NLG CHICAGO

by

NLG Provides Wrap-up of Police Reaction to NATO Demonstrations

PRESS RELEASE
Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2012

National Lawyers Guild Provides Wrap-up of Police Actions During Week-long NATO Demonstrations
Police violence, serious injuries, high-level charges & exceptionally high bonds symbolize city’s reaction to protests

Chicago, IL — The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) has made an initial assessment of police actions on the streets during the week of NATO demonstrations, which was dominated by police harassment and violence, serious injuries, high-level charges, and exceptionally high bonds. At this time, the NLG estimates that 117 people were arrested, but fewer than 100 were ultimately charged. Of those charged, the vast majority were ordinance violations and misdemeanors, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, trespassing, and resisting arrest. Sixteen people were charged with felonies, including 5 protesters accused of terrorism-related crimes.

The NLG was disturbed to receive reports of more than 70 instances of police brutality, most of which occurred at the end of Sunday’s antiwar march at Michigan Avenue and Cermak Road. Most of the injuries were from baton blows to the body and many resulted in serious head injuries. More than two-dozen protesters were taken to Northwestern and Mercy Hospitals and treated for broken bones, knocked out teeth, concussions, and several open wounds requiring stitches or staples.

“Although police allowed some unpermitted marches to take place without incident, there were massive shows of force by police throughout the week of NATO demonstrations and indiscriminate violence perpetrated against many protesters,” said NLG Chicago spokesperson Kris Hermes. “Contrary to rhetoric from Mayor Emanuel and Police Superintendent McCarthy, the city was anything but tolerant to political dissent.” Several activists’ homes and organizing spaces, including the Wellington Avenue Church where activists converged, were targeted and visited by police. Numerous instances of unconstitutional stops and searches were also reported to the NLG throughout the week.

The first felony case to go to a preliminary hearing was dismissed by a Cook County Judge on Tuesday. Danny Johnson was arrested on May 15th at an immigration rally, charged with felony aggravated assault on a police officer, and held in jail for a week on $10,000 bond. “The dismissal of charges against Danny Johnson certainly raises questions about the veracity of claims against many other NATO protesters,” continued Hermes.

Eleven people are still in custody, including the 5 protesters facing terrorism-related charges. Most of the felony arrestees will have court dates this week and next. The so-called NATO 5 will have hearings on June 12th and 13th at 11:30am in Branch 98 at 26th and California. The NLG staffed a 24-hour legal office during the NATO demonstrations, dispatched Legal Observers to document police misconduct, and is committed to providing legal representation for anyone arrested and facing charges.

# # #

by

NLG Opposes “Terrorism” Charges Against Occupy Activists

PRESS RELEASE
Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2012

National Lawyers Guild Decries Terrorism Charges Against Occupy Activists protesting NATO Summit
Preemptive raids and conspiracy charges are common characteristics of National Special Security Events

Chicago, IL — After holding NATO protesters for up to 48 hours, and releasing 6 out of 9 arrestees without any charges, the City of Chicago filed state charges last night against 3 Occupy activists from Florida, including possession of explosives or incendiary devices, material support for terrorism, and conspiracy. On Wednesday night at approximately 11:30pm, police raided a house in the Bridgeport neighborhood, detained several people in multiple apartments, and arrested 9 activists. Police broke down doors with guns drawn and searched residences without a warrant or consent.

“The National Lawyers Guild deplores the charges against Occupy activists in the strongest degree,” said Sarah Gelsomino with the NLG and the People’s Law Office. “It’s outrageous for the city to apply terrorism charges when it’s the police who have been terrorizing activists and threatening their right to protest.”

NLG attorneys are questioning why it took the city 48 hours, the limit on holding arrestees without a court hearing, to impose such serious charges. Although some accusations of Molotov cocktails have been made by police, they have provided no evidence of criminal intent or wrongdoing on the part of the activists. On Thursday, when asked about the raid at a press conference, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy knew so little about the alleged terrorism investigation that he said he would have to gather further information before commenting.

The 3 activists charged are Jared Chase, Brent Beterly, and Brian Jacob Church. Last week, all three defendants were surrounded by several police squad cars outside of a CVS, detained for no apparent reason and asked questions about why they were in Chicago and what they planned to do during the NATO summit. One of the defendants recorded the encounter and posted an edited version on YouTube. When Superintendent McCarthy questioned the validity of the footage in the media, the entire video was quickly posted.

More than 20 people have been arrested so far in the lead up to the NATO summit, which begins tomorrow. At least 3 arrestees in addition to the ones charged tonight are still in custody. “Preemptive raids meant to intimidate and stifle dissent are all too common during National Special Security Events, such as the NATO summit,” said Gelsomino.

NLG attorneys will be representing the 3 defendants in their criminal cases and will be at their bond hearing tomorrow at 12pm at 2600 South California Ave.

 

# # #

by

Preemptive Raid of Activist Home

Chicago, IL — The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) condemns a preemptive police raid that took place at approximately 11:30pm Wednesday in the Bridgeport neighborhood, and instances of harassment on the street, in which Chicago police are unlawfully detaining, searching, and questioning NATO protesters. The Bridgeport raid was apparently conducted by the Organized Crime Division of the Chicago Police Department and resulted in as many as 8 arrests.

