Dear RN, There are other very good postings on the Washinton protests; sorry I haven't kept up with them as I would have liked. The good news is that I can pick some of the best postings for you - more tomorrow! However, I will risk sending you 3 today as I'm sure you'll be glad to know the protesters have been released from prison. all the best, Jan ********************************************************* From: "Viviane Lerner" <•••@••.•••> Subject: FW: Victory for the jailed protesters!!! Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:19:16 +0100 Yeah!!! Viviane ======== -----Original Message----- From: •••@••.••• [mailto:•••@••.•••] On Behalf Of Tina Purnat Sent: Friday, April 21, 2000 11:40 PM To: •••@••.•••; •••@••.••• Subject: Victory for the jailed protesters!!! The Legal collective has just confirmed that the protesters have reached a deal with the DC Council! All the protesters are expected to be released by midnight tonight (Friday, 4/21). They have won on most of their demands; the charges against all protesters arrested between April 10 and 17 will be dropped, they will pay a fine of $5 (the legal collective will pick up the fine if an individual cannot pay) and they will need to give their names but not IDs. The calls, faxes, emails sent to the authorities have been complemented with the vigils in front of the jail in support of the detainees. This pressure on the authorities was imperative to increase the protesters' the leverage in negotiations. Congratulations to the protesters for their persistence and courage, the legal team for their efforts and work, and thanks to everyone who has called, emailed, protested or in any other way demanded the relase of the jaile dindividuals. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ********************************************************** Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 00:15:52 -0300 (ADT) From: Daniel Haran <•••@••.•••> Subject: They're free!! IMF/WB protests conclude Hi all, A few hours ago we got confirmation from the "Midnight Special Law Collective" that the protesters will be released on a $5 jay-walking charge; the 7 accused of felonies will have their day in court. Thank you to all of you that called the DC mayor. I'll see some of you soon. I am tired but hopeful -- I've just seen that "The people, united, will never be defeated." In DC, I had the opportunity to visit the good folks at EPIC (Education for Peace in Iraq), and many of those holding vigil at the jail have been active on the sanctions issue and the School of the Americas (SOA), the infamous school where the US trained countless Central and South Americans in the finer points of torture. Meeting so many good, committed people has made me think that as for the SOA, it is now time to step up the direct action on the issue of "sanctions." Peace- Daniel. ****************************************************************** Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 00:49:08 -0300 (ADT) From: Daniel Haran <•••@••.•••> Subject: 150 remaining IMF/WB protesters released from jail Here's an article I just posted to Indymedia: Victory!!! Protesters holding a vigil in front of the DC jail where their brothers and sisters were being held staged an impromptu street party after members of the "Midnight Special Law Collective" announced that the jailed protesters had agreed to the prosecution's latest offer. Under the arrangement, they will be fined $5 for jaywalking. Many commented on how unreal it felt, as we started the long wait for protesters to be processed and released; some expect it will take until midnight until they are all out. De-briefing and emergency food and shelter is being co-ordinated from St Stephens Church. While waiting, protesters raised a flag in front of the jail "Rise up" a beautiful green flag prepared for the A16 demonstration by Art and Revolution. And with plastic water bottle drums to hold the beat many protesters kept chanting. Among them the following two, which were sung at the same time: Earth my body -- Water my blood Air my breath and fire my Spirit Truth is the fire that will break our chains And we will stop the fires of destruction Healing is the fire that is in our veins and we will rise on the fire of freedom Before being released, John and Jane Doe relayed a message asking us to keep vigil for all those prisonners that were not release today (those that weren't arrested for the protests). 'every prisoner is a political prisoner' Brick by brick To the ground No more jails Tear them down Peace- d.
