Minneapolis Critical Mass Arrestee Support

Court proceedings continued today for Gus Ganley, with the completion of jury selection. The start of the trial was delayed because the police officers who will be witnesses for the prosecution were suddenly not available to testify. Keep reading →

Today court proceedings began for Gus Ganley, now one of the three remaining bicyclists still facing charges for the 8.31.07 Critical Mass when the police rioted in the streets, maced, tased, threw to the ground, and used pain compliance holds on hundreds of bicyclists. Keep reading →

On Monday, April 7th, a full seven months after the police rioted in the streets, maced, tased, threw to the ground, and used pain compliance holds on hundreds of bicyclists , the first of the four people that the city is trying to scapegoat for their own brutal actions will appear in a trail before a jury of his peers. Gus Ganley will arrive Monday morning with his lawyer from the National Lawyers’ Guild and the citizens who support him so that the cops and the city can try to save face and have someone else to blame for their own misconduct.

Just as it is plain that the city with its helicopter, undercover officers, and specific targets had pre-planned the brutal attack on the 8.31.07 critical mass ride, it is also plain that we have to pre-plan our support of those people being scapegoated by the city. The lawyers, defendants, and their families can’t do this alone and shouldn’t have to. A large showing of public support will send the clear message to the city that this issue is not one that will fall silently out of the public eye as well as encourage a verdict in favor of the defendants.

Don’t let the city get away with its attempt to intimidate political speech by bringing unsupported charges against a few individuals. Plan on coming to show your support for Gus Ganley, the first person to go to trial, on Monday, April 7th at 9:15 AM. Bring your own friends, family, and co-workers to support bicycle, civil, and human rights and don’t let political oppression go unchallenged!

Details:

Arrive before 9:15 to give time to get through the security checkpoint. The Hennepin County Government Center is located at 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Ask at the information desk where to find the trial of Augustin Ganley. Food and drink is not allowed in the court room and all supporters will have to pass through a metal detector. While in court, supporters must remain silent and will not be allowed to carry signs through the security station; the strength of our collective presence will send the message we need to send.

Note: Gus’ full trial will most likely last several days and you are encouraged to attend as much of it as you can. Monday morning the courtroom and judge will be assigned at 9:15, the jury will be chosen, and the trial will begin later in the day. If you cannot attend this important trial, please consider donating money using the button to your right.

Great news, the charges against the only minor who was being prosecuted by the city of Minneapolis have been dismissed! This means that only five individuals still remain scapegoated by the city.

As their jury trial dates loom closer, it is increasingly important that we get a strong showing of support at the upcoming court hearing on Thursday, January 24th. See the following post for more information.

We look forward to celebrating when the city drops all of the trumped-up charges. Your support on Thursday will help this happen.

UPDATE 3/28/08:  The city has decided not to go through with charges on yet another of the cases dropping the number of people facing changes to four!

Show your support for the Critical Mass arrestees on Thursday, January 24, 2008 (the day before the next CM ride)!

WHAT & WHEN:
At 10 AM at the Government Center (300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487) lawyers will be asking the court to require the city to turn over information they believe is needed for the defense of those arrested during the August 31st Critical Mass ride. So far, the city has refused to turn over critical information such as prior records of police officers involved, intelligence information, internal communications about the incident, and information about the use of tasers and pepper spray.

WHY:
A large showing of support at this hearing will send a clear message to the city that this issue is not one that will fall silently out of the public eye, encourage a ruling in favor of the defendants, and put pressure on the city’s lawyers to do what is right and drop the charges before the upcoming trial dates. The closer the jury trial dates come, the more important it is for the community to show support for the defendants who are only facing charges so that the city can save face and attempt to justify the excessively brutal actions of the police against unarmed citizens.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
There will be people stationed at the information desk on the main level to direct supporters to the correct room and you can also ask to see the criminal jury trial calendar. Please come a bit early to allow time to find the room and get through security. Food and drink is not allowed in the court room and all supporters will have to pass through a metal detector. While in court, supporters must remain silent and will not be allowed to carry signs through the security station; the strength of our collective presence will send the message we need to send. Bring your friends and co-workers to support bicycle, civil, and human rights!