Grand jury resistance action

The grand jury originated as a means of protecting the accused from prosecutors. It has evolved into something with unbridled subpoena powers, which is used to gather information on activists and others. It is run by a prosecutor, who is the sole judge (No judge is present.) of who serves on the jury. None of the rules which are used to protect the veracity of testimony in a courtroom are used in the grand jury room. The witnesses are not protected by the 1st, 4th or 5th amendments. No defense attorneys are present. Witnesses who refuse to testify can be thrown into jail for the duration of the grand jury, up to 18 months.

In Davenport Iowa, a grand jury is investigating an animal rights action at the University of Iowa in 2004. Two Minneapolis people, Carrie Feldman and Scott DeMuth were subpoenaed and refused to testify. At the time of the action,  Feldman was 15 years old and DeMuth was 17. Today, they appeared before a judge, who remanded them into jail, until they testify, or the grand jury investigation ends. It is thought that the grand jury investigation will last for 11 months.

There were demonstrations across the country, in solidarity with Feldman and DeMuth.

In Dallas, six activists gathered in front of the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse, early this morning. Braving cold winds, the activists held signs and passed out pamphlets detailing the injustices of the grand jury system.  After around an hour, Homeland Security officers appeared, informing the demonstrators that they were on federal poperty, and would have to move across the street. The organizer of the action called her lawyer, and found that the law only required them to stand on the side of the concrete spheres which act as a security barricade, which is furthest from the building. The officers took their IDs and called in their information. The organizer asked an officer for his card. He denied having any. Soon after, the demonstrators left.