You know, some lunch breaks are better than others. And coming in from the woods at noon today took the cake. Awaiting me was an email from my attorney, David Sleigh, informing me that the charges against me and my partner in crime, Boots Wardinski, for protesting a graduation speech of John Negroponte in St. Johnsbury in June, 2006 were being dismissed by the Vermont Supreme Court. Why? Well, a violation of our First Amendment right to free speech. Duh. I guess someone should have let the federal, state and local police officials know about the First Amendment before they pummeled us after standing to “object” to Negroponte’s appearance. (You can read about the event here and here.)
This is fantastic news for activists. It means that the state cannot arbitrarily arrest and prosecute those who simply stand to voice their political opinions. It sends a clear and unequivocal message to all levels of law enforcement to think twice before engaging in the speech-chilling activities exhibited by the multiple levels of police that day.
The Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling can be read here.
I will have more to say on this later but, for now, we’ve got work to do to make sure this ruling gets the media attention it deserves.
All praise to our lawyer, David Sleigh, for being the pit bull of justice that he is. He took this case at no charge to us after hearing the facts, studying the videotape of the event, and realizing what an obvious violation of our rights had occurred.
And you know that this ruling really means: Boots & I have a clean record. Which means, of course, that we’ll be looking to remedy that situation very, very soon. Stay tuned.
Yes, this is BIG. Good for you and Boots. What are your plans? Try it on a Democrat.
Bravo. Right on. Enjoy the victory for a moment and then throttle up your actions. From where I’m at now, things look pretty grim there in the U.S. of A.
What, exactly, are people waiting for?
AWESOME NEWS! Great job guys, and praise be to your lawyer.
In all the doom and gloom that surrounds us, this is
very good news, indeed. Three cheers.
partner in crime? i hope you are not referencing the st. j. event. there was no crime although GMD had us convicted. see jack m’s entry.
Oops, you’re right, Boots. With regards to this “event,” I should have referred to you as my partner in “minor disruptions.”
You know, I think the Supreme Court is just trying to egg us on.
Congrads!
Free speech trumps attempting to be disorderly.
Bud
FREAKIN SWEET!
Gives us a little bit of hope that we still have civil rights. RIGHT ON BOYS!
Just have to add, I screamed outloud when I heard and I’ve never met either one of you. Thank you so much for doing that.
glad to hear this, with all the dirtbag lawyers out there- amen to those who seek justice and not self-satisfaction
If you read the comments on Jack McCullough’s GMD post “Free Speech In Vermont” you’d wish you and Boots were little Dems cause all they care about is what happened to the little Dems at the Burlington City Council meeting–they called the cops on them. Outrageous! Unlawful arrests and prosecutions for Free Speech? Hey, fuck that! They called the cops on our little Dems!!! Next they’ll be calling the cops on Deb, and Doug, and Anthony! Did you make it on Vermont This Week, or were you ‘marginalized’ there too?
My little Dems! My little Dems! Oh the humanity! I can’t (choke) go on…take over, Mark…….