FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
Queens Stop-and-Frisk Protest Trial Begins with Clash Over Civil Disobedience, First Amendment
Queens, NY-- Jury selection began today in a courtroom packed with supporters of four men who face two years in jail stemming from their arrest in a November 19, 2011 protest at the NYPD 103rd Precinct. When a pool of potential jurors were told that the protest was against the city’s highly controversial practice of stop-and-frisk, two raised their hands to tell the judge they didn’t know if they could be impartial, because of their opposition to the policy.Carl Dix, who, with Cornel West, initiated a campaign of non-violent protest aimed at stopping the NYPD from stopping and searching people on the street; Jamel Mims; Morgan Rhodewalt and Robert Parsons are charged with 2 counts of Obstruction of Governmental Administration, and one of Disorderly Conduct. Mims article, “On facing two years in jail for protesting stop-and-frisk” was published today on NBC’s The Grio, a blog on African American news.
Judge Gene Lopez repeatedly told the potential jurors that the defendants are on trial, not the NYPD policy. Defendant Dix said later, “It’s true that we’re the ones that could get locked up for protesting. But stop-and-frisk is on trial all over the city right now. The verdict is that it is racist, unconstitutional, and unjust.” Later Tuesday, dozens of people testified about abuse they had suffered during NYPD stops and searches at Brooklyn College, where the NYC City Council held a public hearing on the practice.
A jury of six was chosen from a panel of 14 people from many countries of origin. Some had protested, and had opinions about stop-and-frisk. Alternate jurors will be selected Wednesday, followed by opening statements. It is expected that the prosecution will continue to put forward its witnesses through October 29, after which the defense will begin its case in Room K11 of the Queens Criminal Court at 125-01 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Over 1,000 people have signed a request to Richard Brown, the Queens District Attorney, to drop the charges and discontinue prosecuting the 13 defendants in the case, including Noel Leader, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care; Constance Malcolm, mother of Ramarley Graham; Margarita Rosario, mother of Anthony Rosario, and aunt of Hilton Vega, killed by NYPD; The Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network; Jumaane Williams, New York City Councilman; Basir Mchawi, International African Arts Festival Chair; Allene Person, mother of Timur Person, killed by NYPD; Juanita Young, mother of Malcolm Ferguson, killed by NYPD.
A related case begins Tuesday, October 30 at 100 Center Street, where Noche Diaz, also a defendant in the Queens case, will be tried for two arrests in Harlem, arising from situations in which supporters say Diaz was observing and documenting unlawful police abuse.
The defendants and defense attorneys are available for interviews.
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Judge Gene Lopez repeatedly told the potential jurors that the defendants are on trial, not the NYPD policy. Defendant Dix said later, “It’s true that we’re the ones that could get locked up for protesting. But stop-and-frisk is on trial all over the city right now. The verdict is that it is racist, unconstitutional, and unjust.” Later Tuesday, dozens of people testified about abuse they had suffered during NYPD stops and searches at Brooklyn College, where the NYC City Council held a public hearing on the practice.
A jury of six was chosen from a panel of 14 people from many countries of origin. Some had protested, and had opinions about stop-and-frisk. Alternate jurors will be selected Wednesday, followed by opening statements. It is expected that the prosecution will continue to put forward its witnesses through October 29, after which the defense will begin its case in Room K11 of the Queens Criminal Court at 125-01 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Over 1,000 people have signed a request to Richard Brown, the Queens District Attorney, to drop the charges and discontinue prosecuting the 13 defendants in the case, including Noel Leader, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care; Constance Malcolm, mother of Ramarley Graham; Margarita Rosario, mother of Anthony Rosario, and aunt of Hilton Vega, killed by NYPD; The Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network; Jumaane Williams, New York City Councilman; Basir Mchawi, International African Arts Festival Chair; Allene Person, mother of Timur Person, killed by NYPD; Juanita Young, mother of Malcolm Ferguson, killed by NYPD.
A related case begins Tuesday, October 30 at 100 Center Street, where Noche Diaz, also a defendant in the Queens case, will be tried for two arrests in Harlem, arising from situations in which supporters say Diaz was observing and documenting unlawful police abuse.
The defendants and defense attorneys are available for interviews.
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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