You Have The Right To Remain Silent

[Algorem]

http://www.freetimes.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3370

Carol Fisher, a longtime peace activist and a volunteer at the local communist bookstore Revolution Books, has been found guilty. The 53-year-old, 5-foot-4, 130-pounder will be sentenced June 2 for the felonious assault of two Cleveland Heights police officers. But Fisher's attorney, Terry Gilbert, says a number of issues in the trial will come up when the decision is appealed.

Fisher was hanging "World Can't Wait, Bush Step Down" posters on Lee Road telephone poles January 28 when the officers pointed out to her that the city has a law against that. But when they asked for the ID she didn't have, then grabbed her by the sleeve when she turned to pull down the illegal posters, the situation deteriorated to the point that two peace officers were holding the frightened woman on the sidewalk.

The activist's supporters found the trial as outrageous as the arrest. "The judge would not allow any testimony except what the police were saying," says Lee Thompson, who watched the arguments.

Gilbert says that during the trial, McGinty refused to instruct the jury about protocols for arrest in minor misdemeanor cases, like illegally hanging posters. "We repeatedly asked the judge to explain to the jury under what circumstances people can be arrested for minor misdemeanor. He wouldn't instruct them. He kept saying it's irrelevant. The prosecutor kept saying he had the right to arrest, and we said he didn't, and the judge could have cleared that up by reading the statute — which says that police can't arrest on minor misdemeanor without giving a citation, unless the person doesn't provide ID. They didn't give her a chance to provide ID."...


Activist tells supporters she will refuse psychiatric test, go to jail

Sunday, April 30, 2006
Michael Sangiacomo
Plain Dealer Reporter

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1146386448269970.xml?ncounty_cuyahoga&coll=2

Activist Carolyn Fisher finds it interesting that a judge believes anyone who would challenge authority must be mentally unstable.

Fisher has spent most of her life questioning authority and said it is the only sane thing to do. The 53-year-old Cleveland Heights woman was found guilty Friday of fighting with police who tried to stop her from putting up posters for an anti-George Bush concert.

At a support rally on Coventry Road Saturday, she said she was insulted that Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Timothy J. McGinty ordered her to undergo psychiatric tests before sentencing. She said she will refuse the order.

"America is becoming a place where people who speak out against Bush are intimidated," she said. "We must resist this, no matter what it costs."...


Heights anti-Bush activist is convicted of assault

Saturday, April 29, 2006
Michael Sangiacomo
Plain Dealer Reporter

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1146299864124790.xml?ncounty_cuyahoga&coll=2

...Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Timothy J. McGinty suggested that Fisher return to court with a heartfelt apology for the officers or "bring your toothbrush," indicating that she would be sent to prison...

Fisher said nothing when the jury returned the verdict, though friends in the courtroom gasped. Earlier, McGinty warned that anyone who expressed a reaction to the verdict would be "taken out of the courtroom, held and returned to the courtroom for further action."

The judge also ordered Fisher's supporters to cover up their anti-Bush shirts. Fisher said she would appeal the decision.

Lee Thompson, of Cleveland, said there would be a rally at 3 p.m. today at Lee Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard to support Fisher and The World Can't Wait group they both belong to. The group calls for the removal of the Bush administration.



The "New Totalitarianism" now defines a desperate neo-con end game

by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman

May 1, 2006

http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/20/2006/1946


...In Cleveland Heights, Carol Fisher has been charged with a major felony for putting posters on public lamp-posts. The posters are critical of the Bush attack on Iraq. Fisher, who is committed to non-violence, was assaulted by local police who ordered her to take down the posters, then threw her down on the ground and charged her with felonious assault.

"I am 53 years old," she says, "not exactly a spring chicken. A hand comes down to push my chin against the concrete. By this time there are four cops on the scene. My hands are tightly cuffed behind my back. They lift me up and shove me onto a park bench and shackle my legs. I am still calling out, telling people what this is about."

Fisher says the police cursed her, shouting "Shut up or I will kill you!...I am sick of this anti-Bush shit!...You are definitely going to the psyche ward." Fisher now faces years in prison and the loss of her livelihood.

