Legal
G-20 Legal Fund
Over 190 people were arrested in connection with the mass protests and overwhelming use of police force during last month’s G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. Although all those arrested have been released, nearly all still face charges, including sixteen individuals facing felony charges (including several people who were brutalized by police and then charged with “assaulting an officer”). The Legal Group of the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project, which provided round-the-clock legal support for demonstrators and arrestees throughout the week of the summit, is now raising funds to help pay for defendants’ attorney fees. This is an inclusive, nonpartisan effort, and all money raised will be disbursed according to economic need and severity of charges, regardless of individuals’ political affiliation, etc. Online donations can be made through PayPal at http://resistg20.org/donate, or tax-free donations can be made to the fund through Save Our Civil Liberties—please make checks out to the Thomas Merton Center, and be sure to write SOCL/legal on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to SOCL G-20 Legal Fund, c/o Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Demand that all charges be dropped, and help make this demand a reality by donating today!
Arrestee Support
Were you arrested in connection with the G-20? Then we strongly encourage you to join our G-20 arrestee listserve by sending an email to g20arrestee-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. This will allow you to coordinate directly with fellow arrestees and members of the PG20RP Legal Group. We are also helping arrestees get in contact with sympathetic attorneys, coordinating housing for out-of-towners who have to show up to hearings, and will be able to offer limited financial help to offset attorney fees based on economic need and severity of charges. You can send any questions you have to us at legal@resistg20.org.
Welcome
We have committed to providing legal support for protests against the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 24-25.
If you are arrested or witness an arrest please dial: 412-444-3553
During the actions, to report surveillance, harassment, brutality or any other incidents please contact the ACLU at 412-562-5015.
With any other inquires please e-mail legal@resistg20.org
What we have committed to:
- We will run a legal hotline from Saturday, September 19th through the protests.
- We will answer calls from jail and arrest reports.
- We will track folks through jail and do our best to communicate with support people on the outside.
- We will be in communication with a group of attorneys about any legal emergencies during the summit.
- We will do our best to help arrestees and victims of state repression get in touch with appropriate attorneys for criminal defense and possible civil litigation.
What we have NOT committed to:
- We are NOT collecting individual legal information. Please fill out a legal support form an leave it with a friend or somebody in your affinity group. This will be incredibly helpful as we try to track you through the system.
- We are NOT committing to bailing people out of jail. If you are planning on risking arrest please make plans also to bail yourselves out.
- We are NOT committing to securing pro-bono legal defense for all arrestees. We'll do our best to match you up with appropriate legal help but if you are arrested do plan on the possibility of relying either on a public defender or paying for legal representation.
Zines and Documents
Know Yer Rights
Security Culture
Forms
LEGAL FUND
Posted: 10/14/09 5:06 PM
Over 190 people were arrested in connection with the mass protests and overwhelming use of police force during last month’s G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. Although all those arrested have been released, nearly all still face charges, including sixteen individuals facing felony charges (including several people who were brutalized by police and then charged with “assaulting an officer”). The Legal Group of the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project, which provided round-the-clock legal support for demonstrators and arrestees throughout the week of the summit, is now raising funds to help pay for defendants’ attorney fees. This is an inclusive, nonpartisan effort, and all money raised will be disbursed according to economic need and severity of charges, regardless of individuals’ political affiliation, etc. Online donations can be made through PayPal at http://resistg20.org/donate, or tax-free donations can be made to the fund through Save Our Civil Liberties—please make checks out to the Thomas Merton Center, and be sure to write SOCL/legal on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to SOCL G-20 Legal Fund, c/o Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Demand that all charges be dropped, and help make this demand a reality by donating today!
LEGAL FUND
Over 190 people were arrested in connection with the mass protests and overwhelming use of police force during last month’s G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. Although all those arrested have been released, nearly all still face charges, including sixteen individuals facing felony charges (including several people who were brutalized by police and then charged with “assaulting an officer”). The Legal Group of the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project, which provided round-the-clock legal support for demonstrators and arrestees throughout the week of the summit, is now raising funds to help pay for defendants’ attorney fees. This is an inclusive, nonpartisan effort, and all money raised will be disbursed according to economic need and severity of charges, regardless of individuals’ political affiliation, etc. Online donations can be made through PayPal at http://resistg20.org/donate, or tax-free donations can be made to the fund through Save Our Civil Liberties—please make checks out to the Thomas Merton Center, and be sure to write SOCL/legal on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to SOCL G-20 Legal Fund, c/o Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Demand that all charges be dropped, and help make this demand a reality by donating today!
