The following request to Occupy the Courts was prepared by Patti Beers, Seraphime Poet, and Leone Hankey in support of the Occupiers who were arrested in November.

On November 30, 2011, 292 peaceful people were arrested during the Los Angeles Police Department’s raid on Occupy Los Angeles’ encampment at City Hall. This week and next, many of these peaceful people will be in court and they need your support.

We need as many observers as possible. Some of the cases have been dropped completely or dismissed by the judge for lack of evidence. Some are still awaiting arraignment later this week. However, some of the cases have already begun jury selection, opening arguments, etc. in criminal trials and will proceed this week.

We need people who are willing to sit, quietly and professionally, in the courtrooms to observe and take note of what happens. This is called court support and it’s very effective at keeping prosecutors, judges, and juries aware that those on trial have a great deal of community support. It is also important for the defendants to not have to go through trial alone; we need to be there with them and for them every day.

Several trials moved along Friday and will resume the first week of the new year.

Tues. January 3rd, the trial will resume of Martha Lewis in 111, 11th floor at 10:30 am at 210 W. Temple, downtown. People attending the trial say it is extremely interesting. On the 3rd, trial proceedings will also begin at 9: 30 am for Andy Diaz and Jason Brodsky at the “Airport” court (see address below). Both Diaz and Brodsky were offered 2 deals, which they refused in favor of their right to a trial by jury. (Diaz also had to go to Long Beach Friday to prove that he was not an Anthony Diaz of Long Beach with the same birthdate and with outstanding legal issues, with whom the police/jail system had confused him.) At the West Covina court, Jason Rivera’s trial will proceed in Dept 5 and Justin Frangosa’s (or Fregosa) will be in dept 9, both at 9 am.

Tues, January 3rd is also Steven (“Keep it Real”) Releford’s hearing. It will be at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 West Temple St., Division 52, with Judge Vanderet presiding. We do not know the floor or courtroom number presently. If you learn of it, please post it on here.

Wed. January 4th, jury selection will resume and then trial will begin of DJ (Danny Johnson) in Div. 46th, 7th floor at 210 W. Temple. Try to be there at 9 am for lawyers’ issues before judge, but jury will come in at 10:30 am.

Friday. January 6th, room 119. Cajid Heartfield’s case will resume at 10:30 am. The N30 charge was dismissed, but prosecution still pursuing it against him as a probation violation.

There are a total of 6 different courts around Los Angeles that you can go to for court support for trials of Occupiers. 1) Downtown LA 2) East LA 3) Airport 4) West Covina 5) Pomona 6) Lancaster. And we will need court support for arraignments at Bauchet as well on Jan 5th and 6th.

For additional information, please contact occupylalegal@gmail.com. If you are definitely attending one of the trials, please let us know, and send us your notes and observations afterwards at the same email address.