[mobglob-discuss] Update and Support Call out For the Hastings Seven

[jess]

*** please circulate ***
::: sorry for cross-postings :::

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5.2005


UPDATE & SUPPORT CALL-OUT
For The
HASTINGS SEVEN

One year ago, seven East Vancouver residents were brutally beaten by
members of the Vancouver Police. Adding insult to substantive injury, the
assaulted individuals were then slapped with trumped-up charges that they
now face in court. The trial of the "Hastings Seven" is scheduled for
April 13-22 and they need your help.

The seven who suffered this violent indignity at the hands of the VPD on
Feb. 29, 2004 face a variety of charges including mischief and
obstruction, with two individuals also facing several counts of assaulting
a police officer. Despite the seriousness of the charges and the
protracted trial, the Legal Services Society has refused legal aid funding
to all but one of the defendants. Due to this, four accused are without
legal counsel -  a serious concern given the complexity of the issues in
this case and the possible sentences.

With barely a month before the trial is to begin, the VPD has still not
disclosed all its "evidence" -   choosing instead to misrepresent the
facts of the case at press conferences. This attempt at trial by media is
an effort to divert the public from the facts of the case.

Unfortunately, brutalizing and then attacking individuals (and in some
cases, their families) in the media is not new to the VPD. The results of 
several studies conducted by PIVOT Legal and other international human
rights organizations point to routine negligence, use of excessive force,
and human rights abuses by members of the Vancouver Police Department.

Given all these circumstances, it is unlikely that anyone involved in this
incident will get a fair trial. Defense lawyers plan to file complaints
citing an abuse of process and violations under the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.

This case is about all Vancouver people who value their rights – We are
asking for your help:

Make a financial donation to help cover legal costs. Please make money
orders or cheques payable to: "Hastings Legal Defense"  PO Box 21627
Little Italy Post Office 1424 Commercial Dr Vancouver V5l 5G3

Demand from Chief of Police Jamie Graham that the charges by dropped and
an investigation be launched into police behavior in this incident. 
Contact Chief Graham at : 604-717-3535, VPD switchboard or
police_chief at city.vancouver.bc.ca


Contact BC Attorney General Geoff Plant to demand an independent inquiry
into the misconduct by the Vancouver Police Department. Contact Attorney
General Plant at (250) 387-1886 Fax: (250) 387-6411


Call Mayor Larry Campbell ( Chair of the Police Board) and demand that he
support the Hastings Seven in their request for a stay of
proceedings/charges and in their request for an independent inquiry into
the misconduct the Vancouver Police Department.
You can contact Mayor Campbell at : larry.campbell at vancouver.ca
Phone 604-873-7621

Help or volunteer to organize legal aid benefits to cover legal costs. 
Contact: Hasting Legal Defense. Email:  black_ant @resist.ca

For More Information or to Show your Supprt!
Contact Jessica Piert  778-868-8175 Email: jessica at resist.ca




Background Information: The original news release and photographs from the
Feb. 29, 2004 incident are at http://resist.ca/~vpdbrutality. Reports on
VPD abuses by PIVOT, PACE (Prostitution Alternatives and Counseling), and
Human Rights Watch can be downloaded at
www.pivotlegal.org/complaint/index.html.





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