Pit Stop Ploughshares F1 Court Report & Anniversrary Update

by R Isible Tue Feb 03, 2004 16:42

"He [Judge Matthews] continued to emphasise the neccessity for prosecution to attain the transcript [...]"

Best wishes to the Pitstop Ploughshares. The discovery phase should reveal some interesting material!

by redjade Tue Feb 03, 2004 16:48

{ photos by redjade } (c)

by Drbinoche Tue Feb 03, 2004 20:11

But why, if these people are behind you and back everything you did so much, do you need funds to bring em to Ireland to testify on your behalf. Am I reading that wrong, I might be??

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what happens. I think my feelings have been expressed openly on more than one occassion.

Glad you enjoyed the Kris Kristofferson gig. I thought it was brilliant. Should of tried wrangling tickets out of the man himself. He knew you were present. Believe me there were spare tickets available.

What would you do if a person or persons decided to attend the St Patricks Day parades with posters promoting the war in Iraq and promoting the refueling of logistics aircraft in Shannon?? Would you 'disarm' them??

by Phuq Hedd Tue Feb 03, 2004 21:55

Keep on folks, you're doing a great job. The trial is something that probably has the government writhing with embarrasment, and the testimony of international witnesses will add to the international news-worthiness of the story.

It was a bad day for Bertie when the Ploughshares got involved!

by Damien Moran Tue Feb 03, 2004 22:08

Thanks for solidarity. Hope the following does not confuse you.

Please re-read the word "he" within the context of the paragraph, and the word "attain" within the context of overall posting. "He" is the Prosecution's Senior Counsel {A new, probably more sophisticated figure on the bloc. Sorry, his name evaded us}.

Maybe 'obtain' would have been more appropriate, but couldn't help a covert implication that their request for the judge' s order on Dec. 19th, 2003, was a little belated.
Indeed, the Prosecutions' hesitancy to comply with a straight forward order seemed to fit well with the judge's disheartened attitude that he, and his colleagues, had to work in "a bad system" which "needed to change".

"He" { SC, on behalf of the prosecution} emphasised the neccessity for prosecution to attain (to succeed in getting or achieving something, especially after a lot of effort ) - I am being a little sarcastic here, as little or no effort was made by them {prosecution}to attain this transcript between Dec. 19th, 2003 and January 26th, 2004.

What transcript? See paragraph below (which preceded the above "he","attain" paragraph):

"Today's hearing at Circuit Court 23 witnessed the Prosecution requesting clarity on issues pertaining to the exact nature of Judge Matthews order on Dec. 19th, 2003.

They also requested a transcript of the judges particular orders."
That is, the particular orders made on Dec. 19th, 2003 by Judge Matthews directing prosecution to comply with the defendants requests for discovery.

One further correction (in the penultimate paragraph):
"entitled to clarity"

Also forgot a definite article before "Irish people".

Peace.

by Drbinoche Tue Feb 03, 2004 23:26

I don't want to burst any bubbles here, but I would seriously doubt if Bertie and his boys are losing a great deal of sleep over the trial outcome. If it is not in their favour they can always just bring em in on further charges. I mean if the Ploughshares get off on this charge, they can drag em in on something else. So its not like with this one trial the government is going to collapse. If they get aquitted the government will be somewhat embarrassed, buts it not like the government truely hangs on this.

Now if they get aquitted it might lead to further troubles for the government, but I know the government are not losing any sleep over this. There are other things concerning em.

Brings up an important point, if the guys are convicted of the charges and put in jail, what will be done about it?? Has a contingency plan been drawn up in such a scenario?? I would imagine the government has a preliminary contingency plan ready for something like that, so should you not have one ready should the worst case scenario happen for your side!!

by Tommy D Wed Feb 04, 2004 02:04

Drbinoche. looks like you need to disarm your weasel mentality and burst your delusions with a lobotomy. For Christ's sake, If you've got a positive thought at all between your ears, illuminate us, otherwise refrain from further perverse wind-up and negativity. Ok !
Worried about you. Tommy D

by Ithaca Catholic Worker Wed Feb 04, 2004 14:40

TRIAL OF THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY FOUR

NEW TRIAL DATE
APRIL 6TH, 2003 -TUESDAY 9 AM

Tompkins County Court
320 N. Tioga St., Ithaca NY

(Below update letter:
-St. Patrick's Day 4 Statement
read at US Military Recruiter's Office
& description of the action)


Dear Friends and Supporters of the St. Patrick's Day Four,

Due to a recent operation our advisory counsel, Ms. Joni Brandon, we will not be ready for our trial which had been scheduled for February 9, 2004. Judge Sherman, who will preside over our case, today assigned a new trial date of April 6th, 2004. We hope that this later date will not inconvenience anyone and might even mean that more of you will be able to attend our trial in a show of support and solidarity.