Twitter Info
Posted: 9/21/09 9:39 AM
Our Twitter account is: g20pghlegal
Go to twitter.com/g20pghlegal or, to receive instant updates by text message, text "Follow g20pghlegal" to 40404
Pre-emptive Harrassment II
Posted: 9/21/09 2:30 AM
9/21/2009; 2:05 AM
We have been getting many reports of Police harassment in Bloomfield, Polish Hill, and Lawrenceville all night. A group of police vehicles, mostly unmarked, have been knocking on doors, shining lights in house windows, and stopping groups of people who are outside.
Remember your rights! If police stop you on the street, ask them "am I being detained?"If they ask for your name or ID, you do not have to give them, no matter what they tell you. Ask, "Am I free to go?" If you're not being detained and you are free to go, then GO! If you are being detained or arrested, tell them that you want to speak to an attorney and are remaining silent.
If police knock on your door, DON'T LET THEM IN. Speak to them outside, and lock the door behind you. Ask to see a warrant. Tell them that you do not consent to a search, but don't try to physically block them.
Pre-emptive Harrassment
Posted: 9/20/09 5:42 PM
Between 2 and 4 police vans are currently outside of Landslide Community Farm on Allequippa Street. They have not entered the farmhouse at this time and do not appear to have a warrant. They claim that they could call the city inspectors to evict people.
We told the folks there to do what we recommend any time an officer tries to search a house/car/bicycle/person or any other personal item. State loudly and clearly: "I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH." Never try to physically block a cop from making a search.
If the police try to search your house, ask them for a warrant, and make sure to take a good look at it. Whether or not they have a warrant, always say I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. This may not stop them from searching you or your house, but it may help you later in court.
If you notice any strange police activity outside your own house, please call the legal hotline to report it at 412-444-3553.
Legal Phone Number Up!
Posted: 9/15/09 11:20 PM
If you have been arrested, or to report arrests, harassment or surveillance call us at 412-444-3553
September 13, 2009 at 3:00 pm
5001 Penn Ave
The Legal Working Group of the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project is hosting a series of legal trainings on Sunday, September 13 and Monday, September 14. All trainings are being facilitated by trainers from the Midnight Special Law Collective from California. Midnight Special has been giving trainings and doing action legal support at global justice and anti-war mobilizations around the country since 2000.
For more information on Midnight Special check out http://www.midnightspecial.net
All trainings are free and open to the public. For more information or to let us know you’re coming please e-mail legal@resistg20.org
Legal Support—Running a Legal Office
Sunday, September 13th at 3:00
GPAC, 5001 Penn Ave.
This training prepares participants to provide legal support for an action, and is ideal for groups that want to provide their own legal. We cover topics such as office setup, phone support, lawyer handling, and more. We aim to provide you with the tools and skills you need to help navigate your friends through the system safely and successfully. Time: 2 hours
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THE PGRP LEGAL WORKING GROUP DURING THE G-20 PLEASE CONSIDER ATTENDING
July 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
722 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, PA at The Mr. Roboto Project
FROM THE DEPTHS
members of Auryn, Requiem & Catharsis return with a new album
http://www.fromthedepths.info/
THE SEPARATION
Intense, heavy hardcore on tour from California
http://www.myspace.com/theseparationca
ORPHANS
former Nancy Drew folks play chaotic hardcore
http://www.myspace.com/displacedchildren
+ 1 TBA and some other surprises
$7 to benefit the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project
No one will be turned away unless they're an asshole!
July 25, 2009 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The GPAC Space :: 5001 Penn Ave.
Bored with your crew and have nothing to do? Mix things up at the...
Radical (Play) Date Raffle!Have you always wanted to learn how to build your own bike?
Been looking for a chess partner so you can practice your skills?
Or are you just looking for a new friend to resist the G20 with?
Here's your chance to meet someone new and take part in a fun, capital-free activity!
We have about 20-25 rad raffle-ees, itching to embark on an adventurous activity with you around town. Some have skills to share, others have energy to spare. The sky's the limit when it comes to your "date," but there's no pressure for romance!
There will be time for hard-hitting interviews with the raffle-ees so you can use your tickets wisely.
We'll also have some snacks and light refreshments, and musical entertainment.
One ticket = One dollar
All proceeds benefit the G-20 Legal Defense Fund
