News from the liberterrain...
The nationwide libertarian community is responding in a number of ways to the recent unprovoked attack and arrest of George Donnelly by agents of the federal government in Allentown, Pennsylvania (Fed Marshals violently arrest FIJA activist, violate DHS policy).
This is a roundup of recent news and information.
An altercation in Allentown
This is a cropped close-up of the original photo taken by
Jim Babb with his cell phone that shows the confrontation
between Julian Heicklen (with his JURY INFO sign) and
the female Court Security Officer from the US Marshals
Service. Note that neither Heicklen nor the unidentified
man at the right is exhibiting an aggressive posture.
It was at this point that George Donnelly attempted to
videotape the altercation. "Seconds later," Babb reported,
"they assaulted George and wrestled his video camera
away. Thugs piled on George. One even put his knee on
George's face."
Answering the aggressors of Allentown
A march, rally and demonstration is being planned in Allentown for June 4.
"We will meet aggression and hostility with love and kindness," declares Jim Babb, the event's organizer. "The goal is to educate the public and express our outrage, not to give them more prisoners."
Babb was participating in the distribution of Fully Informed Jury Association pamphlets at the Allentown Federal Courthouse on May 11 when his friend George Donnelly was physically assaulted and arrested for attempting to videotape the event.
Now Babb is organizing a peaceful protest to "bring the love back to Allentown."
"We want to match their aggression with love times 100!" Babb says on his Facebook group, March, Rally and Demonstration: Photography and Pamphleting Are NOT Crimes.
More Donnelly Details
At this writing George Donnelly has not responded to the Libertarian News Examiner's request for more information (perhaps on attorney's advice) but some details have emerged.
According to friend and fellow FIJA activist Jim Babb, when marshals grabbed Donnelly's camera he asked for its return. That apparently constituted "Assaulting a Federal Marshal" which immediately lead to his being forced to the ground by several officers and arrested.
George Donnelly
The face of injustice
Master FIJA pamphleteer Julian Heicklen, also present that day, reports, "George was held in prison for two days, one of which was in solitary confinement." Unable to raise the $50,000 bail the only reasonable alternative for Donnelly was to surrender his guns and passport, be fitted with an electronic bracelet, and placed under house arrest in his own home.
Donate to Donnelly Defense
Donnelly needs financial as well as legal help. Supporters can donate online at Arm your Mind for Liberty.
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US Marshal The
face of aggression
Facebook Friends
The Facebook group "Friends of George Donnelly" is rapidly becoming the go-to place for the latest news and information on the Donnelly injustice. It already has hundreds of supporters and a wall full of freedom news and activist information.
This appears to be one outrage that won't go away. As Julian Heicklen asks, "My friends, this is the real America. Is this the country you want?
(Photo credits: An Altercation in Allentown and US Marshal by Jim Babb; George Donnelly courtesy of George Donnelly)
Libertarians! What's happening in your area? Send me stories, photos, videos to publish in Libertarian News Examiner. libergarryan@aol.com
Comments
"Assaulting a Federal Officer"? Are the Federal officers being charged with "assaulting a citizen"? How about "attempted robbery" (taking his camera - private property)? There is no lawful law that takes rights away from citizens and exclusively grants the rights to federal officers. Federal officers have no rights beyond the rights that belong to all men.
The arrest of Donnelly was unlawful, and it is not a crime - but a right to resist an unlawful arrest.
These "goons in government-issued costumes" need to be put in their place. They are 'our' servants - not the other way around!
This incident tells us that the federalies believe they have the rights and citizens don't! Remember that the power the US government wields is delegated - from the people who own the power. They need to be sued - individually - for acting outside their lawful job-description/ jurisdiction.
I hope the thugs who assaulted George Donnelly are brought to trial for their crimes. But who am I kidding? This is America, the Land of the Slaves and Home of the Cowards. The thugs will walk; and Donnelly will be made (has already been made) to "consent" to be treated like chattel in order to avoid a long prison term for the "crime" of exercising his rights.
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