4/28: Late today, after a 5-day trial, Carol Fisher was
found guilty of 2 counts of assault on police officers for posting a
sign announcing World Can’t Wait’s protests against Bush’s State of the
Union address. This is an outrage! Her sentencing will be on June 2. We
have a lot of work to do.
From the beginning, this trial was stacked against
Carol, and was meant to be a vicious message to anyone who thinks or
acts outside of the box. Judge McGinty wouldn’t allow Carol and
her attorneys the ability to wage a defense. The only “relevent”
testimony was that provided by the state. No politics was allowed
into the trial. Nothing about the brutal and arrogant reputation of the
Cleveland Heights police. Nothing about how Carol was the one assaulted
by the police and then humiliated at University Hospital when she was
taken there for her injuries.
The testimony of a courageous EMS worker who was afraid for Carol’s
safety from the police rampage was cut to a mere 4 minutes. Only one
character witness was allowed, and then only for a couple minutes. The
judge refused to inform the jury of a serious lie by the prosecution
during closing testimony.
But even after this outrageous verdict, it still
wasn’t over! The judge actually praised the “professionalism” of these
cops and said they “they have a bright future!” He then ordered that
Carol submit to a psychological exam as part of the pre-sentencing
investigation! He said that he thinks she might have a “martyr
complex.” The judge told Carol that she better be prepared to apologize
at her sentencing or else “bring your toothbrush with you.” This was
all too much for Carol’s supporters, and many stormed out of the
courtroom in response. One supporter, a professor at Case Western
Reserve University, was ejected from the hallway after calling the
prosecutor a lier. Another WCWer was escorted out of the building by an
armed sheriff.
This was a truly sickening display, and one which has big implications
for anyone who refuses to go along with the Bush program. They are
trying to send a message: shut up, submit to authority, or you will pay
the price.
But Carol’s message is: “This will not be easy. If we speak the truth,
they will try to silence us. If we act, they will try to stop us. But
we speak for the majority, here and around the world, and as we get
this going we are going to reach out to the people who have been so
badly fooled by Bush and we are NOT going to stop.” And we are NOT
going to apologize.
Those of us who hate the direction the Bush regime is taking things,
who will not have Iran attacked in our name, who will not sit silently
by as our rights are whittled away, need to continue to organize. The
World Can’t Wait! Drive Out the Bush Regime invites you to a Speak Out
at Coventry Yard tomorrow, Sat., April 29, at 3 pm. Is the current
order moving toward fascism??? Or not?? Come and speak your mind and
listen to others. Our lives and the lives of many around the world may
depend on it.
Contact cleveland@worldcantwait.org to support Carol Fisher.