community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS FREED!
by andy
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 7:32 AM
andy@indypgh.org (email address validated)
All of the prisoners from the M20 March were released either on bond or on their own recognizance.
As of 7 AM all the arrestees from M20 were freed-- many on bond, many others on their own recognizance. Several have injuries to show from police brutality, including a woman whose nose was injured when she was slammed to the ground by police, and to whom ice was refused for many hours.
Several supporters were on hand for the 36 hours between the first arrests and the final release to provide food and moral support to the prisoners.
More later, I'm sure . . .
I've got blankets
by nia
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 7:41 AM
nedmondson@hotmail.com
Blankets galore! I've got 'em in all colors and fabrics. I do know where most of them came from but if you want to make sure your blankie gets home safely, just drop me a line.
~love y'all~
The One
by Troy Shelley
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 8:19 AM
axelfear@yahoo.com 412 422 6620
ALL SOLDIERS OF THE RESISTANCE:
YOUR EFFORT DID NOT GO UNRECOGNIZED. WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT ALL OF US WHO WERE UNLAWFULLY INCARCERATED IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY JAIL WOULD HAVE BEEN FUCKED.
I NEVER LOST HOPE THAT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WOULD BE SUPPORTING US IN OUR DARKEST HOUR.
I AM THE ONLY PERSON WHO WAS FACING EXTREMELY BRUTAL CONSEQUENCES, AS I SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND. ALL OF THOSE INVOLVE IN THE PROJECTION OF POSITIVE ENERGY TOWARDS MY AND THE OTHER WITH ME, YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
AFTER 36 HOURS OF UNLAWFUL INCARCERATION I WAS RELEASED ON R.O.R. BOND. OBVIOUSLY THE POSITIVITY OF THE SUPPORTERS WHO WAITED THE WHOLE TIME OUTSIDE THE PRISON WAS NOT MISPLACED.
TO ALL MY FELLOW POLITICAL PRISONERS:
I AM SO GLAD YOU DIDN'T LOSE YOUR HOPE AND FAITH. I LOVE ALL OF YOU, AND WILL WILLINGLY FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE TO BRING THE USURPERS TO JUSTICE.
REMEMBER THE ELITE EIGHT!!!!!
YOUR FELLOW SOLDIER,
Troy David Shelley
www.geocities.com/axelfear/axel_fear
Does anybody know?
by Stephen Donahue
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 11:17 AM
sdonahue412@hotmail.com 412-802-6542 4618 Carroll Street, Pgh, Pa 15224
Hope that this is not an abuse of this newspage. If it is please forgive me.
If anybody knows where Ann Wootoon is can you please ask her to call her folks. Some worried people are looking for her.
I saw Ann wooton
by Rob S.
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 2:28 PM
blaze@bladandsexy.com
I believe Ann Wooton was being arraigned at the same time I was around 12 PM on Friday. I cannot be certain if they let her out, but she was waiting to be released the same time I was.
all is ok
by Stephen Donahue
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 4:04 PM
Thanks to all, Ann has been found.
Hello everyone!
by COLIN
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 4:45 PM
Commie@Geek.com
This is just Colin (kid with the They Might Be Giants hoodie). I just want to say I was amazed and inspired by many of the people I was held up with until 7:00 AM, being in the last group that was released. You people rock. Honestly. You're massively intelligent, progressive in your thought, brave, and overall model citizens.
Too bad we had to spend time at the mercy of white Neo-Nazi's sporting police badges, screaming racial slurs, vulgar comments, and physical violence for hours. I've been awake for three days, so I'm not too sure how many hours I was spent in there.
I wasn't part of the peace protest, and ended up joining sometime during night due to the ruckus I noticed happening down the street in an attempt of journalism. Of course I was soon subjected to police brutality, and arrested - my digital camera being taken and thrown into a bag with other people's stuff, WITHOUT A RECEIPT AN OR RECORDING.
But the hours spent in this jail really gave me an insight into the world. You peace activists are special stuff. Real citizens, and real humans - more so then the rest of that apathetic world I have to exist in day to day. It's mesmerizing.
In these days, I have learned to despise the police system. The legal system. This war and those supporting it. I have learned that my country is sick, and that they'll eat up anything. I haven't bothered to check the media but from what I've checked out on ignorant responses on Indy Media - these people will believe ANYTHING.
Regardless, drop me a line. You people are amazing. I never laughed so hard in my life, or had such intelligent discussions.
