Charges Dropped Against STAAC 7

"After three days of police testimony in the first trial stemming from arrests at the Republican National Convention last year, a Ramsey County Judge threw out all charges declaring that insufficient evidence had been presented to support any of the charges. The "STAAC 7", some of whom are BAAM and NEAN (Northeast Anrchist Network) members, were arrested on September 1, 2008 as part of a mass arrest at 6th St. and Wall St., and were accused of blocking an intersection five blocks away. They were charged with Obstructing Legal Process, Disorderly Conduct, Unlawful Assembly, and Blocking Traffic.

The seven defendants were all from the northeast: Katt Tolman, 21, from Lancaster, NH; Kate Bonner-Jackson, 26, and Molly Adelstein, 26, both from Boston; Drew Wilson, 23, and Tim Clifford, 24 both from Worcester, MA; Sam Maron, 22 from Westchester, NY; and Paul McCarrier, 22, from Portland, ME.

"The dismissal of our case proves that the vast majority of arrests in Saint Paul were unjustifiable and more focused on a government repression of dissent than providing security for the RNC," said Kate Bonner-Jackson, one of the defendants. "I came to protest the RNC because I am deeply concerned that our civil liberties are being gutted and I want to live in a world in which voicing criticism and dissent is not only acceptable, but a welcomed and integral part of a functioning and free society."

"For the past five months the City of Saint Paul has been defending the RNC arrests and wasting taxpayer money prosecuting charges that our case proves are baseless and politically motivated," said Paul McCarrier, one of the defendants. "The dismissal of our charges sets an important precedent for upcoming trials stemming from arrests at the RNC, and we are newly passionate about continuing the struggle for a better world."

The City of St. Paul hoped to showcase the trial to legitimize the vast police presence and immense use of taxpayer money spent on training, equipment, and chemical weapons designated for security. Over 800 people were arrested in the streets during four days of the convention. To date over 40% of the arrests reviewed by the City Attorney's office have been dismissed without formal charges even being filed. Jordan Kushner and Ken Tilsen, attorneys with the National Lawyers Guild, represented the defendants.

See also:
BaamBoston.org
NeAnarchist.net"

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Infoshop News