The death toll in Iraq continues to mount daily. Violence only begets more of the same. As further revelations concerning the lies and deceptions used to drum up support for the war become exposed, we hope that our trial will draw attention to the criminal activity of our leaders.

The trial will take place in the Tompkins County Courthouse at 320 N. Tioga St. in Ithaca, NY. Howard Zinn and Scott Ritter are among those expected to testify on own behalf. Housing is available for those coming from out of town. We are planning on providing lunch during the trial. Please come and support Danny, Teresa, Clare and Peter if you are able.

Financial support is also needed as all four are primary supporters of their families. Financial support can be sent to:

Ithaca Catholic Worker, 133
Sheffield Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850. (check memo line: St.
Pat's 4)
Please call 607-256-8529 or 607-277-6932 or email
[email protected] for more information, directions
or for housing.
Thank you for your support!

THE ACTION

On St Patrick's Day, March 17, 2003, after 12 years of US led bombing and sanctions against Iraq, a full-out invasion of Iraq was imminent. That day, Teresa B. Grady, Peter De Mott, Clare Grady, and Daniel Burns went to the local US Army/Marine Recruiting Center in an act of nonviolent civil resistance. They read a statement (enclosed-below) and poured a small amount of their own blood around the vestibule of the center. They poured their own blood, a potent and sacred symbol of life and death, to make visible the bloodshed that is inherent in the business of war and by extension, the recruiting station. In addition, the four hoped to share with potential recruits that the imminent war with Iraq was illegal under US law and international law. Finally, the action of the St. Patrick's Four embodies the belief that war and killing are failures of the human spirit and leave an irreparable wound on not only those who are directly involved, but on all of humanity.

They were arrested at the recruiting center and spent four days in jail. Since then they have had various court dates culminating in a July arraignment in county court on charges of felony criminal mischief. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 1&1/4 to 4 years in prison.

St. Patrick's Day Four Statement read on March 17, 2003 at the U.S. Army / Marine Recruiting Station, Lansing, NY.(next to Ithaca)

Our statement begins with a quote from St. Patrick, "Killing cannot be with Christ", and reads: Our apologies, dear friends, for the fracture of good order. As our nation prepares to escalate a war on the people of Iraq by sending hundreds of thousands of US soldiers to invade, we pour our blood on the walls of this military recruiting center. We mark this recruiting office with our own blood to remind ourselves and others of the cost in human life of our government's war making. Killing is wrong. Preparations for killing are wrong. The work done by the Pentagon with the connivance of this military recruiting station ends with the shedding of blood, and God tells us to turn away from it. Blood is the symbol of life. All life is holy. All people are created in the image and likeness of God. All people are family and everyone is loved by God. Dr. Martin Luther King reminds us that & we are called to speak for the weak, the voiceless, for the victims of our nation, for those it calls enemy, for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers [and sisters].

We come here today with pictures of Iraqi people -mothers, children, those who have been the victims of US bombardment and sanctions for the past twelve years. We come here with love in our hearts for the young US service people, also victims of war making. We find hope in these dark times when sisters and brothers around the world resist the spirit of hatred and violence, lift up prayers for peace-together with works of peace.

Mary Anne Grady Flores
Ithaca Catholic Worker
Vieques Support Group
514 N. Plain St.
Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Wed Feb 04, 2004 14:56 087 918 4552

Dribs, Baby, You're Back!

Still haven't worked out if you are a government sponsored troll or a tormented soul using this forum for therapy (not that these are mtually exclusive). Your inside knowledge of government thinking would indicate the former but just in case it's the later - I'll run this by you.

It's all about gift - a group of folks gift their freedom to nonviolently disarm a US Navy war plane in the tradition of Isaiah's prophecy (see www.plowsharesactions.org). Other folks resonate and gift their music, their hospitality, their solidarity, their legal expertise, thier continued nonviolent resistance and yes even their financial support. Experts (in the past, judges from Germany, former atorney generals of the U.S. former, UN weapons inspectors, mothers of the dead, victims of violence, Vietnam/ Gulf war vets) gift their time. You give what you can offer and we take this witness into the courts to get it on not to get off!

