Monday December 22nd, 2008 Court Solidarity
ATLANTICA ON TRIAL
December 22, 2008
meet at the Halifax provincial courthouse at 9am
We need to support our comrades who have taken a fall for standing up to corporate oppression. Atlantica hasn't gone away, and 4 out of the original 21 arrestees from June 2007 are still facing legal battles and repressive conditions that are restricting fundamental freedoms. These include the right to be present at any kind of protest or demonstration and the right to freely associate with each other. Additionally, there are still court documents that arrestees are waiting for in order to have a proper defense, which should have been provided long ago.
The arrests and jail
The arrests were brutal, with police using Tasers, pepper spray, billy clubs and choking-out techniques. People were not given medical treatement after being assaulted; many were not allowed to talk to a lawyer within a reasonable time frame after arrest; they were not read their rights upon arrest; 18 of the 21 people originally arrested were kept in jail for three days; all were deprived of food and water, with only one Powerbar provided to each person in a span of 24 hours, when they should have gotten 2 meals; vegans could not eat because the Powerbars contained dairy-based ingredients; when arrestees were removed to the Burnside Correctional Facility, there was more harrassment and disregard of basic rights.
Criminalization of dissent
The State wants to criminalize any dissent against Atlantica, and they are aiming to make examples of four of our comrades to scare away further dissent. They hope that each person arrested will feel so isolated and afraid that they will give up any idea of disruptive protest in the face Atlantica's continual, privately driven advance, which destroys land and water systems, fills the air with an escalating volume of toxic emissions, tramples over workers' rights and pretends that indigenous communities do not exist. The State hopes that everyone will limit their dissent to asking corporations and governments nicely if they will please stop pursuing their profit driven agenda, when we all know that they will never respond to polite requests with so much money on their table. They do not want anyone to be inspired by the idea of economic disruption and a diversity of resistance to corporate rule.
Supporting those arrested supports dissent for all
Support is needed in order to keep the spirit of dissent high. Every time someone is arrested for an act of dissent, community support is needed for her/him. We need to support each other through these tough times. Even if we do no all agree to each others' tactics, we can respect each others' determination to try and make a difference in the struggle against Atlantica. We can all also agree that it is not fair for anyone to be treated the way the Atlantica arestees were treated during and after their arrests - just imagine what it must be like for long-term prisoners! We should try and keep in mind that our comrades are only as strong as the support provided by friends and allies with them.
December 22
This will be a chance to put Atlantica on trial, a chance for us to turn around the momentum against us. This is a call for all those opposed to Atlantica to come out on the day of trial, at 9am at the Provincial Courthouse. There will be a spirited gathering outside of the courthouse presenting all passerbys with clear messages and information that Atlantica opposition is alive, well and growing. There will also be people going inside to show moral support. Bring your friends and family. Pass on the word.
Solidarity in the Struggle against Atlantica
===================================================================================
December 22, 2008
meet at the Halifax provincial courthouse at 9am
We need to support our comrades who have taken a fall for standing up to corporate oppression. Atlantica hasn't gone away, and 4 out of the original 21 arrestees from June 2007 are still facing legal battles and repressive conditions that are restricting fundamental freedoms. These include the right to be present at any kind of protest or demonstration and the right to freely associate with each other. Additionally, there are still court documents that arrestees are waiting for in order to have a proper defense, which should have been provided long ago.
The arrests and jail
The arrests were brutal, with police using Tasers, pepper spray, billy clubs and choking-out techniques. People were not given medical treatement after being assaulted; many were not allowed to talk to a lawyer within a reasonable time frame after arrest; they were not read their rights upon arrest; 18 of the 21 people originally arrested were kept in jail for three days; all were deprived of food and water, with only one Powerbar provided to each person in a span of 24 hours, when they should have gotten 2 meals; vegans could not eat because the Powerbars contained dairy-based ingredients; when arrestees were removed to the Burnside Correctional Facility, there was more harrassment and disregard of basic rights.
Criminalization of dissent
The State wants to criminalize any dissent against Atlantica, and they are aiming to make examples of four of our comrades to scare away further dissent. They hope that each person arrested will feel so isolated and afraid that they will give up any idea of disruptive protest in the face Atlantica's continual, privately driven advance, which destroys land and water systems, fills the air with an escalating volume of toxic emissions, tramples over workers' rights and pretends that indigenous communities do not exist. The State hopes that everyone will limit their dissent to asking corporations and governments nicely if they will please stop pursuing their profit driven agenda, when we all know that they will never respond to polite requests with so much money on their table. They do not want anyone to be inspired by the idea of economic disruption and a diversity of resistance to corporate rule.
Supporting those arrested supports dissent for all
Support is needed in order to keep the spirit of dissent high. Every time someone is arrested for an act of dissent, community support is needed for her/him. We need to support each other through these tough times. Even if we do no all agree to each others' tactics, we can respect each others' determination to try and make a difference in the struggle against Atlantica. We can all also agree that it is not fair for anyone to be treated the way the Atlantica arestees were treated during and after their arrests - just imagine what it must be like for long-term prisoners! We should try and keep in mind that our comrades are only as strong as the support provided by friends and allies with them.
December 22
This will be a chance to put Atlantica on trial, a chance for us to turn around the momentum against us. This is a call for all those opposed to Atlantica to come out on the day of trial, at 9am at the Provincial Courthouse. There will be a spirited gathering outside of the courthouse presenting all passerbys with clear messages and information that Atlantica opposition is alive, well and growing. There will also be people going inside to show moral support. Bring your friends and family. Pass on the word.
Solidarity in the Struggle against Atlantica
===================================================================================
Friday December 19th, 2008 FOLK SHOW!
Come show support for the folks who are still facing legal battles. This is a fundraiser to help with legal costs. Featuring J. Stevens, Brian Rose, Chantelle, Story, and more! PWYC suggested $5
