Urgent Call for Help for the ♀ly-26

Women Targeted for Prosecution in Non-Violent Port Protests

Prosecutors have brought charges against twenty-six people arrested
during a non-violent women's protest in November, 2007.

Thoughtful, Moral Demonstrations

For two weeks in November, hundreds of demonstrators blocked military
equipment from moving through their publicly owned port. On November
13th, 39 women were arrested during a non-violent demonstration in
solidarity with each other, women nationally, and the women in Iraq.

Patty Imani, one of those charged, said Friday: "Thousands of women
have been killed in Iraq. It's obscene that the city's response is to
jail those of us who were only trying to stop more from dying."

The women in Olympia saw the suffering that the United States'
occupation of Iraq was causing, to the Iraqi people and particularly
to the women of Iraq. The protest was carefully planned to bring
attention to how the war has effected the lives of women in Iraq and
the United States.

Inappropriate Prosecution

The City has waited nearly a year to bring these charges, and has
suspiciously brought these new charges less than a week after their
other cases against port protesters were dismissed. Also, prosecutors
have a history of targeting women and people of color in protest
cases. Twenty-six demonstrators have been singled out for
prosecution, 25 of whom are women.

A Call for Solidarity

Those being prosecuted are calling for solidarity and support from
all those who are concerned that women and people of color are being
targeted for carrying out their constitutionally protected right to
non-violently dissent.

Defendants are available to speak to the press.

Your donations are urgently needed for the defense of the Oly 26!
Please click below to donate directly to the Oly PMR Legal Fund.


Twenty-six Prosecuted for Non-Violent Womens' Solidarity Action:
Legal Defense Funds Urgently Needed to Ensure Access to Legal
Support!

more info at:

All amounts are extremely helpful.

Donations made to "Port of Olympia Legal Defense Fund"

Mailed to:

Legal Defense Fund
PO Box 295
Olympia, WA 98507 - 0295

or via the web:

http://www.olypmr.org/donate.html

Donations can also be deposited directly into the Port of Olympia
Legal Defense Fund account by visiting the Thurston Union for Low
Income People (TULIP)
Cooperative Credit Union branch located inside the Olympia Food Co-op Eastside
Store, 3111 Pacific, AVE.

Note: The Port of Olympia Legal Defense Fund was incorporated as a  non-profit
organization with the Secretary of State of the State of
Washington.. The Port of Olympia Legal Defense Fund's UBI number is:
602-619-196. Unfortunately
donations for the  purpose of legal defense are not tax-deductible in the US.

Arraignments for the ♀ly  26 will be held every Monday and Wednesday morning
at Thurston County District Court beginning November 10th and continuing
through November 26th. Family and friends are encouraged to hold vigil at the
Thurston County Courthouse Complex from 9 - 10 AM on each of those mornings.
The courthouse is located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW.  Bus passes and
help with transportation are also needed. Please contact
pattyimani@hotmail.com if you
would like to help as an escort or provide a bus pass on any of those
mornings.
Upcoming Community Events in support o f the ♀ly 26

Support Vigil
Friday, November 7th, 4 - 6 PM
Percival Landing (4th and Water, Olympia)

Solidarity March
Saturday, November 15th, Beginning 1 PM
Sylvester Park (Legion and Capitol, Olympia)