Chicago, IL, April 18th, 2007

Six people who were falsely arrested at the Taste of Chicago on July 2, 2006 were ready to go to trial on Monday, April 16, 2007. They were arrested when they tried to express their First Amendment right to question the role of the military and talk to people about the role of the military.

Despite the fact that the City of Chicago had listed four police officers as witnesses against them, not one single police officer showed up to testify against the six. Why? Because they knew the arrests were made not because of the six’s actions but because of their beliefs.

The Judge refused the City’s request to continue the trial again and the City had no choice but to dismiss the case. The City did not apologize to the six who were forced to bear the anxiety and expense of a case pending for nine months.

The six arrestees are Melissa Woo, Chicago; Megan Gallagher, Okemos (MI); Robin Schirmer, Maywood; Crystal Wilson, Chicago; Alberto Guevara, Chicago; and Donald Goldhamer, Oak Park.

Dubbed the “Tasty Six” by supporters, the six were arrested near the Army’s recruiting booth at the Taste of Chicago. Some had been handing out leaflets that offered alternative information regarding military recruitment, while others had been in the vicinity supporting, but not actively participating in, those efforts.

The lawyers defending the defendants are Melinda Power, Jeffrey Frank, and Robert Ludemann, all of whom are members of the National Lawyers Guild.

More information on the arrests can be found at:
chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/72849/indexphp

Contact: Melinda Power, Attorney at Law
West Town Law Office
Telephone Number: 773-278-6706
Fax Number: 773-278-0635
Email Address: Mpwr2502 (at) earthlink.net