FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2012
November 2, 2012
Queens Stop-and-Frisk Protest Trial, Storm-Delayed, to Resume with Prosecution Case Monday
Queens, NY--As millions are without power and suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Queens prosecutors are pushing ahead for conviction on charges that four men obstructed the 103rd precinct last November 19 when they protested stop-and-frisk. “The subways are flooded and in limited operation, but the courts and the political railroads remain flooded with people and continue operating on the fast-track,” said Jamel Mims, one of four defendants in the case. The trial will resume Monday November 5. Contention over Judge Gene Lopez’ ruling that defendants will not be allowed to explain to jurors their motivation for protesting the NYPD practice of stop-and-frisk is expected to continue. Prosecutors wanted discussion of stop-and-frisk and First Amendments rights to protest to be excluded. Lopez has repeatedly instructed the 6 member jury that “stop-and-frisk is not on trial here.”
Carl Dix, a principal organizer of non-violent civil disobedience protests, along with theologian Cornel West, told supporters to ”remember the impact our protests had last year. Think about the youth who faced being harassed, disrespected and worse by police every day, who drew hope and inspiration from what we did. The people who didn’t face being stopped and frisked themselves, but who were horrified to learn that people faced this treatment because of the color of their skin and felt it was wrong.”
On Monday, prosecutors are expected to show video footage by the NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit, and Police Inspector Charles McEvoy, commander of the precinct, will testify. Jurors will hear evidence on two counts of Obstruction of Government Administration, and one of Disorderly Conduct against Dix, Mims, Morgan Rhodewalt and Robert Parsons. The second obstruction charge was added in September, when prosecutors argued the defendants obstructed the precinct, and also intended to do so by refusing to disperse. Each obstruction charge carries a possible sentence of 12 months at Rikers Island.
The October 30 trial of Noche Diaz, a defendant in the Queens protest to be tried early next year, in a related protest of police abuse in Manhattan, is postponed because the storm shut down power, and most proceedings, at 100 Center Street.
The defendants and defense attorneys are available for interviews.
-30-
Carl Dix, a principal organizer of non-violent civil disobedience protests, along with theologian Cornel West, told supporters to ”remember the impact our protests had last year. Think about the youth who faced being harassed, disrespected and worse by police every day, who drew hope and inspiration from what we did. The people who didn’t face being stopped and frisked themselves, but who were horrified to learn that people faced this treatment because of the color of their skin and felt it was wrong.”
On Monday, prosecutors are expected to show video footage by the NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit, and Police Inspector Charles McEvoy, commander of the precinct, will testify. Jurors will hear evidence on two counts of Obstruction of Government Administration, and one of Disorderly Conduct against Dix, Mims, Morgan Rhodewalt and Robert Parsons. The second obstruction charge was added in September, when prosecutors argued the defendants obstructed the precinct, and also intended to do so by refusing to disperse. Each obstruction charge carries a possible sentence of 12 months at Rikers Island.
The October 30 trial of Noche Diaz, a defendant in the Queens protest to be tried early next year, in a related protest of police abuse in Manhattan, is postponed because the storm shut down power, and most proceedings, at 100 Center Street.
The defendants and defense attorneys are available for interviews.
-30-
-----
The Stop Mass Incarceration Network is a project of the Alliance for Global Justice, a 501c3 tax-exempt
organization. Tax-deductible contributions accepted online or checks made payable to the "Alliance for Global Justice," with "Mass Incarceration Network" in the memo line may be sent to:
Stop Mass Incarceration Network
c/o P.O. Box 941 Knickerbocker Station
New York City, New York 10002-0900
Phone: 347-979-SMIN (7646) * Email: [email protected] * Facebook: stopmassincerationnetwork * Twitter: @StopMassIncNet
The Stop Mass Incarceration Network is a project of the Alliance for Global Justice, a 501c3 tax-exempt
organization. Tax-deductible contributions accepted online or checks made payable to the "Alliance for Global Justice," with "Mass Incarceration Network" in the memo line may be sent to:
Stop Mass Incarceration Network
c/o P.O. Box 941 Knickerbocker Station
New York City, New York 10002-0900
Phone: 347-979-SMIN (7646) * Email: [email protected] * Facebook: stopmassincerationnetwork * Twitter: @StopMassIncNet