Nonviolent Protesters' Sentencing Based on Previously Sealed Records

Non-violent Protesters Face Jail! Support the four remaining m26 defendants! <!--break--> The 4 folks facing jail time are AIDS activists that need our support, including Health GAP's Eustacia Smith. **please forward and post far and wide** Non-violent Protesters Face Jail! Support the four remaining m26 defendants! November 12th, 8pm-2am Blatant Promo hosts dance.Cipher benefiting the M26 codefendants against unprecedented charges @ The Collymore in Brooklyn 18 Putnam Ave $10+ suggested donation C train to Clinton Washington east on Fulton, veer left on Putnam www.bpbrooklyn.com www.m26.org what happened: On March 26 2003, 16 peace and justice activists were arrested at a protest in response to the invasion of Iraq, the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and the murder of human rights activist Rachel Corrie. They were slapped with and convicted of excessive charges that were unprecedented for non-violent civil disobedience. The M26 defendants have been referred to as "serial protestors" by the prosecution and have been disproportionately punished for publicly voicing their dissent. On March 22, 2004, all 16 defendants were convicted on all charges brought against them. On May 12 2004, 12 of the 16 defendants were sentenced. Together they received thousands of dollars in fines, sentences that were unusually harsh for cases arising from non-violent protest. The four defendants yet to be sentenced are those who have been most viciously targeted by the prosecution, due to their involvement in queer, aids and anti-police brutality activism, in particular. These four are potentially facing an excess of $8000 in fines, as well as jail time. in a controversial appellate court decision last week, judges ruled that prior dismissed and/or sealed arrest records could be considered in the sentancing of these four, putting them at much higher risk as well as setting a dangerous legal precedant for anyone facing prosecution in the future. what you can do: *help demonstrate that these defendants have community support! come to the sentencing Thursday, November 18, at 9:00 A.M. New York City Criminal Court, 100 Centre Street, Manhattan, Arraignment Part 4 (4th Floor). **Check m26.org for date/place changes before you go to court** *help raise desperately needed funds! donate now online at www.m26.org, pass the hat at your next meeting or event, and/or contact nicole at nnitchellxxx@aol.com to help out. *visit www.m26.org for more information and updates. thank you for your support the m26 Codefendants

<p>Non-violent Protesters Face Jail!<br /> Support the four remaining m26 defendants!</p> <!--break--><p>The 4 folks facing jail time are AIDS activists that need our<br /> support, including Health GAP's Eustacia Smith.</p> <p>**please forward and post far and wide**</p> <p>Non-violent Protesters Face Jail!<br /> Support the four remaining m26 defendants!</p> <p>November 12th, 8pm-2am<br /> Blatant Promo hosts<br /> dance.Cipher<br /> benefiting<br /> the M26 codefendants against unprecedented charges</p> <p>@ The Collymore in Brooklyn<br /> 18 Putnam Ave</p> <p>$10+ suggested donation</p> <p>C train to Clinton Washington<br /> east on Fulton, veer left on Putnam</p> <p><a href="http://www.bpbrooklyn.com">www.bpbrooklyn.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.m26.org">www.m26.org</a></p> <p>what happened:</p> <p>On March 26 2003, 16 peace and justice activists were arrested at a<br /> protest in response to the invasion of Iraq, the Israeli occupation<br /> of Palestine, and the murder of human rights activist Rachel Corrie.<br /> They were slapped with and convicted of excessive charges that were<br /> unprecedented for non-violent civil disobedience. The M26 defendants<br /> have been referred to<br /> as "serial protestors" by the prosecution and have been<br /> disproportionately punished for publicly voicing their dissent.</p> <p>On March 22, 2004, all 16 defendants were convicted on all charges<br /> brought against them. On May 12 2004, 12 of the 16 defendants were<br /> sentenced. Together they received thousands of dollars in fines,<br /> sentences that were unusually harsh for cases arising from<br /> non-violent protest. The four defendants yet to be sentenced are<br /> those who have been most viciously targeted by the prosecution, due<br /> to their involvement in queer, aids and anti-police brutality<br /> activism, in particular.</p> <p>These four are potentially facing an excess of $8000 in fines, as<br /> well as jail time. in a controversial appellate court decision last<br /> week, judges ruled that prior dismissed and/or sealed arrest records<br /> could be considered in the sentancing of these four, putting them at<br /> much higher risk as well as setting a dangerous legal precedant for<br /> anyone facing prosecution in the future.</p> <p>what you can do:</p> <p>*help demonstrate that these defendants have community support!<br /> come to the sentencing Thursday, November 18, at 9:00 A.M.<br /> New York City Criminal Court, 100 Centre Street,<br /> Manhattan, Arraignment Part 4 (4th Floor).<br /> **Check m26.org for date/place changes before you go to court**</p> <p>*help raise desperately needed funds! donate now<br /> online at <a href="http://www.m26.org">www.m26.org</a>, pass the hat at your next<br /> meeting or event, and/or contact nicole at <a href="mailto:nnitchellxxx@aol.com">nnitchellxxx@aol.com</a> to help out.</p> <p>*visit <a href="http://www.m26.org">www.m26.org</a> for more information and updates.</p> <p>thank you for your support<br /> the m26 Codefendants</p>