Support Jesse James Forrey, RNC Arrestee- Sentencing Sept 17th, Facing One Year In Jail

Jesse James Forrey, 27, RNC Arrestee, was convicted of a felony charge of damage to property in the first degree on August 7th, 2009.  He maintains his innocence, and bravely continues to fight the verdict.  He faces 1 year, and up to 5 years in jail. Jesse is from Santa Cruz, CA, and has been kept from his home for a year already. This is not over yet. Jesse’s lawyer is looking into grounds for appeal. And there are things you can do right now to try and effect Jesse’s sentencing.  Here are some ways you can take immediate action before September 17th.

Jesse James Forrey, 27, RNC Arrestee, was convicted of a felony charge of damage to property in the first degree on August 7th, 2009.  He maintains his innocence, and bravely continues to fight the verdict.  Even after little and conflicting evidence from the prosecutor, the Minnesota jury still convicted him. He faces a possibility of 1 year, and up to 5 years in jail. 

Jesse is from Santa Cruz and eagerly waits to return to his home and family.  The whole process has been hard on Jesse who has been kept away from his home for a year already. In Jesse’s words, "If I was guilty I would have plead guilty, and I would have been home a long time ago”, but “why would I plead guilty to something I didn’t do?"

He continues, “Though I have been isolated and intimidated, I am not giving up. I maintain my innocence and will fight for it, just as I hope you would. I meet people face to face and treat them as I would my brother. Who we are is defined by how we act and react to the world, just as the world is defined by how we act. I chose one of health and compassion.”

This is not over yet. Jesse’s lawyer is looking into grounds for appeal. And there are things you can do right now to try and affect Jesse’s sentencing. We cannot change what has happened, but we can support Jesse and let him know that he is cared about. Show your support - Here are some ways you can take action immediately to affect Jesse’s sentencing before September 17th.


 Here are ways to help:

        * Write a letter — before September 17 asking the judge to not assign jail time. Jesse has already had the past year of his life controlled by the court system as he waited on trial call. In this letter please describe your relationship to Jesse, what you know of the changes in his life, whether you consider him to be an asset to the community and anything else you feel is appropriate. This letter should be addressed to The Honorable Judge Paulette K. Flynn, Ramsey County Court. Send the letter to Jesse at 3924 Elliot Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN, 55407. You also could email it as an attachment to supportjesse@riseup.net. Remember, the letters need to get to Jesse’s lawyer BEFORE September 17.

        * Sign the support petition– it will be presented to the judge at Jesse’s sentencing. Every small sign of support helps, Visit our website at http://supportjessejames.wordpress.com to sign the petition. 

        * Donate money — Jesse is expected to pay around $18,000 in legal fees and restitution.  Since his arrest in the Twin Cities, Jesse has spent his time volunteering with different schools.  Because he has been on trial call for the past year in an unfamiliar city, he has been unable to hold a steady job and has very little money. No amount is too small. Visit our support website for the paypal link.

        * Throw a benefit for Jesse — holding an event is a great way to raise money for Jesse and also educate people about the RNC and the police state. If you need help getting started, contact supportjesse@riseup.net.


    His friends in Santa Cruz, as a community, all feel Jesse’s absence from our lives.  He is deeply loved at home and here in Minneapolis.  Some of us went through trial with him.  This is an incredibly dehumanizing experience, and I hope that everybody who is sympathetic to his situation both personally and politically reaches out to us, in our last moments of hope before his sentencing.

    Visit our Support Website at:
    http://supportjessejames.wordpress.com

    For more information on the trial, and a detailed account of court notes, go to:     http://supportjessejames.wordpress.com/notes-from-jesses-trial/

    Previous IndyMedia posting on Jesse Forrey:
    http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/04/29/18591761.php