Kate Sorenson is being held on a $1 million dollar bail along with John Sellars. The charges are trumped up as are John's and are a complete violation of basic civil rights.

Kate just returned from Africa where she was fighting to raise awareness about the pharmeceutical industry's devastating impact on the spread of AIDS on that continent. In the US, her involvement with communities in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco as an artist and activist has been tireless. Her compassion and understanding that we the people deserve better than what is being shoved down our throats is a testament to her fabulousness, her gentleness and love. She is a superstar!

I will not elevate her in a eulogy for the living as I know she would probably detest it. Instead, I will just thank her for her courage, strength, humour and commitment to justice as well as do everything I can to get her and the other protestors released. Please call the numbers below and demand the release of the political prisoners in Philly!

Cheif Maxwell - Head of Detectives and Criminal Investigation 215-686-3362

Deputy Commissioner Mitchell - in charge of Demonstration 215-686-3364

Captain Fisher- Civil Affairs 215-685-3684

Mayor John Street - 215-686-2181

Stephanie Franklin Suber - Mayor's Chief of Staff 215-686-7508

Ken Trujillo - City Solicitor 215-683-5003

Councilman Nutter (Yeah that's really his name) 215-685-3416

What are Kate & John charged with?

What is the worst anyone is charged with? Any felonies?

What is the address of the defense fund?

How many are still inside?

Thanks

Kate and John are both being charged with misdemeanors which makes their $1 million bail all the more ludicrous. As of last night, there are still 130 protestors still in jail. Those dubbed "the organizers" are receiving the harshest treatment and being detained for as long as possible.

Check out the website thepartysover.org and the philly imc website for info and updates. If you would like to send money to the protestor's legal defense fund in Philly here is the info:

Make your tax-deductible check out to "ISMCH" (they're the protest's Fiscal Sponsor, The Institute of Social Medicine and Community Health), and mail it to:

P-DAG
POB 40683
Phila, PA 19107-0683

If you want it to go to a particular individual, put that person's name in the memo, otherwise it will go to help everyone.

Thanks!

As far as I am aware of, there is one protestor charged with a felony on $500,000 bail. I'm having trouble getting the details on this but there will be a press release later today that will probably answer that question.

Thanks again!

It turns out Kate HAS been charged with multiple felonies. Information is slow and scattered at this point so please stay posted. Below is a call to action from members of ACT-UP Philadelphia. The address for the fund is for ACT-UP members. If you want to give to all the protestors, please use the address above.
PLEASE FORWARD TO INTERESTED PARTIES:

Kate Sorensen of ACT UP Philly is being held on $1 Million bail
and charged with 10 felonies.



Please call, and if possible make loans or donations to our bail fund:

ACT UP Philadelphia
POB 22439 Land Title Station
Philadephia, PA 19110-2439


PLEASE KEEP CALLING. Again:

Deputy Commissioner Mitchell (Head of Demonstrations), 215-686-3364
Captain Fisher (Head of Civil Affairs) 215-685-3684
Chief Maxwell (Head of Detectives & Investigations) 215-686-3362
Mayor John Street 215-686-2181
Stefanie Stuber, Mayor's Chief of Staff 215-686-7508

>Say you are following the situation & encourage/demand:
>
>1) All charges be dropped. This demand will include those who are
> charged with felonies and those that have already been released.
>2) No separation or isolation of any individual.
>3) Equal treatment for all individuals.
>4) Full access to health care including medicines, food and bathroom.
>5) An end to the harassment of legal observers.

*************************************************
For updates (like the one below), go to: www.phillyimc.org.



###### Julie Davids ######
###### ACT UP Philadelphia ######
###### jdavids@critpath.org ######