Photo by Paul

The Multnomah County Courthouse was buzzing with Occupiers and their lawyers on August 16 as they awaited Judge Cheryl Albrecht’s latest ruling on matters relating to numerous Occupy Portland arrests, interactions and altercations over the past year.

Beginning on August 23 and continuing through November, Occupiers and their supporters will flood the courthouse as trials unfold on issues including police misconduct, free speech and the right to assemble.

On Thursday, defense attorneys made several motions requesting more detailed discovery information from the prosecution, including the identity of one unnamed Occupy Portland informant. Defense attorneys also noted that the prosecution has provided reports about specific individuals but not for all defendants, as well as failing to provide evidence of all Miranda warnings given to defendants at the time of their arrests.

Judge Albrecht reiterated that the prosecution is required to hand over this information if it exists. Assistant District Attorney Brian Lowney claimed that to the extent such records exist they have been provided. The prosecution also clarified that they have yet to receive a response to their Portland Police Bureau request regarding the confidential source named in police reports. Judge Albrecht made it clear that the defense will have to subpoena the police if it wants this information.

After hearing motions, trial dates were set for most Occupy cases. Because these dates are subject to change without notice at the whim of the court, attendees are encouraged to check with the court before heading downtown.

Occupy trial schedule

Sept. 5-6, Courtroom 602 — Chapman Square eviction on 11/13/11.

Sept. 11, Courtroom 518 — Main Street and 3rd Avenue arrests on 10/13/11.

Sept. 24, Courtroom 428 — trial of Dan Kaufman and the Disco Trike (Tahrir Square solidarity march).

Sept. 26-27, Courtroom 216 — Jamison Square arrests on 10/30/11.

Oct. 2, Courtroom 428 – Col. Summers Park arrests on 2/6/12.

Oct. 3-4, Courtroom TBA — N16 arrests.

Oct. 3-4, Courtroom TBA — N17 (Chase Bank) arrests, except Elizabeth Nichols.

Oct. 8-9, Courtroom 428 — trial of Elizabeth Nichols, arrested on N17.

Oct. 15, Courtroom 428 – trial for arrests on F29 (2/29/12).

Nov. 13 -14, Courtroom 428 – May Day arrests on 5/1/2012.

All trials begin at 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Dates are still pending for Occupy the Post Office arrests (5/24/12) and Shemanski Park (12/3/11) eviction.

This story was originally published in the Portland Occupier. Bookmark it to keep up with the latest happenings and also consider contributing articles, share the information!

 This post is in solidarity with those experiencing political repression by the US government and social and environmental justice fighters currently jailed as political prisoners in the United States and around the world.

Call In Day- Wednesday, August 29^th : We are asking for people to call the US Attorney again this Wednesday, August 29^th. Call Jenny Durkan at (800) 797-6722 and leave a message with the person who answers the phone. Last call in day, they tried to send people to a voicemail box. If they attempt to do that, tell whoever you are talking to that you would like to leave a message with them and not a voicemail.

An example of what you might say:

“Hi. I am Jolene Seaside. I am calling about the grand jury being impaneled in Seattle tomorrow, August 30th. This case clearly shows that the FBI and government are persecuting political dissent in our country. It is despicable that US attorney and the government are harassing and intimating this group of people for their political beliefs. I demand that the grand jury and investigation be ended immediately, that the governments repression of social movements stop, and that any items seized in the raids be returned. Thank you for taking my comments.”

When you call the U.S Attorney’s office, please let them know that you are speaking for yourself and not the individuals resisting the grand jury subpoenas. Be aware of how the things you say will impact the people you are trying to help. If you make a call, please email us (nopoliticalrepression@gmail.com) and let us know how what kind of response you got from the Attorney’s office.

On August 2^nd, we overwhelmed the US attorney’s office in Washington with phone calls demanding an end to the grand jury. We want to keep up the pressure and make sure the US attorney knows we are still standing firmly in solidarity with those resisting the grand jury.

Thursday, August 30^th: Come to Seattle to stand against the Grand Jury witch hunt! There will be a demonstration in solidarity with those affected by the raids and subpoenas starting at 12:00 pm The demonstration will be at the federal court house, 700 Stewart St., in Seattle.

Can’t make it to Seattle? Plan another event or demonstration in solidarity! Please email us at nopoliticalrepression@gmail.com to tell us about your event.

or attend one of these solidarity events:

Portland, Oregon: Come show resistance to state repression and solidarity with those whose backs are against the way. 12:30 to 3:30 pm at the Federal Court House (1000 SW 3^rd Ave).  https://www.facebook.com/events/401156179937499/

Minneapolis, MN: A rally in solidarity with Northwest/Midwest grand jury resistors and
local Occupy Homes organizers. 12-1pm at City Hall (350 S 5th St). http://twincitiesantirepression.tumblr.com/post/30111358127/a30-solidarity-against-state-repression

Please donate! There is a “Donate” tab on our website http://nopoliticalrepression.wordpress.com/. We are trying to raise legal fees for all of those affected. We also are trying to provide material support for those that are resisting the grand jury.

Please keep checking our website for updates: http://nopoliticalrepression.wordpress.com/. If you have questions, email us at nopoliticalrepression@gmail.com.

If you miss your trial, you will be defaulted. Other defendants who have
defaulted were automatically fined $200 per charge. Judge Albrecht issued her decision about the question of accessing video discovery, given the high cost of getting CD copies from the Discovery
Office. Basically, she ruled that the DA isn’t required to furnish
copies and she’s not going to require them to let us bring in media to
make our own copies. She did require that they let us view the video
without delay. Read the full decision
here.
This means that each of us should contact the Discovery Office and
request an appointment to view your video discovery, if you haven’t done

so already. The number is 503-988-3018. *If you get any run around, you
should contact Judge Albrecht’s courtroom immediately.* The phone number

After viewing the video in the Discovery Office, if you need a /copy/ of
video for your defense (e.g. you need to view it on better equipment or
need to slow it down) and you can’t afford to pay $30+ per CD, we should
try to raise some funds for it. If anyone needs this or if anyone has
ideas for a quick fundraiser, let me know and I’ll help get the word out.

Other upcoming hearings: Kathryn Garcia’s trial for May Day is now
scheduled to begin August 27th. Please come show your support. Tequila,
Pablo, and No Name’s trials in Beaverton were also rescheduled for later
in August. Watch the calendar at elkpdx.org for more details. If you have another hearing or trial date coming up and you would like support, please call the ELK hotline (503-902-5340).

For more information, read the latest Portland Occupier article related to the trials. Hearings for Occupy’s Speedy Trials Drags On