Show up to Rob Middaugh's (aka Ruckus) court date to show support and protest against police repression and targeting of Southern California anarchists.

When: Monday, August 18, 2003 at 8:30 AM.

Where: Federal District Courthouse

255 E. Temple St., 3rd floor, Roybal Building

Los Angeles, CA

Read more about the case:

A Few Drops of Soda Can Be A Federal Offense! Just ask Robert Middaugh, political prisoner & Chicano anti-racist activist...

Robert Middaugh (aka Ruckus), was released from Avenal State Prison two weeks ago, after serving two years for trumped up charges stemming from his involvement in the now infamous 2001 Long Beach May Day demonstration, which resulted in over 100 arrests. The prosecutor wielded every possible charge he could at Rob. He was finally charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. He was already on parole due to an earlier incident that occurred with the LAPD, which led to his first strike.

Rob was initially looking at 24-26 years in prison if found guilty for the May Day charges, so his only viable option was to accept a plea bargain. He was sentenced to three years and given his second strike.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of the police harassment. After he was released from Avenal, U.S. Marshals came for him. He is now being charged with assaulting a government official, wearing a mask to conceal his identity, and possession of a dagger.

The incident in question took place at a July 4th demonstration in 2000, at the Westwood Federal Building in Los Angeles. An anti-immigrant hate group rallied on the south side of Wilshire Blvd. with a sound stage on the Federal Building lawn (granted by federal authorities). Meanwhile, anti-racist demonstrators gathered on the north side of Wilshire Blvd. In response to racial slurs and other taunts, a contingency of anti-racist protesters crossed the street and conflict ensued. LAPD officers swiftly intervened on behalf of the anti-immigrant protesters (surprise!). During the scuffle, unknown person(s) allegedly used unopened cans of soda as projectiles. According to the prosecution's complaint, a can exploded and splashed one of the officers with the carbonated contents. The officer (Thomas G. Goldsmith) proceeded to arrest Rob for "assaulting an officer." In this case, BEING SPLASHED WITH SODA supposedly constituted federal assault charges.

Furthermore, the officer alleged that he "...saw Middaugh with a soda in his right hand throw the can at [him]." However, ROB IS LEFT-HANDED. Why would a left-handed individual hurl a projectile with his weaker hand?

Finally, the charges were initially filed on January 11, 2002. Rob demanded a speedy trial, which should have taken place 180 days after the charges were filed. In August 2003, the case is barely going to trial. This is an aberration that further illustrates how the "justice" system is a farce and fails to adhere to its own policies.

Rob has been active with several organizations and has protested against various issues, such as police brutality, racism, indigenous relocation, environmental destruction, animal rights issues, and militarization of the Mexican border. The disparity in this case between what occurred and the charges filed against Rob is an outrage. Clearly, he was targeted for his outspokenness and his political activities. This case is a travesty and a mockery of the justice system, and illustrates how far the government will go to squash dissent.

Rob also needs help with his legal defense. For more information, e-mail: cabin_fevered@yahoo.com

Hello fellow comrades and rebels:

I am writing to encourge you to show up to my next court date on Sept.2 at 8:30 to show your support thorough any way you wish to show your support for me, and to give your love to the Feds if you wish...

As you know, Sherman will soon be imprisoned, as the state attempts to silence another uncompromising activist. The fight continues, as many of my brothers and sisters continue to suffer and even die due to the situation that continues to exist with the U.S. military's presence and the racist vigilantes and heightened "security" along the Mexican border.

My continued fight within the legal system is not my struggle alone, because it is a continuation of the state's effort to repress So Kal anarchists who continue to struggle and stand up to all forms of oppression.

To all my relations and in the spirit of anarcho-primitivism,

Ruckus

"I want no peace, but equal rights and justice" -Peter Tosh

Let's just drop all the "political prisoner" BS, okay?

You were out of jail on probation.

You were found to be in possession of a weapon...a dagger...in violation of your probation.

I'm sorry; I don't understand why you shouldn't have to go to jail.

He wasn't on probation at the time these charges came up. No probation, no violation. Get yer facts straight.

There seems to be mcuh hoopla about an officer being assaulted with a can of soda.

Trivial, you say? Then perhaps you will volunteer to have a can of soda thrown full speed at your head.

No? Whyever not? It's just soda, right?

Throwing the can is assault. Being hit with the can is battery.

Get yer own facts straight.

"Get yer own facts straight."

Learn how to spell the word "your." Idiot.

The officer was not struck by the can. The can hit the ground near his shoe. His shoe was then splashed with soda. That is the "assault" in this case. Laughable...

...that same can of soda tossed indiscriminately in Iraq could have been trotted out by da shrubbies as evidence of WMD's....I can just see the posts now....."CO2 is a deadly gas...."

Diabla misspelled it first:
"Misinformation
by Diabla • Sunday August 24, 2003 01:03 PM



He wasn't on probation at the time these charges came up. No probation, no violation. Get yer facts straight."

But since I disagree, I get called on an intentional mispelling. Hypocrite.

Ce Coatl: The assault in this case is that a can was thrown. Had it hit the officer, it would have been assault and battery.

If it's so laughable, let me throw a can of soda at you. I'll demonstrate the difference between assault and battery.

Trust me...it won't be funny.

"...let me throw a can of soda at you. I'll demonstrate the difference between assault and battery."

Way to go, tpfkamw. Whenever we asinine conservatives have no valid argument, we can always threaten to use violence. It really helps demonstrate how juvenile and simpleminded we really are. Great job!!!

The can did not hit the officer. His shoe was splashed with soda.

Nice threats, though. That's about as laughable as the "assault" charges.

A can was thrown. Whether it hit the officer is immaterial; it is assault.

Had it hit the officer, it would be battery.

I wasn't threatening you. I was trying to point out the difference between assault and battery.

Now you may go ahead and willfully misunderstand again.

I've met daveman. You're not him.

"...let me throw a can of soda at you. I'll demonstrate the difference between assault and battery."

Those words, typed by none other than you, constitute a threat.

Now you may go ahead and willfully misunderstand again. Moron.

...having a can of soda thrown at you can't hurt, right? Just ask the cop with the sticky shoes.

Now if it HITS you...that's a different story.

Hardly a threat.

Putz.

Rob's next court date is Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at 9AM at the Edward Roybal Federal Building, 255 E. Temple St. in LA, 3rd floor. Show up to show your support.

Court date has been changed to Sept. 8th at Edward Roybal Federal building 255 E. Temple ST. in LA 3rd floor. It has been rumored that thier will be no soda pop allowed to be sold withen the property of the court house.

Rob's next court date is Oct. 2nd at 1:30 located at 312 North Spring Federal court house. court room 9
It is starting to get interesting now since trail is excepting to start Oct. 28th with jury selections a day before.