Camilo Vivieros & "Timoney 3" acquitted in Philadelphia

reposted from boston and philly imc...
camilo is an incredible tenant organizer from massachusetts who was clearly being prosecuted not only as an example to threaten global justice protestors taking to the streets to demand justice at home, but was targeted (and kept hanging for 3 years waiting for trial!) as someone who builds bridges between movements and is committed to building revolutionary movement in the u.s. This case could have been an intensely negative precedent had it gone the other way, not only for camilo and his loved ones had he been sentenced to the serious time prosecutors wanted, but for all direct action activists. word is that timoney looked a total fool up on the standing giving testimony that made it clear what a ridiculous frame-up camilo's charges were... this is major news not only for the awesome and dedicated r2k legal folks, camilo's rad support crew, and the 3 people acquitted, but let's count it as a victory for anyone who got the beatdown in philly or miami, and everyone planning on going to the RNC this summer.

Timoney Three Acquited
For More Information, Please Contact Katie Krauss:
215 545 3104
215 500 8580

Camilo Vivieros and the Timoney Three were acquited of all charges placed against them by the City of Philadelphia today, Tuesday, April 6th. It was the second day of a trial that had been stalled for over three years.
Katie Krauss, a representative of the R2K Legal Collective, a group which has been working to represent and support individuals accused of crimes while exercising their right to demonstrate, said on the acquitals, "These acquitials are another vindication of the hundreds and hundreds of protetsers who were rounded up and kept off the streets during the Republican Convension of 2000, and another blow to police chief timoneys grab bag of tactics against legal, non-violent demonstrators."
Testimony Tuesday was scheduled to focus on personal accounts from John Timoney, who had accused Vivieros and his codefendants, Darby Landy and Eric Steinberg, of property damage and assaulting police officers. Krauss reported that Police Commissioner Timoney was unable to remember much about the incident where the supposed assault occurred in 2000. He couldn't remember the exact street intersection where the supposed event occured, and kept his testimony very general, she reported.
Krauss also reported that the prosecution rested today, and the defense presented their arguments. The room was filled with character witnesses for the defendants, and the judge read off their names and acknowledged them one by one. There was also a moment when the many letters of support the defendants received were entered into the record as an exhibit.
This is breaking news and a developing story. To learn more contact Katie Krauss with the R2K Legal Collective at 215 500 8580.