Dribs if all you have to offer is short arms, long pockets, cynicism and begrudgery - I guess we're going to have to take that and run with it! And hope you are touched by the transformative vibe of nonviolence. If you are the new "Alan Fossey" (who infiltrated us in Liverpool from 1996 - 2001) and made a lot of money out of attempting to undermine us on behalf of BAe and the genocidal Indonesian dictatorship - please take a long hard look at yourself and the victims your work is claiming.

The war rolls on Iraq, this witness rolls on in the courts and streets of Dublin. Our brothers and sisters remain in chains for nonviolent resistance. Mordachii gets cut loose in April after 18 years. Chill and join us catholics workers, anarchoes, athiests, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, straights as we make our way through the courts and prisons. Say no in whatever way you can muster to 10,000 troops pasing through Shannon monthly. In solidarity with us, the Iraqis, the young American kids being sacrificed etc.

by Chris Doucot - Hartford CW (Ct. USA) Wed Feb 04, 2004 16:06

See link below:

by Drbinoche Wed Feb 04, 2004 21:28

I had not heard of this Alan Fossey guy before, must look him up. I will say now that I am not another Alan Fossey. I do not have the time to be infiltrating the group, I have alot of work in the Hospital I work in and I really can't be spread any further, I believe our health system is fucked enough. So no worries there.

I do not work for the Government, I would one day seriously like to run for government, but not right now as I am too busy. I personally think that the political parties on this Island are all screwed and some new and independent group need to take a stand.

As for whatever Isiah said, I don't believe in God, I KNOW the bible is a fictitious novel and so I don't put alot of belief or focus into it.

My previous posts were this:

I can guarantee that the government are not that concerned yet as if they were, there would be a hell of a lot more info being released and alot more press coverage of your trial. For instance any opposition to the government would use your trial as another way of embarrassing the government, but at present they don't need to do so as the government are messing up more important home issues by themselves. Believe me they are what the government is concerned with right now.

I was also just wondering what your stance would be upon Pro-War people marching during the St Patricks Day Parade. Surely they have the right to do so and you would surely not be tempted to stop em. If you have the right to march and make a protest then so do the Pro-War people. Now as to whether I would join em, I am not sure would have to think about it before hand.

I am also just wondering what the IAWM and GNAW and all of the other splinter groups and mystical odd named groups plan on doing if you get locked up. I am sure you and the other members of your group will make use of your time in prison [should it occur] to help further the cause etc, but I was just wondering will you be forgotten once out of the publci eye as many of the others are. I don't wish this upon you I am just wondering if the groups have a contingency plan ready. If not I would suggest you get one.

Either way I do look forward to the trial no matter the outcome. I certainly won't be joining you for the march beforehand as I am busy with work, and also I would not march with people who I cannot agree with their actions.

by R Isible Wed Feb 04, 2004 22:10

All is now clarified for me: the prosecution is engaging in pathetic foot-dragging in order to delay the discovery phase as long as possible is what it looks like then?

by Drbinoche Thu Feb 05, 2004 00:36

Oh and thanks for clearing up the fund thingy. I just wasn't reading it properly and wasn't too sure about a few things. But you clearded it up. ow my point there was how these people, alot of whom can easily afford to travel without need of your financial aid, do not do so. If they can travel to Ireland put themselves up and are happily willing to testify on your behalf, which many are, then why do they not donate the money you raise for them to Cahrities like teh Landmine Trust or The Res Cross or something like that. Just something that struck me as odd.

by Des Moines Catholic Worker - Iowa, USA Fri Feb 06, 2004 21:08 Support c/- DMCW P.O. Box 451 Des Moines IA. 50306 USA

*When one appears before a grand jury one is granted immunity and has the right to remain silent removed. If one fails to co-operate with a Grand Jury you can be detained for up to 2 years and then face another Grand Jury on release.

Dear friends;

*Elton Davis - a Des Moines Catholic Worker,

*Brian Terrell - Director of Catholic Peace Ministry and Maloy IA CW community and

*Patti McKee - former Dir of Iowa Peace Network (left the job last month) and former DM Catholic Worker

have been summon to appear before a Federal Grand Jury in Des Moines IA Tues Feb 10th.

At this time no body knows why the Grand Jury is being called or what they will be ask.

All three have been part of the on going demonstrations at STARC Armory in Johnston IA. the Headquarters for the Iowa National Guard.

One of the officers who delivered Brian his summons was from the local FBI's Joint Anti-terrorism Taskforce.

Nor has anyone else been given summons, yet....

