New York City: APOC trial starts March 21-Pack the court!

In November of 2003, police arrived at a house party of community folks, mostly people of color, who are organizers and educators against the prison-industrial complex. Without provocation, police beat and seriously injured several of us,
then arrested eight people of color. The arrestees have had criminal charges heaped on them. Seven are going to trial next week. APOC trial starts March 21-Pack the court!

contact: stopdawar (at) yahoo.com

Our last trial start date was postponed at our request because of medical reasons of one of our attorneys. We did not want to risk having one of our seven codefendants being tried alone.
We thank you for your continued support and patience.

This trial and the attack that led to it has made our day to day tasks harder. Our shared resistance to attacks like this one is the reason why we were at the party and why we organize
and educate and heal. Police violence, state violence, is an integral part of how we are oppressed as queer and trans folks, as people of color, as poor folks, as women, as organizers.
Your support throughout the last year and half, throughout the duration of this trial, and in the upcoming trials of the MXG3 and other members of our community is needed to transform the
systemic sources of pain and suffering in our
communities. Let us move forward in health and hope and courage and faith.

Be safe and strong and faithful. Ache.
The Brooklyn 7

Why do we need you to be in court with us?

1. YOUR PRESENCE HELPS US AND HELPS THE TRIAL.

The first time we went to court back in December 2003, it was packed with 50 of our people. Court officers weren't grillin or barkin on folks. Our collective energy transformed the courtroom. We need this again at Brooklyn Criminal Court (120
Schermerhorn Street). Having you in court shows the jury, judge and DA that our community is behind us. It gives strength to our claims of injustice.

2. THE POLICE ARE WRONG AND TARGETTED A PARTY FULL OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND QUEER & TRANS PEOPLE. THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME,LETS FIGHT THEM.

This was police brutality and misconduct. They had no reason to come into our party. We have the capacity (thanks to you all and your help) to fight this - we want you to join us and encourage additional support.

3. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS MESSED UP AND AFFECTS OUR LIVES IN PROFOUND WAYS, THAT'S WRONG. For us and anybody caught up in the criminal injustice system there are complications. A number of us have lost jobs because of our
wrongful charges. Jimi was laid off from work when they found out about his arrest. Jonathan was laid off by the State Dept. of Education when they learned of his charges. Plus we'll all be putting our lives on hold for the duration of this trial.
Let the State know their continued interference with our lives will not be tolerated.

4. Our trial will last about two weeks. We will have a morning (9:30-12:30) and afternoon shift (2-5PM) for our court supporters. We need you to sign up for as many shifts as possible between March 21st and April 1st. The most vital days
are March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th and during closing arguments (we will keep you posted as the trial
proceeds).

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SUPPORT IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THIS CALL OUT AND THAT DOING THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THIS PROCESS HARDER OR GIVE THE STATE EXCUSES FOR FURTHER REPRESSION WILL
MAKE THIS PROCESS HARDER. OTHERS AROUND YOU AND MAYBE EVEN YOU YOURSELF MAY HAVE OPEN
CASES, EXISTING CHARGES OR WARRANTS, OR TENOUS IMMIGRATION STATUS. IN POLITICAL TRIALS IN THE PAST, AND TRIALS WHERE COMMUNITY FOLKS DID NOT GO ALONG SILENTLY, COURT OFFICERS AND OTHER AGENTS OF THE STATE HAVE INSTIGATED CONFLICTS AND ARRESTS. DO NOT SILENCE YOURSELF! BE AWARE AND CAUTIOUS.
EXERCISE DISCIPLINE. YOU DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE AROUND YOU, IN THE HALLWAYS OR ELEVATORS ARE JURORS, FRIENDS OR FAMILY OF JURORS, COPS OR ADA'S. EXERCISE DISCIPLINE IN YOUR TALK.

To sign up contact Kate Rubin at 917-647-5777 or
katedrubin (at) yahoo.com . Indicate which dates and shifts, morning or afternoon you are available.
Please go to the Brooklyn Criminal Courthouse, 120 Schemerhorn, 5th Floor, Rm BTP1. You can take the 2, 3, 4, 5 trains to Borough Hall, then walk a few blocks and you are there.

THANKS AND ALL REVOLTIONARY LOVE TO THOSE OF U WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP TO SUPPORT, WE NEED MORE FOLKS WHO CAN DO SO! PEACE IN AND OUT!!

See also:
http://www.criticalresistance.org/index.php?name=crnyc_home

http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/144876/index.php