GMW: Verdict - guilty, but appealing

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GMW: Verdict - guilty, but appealing

" GM WATCH " <info

Sun, 2 Oct 2005 13:57:04 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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News on the trial for criminal trespass of the students who protested a

commercialisation of science get-together at Lancaster University (UK)

that involved Lord Sainsbury, Dupont, BAE systems (the arms dealers

recently exposed as still funnelling money to Pinochet), Shell (the

ravagers of the Niger delta) etc.

 

EXCERPTS: Free speech is now more of an issue than when the six were

charged. We have been shocked by how many academics and management at

the university are too frightened to speak out, or to stand as witnesses.

The university has been taking down Freedom of Speech related posters

at the university, letters to the staff newsletter haven't been

published, there's been a smear campaign against the six, and they

actively

supported the prosecution to the end - to the extent of the University

Secy advising the prosecution during the trial.

 

Despite the fact that the judge clearly stated that the six were not in

any way intimidatory, it seems the University Secretary, Fiona Aiken,

is still going around telling people (and the press) that they were

intimidating staff.

 

More background: http://www.free-webspace.biz/GeorgeFox/

 

Sign the Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/gfox6/

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georgefox6

georgefox6

Sat, 01 Oct 2005

verdict: guilty, but appealing

 

yep the campaign goes on:

 

Dear All

 

firstly apologies for the lateness of this email - we had wanted to

contact all our supporters last night, but press stuff took too long, and

we were so tired :-(

 

But many, many thanks to everyone who has supported us in any way. All

your efforts have been greatly appreciated!

 

THE RESULT

 

As you'll have gathered from the subject line, the judge found the six

guilty of aggravated trespass. The six have already put in an appeal.

 

The appeal will be on several grounds, but those of you who came to

court will I'm sure, also have gained an impression of whether or not the

judge was impartial, or actually biased against any kind of protest.

 

The sentence was conditional discharge for two years (ie - if they get

convicted of anything in the next 2 years the sentence for this case

will be

reviewed). So there's no fine - but they do have to pay £300 EACH in

costs. This is very steep - particularly considering how minor the

offence was

considered - even by the judge, and the fact that none of the six have

a particularly generous income (most have no income, being students!)

 

The prosecution failed to show that the six were intimidatory, and Matt

was found not guilty of causing 'harrasment, alarm or distress' to a

policeman by asking him about the morality of his policing a

demonstration outside a conference where people complicit in murder

and genocide

were attending. Matt was kicked in the leg and arrested for his

questions. The two police on the

scene couldn't agree as to what happened (it seems the two officers

believe that Matt was simultaneously holding a banner, holding two

banners, holding no banners, squaring up to the officer, attempting to

head

butt him (the officer was about a foot taller than matt), waving his

fists around and pointing, not to mention asking philosophical questions).

 

None of the prosecution's other witnesses who were watching saw any of

this acrobatic display of matt's.

 

Despite the fact that the judge clearly stated that the six were not in

any way intimidatory, it seems the University Secretary, Fiona Aiken,

is still going around telling people (and the press) that they were

intimidating staff.

 

WHAT NOW

 

The six have already a lodged an appeal.

 

the campaign also goes on. Free speech is now more of an issue than

when the six were charged. We have been shocked by how many academics and

management at the university are too frightened to speak out, or to

stand as witnesses. The university has been taking down Freedom of Speech

related posters at the university, letters to the staff newsletter

haven't been published, there's been a smear campaign against the six,

and

they actively supported the prosecution to the end - to the extent of

the University Secy advising the prosecution during the trial.

 

We will be working with the students' and lecturers' unions to address

the issues of free speech and freedom from intimidation on campus. If

you work at the university and are concerned about these issues then

please get in touch with the GF6 Support Group

(georgefox6),

or LUSU or the AUT.

 

There are statements and background information on the GF6 website:

 

http://www.free-webspace.biz/GeorgeFox/index.html

 

Again, many thanks for all the support, and watch this space - the

campaign continues!

 

max

 

 

More info: http://www.free-webspace.biz/GeorgeFox/

 

Sign the Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/gfox6/

 

 

 

 

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