Stay tuned....

frank cordaro

---------------------------
Feb 5, 2004
Des Moines Register

Web page

by Des Moines Catholic Worker - Iowa, USA Fri Feb 06, 2004 21:12 Support c/- DMCW P.O. Box 451 Des Moines IA. 50306 USA

Dear Friends;


Fourth Catholic Worker summon to Fed Grand Jury in Des Moines

Wendy Bobbit Vasquez became the fourth Des Moines peace activist to be summon by the Fed Attorney to appear before a Fed Grand Jury Tues. Feb. 10th.

Wendy, a former member of the Community for Creative Nonviolence in Wash DC and former DMCW join Brian Terrell, Moly IA Catholic Worker, Patti McKee, former DMCW and Elton Davis DMCW as summon witness to a Fed Grand Jury in Des Moines IA.

Below todays DM Register article...

Stay tuned....

frank cordaro

----------------

Feb 6, 2004
Des Moines Register

Web page

by DM Register Mon Feb 09, 2004 21:10

By MADELAINE JEROUSEK
Register Staff Writer
02/07/2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Much of the Drake University campus was silent Friday about a federal investigation into an anti-war group meeting held on campus last fall.


Sources say a sealed court order issued Thursday prohibits Drake University employees from talking about a subpoena calling for all university records of the Drake group sponsoring the meeting.

President David Maxwell said he couldn't comment.

Chief of Security Hans Hanson referred calls to the university's marketing office. Several Drake Law School faculty said the dean's office was handling calls, while a secretary said the dean was out of the office.

"Good luck finding anyone who's going to talk," said Robert Rigg, a law professor.

Across campus, some faculty members were talking. They expressed outrage about the investigation, saying it appeared to infringe on free-speech rights. The subpoena asks for all records relating to the Nov. 15 anti-war conference on campus hosted by the Drake chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. The request calls for information about leaders of the group, security reports reflecting observations about the meeting and any annual reports since 2002.

"It's a very disturbing development," said Kathleen Richardson, a Drake professor and executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. "A university atmosphere should encourage intelligent discussion and debate about the important issues of our day."

Journalism professor Herb Strentz said some faculty members were considering how to take a stand opposing the request for university documents.

"Does this mean the university can't hold conferences that deal with political issues?" he said. "This is certainly a stark contrast to the notion of a university being a place for the wide open exchange of ideas and debate."

Other employees and students had not heard about the inquiry.

Law student Nicholas Cooper, president of Drake's Student Bar Association, said he'd heard little discussion about the investigation. "Students don't know what's going on," he said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

by DM Register Mon Feb 09, 2004 21:13

Feb 8, 9:23 AM EST

Feds Win Right to War Protesters' Records
Associated Press

Web Page Address:


BY RYAN J. FOLEY

Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- In what may be the first subpoena of its kind in decades, a federal judge has ordered a university to turn over records about a gathering of anti-war activists.

In addition to the subpoena of Drake University, subpoenas were served this past week on four of the activists who attended a Nov. 15 forum at the school, ordering them to appear before a grand jury Tuesday, the protesters said.

Federal prosecutors refuse to comment on the subpoenas.

In addition to records about who attended the forum, the subpoena orders the university to divulge all records relating to the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, a New York-based legal activist organization that sponsored the forum.

The group, once targeted for alleged ties to communism in the 1950s, announced Friday it will ask a federal court to quash the subpoena on Monday.

"The law is clear that the use of the grand jury to investigate protected political activities or to intimidate protesters exceeds its authority," guild President Michael Ayers said in a statement.

Representatives of the Lawyer's Guild and the American Civil Liberties Union said they had not heard of such a subpoena being served on any U.S. university in decades.

Those served subpoenas include the leader of the Catholic Peace Ministry, the former coordinator of the Iowa Peace Network, a member of the Catholic Worker House, and an anti-war activist who visited Iraq in 2002.

They say the subpoenas are intended to stifle dissent.

"This is exactly what people feared would happen," said Brian Terrell of the peace ministry, one of those subpoenaed. "The civil liberties of everyone in this country are in danger. How we handle that here in Iowa is very important on how things are going to happen in this country from now on."

The forum, titled "Stop the Occupation! Bring the Iowa Guard Home!" came the day before 12 protesters were arrested at an anti-war rally at Iowa National Guard headquarters in Johnston. Organizers say the forum included nonviolence training for people planning to demonstrate.

The targets of the subpoenas believe investigators are trying to link them to an incident that occurred during the rally. A Grinnell College librarian was charged with misdemeanor assault on a peace officer; she has pleaded innocent, saying she simply went limp and resisted arrest.