Party?
by Sam
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 7:36 PM
We need to throw a party in honor of ex-political prisoners and their supporters. :-)
still a prisoner???
by Matt
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 8:01 PM
i have heard through someone at the TMC that there is still a political prisoner at this moment, a man who is thought to maybe be Palestinian. I am not sure what to do about this, I hope he gets out very soon. He may already be out. if he is not, it is quite likely that this man is being racially profiled, and he will need to be notified of the meeting on Mon. If anyone knows this man, or could possibly know him, well....I am not sure what you should do...but I just figured that I should tell you all that I have heard that there is STILL someone in prison RIGHT NOW for the THur. protest.
hello to all, we are free!
by Matt
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 8:10 PM
hello all, to those of you who were in jail with me, I am the dude who had the one eye pink, but not both. First I just want to say hello to the elite eight and the others who were in the last group to get out. i am so proud of us, and am so proud of every person who got arrested. although this arrest was wrongful, knowing in our hearts that we did the right thing, along with all the support we gave each other, really helped us all get through it. you all really helped me get through it without going completely crazy!
i also wanted to thank the camp people who were there when i got released this morning. your support and compassion was so wonderful.
I think that a party is a freakin excellent idea!!! I don't know what else to say to ya all, cept that I love you.
In case any of you are wondering, I went to the clinic after I got out this morning and got my property, and it turns out that my eye is infected, as is my ear, and i also probably have a sinus infection. i have gotten my meds. and have slept alot, but it is hard to just rest when i want to know how you are all doing and check all this stuff out on here and whatnot.
Althhough it will be awhile until I actually process all this (ew, thoughts of "processing" in jail) and get to write about it in more detail, I do know that we all took care of each other, all stood strong despite being held wrongfully. I also know that we created much more awareness to the anti-war sentiment that is huge and still growing. Thank you everyone involved!
Party?
by Theo
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 at 10:01 PM
TheoK444@aol.com
Party? Will there be beer?
i was in acell in nazi germany and i brought 3 things.....
by bruce wayne
Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 4:04 AM
23 hours of bullshit....and im still here. thank you to all the people waiting for the political prisoners to get out, my freinds and i really appreciated it. people out their really worried about me and supported me more than my own flesh and blood.
if any one out there has pictures of any brutality, please post them-we need these so the public can see this. in the post gazeete some political quoted the detainees as trouble makers who deserved the abuse. we also need them for when we go to court. also much respect to all the cats i shared a cell with.
oh yeah dont eat the cogo's dollar ham and cheese sandwiches....harsh...peace
Viva La Resistance
by Troy Shelley
Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 5:40 AM
axelfear@yahoo.com 412 422 6620
I received multiple threats on my life via phone calls and had battle-readied my home. I am ready for the usurpers to show up and meet the steel of my blade.
Remember the Elite Eight....
Love,
Troy
www.geocities.com/axelfear/axel_fear
THANKS JAIL SOLIDARITY!
by JONAS
Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 2:14 PM
joeskillet@yahoo.com
HEY EVERYONE!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT WHILE THE 120-SOME OF US WERE LOCKED UP IN THAT PLACE. I KNEW YOU WERE THERE. THAT HELPED A LOTE DURING THOSE 30-SOME HOURS. AND THEN THERE YOU WERE WHEN WE WERE "RELEASED."
WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS. FROM SEEING MY GIRL'S NOSE SMASHED INTO THE GROUND TO MY HEAD BEING SMASHED AGAINST THE JAIL CELL BY A CERTAIN POLICEMAN, WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN OBTAINED NO DOUBT, IT SURE WOULD HAVE SEEMED LIKE A HARD NIGHT TO GET THROUGH. BUT THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING THERE FOR US-- AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US IN OUR SUIT AGAINST THE BRUTALITY MANY OF US FACED, AND FOR THE INHUMANE TREATMENT THAT WE ENCOUNTERED.
SEND LOVE TO LAURA-- SHE HAD IT ROUGH. SEND LOVE TO ALL AS I DO TO YOU. THANKS AGAIN.
PEACE,
JONAS
Does anyone know if an Iranian gentleman was released???
by Andy Horbal
Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 3:44 PM
arh6@pitt.edu Oakland
There was a middle-aged Iranian gentleman (I don't remember his name) in our holding cell during the first few hours after the arrests. He said that his son (a juvenile) was also being held. The last time that I saw him he was being led down a hallway accompanied by three armed officers and a narcotics agent. Does anyone know if he was released? Given the recent history of the United States government in regards to Arab-Americans I'm a bit worried.
I was one of the arrested
by Todd Bryner
Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 3:47 PM
bryner444@msn.com
My name is Todd Bryner. I was one of the "political prisoners" from Thursday's march. I also want to thank all those who were involved in helping us get out of prison and to those who supported us by holding the vigil outside the courthouse until all of us were freed. I was the third from last to leave, around 6:30 am Saturday, meaning I spent nearly 35 hours in police captivity. Not once was I read my rights, not once prior to the arraignment was I notified of the charges against me, and not once was I allowed to make a phone call. I was hit on the leg by a nightstick prior to the mass arrest I was caught in, and have a very nice bruise to show for it.
