News from the liberterrain…
"Check out the Montgomery County Libertarians," freedom activist Julian Heicklen once told the Libertarian News Examiner. "They're a very active group."
And so they are. Members of the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Libertarian Party have taken the lead in publicizing the outrageous treatment of fellow activist, George Donnelly.
(Article continues below photo)
Sign language Montgomery County Libertarians gathered to prepare some signs for Friday's rally.
They're returning to the scene of the crimes committed against him by, as witnesses strongly contend, an out-of-control mob of US Marshals who chose to violate rather than protect his First Amendment rights of free speech and free press (Donnelly is an independent media journalist).
The scene is Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the event is called March, Rally and Demonstration: Photography and Pamphleting Are NOT Crimes.
As most libertarians know by now, George Donnelly was arrested and had his camera seized in Allentown on May 11, 2010 while attempting to video what was essentially a shouting match between a federal officer and jury rights advocates who were peacefully distributing Fully Informed Jury Association pamphlets outside the Federal Courthouse.
He was initially charged with simple assault and placed under a stringent house arrest.
His hearing, scheduled for two weeks later, was cancelled on the basis that the government's "Complaint & Warrant will be withdrawn."
However, the rally and demonstration has taken on a new urgency in light of what organizer Jim Babb calls "the latest fabricated charges against George."
An affidavit filed on May 28, 2010 by Deputy US Marshal Enrique Trevino accuses Donnelly of "physically grabbing my shoulder from behind" and "Donnelly struck [Court Security Officer Claire Burns] in the jaw with a closed fist."
The original charges are detailed at Libertapedia, the libertarian encyclopedia.
The May 28 charges and affidavit are contained in a pdf file.
All libertarians who can't attend the rally and demo have been urged to contribute to the George Donnelly Legal Defense Fund.
(photos courtesy Jim Babb)
Signed up From left: James Babb, Mike Salvi, Kat Valleley, Fernando Salguero, Darren Wolfe.
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Comments
If only I could get that kind of turn out in NYC.
George and Julian were kidnapped by thugs. "Arrest" is a euphemism for a kidnapping committed by government, and it is just as disgusting and evil as any other kidnapping when the target hasn't harmed anyone. Such as in these cases.
"No more blood for oil"? I really hope no one walked around with that. Not that it's not a legitimate statement, but it's completely off-topic and would immediately cause conservatives to not take George's case seriously.
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