Dec. 27 Los Angeles, #Occupy the courts: The way the morning broke was quite unusual (Dialup warning

[Fire Walk With Me]

Today continues the discovery hearings for the #Occupy Los Angeles members arrested on November 30th when the site was cleared, and Anthony as well, who was grabbed up by police during a march protesting the encampment's clearing.

This first group involves about 24 people, three of whom are still in custody, one awaiting five counts. They vary widely in age and race; there are several with hair gone grey and a few youngsters too.

It is a large courtroom, with three long benches for those awaiting hearings; there was standing room only, with several #Occupiers standing along the back wall, and a minimum of six sheriffs (going up to eight at one point) the entire time. The judge seemed decent; he really meant it when he asked someone just sentenced to take care of himself. He also complimented a baby's little blue hat.

There was contention between the defense and prosecution on a number of issues, including an order for the police to produce one specific video they claim to not have. There is debate on whether #Occupy met with certain city representatives. And when the prosecution stated that there had been no police violence during the raid, the entire courthouse, until then silent, broke into a group chuckle (which the judge quickly quashed, saying we'd have to leave if it were repeated).

So yes, the city of LA is actually attempting to claim that there was no violence involved in the raid. But we know about the person in the tree who was shot with beanbags several times, the man who was thrown to the ground, several including Spencer (Oakfosho) who had a "less than lethal round" shotgun aimed in his face:

and how the search and destruction of the tents was anything but an act of kindness:



Note that the LAPD demand to create a "press pool" deliberately limits potential documentation of the raid, as they wanted, so they can attempt to get away with the (obviously intended) claim of "no violence to protesters". No pictures? No video? Why believe a bunch of dirty squatters over nice, shiny police?

See a similar claim to describe the hoops they jump through in order to LIE:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=2891

and why, from February:

"Councilman: Trutanich Wants To Silence Civil Disobedience"

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/02/11/councilman-trutanich-wants-to-silence-civil-disobedience/

And the sad truth of it:

"My Occupy LA Arrest, by Patrick Meighan (UPDATE: 12/9/11)" (Updated with an odd apology!)

http://myoccupylaarrest.blogspot.com/

"16 complaints filed about Occupy LA raid"

http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/12/07/30226/fifteen-complaints-filed-against-lapd-regarding-oc/

The LA Times, an MSM mouthpiece, published the names and data of all arrested:

http://spreadsheets.latimes.com/protestors-arrested-occupy-la/

There is another possible issue of contention that has been brought up but we'll have to see if it is what we think it is. I'm hoping so.

Most of the arrests were done under code 409, refusal to disperse.

The prosecution fell short in a couple of places I'm not sure I should mention outside of the court as this is ongoing.

Each defendant was photographed along with their property. I believe the destruction of this property falls in the 4th and 14th Amendments...

I'm not sure how much I should say, how much can or should be made public. Let's just say that not everything is going the city's way on this. Suffice to say, there was plenty of chat afterward amongst the #Occupiers, about missing bits, contradictions, etc. We'll see.

All of this was over at only a little past noon. The #OLA action statement on this didn't mention anything like this...the actual court cases begin on the 29th and those may take longer.

Stepping outside of the courthouse, one sees city hall, and the steps where we now hold General Assemblies. The building in the back with the point is LAPD headquarters.



Spent money I didn't really have on a snack, saw this interesting bit...co-inky-dink? I dunno:



Shots of downtown, for grins:





More shall be revealed.

[BeFree]

1. Thank you, kindly, Fire

May justice be done.

I hope the police get a fair trial and then they are fired.

[sabrina 1]

3. Why are people still in custody and would it help if people called City Hall to voice their

opinion of all of this? I have called eg, the Portland PD and I believe LA earlier, and received surprising agreement especially from the officer at the Portland PD dept.

And we're still waiting for the arrests of the police who nearly killed two Iraq war veterans in Oakland and/or their identities.

Thank you for the reports, and the photos

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. It would be wonderful if you would.

Thank you

[sabrina 1]

7. Okay, will do so tomorrow.

I hope other people call also.

[Fire Walk With Me]

8. ...

