Pepper Spray Trial delayed ONE DAY

The much-anticipated trial to determine if police violated Headwaters Forest activists' civil rights when they applied pepper spray directly into their eyes with Q-tips will now start WEDNESDAY SEPT. 8, rather that Sept. 7 as previously scheduled. We were notified today by the Judge that another trial is overlapping, but everything else is going as scheduled. That means --

INFO NIGHT at the Long Haul, with dinner, Fire In the Eyes film, and update from plaintiff/activists: Sunday Sept. 5, 7:30 pm Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley (near Ashby BART)

SOLIDARITY RALLY as trial starts: Wed. Sept. 8 at noon Polk St. side of the Federal Bldg

SUPPORT THE TRIAL by coming to court Mon-Thurs. 8:30-3:30 (except first week--Wed and Thurs only) Judge Susan Illston's court: room 10, 19th floor Please dress appropriately as this is jury trial You must have i.d. to enter the federal building.

Info: www.nopepperspray.org / 510-835-6303

Background: National television audiences were jarred when footage was aired of Humboldt County police forcing pepper-spray soaked Q-tips into the eyes of young non-violent activists in 1997. The swabbing happened at sit-in protests calling for the protection of the ancient redwoods of Headwaters Forest in northern California. The American Civil Liberties Union called the officers' actions "tantamount to torture." The activists sued.

Although the incidents drew international outrage and condemnation, state officials have codified the police tactic by incorporating these practices into guidelines for dealing with civil disobedience in California.

After a 1998 trial ended without a verdict, higher court victories for the plaintiffs sent the case back to San Francisco, after findings of bias on the part of the first judge had him removed from the case.

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Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (BACH)

2530 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94702 phone: 510 548 3113 email: bach@headwaterspreserve.org

http://www.HeadwatersPreserve.org