Protesting to Stop Military Recruiting and War for Empire is NO CRIME
Stephanie Tang’s trial begins TODAY – February 6
NO CRIME – NO TIME – NO FINE!
We call on the whole community to demand that this politically-charged, politically-motivated case get dropped, right now! What can you do to help?
On February 9, Stephanie Tang goes on trial, facing one year in jail and a $1000 fine. Her case stems from World Can’t Wait demonstrations at the Marines Recruiting Station in downtown Berkeley. A leading World Can’t Wait organizer, Stephanie is the only defendant still facing charges from the intense months of protests against the recruiters, and she says:
"It is absolutely no crime to organize to drive military recruiters out of our communities and schools! What is criminal is this package of war and occupation without end, the torture state and the spying – and no matter who is president, all of this must come to a halt!"
She is charged with obstructing a police officer, after one of the repeated incidents last spring when the Berkeley police in riot gear assaulted World Can’t Wait’s persistent, spirited, and nonviolent demonstrations (despite the City of Berkeley’s anti-war position). When the police charged into the march, two young men were arrested, yet Stephanie was not arrested — although she was clubbed by an officer and sent flying head first into a brick wall. In fact, she was never arrested for this demonstration; weeks later, she received notice by mail that she was ordered to appear in court to face criminal charges.
We call on the whole community to demand that this politically-charged, politically-motivated case get dropped, right now! What can you do to help?
** CONTRIBUTE TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. Write checks to "World Can’t Wait" – write "WCW legal fund" in the memo line. Mail to: World Can’t Wait, 2940-16th St., Rm. 200-6, San Francisco, CA 94103
** PACK THE COURTROOM!Your presence tells the world anti-war protest and resistance will not be silenced, because it’s absolutely right to oppose the deadly work of the recruiters and this outrageous, illegitimate war.
– Pre-trial Hearing FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008
– Trial begins MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2008
Same courthouse, 9:00 AM but in DEPT. 112
Important: Come 20 min. early to get through the security checks
Note: If you’re coming to court on Monday, February 9, please call or email us before 9 PM the night before (Sunday, February 8) for any possible last minute updates: changes of courtroom, etc.
** SEND LETTERS SUPPORTING STEPHANIE TO THE COURT! Mail or email your personal or organization’s letters to World Can’t Wait (info below). WCW will give them to Stephanie’s attorney, Walter Riley.
** HELP GET THE WORD OUT:to the media, and invite us to speak to your organization, house party, or other groups. Contact World Can’t Wait if you can help in any of these ways or more.
World Can’t Wait, 2940-16th St., Rm. 200-6
San Francisco CA 94103
