Occupy Phoenix Arrives In Court
Former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez and other Occupy Phoenix backers leave a courtroom in Phoenix. Photos by Jeff Moses.
View Occupy Phoenix Event Locations in a larger map
By John Guzzon
Modern Times Magazine
Oct. 27, 2011 — Nearly two weeks ago, nearly 50 people gave themselves up for arrest rather than vacate Margaret T. Hance park on the first day of Occupy Phoenix, and Wednesday morning at Phoenix City Court, 27 of 34 who heard their cases pleaded not guilty.
A law team assembled by the American Civil Liberties Union as well as staff from the Phoenix Public Defender’s Office had negotiated a plea deal with the city prosecutor’s office that would have lowered their misdemeanor charges to a petty offense — akin to spitting on the sidewalk, according to one attorney — but only six of those charged chose to accept it. The deal made by the city offered the plaintiffs the opportunity to plead guilty or no-contest and in return, the charges would be lowered to attempted trespassing. They would also be obligated to pay $204 or do 20 hours of community service. The lure of the city’s offer was to allow those worried about having a “criminal record” to limit potential damage to job opportunity.
The general feeling among those arrested and who would not admit guilt was that they had done nothing wrong. Nearly all of those who pleaded not guilty Wednesday will have their next hearing Nov. 16. If their cases do end up going to trial, their fates will be decided by a judge, not a jury, as is the procedure in Arizona for class 3 misdemeanor charges.
The prosecutor’s office told attorney’s for the group that the plea deal will not be extended.
Phoenix police has yet to provide any evidence as to the guilt of those arrested as part of Occupy Phoenix. According to attorneys, while it is unusual that there is not even a police report available, it is not uncommon that most of the evidence would be assembled once the not guilty plea is entered.
Among those who pleaded no contest was former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez, who, while trying to be a go-between for Occupy Phoenix with the city, was arrested along with the protesters.
Regardless of the arrests nearly two weeks ago, Occupy Phoenix has been active in Cesar Chavez Plaza 24 hours a day since the night after the arrests. Friday, Occupy Phoenix has announced they will be marching from Cesar Chavez plaza to Freeport-McMoran at 3 p.m. Friday. The company is a mining corporation based in Phoenix.
Freeport-Moran purchased Phelps-Dodge in 2007 and owns the copper mines in Bagdad, Morenci, Safford, Sahuarita and Miami, Arizona as well as many other locations around the world. The company mines most of the gold in the world and has been recently accused of hiring the Indonesian Army to settle a labor dispute in that country.
Over the weekend, Occupy Phoenix is hosting several Halloween-themed events, including pumpkin carving, Halloween dinner, scary “greed” stories and skits. At 5 p.m., Occupy Phoenix will take part in the nationwide Robin Hood March. Occupy Phoenix plans on taking the march to the Halloween Festival in Heritage park.
Occupy Phoenix has also announced that the group will hold a series of meetings next week in order to establish three "demands" or "grievances." Beginning Saturday and culminating one week later, Occupy Phoenix will hold one hour sessions in order to pass three "demands" or "grievances" by the consensus of the general assembly. Visit the group's Facebook event page for more information.
For more information, visit the #OccupyPhoenix Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/occupyphoenix and the group’s Twitter page at http://twitter.com/#!/occupyphoenix.
Shooters: Crime, Sports and Sex
Sleep
