Nov 7th, 2011
UPDATE: In our haste to post, we originally identified this as Asheville, Georgia. Our apologies.
Over the last few days, while most of our attention has been given to the Occupations in New York or Oakland or Chicago, some very repressive tactics have been employed by law enforcement against the small Occupy Asheville movement in Asheville, North Carolina.
It appears that police officers began targeting participants last week. Via Mountain Xpress:
"The Asheville Police Department arrested four Occupy Asheville participants on Nov. 5. for alleged actions on Nov. 2.
According to warrants from the Buncombe County Magistrate's Office,Natalie Nicolay, Lisa Landis, Joseph Bacanskas and Terry Whittey all face charges of resisting public officers, impeding traffic, unlawful assembly. Whittey faces an additional charge of wearing a mask in public. The warrants were issued Nov. 4. The four were arrested this afternoon, and released on a written promise to appear."
The police appear to have waited to serve these warrants until the convening of the Occupation's General Assembly.
Later that evening, a member of Occupy Asheville's legal team named Jen Foster was detained after attempting to get information about the arrests from a judge. She was given five days in jail for "contempt of court."
A posting at Indy Bay alleges they were targeted as retaliation for thier participation in a recent march to show solidarity with Oakland:
"Though the APD did little to stop the march, they did bring out dozens of officers, including the forensics team and undercover officers to video and photograph Asheville residents expressing their First Amendment rights. The APD has done this sort of unconstitutional surveillance for years at all types of protests. However this time is different. Starting Saturday Nov 5 the APD began grabbing Occupy Asheville participants off the streets that they claim they identified from police footage of the march. So far 7 have been arrested, and the police say there are many more arrests on the way. They are being charged with resisting public officers, impeding traffic, unlawful assembly. One person has an additional charge of wearing a mask in public."
Yesterday, ACLU board member Clare Hanrahan was arrested while serving as a legal observer.
We all need to give our support and lend our voices to the smaller Occupations. They are as much a part of the movement as we are.
Monday, November 7, 2011
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Thank you, thank you, for the support.
ReplyDeleteQuick update. A city police forensic officer that has been shadowing and filming us had her facebook page published. She and another city employee joked about lynching/hanging #occupiers. Very scary stuff from one who is supposed to "serve and protect".
http://jasonbugg.com/blog/2011/11/07/even-the-dirtasses/
Also, we are Asheville, NC.
Sorry. Corrected.
ReplyDeleteSeven months five court appearances to prove my innocence, now I filed a Civil Rights Lawsuit in Western NC District Federal court 1:14cv146
ReplyDeleteCatch you all up #WNCnews.... Served #Defendants on Sept 5th... all but Bill Stanley... he stayed M.I.A. #Buncombe County attorney Curtis Euler, filed Certificate of service for him and also Buncombe County Government, Wanda Greene, David Gantt, BC Commissioners, Clerk of the Board, Kathy Hughes, Mike Frue, & Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. He did not file for Ron Moore, No one filed anything for Ron Moore. County and City detached from him when requesting for more time which was granted and they have till Oct 17th to respond to 95 Counts. Ron Moore had until Sept 26, 2014 to respond. He is in Disobedience to an Officer of the Court for failure to respond by date. I filed a Default Judgment Rule 55, against Ron Moore, now waiting to hear Judges response.
ReplyDeleteThank you to Larry LS Grillo and Don Yelton for their important affidavits testifying to Conspiracy to cover-up the Corruption in their denial of our 1st Amendment platform.
My Federal Question to the US Attorney General was returned Box closed No Forwarding information... Eric Holder resigned...
Put in a Motion for decision of Class Action to be decided after my jury trial or an Attorney to step up to the plate... so far the Judge has honored my request. I understand your Fear of coming Forward... but someone has to face their fears for Justice to be served!
I am still doing this out of empty pockets, Pro Se. It costs for the ink and paper to file, not to mention my time... the Past Year of my life... If you would find it in your Heart to Donate for the Good of All... It would be Appreciated!
http://glolady.com/Support.html