LEGAL UPDATE from the 16th

It's my understanding that the arraignments are usually four business days after the arrest, which is why they're on Friday (Monday being a holiday).

Actually, as part of your right to a speedy trial you're supposed to be arraigned in 72 hours.

you're invited to a slumber party!

we'll be reconverging at 850 bryant sometime in the evening on thursday to maintain a presence throughout the night in order to bring attention to this disgusting attempt to thwart the anti-war movement before they start carpet-bombing, which i hear does a lot more damage than a rock thrown threw a window.

people should come ready to spend the night, whatever that means. food drinks music warm clothes sleeping bags etc. tell everyone you know. solidarity is urgently needed.

(if you think spending the night outside 850 bryant will be bad, imagine spending all these nights INSIDE that hell hole)

PRESS RELEASE — PRESS RELEASE — PRESS RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE ATTACK PEACE PROTESTORS

WHAT: A rally to condemn police brutality and the crackdown on free speech
WHO: The February 16 Legal Support Group
WHERE: The Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco
WHEN: 1:00pm Thursday, February 20

At last Sunday’s peace rally police attacked hundreds of protestors attempting to march from Civic Center to Union Square. Protestors had planned a nonviolent demonstration to distribute flyers to shoppers and engage in colorful street theater to illustrate the connection between consumerism, corporate greed, and the proposed war on Iraq.

The SFPD woefully mismanaged this march. From the start, when officers on horseback attacked protestors with batons, until later, when they corralled them, provoking a panic, the SFPD resorted to brutality rather than strategy. After trapping 200 people on Market Street between 8th and 9th, police violence escalated. Many demonstrators sustained injuries ranging from bruises to broken limbs.

Eventually fifty civilians were surrounded in the street and arrested. Forty-five are now facing misdemeanor charges. Five were chosen for felony charges and remain in jail. They have been targeted as scapegoats for a situation the police provoked, and in several cases police are using this demonstration as an opportunity to target prominent activists and thereby chill free speech in San Francisco.

In this season of outrage against Bush’s war, will the SFPD silence dissent with violence and police brutality? Please join us for a rally at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, Thursday, February 20, at 1:00pm. Statements from community leaders and materials for the press will be available.

For more information or interviews please call press contact Chad Starr at 415-756-8336.

PRESS RELEASE — PRESS RELEASE — PRESS RELEASE

I am concerned that these break-away marchs that end with damaging property. I too, feel frustrated with the times, but we need to be non-violent.

Why? Bush said specifically that even the largest non violent protest in history wasn't going to stop him from going to war. What does that leave us to do? Would you have us sit on our hands while he slaughters hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians?

(Nice. Can't handle criticism. Sure sign of weakness. Good!)

Saddam's gone. You're powerless to do anything about it. No protests are going to stop it. No temporary clogging up of SF streets are going to change anything. The most you and your crew will do is break a few windows and paint a few circle A's and slogans on buildings. Oh, and get on their computers here and gripe. But that's all. We The People have spoken. Yeah, that's right. A mulitude of people who you are unwilling to recognize while overstating the strength of your own side. We The People know we have the numbers. Do the math. You're powerless to do anything to stop us ousting Saddam. Utterly powerless. Just watch and see.

Out of 200,000 protesters, you had 1,000-2,000 +/- who were willing to black bloc, and that in SF to boot, a place in the US, if any, where the numbers should be. So what if you break up into groups and do more damage. Glass can be replaced. Building and sidewalks can be sandblasted. Your "other methods" will fail..... again. Your hope lies in changing the hearts and minds of people. Even idiot, racist David Duke had the sense to put on a three-piece suit. You haven't a clue as to how and go about it.

Your'e powerless. And there's nothing more discouraging than those who work up the troops to go to battle and then when they're frothing at the mouth, point to the door and say "Go get 'em. I'm staying in here where it's safe."