NYC plays hardball with Rachel Corrie protest defendants

[corporatewhore]

New York City judge has imposed unprecedentedly harsh penalties on a group of anti-war protesters who blocked traffic on 5th Ave. last spring, in a move activists warn is intended as a message for those planning to demonstrate at the upcoming Republican National Convention. Four of the protesters still await sentencing and may face jail time.

On March 26, 2003, 16 protestors were arrested for blocking traffic on Fifth Ave. at 47th Street--near the New York headquarters of Israel's Bank Leumi--to protest the invasion of Iraq and the recent death of non-violent activist Rachel Corrie in the Gaza Strip by an Israeli bulldozer. On May 12, 2004, citing the defendents' history of activism, the judge in the case imposed unprecedented penalties and fines.

Judge Robert Stoltz called the protest "an imposition" of protesters' opinions on "the people of New York City," and told his courtroom that people attend political demonstrations out of "lack of confidence." Twelve activists were slapped with to a total of 90 days community service, and fines totalling more than $2,000. Four protesters--who face potential jail time--still await sentencing on May 26.

"For our nonviolent protest, we are being punished more severely than the police officers who murdered Amadou Diallo," said defendant Lysander Puccio. "Meanwhile, President Bush is under investigation for the lies and manipulations used to launch the war on Iraq, the war we were protesting."

No comparable protest case has received such heavy penalties in New York City in decades. The DA's refusal to plea-bargain with activist defendants also marked a first.

In the closely-watched case, Judge Stolz refused the DA's request for jail time for any defendant with past arrest records--a recommendation also deemed unprecedented by New York attorneys, many of whom called it a violation of ethics and criminal procedure.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2658.shtml

[leftistagitator]

1. Whats up with all of the openly fascist judges in this country?

[Lithos]

2. While I think he had a point when they blocked traffic

His statement:

and told his courtroom that people attend political demonstrations out of "lack of confidence."

Is going to come back on appeal, probably to have it thrown out. This indicates personal bias on his part.

L-