Read the full press release here: NLG Chicago Denounces Preemptive Raid

by

NLG to Provide Legal Support for Chicago NATO Demonstrations

National Lawyers Guild to Provide Legal Support for Chicago NATO Demonstrations
Support effort to include recording police misconduct, staffing a legal hotline & criminal defense

Chicago, IL — The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) will be providing legal support to political protesters in Chicago this week as several demonstrations are set to occur in advance of and during the NATO summit on May 20th & 21st. The Guild has already been working with protest organizers to secure rally and march permits, and will extend those efforts to include: staffing a legal hotline, conducting Know Your Rights trainings, dispatching Legal Observers throughout the city to record police misconduct, and representing people who have been arrested and criminally charged.

The NATO summit has been designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE) and the policing apparatus set up to respond to protest activity is under the authority of the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Historically, NSSEs have led to widespread violations of people’s constitutional rights, including heavy surveillance and infiltration, preemptive raids by police and other administrative agencies, as well as harassment and intimidation used to chill political protest.

The city’s intolerance to political protest was brought into question after it refused to allow Occupy Chicago activists to demonstrate in Grant Park last October, arresting more than 300 people in the process. More than 90 of those cases are still being prosecuted. In February, the city settled an NLG-led class action lawsuit for $6.2 million, in which more than 700 anti-war protesters were wrongfully arrested in 2003.

“The police have again been harassing activists in the Occupy movement who came to Chicago to protest this week,” said Sarah Gelsomino with the NLG and the People’s Law Office. “The city should be on notice that the Guild will be vigilant in recording actions that are aimed at preventing political protest.”

The Guild is widely disseminating its legal hotline number, which is 312-913-0039, to provide activists with a way to contact legal support staff and for friends and loved ones to find out the status of people who have been arrested.

National Lawyers Guild media liaisons are available for interviews:
Kris Hermes 510-681-6361 or krishermes@earthlink.net
Sarah Gelsomino 773-520-8246 or sarahgelsomino@gmail.com

Other ways of getting information from the NLG include:
www.NLGChicago.org
www.Facebook.com/NLGChicago
Twitter: @NLGChicago

# # #

by

NLG NATO HOTLINE

312-913-0039 

As part of our commitment to providing legal support and defense work to activists protesting against the NATO summit in Chicago, Chicago NLG will be staffing a 24-hour hotline throughout the NATO summit.

Call 312-913-0039 to report arrests, police misconduct, request legal observers, of for any other legal support needs.

 

by

Occupy Chicago Activists Back in Court


MEDIA ADVISORY
Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2012
Contact: NLG Legal Worker Kris Hermes 510-681-6361 or NLG Attorney Sarah Gelsomino 773-520-8246

More than Ninety Occupy Chicago Activists Back in Court Wednesday Seeking Dismissal of Charges
City continues to use procedural issues to drag out legal cases and duck claims of First Amendment violations

Chicago, IL— At least 94 Occupy Chicago defendants will have their day in court again Wednesday, as the city uses procedural issues to drag out the legal cases and avoid accountability for what National Lawyers Guild attorneys are saying were clear First Amendment violations. The cases stem from arrests last October of more than 300 people who were charged with violating a city-imposed curfew at Grant Park. Nearly a third of those arrested have chosen to fight their charges and are being represented by Guild attorneys and others, who will be arguing motions to dismiss on Wednesday at 1:30pm in Daley Center.What:

Court hearing aimed at dismissing the charges against more than 90 Occupy Chicago defendants

When:

Wednesday, March 28th at 1:30pm

Where:

Room 1307 of the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago

“The city is showing its intolerance of the First Amendment by refusing to relent against activists arrested last year for protesting in the park,” said Sarah Gelsomino with the People’s Law Office, and one of the Guild attorneys who filed motions to dismiss on behalf of the defendants. “It’s an outrage that the city is spending precious tax-payer dollars to prosecute frivolous cases, while being unwilling to give an inch to accommodate the free speech rights of Occupy Chicago activists.”

Although hundreds of Occupy Chicago activists were arrested last year with many of them jailed for up to 24 hours, the city is now claiming that the resulting legal cases are civil, not criminal. The city is also using legal procedure to omit defendant affidavits — the statements of arrested Occupy Chicago activists — in an attempt to drag out the proceedings.

Approximately 175 people were arrested on quasi-criminal charges in the early morning hours of October 15th as activists remained protesting in the park after 11pm. A week later, on October 22nd, another 130 people were similarly arrested. Not only did the city refuse to grant Occupy Chicago an ongoing presence in any of the city’s public parks, it also has so far refused to dismiss any of the cases unless defendants agree to perform 10 hours of community service. Of the more than 90 Occupy Chicago defendants who are seeking a dismissal of their charges, more than half say they will go to trial if their motions to dismiss are denied.

“The city’s posture on the Occupy Chicago cases casts serious doubts about its respect for and ability to uphold the rights of dissidents in advance of the NATO demonstrations in May,” continued Gelsomino. Also, just last month, the city settled an NLG-led class action lawsuit for $6.2 million, in which more than 700 anti-war protesters were wrongfully arrested in 2003.

The National Lawyers Guild was founded in 1937 and is the oldest and largest public interest/human rights bar organization in the United States. Its headquarters are in New York and it has chapters in every state.

Further information:
Sample NLG motion to dismiss: https://nlgchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/NLG-Motion-to-Dismiss.pdf

Contact

637 S. Dearborn St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60605

chicago[@]nlg.org