Lawyers ready to defend protesters who land in jail at DNC
- added July 20, 2008
- 0 responses
-
-
-
- 1percent
- added this
-
-
- related topics
-
- News and Politics (38639)
- News (20885)
- Media (1592)
- Protest (631)
- Protests (361)
- DNC (271)
- Colorado (189)
- Denver (148)
- Democratic National Convention (101)
- Information (79)
- Lawyers (27)
Keeping everyone posted on news concerning the DNC from local news sources-
The Rocky Mountain News-
Free speech rights are personal to Denver criminal defense lawyer Sean McAllister.
During a protest in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, McAllister, 35, was serving as a legal observer.
"The police came out of nowhere and I was karate-chopped in the neck. I have been personally assaulted by the DPD (Denver Police Department)," McAllister said.
He is concerned that First Amendment rights could take a back seat during the Democratic National Convention. That's why McAllister said he helped found the DNC-People's Law Project and will be volunteering his time to help protesters during the convention. The People's Law Project held a training session Friday to focus on protecting civil rights and quickly springing protesters from jail during the convention.
Mayor John Hickenlooper has said that all police on the streets during the convention will have attended training classes to help them defuse violence.
Civil rights lawyer David Lane spoke during the training session where about 60 lawyers learned how they can help defend protesters who tangle with police.
Lane said police reaction to protesters will determine whether rallies are peaceful or violent.
Lane said he witnessed some restraint by Denver police at a recent Columbus Day parade.
But, he said, the brass will set the tone in August. "If police are ill-trained and ill-led, '68 may very well be recreated in Denver," Lane said referring to riots during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
The People's Law Project will provide pro bono attorneys to help jailed protesters during the convention.
The group will also staff a hot line where protesters can call for help and will field teams of neutral legal observers who will attend rallies and videotape protesters' interaction with police.
The Rocky Mountain News-
Free speech rights are personal to Denver criminal defense lawyer Sean McAllister.
During a protest in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, McAllister, 35, was serving as a legal observer.
"The police came out of nowhere and I was karate-chopped in the neck. I have been personally assaulted by the DPD (Denver Police Department)," McAllister said.
He is concerned that First Amendment rights could take a back seat during the Democratic National Convention. That's why McAllister said he helped found the DNC-People's Law Project and will be volunteering his time to help protesters during the convention. The People's Law Project held a training session Friday to focus on protecting civil rights and quickly springing protesters from jail during the convention.
Mayor John Hickenlooper has said that all police on the streets during the convention will have attended training classes to help them defuse violence.
Civil rights lawyer David Lane spoke during the training session where about 60 lawyers learned how they can help defend protesters who tangle with police.
Lane said police reaction to protesters will determine whether rallies are peaceful or violent.
Lane said he witnessed some restraint by Denver police at a recent Columbus Day parade.
But, he said, the brass will set the tone in August. "If police are ill-trained and ill-led, '68 may very well be recreated in Denver," Lane said referring to riots during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
The People's Law Project will provide pro bono attorneys to help jailed protesters during the convention.
The group will also staff a hot line where protesters can call for help and will field teams of neutral legal observers who will attend rallies and videotape protesters' interaction with police.
Login/Registration is required to add a response.
