NLG

TCIMC Update 3/20: Sean McCoy, a street medic from Montana, was found not guilty today on the charge of fleeing a police officer but guilty on assembly without a permit (the St. Paul ordinance mandating a permit for political events of 25 or more).  St. Paul City Attorney John Choi's big win? A $50 fine plus court costs (for a total of about $130).  Two other charges against McCoy were dismissed earlier in the week by the judge for lack of evidence.
 

Judge Dismisses RNC Charges in First Case to Proceed to Trial -
Insufficient Evidence to Allow Case to Proceed to Jury

On Friday afternoon, a press conference will be held at St. Paul City Hall to announce the first lawsuit stemming from the pre-emptive raids on anti-RNC organizers. Laywers representing Mike Whalen of St. Paul will seek $250,000 in damages from the raid on Whalen's duplex on Iglehart Avenue August 30. The raid turned into a tragic comedy of errors when the SPPD and assisting agencies - apparently targeting I-Witness Video - came with a warrant for the wrong address and detained dozens of people in the backyard, creating a storm in the independent press. Later authorities cited Arise! Bookstore in Minneapolis, imprisoned activist Sara Jane Olson, and alleged deliveries of weapons that turned out to be vegan outreach literature as reasons for the raid.

Below is a press release from Ted Dooley of the National Lawyer's Guild. The conference is at 3pm on Friday.

The National Lawyers Guild does radio.

In four parts we tell you about the Guild, do a know your right training (mini-style), tell you what to expect if you get arrested, and visit with Coldsnap and talk about Copwatch and what other groups doing RNC protester support.

Stream from KFAI.org here: http://www.kfai.org/node/13989 (60 min.)

Be safe.

National Lawyers Guild