Today we are back in Courtroom 1080. We will be here from 9 AM to about 4:30. Come anytime.
As of yesterday, the security infrastructure has downgraded us to a mere curiosity. The Sheriff's Department is evidently not too worried about "violent anarchists" in the building. They declined to provide a single uniformed officer to watch over us. With all the budget cut-backs, they need those officers to mind prisoners who pose a more immediate threat to public safety. A lone plain-clothes deputy sat at the back of the courtroom -- a buddy of Jay Maher, who was in uniform and on the witness stand. (I suppose that counts as 2 deputies). I imagine Maher was glad to see a friendly face in the audience.
In spite of the current lack of interest by law enforcement, the judge refused motions for bail reductions for a number of defendants who are facing financial hardship. She said that circumstances had not changed sufficiently to warrant it -- they were still a threat to public safety, and still a flight risk.
The usual representative of our Vets for Peace allies told his group he couldn't make it and asked that someone in the group pick up the slack. So they turned out in force! They were very impressed with our level of organizing, especially the lunch in the basement. They were embarrassed to be eating our food, but promised to bring some themselves on Friday. Welcome Vets for Peace!
One of the defendants was ill and Judge Warner offered to recess the court until he could attend. He chose to waive his right to be present in court and allowed his lawyer to represent his interests in his absence. So court went on without him.
Jay Maher was on the witness stand all day. He specializes in photographing people. He does not know the common meaning of Direct Action, in spite of having followed anarchists around for two years. He claims the Welcoming Committee is responsible for all the violence and property damage by RNC protesters because of the We're Getting Ready video and because they did not disavow any tactics, but rather allowed for 'a diversity of tactics.' Still, he can't testify that any of the defendants ever directly or explicitly advocated violence or property damage, or ever agreed to participate in it.
This will be the last day of hearings for awhile. A make-up day will be scheduled later this summer to make up for last Thursday, which was canceled due to the funeral of the policeman who was killed recently.
Margaret
Courtwatch Working Group
Community RNC Arrestees Support Structure (CRASS)
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