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Written by Lassie
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Thursday, 30 August 2007 14:27 |
Katherine Kersten noted August 30 that lawyers (aka "The Pinstripe Brigade") are lining up to represent pro bono any protesters arrested at the 2008 RNC convention.
MCLU staff members are contacting an array of local groups, offering to represent them if they demonstrate and making sure that they "know their rights," according to Chuck Samuelson, the organization's director.
Too bad Samuelson doesn't seem to care about the rights of the delegates and convention attendees. The MCLU's volunteer lawyers will go to bat for any demonstrator arrested at the convention, regardless of conduct or offense, says Samuelson.
Even assault and worse? IN 2004, New York prevented worse mayhem by a show of force. 1,800 were arrested, far fewer than anticipated. Fewer anarchists are anticipated to come to St. Paul in 2008, but don't underestimate their intent.
According to Unconventional Action, the Twin Cities have “strategic vulnerabilities unique to any trade summit or party convention of recent years.” The group is considering blockading traffic on narrow highway interchanges, bridges and key intersections and conducting other kinds of civil disobedience.
For a critical mass of protesters at the 2008 convention, the goal will not be to exercise their free speech rights, but to obstruct the rights of others.
Apparently, these folks may be represented free of charge by some of the Twin Cities' top legal talent. Way to go, guys.'
There's an old joke: There are two kinds of lawyers, those who know the law and those who know the judge.
"We're not experts on protest demonstrations," Bill Pentolovich of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand told the Star Tribune. "Some of the best trial lawyers" are "sitting in this room," Pentolovich added. "We're experts on civil litigation in the Twin Cities. We know this town, and we know the judges."
We'll see who has the last laugh when the convention ends. |
