Bush Protester acquitted of hitting officer

[hippiechick]

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/2/056626-2502-102.html

verdict came out last night, but it was just published in this morning's paper

Protester acquitted of hitting officer
Activist says he'll demonstrate again if Bush returns to Indy next month.


By Kevin O'Neal and Abbie VanSickle
July 9, 2003

After being acquitted Tuesday night of charges stemming from his May protest against President Bush, Carl Rising-Moore said he's ready to protest again during the president's expected return in August. "I think in the end, it shows the advantages of the rule of law," Rising-Moore said after the jury verdict. "If the rule of law exists in a national sense, we're going to overthrow this government in the next election."

A Marion Superior Court jury deliberated about 40 minutes before finding Rising-Moore not guilty of battery with injury and resisting law enforcement. When the six-member jury returned to the courtroom, a bailiff brought the United Nations flag that Rising-Moore carried when he was arrested May 13. The political activist said he hoped to have the same flag with him next month when the National Governors Association holds its annual meeting in Indianapolis -- an event the president is expected to attend.

Rising-Moore was accused of punching a policeman during Bush's May visit. Police and prosecutors said the 57-year-old painting contractor threw his fist at an officer after disregarding orders to move away from the presidential motorcade. Rising-Moore told a different story in court. He testified that he did not pose a threat to the president, did not strike the officer and did not hear any calls from the officer to stop.

"I was amazed at the allegations," he said after testifying Tuesday in Marion Superior Court. "If the American people don't stand up and fight -- nonviolently -- then we are lost as a country."
Trained in nonviolent protesting, he said, he'd never hit an officer. His arrest showed the right to dissent is in jeopardy, he said."

... more

:hippie:

[DrGonzoLives]

1. Good

A reasonable jury apparently managed to slip through...I assure that if Goldsmith were still in charge, he would probably be in shackles and an iron mask...

[BulletproofLandshark]

2. Great News

It's nice to see a rare victory for truth. :-)

[hippiechick]

3. Interesting because of the original charges ...

...if you recall, he was arrested for 'violently waving' a UN Flag at the motorcade, and the officer testified that he was told to 'take Carl down' by the SS.

Oddly, those charges vanished and he was only charged with punching the cop.

drip, drip, drip ... even on a local level.


:hippie:

[Bozola]

4. Basically, the Officer committed perjury....

but got off unpunished?

[hippiechick]

7. welcome to indiana ....

...cops & elected officials don't lie, even when you have proof that they did !!!

:mad:


:hippie:

[Ouabache]

8. He will be back too

in August at an event the president is expected to attend.

"The political activist said he hoped to have the same flag with him next month when the National Governors Association holds its annual meeting in Indianapolis -- an event the president is expected to attend..."

Go Carl Go !!

[Jokerman]

5. Legal Fees?

I'm glad he won but I hope he can afford the fight. I wonder if there's any chance of him getting reimbursed?

[hippiechick]

6. A hat was passed

... at the various peace rallies and picnics over the last couple months, so I think he's alright as far as attorney costs.

But he is self-employed with 5 kids, and was in jail (not working) for - I think - 3 weeks .... so I'm sure the family finances are in tight straights.


:hippie:

[bobthedrummer]

9. More good news from the heartland

thanx for posting this, homegirl:hi:

[hippiechick]

11. Yo Bob Whaddup ?

:hi:

It's been too long !!


:hippie:

[LauraK]

10. Our Nambe was charged with assaulting an officer in Ptld, Or.

Luckily, there were three seperate videos of the incident and she plead guilty to civil disobedience to avoid an impeding charge. Got 20 days in jail and a ~$600 fine. She still can't talk about it. The Multhomah county prosecutor could still file charges in spite of the plea agreement. Her lawyer says he probably would if they weren't so broke.

She was shoved into a riot cop and he shoved a pepper spray canister right in her face. She blocked his hand and was charged. Appearantly a cop at the base of the bridge had told her the bridge had been closed to foot traffic but she says she didn't hear him. It was really noisy and she needed to get to her car to get back to work. The whole thing has been pretty hard on her.

[bluestateguy]

12. Now he should SUE for false prosecution!!!

.

[midnitemoleman]

13. Freedom 1 ~~~Bush 0

Bush is a very bad man!