PRESS RELEASE - Rally Planned to Demand US Attorney Drop the Charges Against Inauguration Day Defendants
By PRESS RELEASE
May 9, 2018
Defend J20 Resistance
For Immediate Release: May 9, 2018
Contact:
Sam Menefee-Libey of DC Legal Posse : 909.576.3113 / sml47@protonmail.com
Rally Planned to Demand US Attorney Drop the Charges Against Inauguration Day Defendants
Rally in advance of May 14 Trial will feature former defendants and former political prisoner Chelsea Manning
Washington, DC – On Friday, May 11 community members will gather for a rally to demand that the federal government drop the charges against 58 people still facing serious felonies relating to protesting Trump’s inauguration. The next set of trials for five Inauguration Day defendants is scheduled to begin with jury selection on Monday, May 14 in the Superior Court of DC.
WHAT: Rally in Support of Inauguration Day Defendants
WHEN: Friday, May 11 at 12:30pm
WHERE: Franklin Square
Friday’s rally will feature former political prisoner Chelsea Manning, former Inauguration Day defendants, and special guests. Speakers will provide background on the politically-motivated prosecution. The extreme charges in this case – 8 felonies punishable by 60 years in prison – are widely seen as an effort to stifle dissent and to prosecute people for their political beliefs.
“As a former prisoner, I stand in unwavering solidarity with the J20 defendants and any other dissidents who stand accused of politically motivated ‘crimes’, simply for standing up and fighting back against the rising tide of authoritarianism. All charges should be dropped”, said Chelsea Manning, who will be speaking at the rally.
In addition to the rally, supporters have also organized a call-in campaign that will begin on Thursday and continue through the week. The call-in campaign is expected to draw interest and participation from across the country and reflects the broad support for the Inauguration Day defendants. Callers will be demanding that the government drop all charges against all remaining defendants.
In the fall of 2017, the government lost its first trial in this case after a jury found 6 defendants “not guilty” on all charges. In January, the government dismissed charges against 129 defendants, but 58 defendants are each still facing multiple felonies relating to the Inauguration day protests. The next trial begins on May 14 in the Superior Court of DC at 500 Indiana Ave NW. Trials for the remaining defendants are spread throughout the year and will continue until October.
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Defend J20 Resistance is a large group of felony defendants arrested on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC and their supporters who have all agreed not to testify against each other and are working together to collectively defend themselves. DefendJ20Resistance.org is a product of their work.