Cardiff McDonalds Two
Ilyan | 23.10.2003 19:46
This should be a comment to an unfindable Indymedia UK report about McDonalds Protestors being remanded in custody in Cardiff. A Judge over-ruled the Magistrate and has given bail.
A passing email informs:
Here's the Colonel's post from U75 with the details:
>Val and Geoff were released on bail this morning by Cardiff Crown Court. According to people inside the court (the hearing was held in closed chambers and therefore the rest of us had to sit outside), the judge walked in, sat down and said "So, you have a mother of three of good character, with a permanent job, no previous convictions who has been charged with £300 criminal damage and you want me to remand her?"
>
>It took about 10 minutes to sort out this travesty, and as had been said above, it isn't the last word in injustice, but it certainly knocks the stuffing out of people and makes you realise how petty & vindictive "the system" can be once they have you down as an enemy.
>
>Upon her release, Val talked about how important it had been to receive letters & messages of support. She said that on her first day inside she had 3 letters (so maybe yours did get through Matt!), and she said the looks on the screws' faces were thunderous. I'm sure people are still keeping up contact with Simon in Greece, but it makes a difference when you hear from someone's lips the significance of a simple letter that costs us 30 minutes to write.
>
>Thanks to everyone for the support & solidarity. Hopefully the letters will come through (like the prison service give a big shit about their prisoners...) anyway, it would be nice for Val & Geoff to get them for I think it might take a day or two for the shock to wear off.
>
>There is still the small matter of the trial, and the conspiracy charge is a serious one, with potentially custodial sentences, but we shall see. Once that is done, then there is the question of exactly who beat who, and that is one avenue of discussion I would like to explore fully with the local police...
>
>Thanks again to everyone who supported our muckers, it's important you know how much it meant to them.
Here's the Colonel's post from U75 with the details:
>Val and Geoff were released on bail this morning by Cardiff Crown Court. According to people inside the court (the hearing was held in closed chambers and therefore the rest of us had to sit outside), the judge walked in, sat down and said "So, you have a mother of three of good character, with a permanent job, no previous convictions who has been charged with £300 criminal damage and you want me to remand her?"
>
>It took about 10 minutes to sort out this travesty, and as had been said above, it isn't the last word in injustice, but it certainly knocks the stuffing out of people and makes you realise how petty & vindictive "the system" can be once they have you down as an enemy.
>
>Upon her release, Val talked about how important it had been to receive letters & messages of support. She said that on her first day inside she had 3 letters (so maybe yours did get through Matt!), and she said the looks on the screws' faces were thunderous. I'm sure people are still keeping up contact with Simon in Greece, but it makes a difference when you hear from someone's lips the significance of a simple letter that costs us 30 minutes to write.
>
>Thanks to everyone for the support & solidarity. Hopefully the letters will come through (like the prison service give a big shit about their prisoners...) anyway, it would be nice for Val & Geoff to get them for I think it might take a day or two for the shock to wear off.
>
>There is still the small matter of the trial, and the conspiracy charge is a serious one, with potentially custodial sentences, but we shall see. Once that is done, then there is the question of exactly who beat who, and that is one avenue of discussion I would like to explore fully with the local police...
>
>Thanks again to everyone who supported our muckers, it's important you know how much it meant to them.
Ilyan