Six Occupy DC members found guilty of unlawful entry into historic building
Six members of Occupy DC were found guilty on July 12th of unlawful entry for breaking into a historic building in downtown Washington that was once used as a homeless shelter.
In November, the occupiers broke into the Franklin School at 13th and K Streets. They wore bandanas over their faces as they dropped the banner from the top of the school about 3 p.m. It read “Public Property Under Community Control.” They were allegedly protesting the city’s decision to stop using the building as a homeless shelter. The building which opened in 1869, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The protesters said they had enough food and other provisions to stay “indefinitely” but police and firefighters broke into a back door about 5:30 p.m. Protesters formed a human chain in an adjacent alley in hopes of preventing other rescue workers from entering the historic structure. But occupiers were successfully removed.
After a trial and conviction, the six convicted were sentenced to five days in jail, however the judge suspended the jail time.
Schedule of events throughout May 1
Occupy Schedule in NYC here:
Likely trouble spots – the 99 Pickets against various businesses, which are organized as small group actions and may be uncontrolled.
Also actions that are not yet formally announced that will happen later in the day.
Notice CWA the New York Writer’s Guild as being supportive of protests.
Also New York Communities for Change and Working Families Party-both rebranded ACORN
Various Socialist and Communist organizations
Pro Palestinian organizations
Occupy DC schedule here with a march to the White House.
The broad coalition sees their differing backgrounds as a strength. The “celebration of the diversity of cultures of resistance” will, in the words of Occupy DC Labor Committee coordinator Mike Golash, show “solidarity in the fight against capitalism.” Nancy Munoz, an organizer from the Anarchist Alliance DC Network, said: “We believe through our participation in the May Day actions we will raise the level of awareness by educating people and showing solidarity with other organizations.” She added: “[we will] empower society and help them understand that they can organize themselves in the fight against the establishment.
Don’t miss the Radical Cheerleaders!
