Posted by [EMAIL PROTECTED] : link sent by Robert Quiver...thanks! Highway protesters accept plea deal 21 plead guilty to misdemeanor http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/030350.htm DAVID HAWLEY STAFF WRITER The trial of 23 people arrested last summer during protests against the Minnesota 55 reroute project came to an end on the first day Monday with a plea agreement to a petty misdemeanor. After singing and speeches in the atrium of the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis during the morning, 21 protesters accepted a plea agreement in the afternoon. Charges against the other two were dismissed. Those who entered a plea were given the choice of a $50 fine or eight hours of community service. ``There are no criminal records from this, and you can't put them on probation and demand they can't get arrested for that kind of thing again,'' said Jordan Kushner, attorney for the entire group. ``That is very important because they still want to defend the trees and not have to worry about jail time hanging over their head if they do that again.'' The highway opponents were arrested and charged with obstructing traffic and disobeying police during a July 27 demonstration at Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway in South Minneapolis. The arrests took place when protesters walked into the middle of Hiawatha Avenue, linked arms and sat down on the pavement. The defendants had planned to represent themselves in a mass trial, but Hennepin County District Judge Richard Sherer ruled Monday morning that any defendants acting as their own counsel would have to be tried separately. The alternative was for the defendants to be represented in a single trial by Kushner, who has handled the protesters' legal battles for more than a year. Jim Anderson, a leader of the protesters, said he was happy with the plea agreement. ``I think it worked out great for the taxpayers and for us,'' Anderson said. Highway opponents held a rally in the courthouse atrium before court proceedings and returned for singing during the lunch recess. Many of the defendants are part of an encampment that has occupied land in the route of the highway for the last 15 months. A spokesman for the Minnesota State Patrol said plans are under way to clear the camp before the end of the year. Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<> Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<>
