that
your donation is for the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Legal Defense Fund.
In solidarity,
The Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Defense Committee
Silence Is Approval!
Demand Justice Now!
-------------------------
Please Distribute Widely
-------------------------
Support The Baltimore Anti-Racist 28!
On the morning of August 24, 2002, twenty-eight anti-racist activists
went
to the Baltimore Travel Plaza to protest the neo-nazi organization "The
National Alliance." Some two hundred racists were gathering there to
meet
before caravanning to their march and rally in Washington, D.C. later
that
day. As the activists entered the parking lot of the Travel Plaza, it
began to storm and the group was confronted by several police cars. The
twenty-eight attempted to return to their cars when suddenly they were
surrounded by dozens of police cars and wagons. Held in the pouring
rain
for nearly an hour, they were eventually cuffed and brought to the
Southeast District police station. After hours of shivering on the
floor
of a conference room without being charged, they were transferred to
Central Booking and held for almost twenty-four hours before receiving
their papers. When they finally were allowed to see commissioners, some
of
the twenty-eight were released on their own recognizance while others
received bail amounts upwards of $10,000. None of these twenty-eight
activists had committed any crime, nor were they told what they were
being
charged with until after they had been interviewed. Bail was raised and
all activists are now out of jail, but the legal battle is just
beginning.
Later that night...
Baltimore police carried out a raid on a community center, the
activists
were using to coordinate jail solidarity, without a warrant. They
confiscated pamphlets, magazines and other literature. Immediately
afterward, police surrounded a progressive activist center and they
attempted another warrant-less search. The activists inside refused to
talk to police and instead called the media. The police left the scene
when the media showed up. Police then followed and pulled over cars
traveling to and from these locations without providing reasons for the
stops. Several people were pulled over at gunpoint for trying to reach
these safe spaces.
The Baltimore Police Department is going forward with their trumped up
charges. Once again the police are protecting violent racists over the
interests of our communities.
In addition to funds, the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 are also in need of
legal support. Any legal resources you can provide will be greatly
appreciated and are desperately needed.
It is clear that the charges against the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 and
the
harassment of the Baltimore Anti-Racist community are part of a larger
attempt to silence the voices of committed activists. Due to the scale
of
media coverage and the various regions represented by the defendants,
this
case is important to everyone continent-wide who is opposed to racial
and
other nazi prejudices.
Accurate information on the charges and the police tactics and response
to
anti-racism must be disseminated. Corporate media accounts are based on
the statements by the police and the National Alliance. Please spread
the
true message as far and wide as you can. Flyers, benefits, teach-ins,
demonstrations, etc. are needed to assist the Anti-Racist 28 through
their
court cases.
The Results:
Twenty-six activists have each been charged with:
One count of rioting (unlimited penalty)
Three counts of second degree aggravated assault (punishable by up
to 10 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine)
One count of possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure
(punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a $1,000 fine)
One count of malicious destruction of property valued over $500
(punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine)
One count of disorderly conduct (punishable by up to 60 days in
prison and/or a $500 fine)
The twenty-seventh activist, a minor, received the same charges plus an
additional 20 counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault. The
twenty-eighth activist, a representative of the National Lawyers Guild,
was also arrested while he attempted to protect the rights of the
activists. He was charged with one count of failing to obey an officer
(punishable by up to 60 Days in prison and/or a $500 fine).
The National Alliance claimed to police that they were confronted by
anti-fascists in the morning. If so, they had been there and left well
before the twenty-eight had arrived. The police decided to round up
anyone
in the parking lot and are attempting to pin any real or imagined
crimes
the National Alliance racists complained of on these innocent
activists.
These anti-racist activists need your assistance as they are facing a
combined total of about 1,177 years of jail time.
Please donate to the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Legal Defense Fund. Many
thousands of dollars will be needed by these brave and dedicated
activists
to fight these bogus charges. Much thanks to all of the great people
who
sent money for bail, but the serious costs will begin now. Every
little
bit counts.
Please send legal support donations to:
Black Planet Books
1621 Fleet Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21231-2931 USA
Phone: 410.537.5005 E-Mail: antifalegal@hotmail.com.
Personal checks or money orders should be made out to Black Planet
Books.
If sending cash, please conceal it well. Please note in envelope that
your donation is for the Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Legal Defense Fund.
In solidarity,
The Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 Defense Committee
Silence Is Approval!
Demand Justice Now!
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
seriously, though, be proud- few have your courage. unfortunately, I also have no $$$ to give, but you have my support as well- it's one thing to demonstrate in the face of injustice, but to face it in our own legal system is just fucked...