STOP PEPPER SPRAY Q-TIP TORTURE ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS!
CHECK OUT: WWW.NOPEPPERSPRAY.ORG http://www.nopepperspray.org
You're ALL invited to the Pepper Spray Trial!
Come witness the trial that will decide the fate of protest and chemical weapons in these times!
We need a presence in the courtroom to show support!
Trial starts April 11th, 2005 onwards
San Francisco Federal Building, Judge Susan Ilston's Courtroom
450 Golden Gate Ave. at Polk (Civic Center BART stop)
**Must bring photo ID to get in**
Call 510-835-6303 for more info
Dear Friends,
We are the Pepper Spray 8, forest activists and plaintiffs in the pivotal civil rights case Headwaters Forest Defense vs. County of Humboldt, which interweaves the fate of our imperiled forests with the right to peacefully protest free from assault by pepper spray.
In 1997, while engaged in nonviolent sit-ins to protect old growth redwoods, Humboldt County and Eureka police applied pepper spray directly to our eyes with Q-tips. Shocking images from police videotapes caused international outrage. Amnesty International called the police behavior cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment..."tantamount to torture."
We've successfully fought numerous legal obstacles, winning appeals and making precedent, and going to trial twice, but the journey for justice is not quite over. We send this letter now at a critical juncture: We begin our new jury trial this April 11, 2005, and you're ALL invited!
There are two simple ways you can stand with us to protect the freedom of dissent in this country: 1. DONATE what you can to keep our case alive-every little bit helps, and donations will continue to be needed! 2. ATTEND TRIAL in San Francisco, CA starting April 11th. We need to publicly show our support and keep a presence in the courtroom for this important jury trial. For much more information, visit: www.nopepperspray.org.
Last September, our case went to jury trial in San Francisco for the second time (represented by the same award-winning legal team that won a stunning jury verdict two years ago for Earth First! activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney against the FBI). After three weeks of trial testimony, the jury's deliberations came to a quick halt when just two of the jurors adamantly believed that police should be allowed to inflict severe pain on peaceful protesters. Although we had the majority, we need a unanimous verdict to protect the tradition of peaceful protest.
Let's make sure "the third time's the charm," because this case is more important than ever! We must not let the police open the door to using pain as coercion against nonviolent people, protecting the politically powerful Pacific Lumber/Maxxam Corporation in their devastation of ancient forests.
Civil rights in this country today are an endangered species just like the ancient redwoods we aim to protect. The fact that our case is a contentious one is the very reason we need to follow through with it and win the retrial, in defense of everyone's rights. Because as Frederick Douglas said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand."
Sincerely Yours,
THE PEPPER SPRAY 8
Spring Lundberg, Terri Compost, Mike McCurdy, Sam Neuwirth, Maya Portugal, Lisa Sanderson-Fox, Jennifer Banka Schneider, and Noel Tendick.
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LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM JUROR IN PEPPER SPRAY Q-TIP TRIAL
Dear Pepper Spray 8,
The trial ended today as a hung jury. We deadlocked (6 -2). I am greatly troubled and disappointed about the outcome...creat[ing] an underlying current that it's ok to use excessive force on peaceful protestors. I am appalled and dismayed that this happened. I do hope there is a third trial and the plaintiffs win.
Sincerely,
(One of the jurors)
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TO HELP SUPPORT THE PEPPER SPRAY Q-TIP CASE, YOU CAN DONATE THREE WAYS:
1) Send your check or money order to:
Pepper Spray Fund
c/o Trees Foundation
P.O. Box 2202
Redway, CA
95560
2) By Credit Card (fill out and mail to above address):
Name on credit card:
Billing address:
City, state, zip:
Visa or Master Card:
Card Number:
Exp. date:
Signature:
3) Donate securely online at: http://www.nopepperspray.org
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