Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Trial of Penn and Mead: OWS in 1670?
Came across an account of this trial in an old pamphlet, and reading it reminds me of what OWS is facing in the fight for freedom of speech and assembly. William Penn and William Mead were haled into the Old Bailey for "making a tumultuous assembly," and steadfastly defended their rights as Englishmen to free speech. So did the jury, which led the judge to imprison both the defendants and the jury. The account of the trial is a quick read, and actually very funny, if one can keep up with the 17th century style. Some of the passages are quite eloquent.
http://www.constitution.org/trials/penn/penn-mead.htm#01
-- Mal
