JUSTICE FOR THE RECLAIM THE STREETS DEFENDANTS!

Statement by Chicago's October 22nd Coalition to Stop
Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of
a Generation--12/22/01

July 20, 2001, NAPERVILLE, IL-300 youth from all around
the country gathered for a RECLAIM THE STREETS
party/protest. The event aimed to create a space for
self-statement of youth who feel stifled by a
repressive suburban culture of consumerism and
uniformity. Organizers planned the event for July 20th
to show solidarity wth the thousands of
anti-globalization protesters who took to the streets
in Genoa, Italy against the "G-8" summit. That day,
23-year-old CARLO GIULIANI's life was stolen when
Italian police shot him in the head.

YOUTH BROUGHT A "TWISTER" BOARD,
POLICE BROUGHT PEPPER SPRAY

A youthful, festive atmosphere with frisbees, costumes
and games turned into one of police terror and
repression as night fell and the protesters moved away
from a crowded shopping area. Several protesters were
tackled, beaten, and pepper sprayed by police. Of the
17 arrested, 2 were hospitalized due to injuries or
asthma attacks caused by the police and pepper spray. A
young woman's breasts were fondled by a male cop during
her arrest. Videotapes show the defendants NOT
resisting arrest and NOT assaulting the police. It was
clearly the police who did the assaulting!

Suburban media have published vitriolic attacks on RTS.
A recent editorial ended with a blatant call for more
police brutality:

... if I heard there was going to be a Reclaim the
Streets rally next summer, I'd suggest the cops
stop the protesters at the city limits, WHACK THEM
ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, tell them about what's
important and DROP KICK THEM OUT OF TOWN. ... (from
"No More Time Now for Foolishness" by TIM WEST, Sun
Publications )

The chief of Naperville's police made a special
presentation to the local ROTARY CLUB spreading lies
and disinformation about the RTS event and its
participants. Many of the defandants face a year in
jail; one young woman faces 4 to 6 years. Local media
and police are working hand-in-hand to influence public
opinion and create a climate where rebellious youth are
considered criminals. They are attempting to punish the
RTS defendants and declare that youth should be seen
and not heard. They are saying that youth who take a
strong political stand on issues that affect the
present and future of all humanity will not be
tolerated.

We say: BEING YOUNG AND REFUSING TO GO ALONG WITH THE
STATUS QUO IS NOT A CRIME!

As the Call for the 6th National Day of Protest to Stop
Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of
a Generation on October 22nd, 2001 said:

* In Black and Latino communities cops stop and
frisk, beat up, jail or even murder youth for
nothing more than being young and dressed in the
style popular among urban youth. This brutality
also spills over into the suburbs where police
harass youth who don't "fit in''. BEING YOUNG AND
NOT GOING ALONG WITH THE STATUS QUO IS NOT A CRIME!

* Law Enforcement has met anti-globalization
protests in DC, Detroit, Quebec, San Diego, Seattle
and elsewhere, with beatings, "plastic'' bullets,
bean bags, tear gas and pepper spray. ... False
charges, denial of bail and hiding the location of
people arrested has become common.

The October 22nd Coalition joins with many others to
demand that all charges be dropped on the RTS
defendants. We urge people to help pack the courtroom
and let the powers-that-be know that we won't let them
quietly sweep this outrage under the rug. Nor will we
forget the outrageous deeds of the police at this and
many other protests. Brutal cops who attack peaceful
protesters should be the ones on trial!

* Contact RTS at  rtstreets@onebox.com or
(773)250-3699 for carpooling to court dates, to
sign a statement of support, or for other
information.

* Donations to the RTS Legal Defense Fund may be
sent to: Aurora ARA, P.O. Box 3272, Aurora, IL
60504-0272 ... Checks should be made payable to The
Azone (memo line: "RTS Legal Defense Fund").

* Send letters demanding that the charges be dropped
to the DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett:
505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187 ... phone
(630)682-7050.

OCTOBER 22nd COALITION to STOP POLICE BRUTALITY,
REPRESSION, and the CRIMINALIZATION of a GENERATION!

773-528-1701
 Chicago@October22.ORG
 http://www.October22.ORG/
Fax: 773-528-3270
Stolen Lives, c/o Wellington Church, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
National Office: 1-888-NO-BRUTALITY or 212-477-8062

If you need the printable PDF version
(for a nice one-sided leaflet of this statement)
and didn't get it, please contact  Chicago@October22.ORG
and we will send it to you ASAP.