Lloyd Jones, Mattie Scott, Judy Hughes and Paulette Brown, members of the Healing Circle, a group of parents who have lost loved ones to violence, came to the SF 8 hearing to ask why the police are imprisoning these community leaders, who have worked to stop the violence, when their loved ones' cases have not been solved. (Photo: Scott Braley)

Overflowing support at February 14 hearing

by Claude Marks and Cynthia Nelson

[See update on April 27 hearing]

In a significant showing of support, family and friends of four of the San Francisco 8 packed the San Francisco courtroom of Judge Little on Wednesday. The Healing Circle, a group of Black parents who have lost loved ones to violence, were the most visible assembly. They carried signs bearing the names of those they had lost, questioning the City’s pursuit of these ancient cases – against men who worked with youngsters to stop the violence – while it closes the investigations into their children’s killings.

Many people were unable to get into the overflowing courtroom. And despite the usual metal detectors and bag searches at the entrance to the building, those entering the courtroom were again scanned with metal detector wands.

“No justice, no peace.“

As the four – Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones and Richard O‘Neal – were brought into the courtroom in shackles, supporters burst into applause, long and loud. See video footage. The judge immediately halted the proceedings, and the large showing of sheriff’s and SWAT officers cleared the courtroom. Supporters filled the hallway outside Department 12 chanting, "No justice, no peace." Defense attorneys objected to closing a public hearing and the judge agreed to let people back into court if they agreed not to be noisy, but only after every individual was again searched by sheriff’s deputies and wanded.

Unlike their previous court appearances since the arrests in January, the men were shackled in court, and close to a dozen sheriff’s deputies and SWAT officers were inside the courtroom. The hearing opened with defense attorneys arguing against the redundant wanding at the courtroom entrance and for the unshackling of the brothers as “they represent no threat to the court or the public."

Prejudicial security feeds sensationalist coverage

They pointed out that the men had appeared voluntarily and without need of such extensive police presence during the 2005 San Francisco Grand Jury and that the shackling and heavy security were prejudicial – especially feeding the sensationalist coverage of the corporate media. The court agreed to hear security issues in a future meeting with the sheriff and lawyers.

None of the men have yet entered pleas in the conspiracy and murder case stemming from the killing of a San Francisco police officer at the Ingleside Police Station in August of 1971.The defense called for full disclosure of government documents, some of which were described as inaccurate and inflammatory. Some government documents had been presented to the court in secret hearings outside the presence of defense attorneys, where they could not be contested.

Bail hearing set for March

Although there has yet to be a formal bail hearing, Judge Little did lower the outrageous bail for Ray Boudreaux and Hank Jones from $5 million to $3 million – still outrageous – equalized to the bail for Richard Brown and Richard O‘Neal. [Richard O'Neal was released on bail August 29, and Richard Brown on August 30; see bail news.]

“Today’s court appearance was significant in a number of ways,“ explained attorney Stuart Hanlon. “The strong public support for the four men in court was a powerful reminder that these men are part of their communities and are not criminals.

“The attorney general’s comments made clear that they (the state prosecutors) want to keep these men in jail on high bail and that they will make excuses to explain the 35-year delay in bringing this case.” California’s attorney general is now Jerry Brown, former governor, who was until last month mayor of Oakland.

“It was made clear to us that this is the beginning skirmish of a legal war with high stakes – the freedom of these eight former Panthers and the rewriting of political history by the government criminalizing the Black Panther Party and African American freedom fighters from the ‘60s and ‘70s. It is a war we will win and that we have to win. And it is a war where the support of the community, in and out of court, is crucial.“

The brothers seemed strong and in good spirits.

Boston rallies to free the San Francisco 8

Boston demonstration coincides with February 14 court date. (Photo: Jonathan McIntosh)

by Danni West

Boston – Activists, students, teachers and church leaders from the Boston chapters of the groups Coast-to-Coast Solidarity and Queers Against Prison rallied Wednesday morning [Feb. 14] at South Station followed by a string of banner appearances and educational events across the city. This demonstration was part of a national call to action demanding lower bail and the release of the San Francisco 8. ...

Information sharing, bright displays and speak outs have been organized to testify that Bostonians will not stand for this abuse of good people who fight for justice. Demands for the freedom of the San Francisco 8, all political prisoners and an end to prison expansion in Massachusetts rang out clearly.

“Despite the recent birthday of the president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, we still see slavery legal and in full effect within the prison industrial complex. The issue that needs addressed is a broader, underlying force of systemic, institutionalized white supremacy, but today we rally specifically to show support and solidarity with the San Francisco 8,” said Jason Lydon, the director of Community Church of Boston.

Danni West, one of the organizers for today’s actions, reminded the assembled people that, “as northerners, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that the confessions which these ridiculous criminal complaints are based upon were extracted through torture in the city of New Orleans. As we push for the freedom of the San Francisco 8, may we keep the human-made disasters in the Gulf – the torture caused by the government in the face of the storms barely a year and a half ago – in our hearts as well.”

Danni West can be reached at dannimarilynwest [at] gmail [dot] com.

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights
P.O. Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109