"The best approach is not to speculate and see what we learn on Tuesday" when the four testify, said Ben Stone, executive director of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, which is representing one of the protesters.

Mark Smith, a lobbyist for the Washington-based American Association of University Professors, said he had not heard of any similar case of a U.S. university being subpoenaed for such records.

He said the case brings back fears of the "red squads" of the 1950s and campus clampdowns on Vietnam War protesters.

According to a copy obtained by The Associated Press, the Drake subpoena asks for records of the request for a meeting room, "all documents indicating the purpose and intended participants in the meeting, and all documents or recordings which would identify persons that actually attended the meeting."

It also asks for campus security records "reflecting any observations made of the Nov. 15, 2003, meeting, including any records of persons in charge or control of the meeting, and any records of attendees of the meeting."

Several officials of Drake, a private university with about 5,000 students, refused to comment Friday, including school spokeswoman Andrea McDonough. She referred questions to a lawyer representing the school, Steve Serck, who also would not comment.

A source with knowledge of the investigation said a judge had issued a gag order forbidding school officials from discussing the subpoena.

---

On the Net:

Drake University:http://www.drake.edu/

National Lawyers Guild:http://www.nlg.org/

Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Peter Lems

American Friends Service Committee

1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102

Tel: 215/241-7170 / Fax:215/241-7177

http://www.afsc.org/conscience/Default.shtm

Des Moines Register
http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/23473647.html

by Dub CW Thu Feb 12, 2004 15:09

New York Times
February 11, 2004

Web page:

Subpoenas on Antiwar Protest Are Dropped


By MONICA DAVEY

DES MOINES, Feb. 10 - Facing growing public pressure from civil liberties advocates, federal prosecutors on Tuesday dropped subpoenas that they issued last week ordering antiwar protesters to appear before a grand jury and ordering a university to turn over information about the protesters.

The protesters, who had said they feared that the unusual federal inquiry was intended to silence and scare people who disagreed with government positions, declared victory.

"We made them want to stop," Brian Terrell, executive director of the Catholic Peace Ministry here and one of four protesters who received subpoenas, told a crowd at the federal courthouse. "We're here to make them want to never let it happen again."

Representatives of the United States attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Stephen Patrick O'Meara, declined to comment on what prompted the reversal. Mr. O'Meara's spokesman, Al Overbaugh, said he could not comment on information related to grand jury subpoenas.

On Monday, prosecutors defended their inquiry, saying it was limited to the narrow issue of whether a protester trespassed on Iowa National Guard property on Nov. 16.

A subpoena compelling Drake University to provide information about an antiwar forum on its campus on Nov. 15 was also withdrawn, as was an earlier court order that barred Drake officials from speaking publicly about the case.

David E. Maxwell, president of the private university of 5,100 students, said he was deeply relieved.

"It has been a remarkable several days," Dr. Maxwell said. "I'm still processing this."

The school received a subpoena last week that demanded a broad range of information about the sponsor of the forum on Nov. 15, the Drake chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. The subpoena included its leadership lists, annual reports and location. That subpoena was later narrowed somewhat, university officials said on Tuesday, to include the names of people at the forum and records from campus security that might describe "the content of what was discussed at the meeting."

Dr. Maxwell said the subpoenas concerned him because they threatened essential values of the university like the right to free assembly and the sense of the university as a "safe haven" for ideas, even unpopular ones.

"It raised very troubling issues for us," he said.

In the end, the president said, events played out as they should.

"From that perspective," Dr. Maxwell said, "this has shown that the system works. We felt something inappropriate was being asked of us, and in the end it was resolved the way we wanted."

Civil liberties advocates here and nationally said they had questions about the intent of the investigation and whether it might signal a broader worry for antiwar protesters here and others elsewhere. The Iowa Civil Liberties Union intends to investigate the investigation, said its executive director, R. Ben Stone.

"Despite any retreat by the Iowa U.S. Attorney," Mr. Stone said, "there remain serious questions about the scope of this particular investigation. If it was just a trespassing investigation, why seek the membership records of the National Lawyers Guild? If this was an attempt to chill protests through the aggressive policing of a run-of-the-mill crime, we've got a serious problem in America."

Twenty-one people attended a training session on nonviolent protest at the Nov. 15 antiwar forum, organizers said. On Tuesday, a far larger group, more than 100, stood outside the federal courthouse beside Mr. Terrell in bitter cold, holding a new set of protest signs that said, "Say no to political grand juries," "You can subpoena us, but you will not silence us" and "Investigate Halliburton not Iowans."