[Luminous Animal]

12. Contact info for LA city hall.

[phone] or [phone] or [email protected]

For those who live there link for the city council members and their contact info.

http://www.lacity.org/YourGovernment/CityCouncil/index.htm

[sabrina 1]

13. Thanks, I called, and got transferred quickly to another number.

There they had a message machine taking calls. I gave my name and telephone number and told them why I was calling 'Protesters still in jail?? Is this true? I would appreciate a call back as this is extremely disturbing and would like to know why'. Or something like that.

I think they should be flooded with calls. If I don't hear back I will call again. Looks like, from the swiftness with which I was transferred before even finishing they don't really want to talk about this. Just my impression.

[Luminous Animal]

14. I'm glad you called. I'm going to right now.

[sabrina 1]

18. I did not receive a return call, so will call again tomorrow.

Good luck with your call. The last time I spoke to someone at the City Council office, I believe in LA, she was very polite and receptive to what I had to say, providing any information she had. When I was finished, I just said 'I don't want to take up any more of your time' and she said right away 'no, you are not taking my time, I like it when we get calls like yours'. So I got the impression she wanted to hear from more people who support the occupiers.

Same thing happened when I called the Portland police during a raid there. The cop who answered the call was pretty nice, which surprised me. He too seemed to be happy to get a supportive call and told me he was not 'high enough on the chain of command' to answer all my questions, but I should call the chief. I had a feeling he wanted the Chief to hear from the public.

[Fire Walk With Me]

20. Thank you both so much.

This is how change is made

[Luminous Animal]

24. I didn't get a call back either.

And yes. I will call back tomorrow!

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Well this is not unusual, as the cities, not just LA

try to prove these people are nobodies. Ah yes, if this was not happening, there would be no resistance.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I LOVE OCCUPY! It's the only group doing anything at all right now

The only movement, the only form of education, the only thing that forces the media to expose what it doesn't wish to expose about the wealthy.

[bottom line]

5. Honestly

Owned by right wing conservatives carl jr's. They're worried. Time to divide, "Cause if you don't like where I like to eat..."
I hope everyone realizes that Ca. is under Higher Court order to relieve jail overcrowding. A misdemeanor is a misdemeanor is a misdemeanor. If not or possible, "Occupy the Courts."

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. Update: Trials begin today, but they're splitting them up.

(Post on related Facebook page) : N30 Occupiers are being dispersed to courtrooms around the city...RIGHT NOW Justin's trial moved to West Covina Court House 1427 W. Covina Parkway 1:30pm TODAY.

Note: West Covina is 18 miles from downtown LA.

[Zorra]

10. Thanks! nt

[truedelphi]

11. Thank you for the report.

I still am sick to my stomach when I think of how peaceful protesters are dealt with in this manner, and meanwhile those who shot Scott Olsen are left alone, without so much as a reprimand.

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. Update from an #OLA member who was there today, permission given to share:

‎30 Occupiers had court today. Some of the cases were dismissed. Some of them
were moved to other places like Pomona, West Covina and LAX. At least 3 went
to jury selection.

I was in various courtrooms all day long. Everything I saw appeared to go very well.

Here are some of the case that will continue tomorrow
at 210 Temple across form City Hall

Unit 52 8:30 3 people will have case there

Unit 111 10:30 will be Marth'a Trial. Her Lawyer seems pretty good.

Unit 119 9:00 Jeff

Unit 124 10:00 Judy Her prosecuting lawyer looks tough her lawyer looks weak, just my opinion based on the part I saw.

Unit 133 10:00 Anthony

Commander Green and Mario Brito will be witnesses for all of the cases.

I found most of everything today to be fascinating and educational.
I would recommend that all occupiers come to court tomorrow as this
affects all of us and is historical.

I took a lot of notes on the jury selection process and other stuff.
I will type those up at a later time.

[sabrina 1]

17. Does anyone know what the charges are for those who are still in jail?

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. I only heard the one gent say that he had five charges and wanted to do them simultaneously.

I'm sure someone knows...

[sabrina 1]

23. Five charges. It's so ridiculous really. But what about those in jail? That is what I am going to

ask when I call again tomorrow. It is shameful that peaceful protesters are being jailed while violent cops are not even named. And I will tell them that also

[Huey P. Long]

16. recommend

[coalition_unwilling]

19. Emphatic K&R!

[Fire Walk With Me]

22. Update: The video the city and police claimed to not have, has been provided to the defense

by third parties. Here's hoping that it contains useful, juicy bits.