via Shadia Fayne Wood
Update from Washington D.C.: The Department of Interior dropped charges for the 21 arrested during Reclaim Power March April 18.
On April 18th, a thousand people marched to the Dept. of Interior in an unpermitted march, organized by Rising Tide North America and Peaceful Uprising, singing “We Shall Overcome.” Hundreds stormed the building’s lobby for a multi-hour occupation which resulted in 21 arrests.
Today was their arraignment. All 21 were in court for our arraignment from all over the country. Some planned on going to trial.
But then there was a strange turn. The Dept of Interior essentially dropped all charges.
Here’s a first hand account from one of the DOI 21:
“The court called us up front and, one by one, called us up to the clerk who gave us a paper which said, in part, “The US Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia or the office of the Attorney General for the D. of C. has declined to proceed with prosecution against you for the incident that led to your arrest for the offense of UNLAWFUL ENTRY. This means that your arrest has been NO PAPERED. However, the prosecuting attorney could seek to proceed with prosecution at a later date.”
via Shadia Fayne Wood
Our lawyer afterwards said that in 20 years of experience he knows of only one case where someone who was “no papered” was later prosecuted for the charge.
The 21 of us went outside the courthouse and after exchanging hugs we sang “If I Had a Hammer” together. We also talked about the next big action for many of us, the March on Blair Mountain. We were all juiced!”
Was it the threat of taking it to court, the sheer number of arrestees, or the upcoming presidential election that swayed them? Maybe all three.
Great news. Lets hope something similar happens to the 9 who were arrested in Congress on the Friday before Power Shift. Seems like they could use some help in dealing with their legal issues.
@Morgan– we’re definitely viewing the legal cases against the DOI 21 and the 9 arrested at Congress as one legal support effort. so please donate to the “Power Shift 30″ legal support fund and promote the good news about the DOI 21 far and wide.
Our fundraising drive this past week is getting an extension. So please donate- http://www.peacefuluprising.org/action-alert-donate-to-the-power-shift-30s-legal-fund-20110429
In Arizona, NO PAPER is a bad thing, sin papeles!
Wonderful news for these brave protesters!
Good going guys! Just liked
When we marched in the
60′s.
My daughter did
The change 2 weeks ago.
Just grad. College Saturday
In Global Human
Rights-can hardly wait until
We do our first march together!
Way to go ya’ll! Sending solidarity to the Powershift 30 and all others who put themselves on the line. Keep up the great work!