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KW: I am adding my own thoughts and opinions with facts from the recent statement and update about the Hempstead 15.
The Nassau County District Attorney has offered the Hempstead 15 an “ACD”, or “Adjournment on Contemplation of Dismissal.” This shows that the DA probably did not want to go through a trial. And, it means that the 15 demonstrators and IVAW demonstrators do not have to state their guilt. Instead, they wait for 6 months, and if nothing else happens, the charges will be dropped. But, if they get “caught” doing anything else, then the old charges are brought up again. The Hempstead 15 see this as a victory.
I would have liked to see them go further. Especially the second wave of folks arrested, who had no intention of getting arrested and were walking back to the sidewalk.
An ACD is a way to feel as if the court battle and the stress of being under indictment gets resolved sooner. And, I hope it turns out to be a good decision. Though, I think with the glaring innocence of so many of the demonstrators, that they should have pushed it to the limit and demanded a trial.
Still, the Hempstead 15 are worthy of support, and they are the ones in the hot seat making the decisions. So, stay posted for other times and/or court dates in which to help them.
An announcement from Matthis is below:
“…agreed to consolidate all of our court cases on one date (TBD)”.
More soon about schedule changes…
Matthis Chiroux wrote:
Subject: D.A. does right! Charges to be dismissed vs. Hempstead 15
In a remarkable reversal, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office has agreed to dismiss all charges against the Hempstead 15 following a six month adjournment in what’s called an “ACD” (Adjournment to Contemplate Dismissal).
Additionally, they have agreed to consolidate all of our court cases on one date (TBD) so that we and our supporters may be seen and heard together as we prepare to move forward now to federal court where our lawyer, Jonathan Moore is filing a civil case on behalf of Nick Morgan and others.
This is a decisive victory for activists and veterans everywhere, and for the Constitution. The outcome of these criminal proceedings would not have been possible without you, our supporters and allies. It was the calls, the demonstrations, the petitions and the grass-roots exposure that made the
difference. For an event which received no real attention from main-stream media outlets to have been captured and brought to so many around the country and the world by a few hardworking organizers and supporters signals an evolution in our power as a movement to inform and impact our system.
We’d like to thank those videographers, bloggers, e-mailers and Facebookers that have stuck with us up until now and we hope will stay with us to the end. We’d also like to thank Democracy Now as well as radio programs across the country for their dedication to covering this case in every stage of its development, ensuring we didn’t go entirely missing from the airwaves. As well, we must thank Newsday for their relentless coverage and powerful OpEds. Justice ultimately came about through the efforts of so many, and I’ve not room to begin to thank them all.
What happened at Hofstra will forever remain with all in attendance and those who suffered most. May it be burned into America’s conscience as well, but let it be a turning point. A moment in time from where clear divergence emerged.
Police and veterans from across this Nation have contacted us with their support and ultimately the same message: “We’re tired of this!”
So it is with great determination and much momentum we move forward, Nick and several into a civil case, and myself into a fight with the Army.
Shortly after our action at Hofstra, I was sent notice by the Army that I would be prosecuted for my refusal to reactivate and deploy to Iraq last summer. The Army wants to separate me on grounds of misconduct which I vowed to fight in May and continue to stand by firmly. I’ll know more on my exact hearing date soon, but with a good amount of support, I believe we can win this thing and prove
once and for all that servicemembers have a right to refuse participation in the occupation of Iraq.
If you’ve not already, please consider joining the Facebook group “I support Matthis Chiroux’s decision not to go to Iraq.” Most of my updates from this point forward through Facebook will come from this group. Please pass it around to your friends, as well.
As soon as I know what day the Hempstead 15’s final hearing in Nassau will be, I’ll let everyone know. Let’s have one last blow out to make clear to our government and the world that we will not be silent!
You made this for us, and we are forever in the debt of our global movement.
Peace and Solidarity,
Matthis
Filed under: Anti-War, hofstra, Iraq, local, long island, Long Island Politics, News, Peace, Political Websites, progressive politics, social & economic justice, US Politics Tagged: | courts, District Attorney, IVAW, justice, law, legal, Matthis Chiroux, nassau, Nassau County, Nick Morgan
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