Such gratuitous, mean-spirited and overtly repressive prosecutions against non-violent dissenters have proliferated throughout the Bush era, in which ordinary citizens with moderate bumper stickers or t-shirts have been turned away from or arrested at public events...


Activist defended self, lawyer says; officers differ

Wednesday, April 26, 2006
James F. McCarty
Plain Dealer Reporter

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1146040825219270.xml&coll=2

...Gilbert accused the patrolmen of having other motives for muzzling Fisher, whom he praised for promoting peace and for speaking out against perceived government wrongs and on behalf of minorities and the less fortunate.

"After she was arrested," Gilbert said, "she heard one of the police officers say, I'm sick and tired of this anti-Bush s---.' "...

During cross-examination, Downey said Fisher gave him and his partner all that they could handle even though the officers weigh over 200 pounds, lift weights and are 20 years younger than Fisher.

"As small as she is, I could not break her grip," Downey said.



Brutalized & Arrested in Cleveland for Posting "Bush Step Down" Posters

http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=842&Itemid=184

The following is a first-hand account of police harrassment and brutality against a World Can't Wait organizer in Cleveland. If anything like this happens to you, let us know asap! Contact [e-mail].

My name is Carol Fisher, and I am on the staff of Revolution Books in Cleveland OH. At the bookstore we have been immersed in building and supporting the initiatives of World Cant Wait. Yesterday, 1.28.06, while putting "Bush Step Down" posters on telephone poles along a major thoroughfare on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I was brutalized by Cleveland Heights police, charged with 2 counts of felony assault and held incommunicado under police custody in the hospital! This outrage and others like it must be exposed and opposed by all who hate the direction that the Bush regime is taking this country and the world.


Here is what happened:


I had set out from my house with a full agenda, to contact lots of people and get out materials about our upcoming Cleveland event to Drown Out the State of the Union address, and the call to march around the White House on Feb. 4th. My first stop was the an area known for its community of artists and progressives, where I stapled up posters for blocks and was greeted warmly by those who saw and appreciated what World Cant Wait is doing. I talked to an artist, and a Palestinian store owner who took fliers to distribute to customers...




Carol Fisher Case Re Cleveland Hts Police
by V Lovegren Saturday, Apr. 29, 2006 at 1:20 PM
[e-mail]

http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2006/04/19721.php

Carol Fisher v Cleveland Hts police

April 28, 2006



Carol Fisher Found Guilty



Carol Fisher was found guilty today of two counts of felonious assault of two 200 + pound Cleveland Heights policemen (who, collectively, can bench 700#’s) and whose testimony contained serious contradictions. None of the other witnesses provided by the prosecution actually saw “the assault.” Their claims had more to do with Carol’s perceived lack respect for authority. The jury deliberated for more than 8 hours over two days before announcing the verdict.



Former prosecutor Judge McGinty, who was supposedly “randomly” assigned to Carol’s case, is known to be “police-friendly,” a fact that was painfully obvious to observers. McGinty ruled out key pieces of evidence as “not relevant” to the case, denying the jury the opportunity (obligation?) of hearing them. The fact that virtually everyone in Cleveland Heights can relate “horror stories” about the Cleveland Heights police was not to be known by the jury of individuals born and raised in Northeast Ohio, but not in Cleveland Heights. As the court transcript will show, McGinty showed clear bias toward the prosecution.



Perhaps the most shocking injustice occurred after the prosecutors, in their closing statements, repeatedly misquoted statements from Carol’s testimony and even lied about Ohio statutes defining “arrestable” offenses. When Carol’s attorney, Terry Gilbert, pointed out the erroneous references and asked Judge McGinty if he could read to the jury the correct statutes, Judge McGinty casually dismissed his request, leaving the jury to base its decision on “non-existing” law. This and other behavior was appalling!



Those familiar with McGinty and other police-brutality cases were not surprised by the verdict. With a fair judge and a jury with fewer police in their respective families, the case would have been an open and shut case of police brutality. This case will be appealed!...


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Carol+Fisher%2CCleveland+Heights&btnG=Google+Search


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Carol+Fisher%2CCleveland+Heights&btnG=Google+Search

[unschooler]

1. Those two young men should be ashamed of themselves.

Really.