The ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild joined members of the Revolutionary Communist Party in calling for the speedy release of those arrested in Cleveland yesterday during an RNC protest at which demonstrators tried to burn an flag and allegedly assaulted police.
.@acluohio releases statement saying delays in hearing cases against those arrested after flag burning Wed. are "unacceptable" #RNCinCLE
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
The @NLGnews, @ACLU calls delays "unacceptable" "No reason these people should be held for so long on minor charges" OH ACLU exec. director
— Sarah Buduson (@SarahBuduson) July 21, 2016
Attorneys attributed the hold-up to good old-fashioned paperwork, while protesters gathered outside the Cleveland Justice Center claimed the delay was meant to keep those arrested from rejoining protests outside.
Attys for protesters say they are waiting for paperwork so those arrested Wed can be arraigned. Attys believe protesters held too long #RNC
— Peggy Gallek (@PeggyGallek) July 21, 2016
Arraignments happening NOW for protesters arrested during flag burning on E. 4th Wednesday. #RNCinCLE
— Sarah Buduson (@SarahBuduson) July 21, 2016
So far, all of the protesters arraigned today who were arrested during flag burning #RNCinCLE have plead not guilty
— Sarah Buduson (@SarahBuduson) July 21, 2016
The Revolutionary Communist Party gathered this morning to protest and have been going strong all day, telling the press that burning the flag was “beautiful” and “righteous.”
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Carl Dix, co-founder of Revcom, speaking on behalf of Joey Johnson, accused RNC flag burner. #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/fj7hrntJKp
— Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) July 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/VivianFeke/status/756120561554784256
Revcom demonstrating arrest of RNC flag-burners outside Justice Center. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/uVyr0dOLMr
— Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) July 21, 2016
So the reports are true: they don’t look happy at all.
https://twitter.com/VivianFeke/status/756122864391221248
That press conference was held this morning, and the group has since reconvened on Public Square, ground zero for protesters.
@AlyssaRaymond interviewing the Revolutionary Communist protest group #RNCinCLE #RNC2016 pic.twitter.com/rIBJmDP3b3
— Erin M. Steinberg (@esteinberg22) July 21, 2016
Group behind attempted flag burning yesterday on the move in Public Square. No flag visible right now. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/ouHXz7z5ke
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) July 21, 2016
Another flag burning may be planned at 6 pm Police remind officers flag burning legal, but causing disturbance is not. #RNCinCLE
— Amanda Garrett (@agarrettABJ) July 21, 2016
PD stressing that flag burning is not illegal. Cannot arrest someone for burning flag. But police CAN put fire out. #RNCinCLE
— Police Scan Tweets (@ScannerPolice) July 21, 2016
For the record, burning flag is legal, however offensive. No word on charges but arrests may have been for fighting with cops. #RNC
— James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) July 20, 2016
He’s right; charges also included refusal to comply and disorderly conduct, although the protesters reportedly have said they didn’t hear the police telling them to break it up.
Should police have arrested protesters burning a flag? Legal observers concerned about whether they could hear police orders #RNCinCLE
— Sarah Buduson (@SarahBuduson) July 21, 2016
"We had 10 legal observers there & none of them heard a failure to disperse order” -NLG on arrests outside #RNCinCLE https://t.co/gQNZUws1WJ
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) July 21, 2016
It looks like everyone’s out on bond.
Prosecutor: Court had additional clarification questions from officers. Once they answered them, went forward w/ issuing charges #RNCinCLE
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
Prosecutor: 2 separate flag burning incidents. Individuals in first incident charged w/ assault bc harmed others in process.
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
Those involved in second incident charged w/ aggravated disorderly conduct & failure to comply. #RNCinCLE
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
Prosecutor: Probable cause sufficient in arrests, charges. Cases now moving forward through Cleveland Municipal Court. #RNCinCLE
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
Prosecutor: Every person charged has been arraigned & most are out on personal bond. #RNCinCLE
— Samah Assad (@SAssadNews) July 21, 2016
Free at last! But … was the orange juice in jail grainy?
Are you a communist in legal trouble? Help is on the way, but we’re not exactly dealing with the Lincoln lawyer here.
Jail support team waiting outside Justice Center for protesters arrested yesterday @RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/jH1pwKjgIT
— Megan Hickey (@MeganHickeyTV) July 21, 2016
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