Activists meet to continue organizing in support of those facing criminal charges from D2K and those brining civil lawsuits, and join together in the larger, ongoing battle for police accountability.
The Coalition for Police Accountability and D2K Ongoing Legal Support held a joint meeting Wednesday evening, September 13 at Homan United Methodist Church to discuss a variety of issues stemming from D2K activities and the larger, ongoing battle for police accountability.
There are 8 outstanding criminal cases heading for trial in the next several months. One of the most important things we can do to support the defendents in these cases is to show up at their trials and act as jury observers. Jury observers watch the jury as arguments are being made, evidence is being presented and witnesses are being questioned. They serve as the lawyers eyes and ears in evaluating what's working and what's not in making the case to the jury.
We all have plenty of experience observing people; over the years it's been discovered that ordinary people can quickly be trained on how to use this general experience in the courtroom setting. A single training session is sufficient. Midnight Special Law Collective will be returning to LA to conduct such a training on September 28 at 7 P.M. at CARECEN, 2845 W. 7th. St., just off Hoover.
A civil lawsuit is also being prepared. Witnessess or potential plaintiffs are urged to fill out online complaint forms at www.lawcollective.org/docs/lo/pomisconduct.doc and mail them to:
National Lawyers Guild
c/o Robert M. Myers, Esq.
Newman.Aaronson.Vanaman
14001 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks CA 91423
The lawsuit covers the following plaintiffs & causes of action:
(1) Parade permit holders & individuals blocked from participation -- 1st Amendment: Discouraging & preventing participation.
(2) D2K, Rage Against the Machine, Ozomatli -- 1st Amendment: Termination of Monday night rally.
(3) Legal observers & others -- 4th Amendment: Excessive force.
(4) Legal observers & others -- 4th Amendment: Shooting with rubber bullets.
(5) Two plaintiffs -- 4th Amendment: Unlawful arrest.
(6) Homeless organizer -- 1st, 4th, 14th Amendment -- Denied use of public sidewalk.
(7) People (especially those dressed in black) stopped without reason -- 4th Amendment: Unlawful detention & search.
(8) Anyone -- 4th Amendment: Pushed, shoved or harmed in any way by police.
Meanwhile, political organizing to increase citizen pressure on the system continues:
On Monday, September 18 at 9:30 A.M. people are urged to attend the L.A. City Council meeting in City Council Chambers, City Hall East (300 N. Main Street, 3rd Floor) to present testimony and argue in support of two demands:
(1) Demand that L.A. City Council agree to enter into a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department.
(2) Demand that L.A. City Council agree to appoint a truly independent body to investigate the actions of the LAPD during the D2K Protests.
(For more information, call Coalition for Police Accountability at 323/653-4510.)
Sunday, 22, 2000 will be the 5th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation. The march will begin at 1 P.M at Olympic and Broadway, and conclude with a rally in front of LAPD Headquarters at Parker Center (Los Angeles St., near Temple.)
(For more information, call October 22nd Coalition at 323/957-4661.)
Original: D2K Legal Struggles Continue, Join Broader Battles