Banner-Bearing Protester at Convention Is Acquitted

[Kadie]

Banner-Bearing Protester at Convention Is Acquitted

By ANDREW JACOBS
Published: June 24, 2005

A Manhattan jury rejected all charges last night against a California woman who was arrested at the Republican National Convention, when she unfurled a banner criticizing President Bush during his acceptance speech.

Prosecutors had accused the woman, June Brashares, of several crimes, including the assault of two convention volunteers who had escorted her from Madison Square Garden moments after she stood on a chair and held up a hand-painted bed sheet that said "Bush Lies People Die."

One of the volunteers testified that he needed 10 stitches to close a gash on his shin caused by the heel of Ms. Brashares's shoe. Jurors, speaking after the verdict, said they rejected that allegation, however, and said they believed Ms. Brashares and other witnesses who said she was not even wearing shoes when she was dragged screaming from the hall.

"This is wonderful," said Ms. Brashares, 41, an events planner from San Francisco, after the verdict was read last night. "Free speech has been upheld."

snip...
Of the 1,670 cases handled by the Manhattan district attorney, 91 percent ended with the charges dismissed or with a verdict of not guilty after trial. In more than 160 others, defendants pleaded guilty or were convicted during trial. In at least 400 cases, charges were dropped after it was discovered that the Police Department's videotaped evidence had been improperly edited.

more...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/24/nyregion/24protest.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Great news!!! Justice triumphs..at least this time, with a NYC jury.

[NYC Liberal]

11. How much you wanna bet at least a few were AT some of protests?

I would say maybe 1 or 2 possibly.

But now justice IS done and sanity prevails!!

[uppityperson]

2. Glad they acquitted her. What a waste of time and money.

bunch of money wasting bs. Good it's done with.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

3. Wow

I'm not sure whether to be relieved they aquitted her, or disgusted that she was ever charged in the first place

[dchill]

14. Sometimes ...

you gotta be both.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Civil liberties are not dead in Bush's America yet

:toast:

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Maybe next week

The Nazi bastards never lose the war, just an occasional skirmish. They regroup and attack again.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Keep visualizing this . . .

Liberty Leading the People (1830) by Eugène Delacroix
From the website of the University of Southern California

[QuettaKid]

12. uhm, I uh, don't know how to say this

but you can see that ladies boobies.....:sarcasm:

[DavidDvorkin]

19. I've always loved that painting

And not just because you can see her boobies.

[dchill]

13. No, but they're in their "last throes."

n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

15. Then we must fight the tyrants and defend our rights

See post 6.

[anarchy1999]

7. More important than a scout found alive after sleeping with bears n/t

n/t

[anitar1]

8. you got it. n/t

[Rose Siding]

9. Good

:)

[lonestarnot]

10. Shame on you police for improper editing! This is deceitful! You police

are to be held to a higher standard and set examples as role models for children. LOL

[Roland99]

16. Good news indeed!

[Gothmog]

17. First Amendment is still alive

The First Amendment has not been superceeded by the patriot act. Yeah

[marbuc]

18. Maybe There is Justice in Bush's America

but it can be expensive. Anyone know if she needs help with legal fees?

[MaineDem]

20. Hooray!

A waste of time and money but justice prevails.

[d_b]

21. Great news!

[tk2kewl]

22. Now it's time to sue for malicious prosecution!

And for being assaulted by repuke storm troopers in yellow W hats!

[Pacifist Patriot]

23. I would love to see that too.