611 W Washington St
Oakland City, IN 47660
USA
Support Anti-Gentrification Activists Facing Political Repression & Trumped-Up Charges!
The DA is aggressively prosecuting four Land Action organizers for their involvement in a recent adverse possession project. There are seven criminal charges, including three felony counts. Contrary to established precedent in Oakland in recent years, the DA has deliberately, and in violation of the law, pushed this civil dispute into criminal court. The case was brought to the DA’s attention because the property owner was personally connected to the DA’s office!
On Wednesday January 20, 2016 the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office issued arrest warrants for 4 organizers working with the non-profit Land Action. The organizers, now being called The Land Action 4, face 7 criminal charges-3 of which are felonies, up to 8.5 years imprisonment and $89,000 in fines . Among the allegations is that these organizers were involved in a “Conspiracy to Trespass,” a common charge used to target civil rights organizers.
Hundreds of abandoned/vacant properties have been occupied in the Bay Area in recent decades. Disputes over these properties generally remain in the civil realm. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the court rules in the title-holder’s favor and the occupiers are ordered to leave. Very rarely do they end with arrests, and never before have they resulted in felony charges. But this time, the DA has pushed what has historically been considered a civil matter into criminal court.
Please come pack the courthouse with us for our initial hearing! April 1st at 9m at the Wiley Manuel courthouse. There is plenty of 4-hour parking available, south of the 880 freeway on 4th, 3rd, and 2nd Streets, within walking distance of the Courthouse.
We ask for your support in the upcoming legal battle. Please come pack the courthouse with us for our initial hearing!
Also, please support our staff and volunteer activists by donating to cover the $3,500 in legal expenses currently accrued –https://www.gofundme.com/