PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

SUPPORT OUR PGH-122 ARRESTEES
by JONAS Wednesday, Apr. 02, 2003 at 4:23 PM
joeskillet@yahoo.com

Please help in dropping the charges filed against the arrestees by signing your name or writing a letter to the DA or the Post Gazette

Please choose a following letter to send to the DA. You cn make your own letter as well.
To send, copy and paste with your name added on and email to me. Or, you can send ityourself. Or, you can drop it off in the "Pgh-122" drop box at the Quiet Storm, the Merton Center, or 1877.

Also, please take a moment to write a letter to the post gazette about your feelings of anger and disgust at this brutal outburst from the police:

Editor John G Craig, Jr
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
34 Blvd of the Allies
Pgh, Pa 15222

Any questions feel free to call me, Jonas, at 4126064953

(Date)
(Sample Letter 1)

Stephen A. Zappala, Jr.

District Attorney

436 Grant Street

Room 303 Courthouse

Pittsburgh, PA 15219



Dear Mr. Zappala:



After following the media coverage closely since the March 20th Peace Demonstration, I’ve come to the conclusion that the police acted unfairly and in some instances, with extreme force. The police are, once again, giving Pittsburgh, a bad name and reputation.



In all fairness to those arrested and for the sake of the city and justice, I hope you’ll drop the charges against the 122 who were arrested that day.



Sincerely,



(Date)
(Sample 2)



Stephen A. Zappala, Jr.

District Attorney

436 Grant Street

Room 303 Courthouse

Pittsburgh, PA 15219



Dear Mr. Zappala:



As a taxpayer and resident of the city of Pittsburgh, I’m disgusted with the police conduct at the peace demonstration on March 20. I understand from the many accounts I’ve heard and read about that the 122 anti-war demonstrators were arrested when they were leaving the demonstration. In fact the majority of them were standing on the sidewalk when the police attacked.



What was their crime? What would make a police officer break a young woman’s nose or attack an ACLU observer and throw her to the ground for recording a police officer’s badge number. Several more demonstrators were beaten; others verbally assaulted.



It appears that the police were out of control and acted with total disregard for civil and constitutional rights. Shame on the Pittsburgh city police for continuing to act in this manner. Have they learned nothing from the scandals of the last several years?





Please drop the charges now!


Sincerely,



Fact Sheet on March 20th Peace Demonstration :

There were many instances of police misconduct both during and after the arrests including the following incidents:



An ACLU observer was thrown to the ground and arrested when she tried to record the badge number of an officer who was beating a young man.
A woman on a bicycle was thrown on her face and her nose was broken as she struggled to follow police orders to step onto the sidewalk.
An African-American woman was thrown to the ground and beaten after recording several incidents of police misconduct on video. This woman was dragged to solidarity confinement in the jailhouse where she was further beaten and attacked with racist comments.
Several protesters were beaten and pepper-sprayed directly in their faces after being cuffed.
Once in prison the police continued to harass the demonstrators both verbally and physically. An officer picked up one young man and threw him against a wall after he allegedly ‘smirked’ at the officer. The officer threatened the young man by saying, If you say one more word, I’ll rip your f—ing throat out,” Of course, this was shortly after the officer bashed his head against the cell wall.

Thanks again, folks. Jonas

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