The People's Strike - Sept 2002 - Press Release
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 27, 2002
Contact: Anti-Capitalist Convergence
Email: thepeoplesstrike@mutualaid.org
Preemptive Arrests Mark Unprecedented Attack on Civil Liberties by DC Police
Mass Rally at Courthouse Saturday Noon to Demand Release of People's Strike Arrestees
WASHINGTON, DC - In a stunning breach of nonviolent protesters' constitutional right to assemble, the DC Metropolitan Police detained and arrested 649 people during Friday's People's Strike, many of them legal observers, medics, and members of the press and general public. These illegal, preemptive arrests represent an ominous attack on civil liberties at the same time the Bush Administration is using the so-called War on Terror to justify a preemptive war on Iraq, says the DC Anti-Capitalist Convergence, organizer of the People's Strike.
The ACC has called a mass rally at noon Saturday, September 28, at the Judiciary Square Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave., in Washington DC. The ACC is calling all activists and all persons concerned with the mounting threats to civil liberties in the US to attend the rally, and to show solidarity with the arrestees who will be arraigned Saturday morning starting at 9:00 AM at the Judiciary Square Courthouse.
The arrest of some 350 people at Freedom Plaza Friday morning was particularly outrageous;
- Freedom Plaza was a safe space; no one there was engaged in any disorderly activity.
- Unlike previous mass protests, police refused to recognize the neutrality of legal observers, medics,
or journalists.
- Contrary to statements from a police spokesperson, no order to disperse was ever given. In fact, police refused to permit anyone from leaving the area for over 2 hours.
- Earlier statements by Chief Ramsey make clear that these arrests were in blatant violation of rules against preemptive detention.
- Arrestees and bystanders report numerous violations of their human rights. One woman with a 2-year-old was refused permission to leave the detention area and verbally abused by police, who threatened to separate her from her child. A journalist reported having his press badge ripped off of his person by Chief Ramsey himself.
'These are frightening abuses of power, and signal the intent of police departments and the Bush Administration to criminalize dissent, political activism, and public assembly,' said Rae Valentine of the Anti-Capitalist Convergence.
# # # # #
|