Posted by ACT UP/SF on February 01, 2002 at 02:32:33:
In an exciting development, yesterday the following statement was released by ACT UP New York demanding a reduction in bail for jailed activists David Pasquarelli of ACT UP San Francisco and Michael Petrelis of the AIDS Accountability Project. As controversial as the protests which instigated these charges, the debate surrounding the support of Pasquarelli and Petrelis is steadfastly growing. ACT UP New York's statement comes on the heels of Alexander Cockburn's Counter Punch article highlighting the dangerous precedent of charging these men as terrorists and holding them for over a million dollars bail. It has taken some time but the progressive left seems to be waking from their pharmaceutically dominated slumber. Stay tuned.
The preliminary hearing did not continue this week due to scheduling difficulties at the Hall of Justice. The presiding Judge, Perker Meeks, is moving to the Superior Court located at 400 McAllister Street. The hearing is scheduled to resume in Department 622 on Monday, February 4th at 9:00 AM.
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ACT UP/NY
332
Bleecker St. Suite G5
New York, NY 10014
Web:
www.actupny.org
Email: actupny@panix.com
Statement regarding Michael Petrelis and David Pasquarelli
ACT UP/NY supports Michael Petrelis and David Pasquarelli in their fight against punitive charges and high bail. They are being punished for their outspoken actions regarding the AIDS pandemic. The punitive bail and charges for them are not in place to prevent them from fleeing prosecution but rather to discourage their activism.
Bail is used by the court to ensure the appearance of the defendants in court. It is very unlikely that the two men will flee. Who they are is very much defined by their activism and the AIDS pandemic, and they would never abandon that fight. Their passions are driven by the AIDS pandemic and the attempt by the U.S. establishment to sweep the disease under the rug.
Exceptional charges and high bail are an obvious attempt to suppress Petrelis' and Pasquarelli's First Amendment rights and to deny them due process.
Approved at the ACT UP/NY meeting on January 28, 2002.
ACT UP-AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power
ACT UP is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. We advise and inform. We demonstrate. We are not silent.
ACT UP/NY is the original chapter of ACT UP, founded in March, 1987.
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