Drop The Charges: Call-in In Support Of Minneapolis Fur Protesters

March 29; Drop the charges!: Call-in In Support Of Minneapolis Fur Protesters As fur protesters and avid animal lovers Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson stood chanting anti-fur slogans on the sidewalk outside of Ribnick's Furs in downtown Minneapolis on March 2, neither expected to be spending their evening undergoing booking at the Hennepin County jail.

 They had been protesting in the same location, using the same chants for over 5 months --why would March 2 be any different? Officers (including sargents) had often assuring them "You can chant as much as you want, scream to the top of your lungs for all I care, just don't block the sidewalks". But (date of arrest) took a turn for the worst; when two Minneapolis police officers who Peter and Lawson had never seen before arrived on the scene, entering into the storefront without attempting to engage in dialogue with either protester.

 After speaking with owner Bill Ribnick, they exited, informing both protesters they were being charged with disorderly conduct for being "too loud". Both protesters attempted to tell the officers of the circumstances, and that previous officers had given them assurance that they were acting within their rights. The male officer's response was immediately that he "wasn't interested". Peter and Lawson were taken to the Hennepin County jail until bail was posted. When it came time for their arraignment, it became clear that this was not an ordinary "disorderly conduct" charge.

 Bill Ribnick, owner of Ribnick's Furs – who was not even a party to this case -- was in attendance with a very expensive and affluent attorney by his side, talking with a city prosecutor, as she hugged him and gave him her condolences. In a disgusting attempt to curb free speech, and a shocking example of a prosecution pandering to the interests of a wealthy businessman – the city offered to drop the charges in exchange that Isaac and Michael not be allowed to exercise their right to protest at Ribnick's Furs for a year. Both Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson refused the deal, citing outrage at the back-room bribery that had taken place and a undeterred dedication to the mink, fox, chinchilla, and other animals killed for fur .

 Defendant Michael Lawson released this statement after the arraignment; "If Ribnick thinks he's the only person that can pressure the prosecutor; he's wrong. We may not have the money or political connections that Bill Ribnick has, but we have a broader network of people committed to free speech and compassion towards animals than he could ever hope to have. The voice of the people will always beat back-room scheming" Peter and Lawson can't beat Ribnick in money, but they intend to beat him in community support. That's why we need compassionate folks to call prosecutor Susan Segal and tell her that scheming with Ribnick Furs and other businesses to criminalize legally-protected boycott and protest is unacceptable" They are now asking people to call the city prosecutors office and tell them to "Drop the Charges against Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson" immediately. Call-in for Isaac and Michael

When? Monday March 29th, all day

Who? Susan Segal, City Attorney: 612-673-3272

Email: minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

 Address: City Hall, Room 210 350 S. 5th St. Minneapolis, MN 55415

What? Demand she drop the the charges against Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson and tell her that we won't standby while our rights to free speech and peaceful protest is being thrown out the window. Please keep calls polite but insistent.

Link to the post: http://www.animalalerts.org/2010/03/drop-the-charges-call-in-in-support-of-minneapolis-fur-protesters/

Link to Animal Alerts.org: http://www.animalalerts.org