Rev's Trial For First Amendment Recitation Began Today NEW YORK, August 6--Free Speech lawyer Norman Siegel appeared in court today with co-counsel Earl Ward arguing for the dismissal of 2nd Degree Harassment charges against Reverend Billy (aka Bill Talen). The activist preacher was arrested on June 29 for reciting the First Amendment in Union Square, but Siegel insisted Reverend Billy has the First Amendment right to recite the First Amendment. Siegel went on to argue that this attempt to convict the Rev using the harrassment statutes is akin to the District Attorney accepting the NYPD's argument that the Reverend and the police are somehow in a romantic relationship or a marriage of some kind. Photo by Fred Askew Photography The case history of the 2nd degree harassment law is limited to ex-boyfriend sexual stalkers and drunk husbands. The Reverends comment: Chutzpah! The cops say that they are my abused wife? Are they so defenseless? I didnt put THEM in the Tombs! a reference to the Citys correctional facility, where the Rev had been detained for 20 hours. Siegel and Ward argued that reciting the 44 words of the First Amendment was not harassment but had real civic value in the context of the Critical Mass bike ride and the Picture New York groups struggle against limits on filming and photography in public spaces. The entire text of Siegel's argument for dismissal can be found at www.revbilly.com. The Reverend's defense lawyers will submit today's arguments in writing to the court by September 10th, and if the charges are not dropped, the trial will go forward on September 25. ---- Reverend Billy and the Church of the First Amendment believe that Consumerism is overwhelming our lives. The corporations want us to have experiences only through their products while neighborhoods and "commons" places like stoops, parks, streets and libraries disappear into the corporatized world of big boxes and chain stores. Through performance and direct action the Church works with communities around the world to "push back" against corporate and state violence. <http://www.revbilly.com>www.revbilly.com © 2007 all rights unreserved and for the people, Rev Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. To remove yourself from this list <http://sub.ezinedirector.net/?fa=r&id=51260464&c=964774793>CLICK HERE. | www.revbilly.com -- __________ NOD32 2440 (20070806) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. <http://www.eset.com>http://www.eset.com __________ NOD32 2440 (20070806) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. <http://www.eset.com>http://www.eset.com John Johnson Change-Links Progressive Newspaper [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://change-links.org Subscribe to our list server. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] (818) 782-1412 Cell (818) 681-7448. === ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.6/938 - Release Date: 8/5/2007 4:16 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
