The following letter to the editor from Caroline Yang was printed in Sunday's News-Gazette. It responds to the trial of Keving Hemingway and in particular the skewed article on the trial by NG reporter Mary Schenk. Thanks to our kind readers for notifying us of the letter's publication. ~ BD

As someone who witnessed most of the trial of Kevin Hemingway, I noted a troubling untruth and a glaring omission in Mary Schenk’s report. First, Ms. Schenk’s assertion that Mr. Hemingway “admitted to Champaign police that he robbed Herbst” is simply not true.  This was never revealed during the trial.  Considering that this case carries the possibility of an extended sentence, it would be generous to call Ms. Schenk’s error irresponsible.

Groups in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson call for pledge non-compliance with the law, call for protests, vigils, civil disobedience

On Thursday, July 22nd Judge Susan Bolton overheard arguments both for and against an injunction on SB1070. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside against the law, and seven were eventually arrested for blocking the streets immediately adjacent to the courthouse (video) (more video). Several demonstrators also rallied in support of the law, including avowed neo-Nazis like Harry Hughes, seen being interviewed by CNN.

Judge Bolton is considering two separate lawsuits that request for an injunction before the law goes into effect on July 29th. The lawsuits were filed by the U.S. Justice Department and by a coalition of civil liberties organizations including the ACLU and MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund). The judge made clear during the hearing that she will not enjoin the entire law, although she has yet to rule on a number of specific statutes.

Organizations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson are calling for a state and nation-wide day of action against the law on July 29th, which they plan to go forward with whether or not the law is enjoined. In Phoenix a coalition of groups is calling for civil disobedience against a list of targets, while in Tucson an overnight vigil will begin at the state building at 5:30 p.m. on the 28th, and organizers are calling for people to flood downtown at 8 a.m. on the 29th followed by a day of diverse actions scheduled to take place across the city. Organizers across the state of Arizona are calling for people to engage in active resistance against SB1070, and for national and international solidarity on the 29th. Stay tuned to Arizona Indymedia for more updates! | Related: 135+ Tucson Businesses, Organizations Declare "We Reject Racism", Non-Compliance With SB1070 | More Past Coverage

On July 19th, approximately 80 to 100 people rallied in the parking lot of the Walnut Creek courthouse in support of former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Counter-protesters, estimated to number about 200, showed up to demonstrate for Oscar Grant and other victims of police brutality. The rally was prompted by the conviction of Mehserle of involuntary manslaughter in the New Year's Day 2009 shooting death of train rider Oscar Grant.

"Two folks who were arrested in connection to this incident: (  http://anarchistnews.org/?q=node/11737) are now being formally charged for Class C Felony level Malicious Mischief. On Wednesday, July 21st at 8 AM we will be meeting outside of the King County Courthouse for court room solidarity. King County Courthouse is located at 516 3rd Ave, and the arraignment will be in court room E1201."

fighting for justice in America now criminalized

Across America, daily incidents of police brutality and state terrorism occur. One of many the cold-blooded killings occurred January 1, 2009 with the murder of Oscar Grant - unarmed, offering no resistance, thrust face-down on the ground, shot in the back, and killed. The event captured on video by at least four individual cameras.

His killer: Bay Area transit officer, Johannes Mehserle was tried for the killing. The jury was told to consider four possible verdicts: innocent, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter, jurors decided the latter.

Grant's family will appeal the verdict and is suing the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) for $25 million, his mother Wanda Johnson saying "My son was murdered (and) the law has not held the officer accountable." It rarely does for Black, Latino, or other minorities, no matter the injustice. Civil rights lawyer, John Burris, representing Grant's family in the civil suit, said: "The system is rarely fair when a police officer shoots an African-American male." Full article: Police Brutality in America by Stephen Lendman

Also from the Newswire:Statement on Johannes Mehserle Verdict by LA Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant | | by LA Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant | | PHOTOS: Oscar Grant Verdict Reaction Photos by Robert Stuart Lowden | | Los Angeles Solidarity with Oakland: Justice for Oscar Grant After Verdict Rally by LA-IMC | | VIDEO: Rally in support of Oscar Grant day of verdict. by GamepitDee

Related: The Oscar Grant Verdict: A Rage In Black America | Key Prosecution Witness Missing in Alex Sanchez Case

Related state repression incident: Black Riders Liberation Party Being Raided

There is a rage in Black America. It is righteous. It is justified. It is unrequited. It is a rage at being Black in America that has existed ever since there has been Black in America. After hearing of the pitifully soft verdict handed down by the all white jury in the Oscar Grant murder trial I thought again of this rage. And I remembered reading a few years ago one scholar’s survey of Black history and his being intrigued by “the extent to which African Americans have fantasized about political violence – specifically, violent revolt” as a matter of political “instrument” or “catharsis.” Post-racialism and race neutrality are fantasies; the Oscar Grant killing and trial, and the Black reaction to the verdict, are real. And so is the pervasive rage that is a characteristic - a "property" - of being Black in America. Audio

A U.S. District Court has thrown out the indictment of four animal rights activists who were charged with violating the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, because the government did not clearly explain what, exactly, the protesters did.