I am happy to tell all of you that my car was NOT towed and I received only one ticket for $16 dollars. I also have not been fired from my job, as of yet, and I don't think I will be, either.
However, I am extremely worried about the prospects of facing real jail time out of this. Some judges want to make examples out of us and throw us in prison for no less than 90 days. This should be a concern to everybody involved. I am definitely attending the meeting at Pitt tomorrow night, and may not come alone. My prelim is Friday at 1 p.m., as are many others', I have heard, so we need to do all that we can to ensure we get the very least punishment possible.
Don't make the mistake of thinking we are only going to get "slaps" on the wrists out of this. This is serious stuff, and there are those out there that want to crucify us. Just be aware of this and fight for your freedom.
Thanks to Troy, Hami, Dan, Brad, Matt, Brian, Chris, Colin, Morgan, and all the others too many to name that helped me get through this personal crisis. I love all of you guys and hope all will turn out well for you.
I'll never forget you guys.
"Elite Eight - March Madness 2003"
the iranian man
by jc
Monday, Mar. 24, 2003 at 1:15 AM
what is the story? is he out yet? this is pretty fucked.
he was apparently snatched for telling an undercover pig that he was originally from Iran. he was singled out of the crowd for his birthplace and the fact that that fucking asshole Dubya deemed is as part of his "axis of evil."
we can't let this happen.
My face, my heart, and my dignity
by Laura Maloney
Monday, Mar. 24, 2003 at 9:32 AM
laurajanemaloney@hotmail.com 4124126394
GOD, PLEASE... BLESS AMERICA.
I can't thank everyone enough.
Etta for sleeping out all that time, blankets, food, money, support. This girl has affected me like no other, and I don't know how to thank her. I guess all I can do is be there for her if she needs it in the future.
Andy, Jonas, ALL THE GUYS AND GIRLS in jail with me... All the people that I met, Hami, Matt, Troy, Kanna, Lisa, CeCi, Ameina, well everyone...
I would even like to thank Officer Honnan, for being there for me and giving me support. This man deserves a hand shake.
I know there were many more, but my brain is on slow today.
The most terrifying thing of my life happened on Thursday. Several men, large and myuch stronger than I held my face to the pavement.
I was torn from my bike and was thrown to the pavement by a police officer who was in a fit of rage.
I stand out, I have a messanger bag, a bike, an aire about me that tells an offier I am a tough cookie. I suppose.
The moment repeats in my mind.
Hands clenching my bag and my jacket,
My heart thumping for fear of being punched or shot or kicked...
It's ok. None of that happened.
I was Smashed the pavement. Face first.
My nose... cracked like a walnut.
My nose began to bleed.
I was screaming Mercy.
They kepy pushing my face to the ground, holding me down, as if I would be able to hurt them back anyway.
People sitting and kneeling on me, holding my legs all while the small of my back and all of my back were exposed. My shirt was pushed up and I felt like a bloody piece of meet lying on the street....
I felt like road kill.
I was screaming louder than I ever have in my life.
I wanted anyone who was around to see what they did to me.
I wanted cameras to get a good look at the blood that was coming out of my nose and I wanted people to see how unhumans humans can be.
I was cuffed.
They were so tight, I instatnly lost feeling in my hands.
I begged for them to losen them, they said that it was only hurting becuase I was upset and that I needed to relax and that I was pulling the cuffs to make them tighten. I demanded that they losen them.
One cop said "holy shit... we've got to losen these"
"her hands are pruple."
they didnt have scissors and they didnt know how to get them off.
They pulled out a knife and said hold still, we wil get them off.
They said "hold still, WE DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU."
this just made me cry. Slit my wrist while you are at it. What does it matter now?
I went to jail it was the sadest experience, it was sad.
BIKE
by Laura Maloney
Monday, Mar. 24, 2003 at 9:51 AM
laurajanemaloney@hotmail.com
if ANYONE KNOWS about my bike... it was taken from me on thursday night. i saw it in the street with other bikes and was told that i might get it back.
if anyone has heard anything about items left in the street please let me know.
all i do is bike and destroy... i miss my bike.
maybe i will be able to get a brand new one out of this, still, i would like it back.
it is a purple mongoose... you've seen me on it before.
SCrew
by this
Monday, Mar. 24, 2003 at 9:17 PM
FUCK THE PO PO's
Follow up on the Iranian gentleman post:
by Andy Horbal
Monday, Mar. 24, 2003 at 11:57 PM
arh6@pitt.edu Oakland
Not only was he released, he was released before me :)
Now about that party . . .
wAHHOOOO
by Evan N
Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2003 at 7:22 AM
kegger!!!!!!!
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