GLN's Andy Thayer, Felony "Bush 4" Defendant, Gets Trial Date

GLN ANTI-WAR NEWS

GLN's Andy Thayer,

Felony "Bush 4" Defendant,

Gets Trial Date

Andy Thayer, one of four activists arrested during an anti-war action against the January 7th visit of George Bush to Chicago, will go on trial November 18th, facing two felony counts of aggravated battery on a police officer – a deputy commander of Chicago's central business district. If found guilty, he faces up to seven years in prison and $25,000 fines.

Andy's jury trial begins at 10 AM, Tuesday, November 18th in Judge Haberkorn's courtroom (Room 107) at the Cook County Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie. Andy and his "Bush 4" co-defendants -- Buddy Bell, Jeff Pickert and Kevin Clark, would greatly appreciate your attendance at the trial (see public transportation directions at the bottom of this message).

On April 18th Kevin, Buddy and Jeff were tried on charges of disorderly conduct – Kevin and Buddy were found not guilty, and Jeff was found guilty and sentenced to 30 days supervision.

It's a supreme irony that we find ourselves defendants in alleged crimes against an officer who escorted (as opposed to arrested) President George W. Bush. We have a president who is directly responsible for the deaths of over 1 million Iraqis, 10s of thousands of Afghanis, and thousands of Americans. This president has deliberately broken laws against spying on Americans. In authorizing torture, he has committed offenses recognized by Nuremburg as crimes against humanity.

Rather than impeaching and trying Bush for these serious crimes, the alleged opposition in the Democratic leadership has participated in them. Rather than shunning this war criminal, Mayor Daley has greeted Bush with open arms on several occasions, eagerly lapping up Department of Homeland Security dollars for his police and money to militarize Chicago's schools.

We believe the felony charges leveled by Deputy Commander James Keating against Andy are political retribution for his years' long organizing against the civil liberties violations organized by Daley and his police. This use of policing powers for political aims is a crass abuse of authority.

Please show your opposition to the wars and the abuses of civil liberties that come with wars. Please attend the Tuesday, November 18th trial.

Finally, our deep thanks to all those who have already helped fund our legal defense and supported us in court

-- The Bush 4 Defendants

Kevin, Buddy, Jeff and Andy

PS Funds are still very much needed for our defense – anything you can give is much appreciated. Checks can be made payable to "8th Day Center for Justice" (write "Bush Protesters Legal Defense" in the memo section) and mail to:

8th Day Center For JusticeAttn: Bush Protesters Legal Defense205 W. Monroe Street, 5th floorChicago, IL 60606

THANKS!

Public transportation directions to the courthouse in Skokie:

++ From the Northwest Side during rush hour, take the Blue Line "el" to the Irving Park stop, then take the #54A bus all the way to the courthouse.

++ From the North Side, take the Red Line "el" to Howard Street, then take the 205 bus from the terminal bus station directly to the end of the line at the courthouse.

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