When Joseph Buddenberg, Maryam Khajavi, Nathan Pope and Adriana Stumpo were arrested in 2009, prosecutors said little other than that the group allegedly chalked slogans on the sidewalk, distributed fliers and attended protests. Later, when they were officially indicted, the government was still tight-lipped about how their non-violent, above-ground protests amounted to "terrorism."

In response, the Center for Constitutional Rights and attorney Matthew Strugar led an effort to have the indictments dismissed. In short, they argued that the charges should be dropped because they seem to involve only protected First Amendment speech, but that in order to make that argument the defendants' speech must be clearly identified.

Wes Modes returns to court on Friday, July 16th for the next phase of a high-profile infraction case, claimed by supporters as harassment of Modes, a well-known anarchist activist. In the July 16th hearing for his alleged participation in the DIY New Year's parade on December 31st, 2009, defense will attempt to demonstrate a pattern of discriminatory prosecution based on Modes political affiliation.

Case of the AETA 4 Dismissed "Without Prejudice"

The U.S. District Court in San Jose has thrown out the indictment of four animal rights activists who were charged with violating the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, because the government did not clearly explain what, exactly, the protesters did. The case is not over, however. The government can still re-indict the defendants with an amended bill of particulars that clearly outlines their alleged actions. The AETA4 still intend to appear in court at the next scheduled hearing on July 19th.

Related: Free Speech under attack in Minneapolis

Two Fur Protesters Found Guilty of "disorderly conduct" for protesting outside fur shop in busy downtown area.
Sentencing and Solidarity Rally this Wednesday, July 12th.

In a case involving the First Amendment and free speech, anti-fur trade protesters Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson were found guilty last week by a Hennepin County jury. The charges were "disorderly conduct," a misdemeanor under MN law. The incident occurred on March 4 2010 when officers arrested Isaac and Michael after alleging that they were creating an annoyance by shouting a political message on a public sidewalk in a busy and regularly noisy area of the city.

Ribnick Furs at 224 North 1st Street - and this area of the city - is no stranger to protesting. In fact, one of the potential jurors in Voir Dire, though not selected, stated that she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, a few blocks away. She noted that they often received e-mail warnings of upcoming protests from both "animal rights" activists outside Ribnick Furs and "End the Fed" activists outside of their own building so that employees of the bank can find alternate routes to avoid the protesters. Thus, many of the local institutions and businesses are given advanced notice of the frequent, and sometimes loud protesting that occurs in this area.

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On July 9th, people gathered at the corner of Pacific Ave. and Cooper St. in downtown Santa Cruz to protest against police murder and the unjust verdict in the trial of Johanes Mehserle, and to express solidarity with protesters in Oakland. About two dozen demonstrators held signs and engaged pedestrians. The demonstration drew reactions from tourists, locals, and the police.

Video coverage to follow soon (English below)

Mas de 150 personas   marcharon al sur de la ciudad de Minneapolis en las calles Chicago y Lake, para demandar un alto a la brutalidad policiaca y justicia para Oscar Grant que fue asesinado por agentes policiales en Oakland California.

El 8 de Julio, del 2010 el oficial de  la policia Johannes Mehserle fue encontrado culpable de asesinar sin prejuicio premeditado a Oscar Grant  el primero de Enero del 2009, en Oakland California.  Mehserle  fue sacado de la corte esposado y bajo custodia.  La sentencia fue esperada este dia, por el cual muchos movimientos en contra de la brutalidad policiaca al rededor del pais se tomaron las calles para demandar justicia. read more

At 10pm protesters marched from Peninsula Park occupying the streets and demonstrating against the police as a result of the verdict given to Oakland Police Officer Johannes Mehserle who killed Oscar Grant January 1st 2009. Portland, USA. 08/07/2010

Today Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and not 2nd degree murder, or 1st degree murder as many would have desired. Portlanders mobilised at short notice to speak out against the police and the fresh verdict, marching to Martin Luther King Boulevard from the park shouting, "ACAB - All coppers are bastards" amongst other terms. The police were all over the scene, monitoring beforehand from afar as people gathered for the event. A number of windows were smashed at a Bank of America on Martin Luther King Blvd. and at Portland Community College - Cascades Campus. At all times the police urged the protesters to move on to the sidewalk or they would be arrested whilst two bike cops led the plethora of police cars.

On July 8th, 2010, former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for shooting and killing Oscar Grant on January 1st, 2009 in Oakland, California. Mehserle was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs and is now in custody. His sentencing is expect on Friday, August 6th. Involuntary manslaughter can carry 2, 4, and 6 years, with 10 added for a gun enhancement.

Protests are taking place in Los Angeles; Oakland; Palo Alto; Fresno; San Diego; Portland, OR; Bloomington, Indiana; Minneapolis;and elsewhere.