JUSTICE FOR THE RECLAIM THE STREETS DEFENDANTS! Statement by Chicago's October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation--12/22/01 July 20, 2001, NAPERVILLE, IL-300 youth from all around the country gathered for a RECLAIM THE STREETS party/protest. The event aimed to create a space for self-statement of youth who feel stifled by a repressive suburban culture of consumerism and uniformity. Organizers planned the event for July 20th to show solidarity wth the thousands of anti-globalization protesters who took to the streets in Genoa, Italy against the "G-8" summit. That day, 23-year-old CARLO GIULIANI's life was stolen when Italian police shot him in the head. YOUTH BROUGHT A "TWISTER" BOARD, POLICE BROUGHT PEPPER SPRAY A youthful, festive atmosphere with frisbees, costumes and games turned into one of police terror and repression as night fell and the protesters moved away from a crowded shopping area. Several protesters were tackled, beaten, and pepper sprayed by police. Of the 17 arrested, 2 were hospitalized due to injuries or asthma attacks caused by the police and pepper spray. A young woman's breasts were fondled by a male cop during her arrest. Videotapes show the defendants NOT resisting arrest and NOT assaulting the police. It was clearly the police who did the assaulting! Suburban media have published vitriolic attacks on RTS. A recent editorial ended with a blatant call for more police brutality: ... if I heard there was going to be a Reclaim the Streets rally next summer, I'd suggest the cops stop the protesters at the city limits, WHACK THEM ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, tell them about what's important and DROP KICK THEM OUT OF TOWN. ... (from "No More Time Now for Foolishness" by TIM WEST, Sun Publications ) The chief of Naperville's police made a special presentation to the local ROTARY CLUB spreading lies and disinformation about the RTS event and its participants. Many of the defandants face a year in jail; one young woman faces 4 to 6 years. Local media and police are working hand-in-hand to influence public opinion and create a climate where rebellious youth are considered criminals. They are attempting to punish the RTS defendants and declare that youth should be seen and not heard. They are saying that youth who take a strong political stand on issues that affect the present and future of all humanity will not be tolerated. We say: BEING YOUNG AND REFUSING TO GO ALONG WITH THE STATUS QUO IS NOT A CRIME! As the Call for the 6th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation on October 22nd, 2001 said: * In Black and Latino communities cops stop and frisk, beat up, jail or even murder youth for nothing more than being young and dressed in the style popular among urban youth. This brutality also spills over into the suburbs where police harass youth who don't "fit in''. BEING YOUNG AND NOT GOING ALONG WITH THE STATUS QUO IS NOT A CRIME! * Law Enforcement has met anti-globalization protests in DC, Detroit, Quebec, San Diego, Seattle and elsewhere, with beatings, "plastic'' bullets, bean bags, tear gas and pepper spray. ... False charges, denial of bail and hiding the location of people arrested has become common. The October 22nd Coalition joins with many others to demand that all charges be dropped on the RTS defendants. We urge people to help pack the courtroom and let the powers-that-be know that we won't let them quietly sweep this outrage under the rug. Nor will we forget the outrageous deeds of the police at this and many other protests. Brutal cops who attack peaceful protesters should be the ones on trial! * Contact RTS at rtstreets@onebox.com or (773)250-3699 for carpooling to court dates, to sign a statement of support, or for other information. * Donations to the RTS Legal Defense Fund may be sent to: Aurora ARA, P.O. Box 3272, Aurora, IL 60504-0272 ... Checks should be made payable to The Azone (memo line: "RTS Legal Defense Fund"). * Send letters demanding that the charges be dropped to the DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett: 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187 ... phone (630)682-7050. OCTOBER 22nd COALITION to STOP POLICE BRUTALITY, REPRESSION, and the CRIMINALIZATION of a GENERATION! 773-528-1701 Chicago@October22.ORG http://www.October22.ORG/ Fax: 773-528-3270 Stolen Lives, c/o Wellington Church, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 National Office: 1-888-NO-BRUTALITY or 212-477-8062 If you need the printable PDF version (for a nice one-sided leaflet of this statement) and didn't get it, please contact Chicago@October22.ORG and we will send it to you ASAP.