[View the story "#NATO3 trial asks: 'Who was wearing the disguise?'" on Storify ]#NATO3 trial asks: 'Who was wearing the disguise?' Trial begins for protesters accused of plotting a terror attack at NATO Summit in Chicago. Storified by AJAMStream · Wed, Jan 22 2014 15:22:07
Call-out for #NATO3 Trial Solidarity, Jan 10–26 http://t.co/56tY7oB9Om @ROARMAG_org @NewsRevo @enough14 @worldriots24 http://t.co/d9nzYpJjFYm_x
Prior to the NATO summit, the Chicago Police Intelligence Unit
used a $200 million security budget to send police to protest meetings, bars and concerts in search of potential terrorist plotters. After attending an Occupy Chicago meeting undercover, several police officers ended up spending time with the NATO 3 and recorded them making allegedly threatening statements. The widespread infiltration by Chicago police of lawful protest activity that led to the arrest of the NATO 3 has been widely criticized by activist communities:
But, who really “disguised themselves as protesters”? It seems like the undercover police that were spying on the entire activist community in Chicago were the ones who put on a disguise. And, through this infiltration, they were targeting the First Amendment activities of citizens in the city.dissenter.firedoglake.com
#NATO3 trial is about overzealous undercover cops bucking for promotions entrapping young people and infiltrating non-violent organization.RebelCapitalist
In their opening statements to the court Wednesday, the prosecution drew attention to several key
quotes from the recordings. NATO 3 member Brian Church was cited as saying, "Are you ready to see a police officer on fire?"
The defense is characterizing the group's remarks as those of drunken exaggerators rather than genuine plotters. NATO 3 defense attorneys also
accuse the undercover police of misconduct. The officers, according to defense attorney Sarah Gelsomino, offered beer to the protesters and pushed them into being “more militant.”
On Thursday, the court heard testimony from the undercover officers, as well as audio from the operation's tapes. Several Chicago reporters live-tweeted what they heard:
#NATO3 , undercover said she and other cover attended concerts, rallies pre-NATO looking for criminal activity. She took nickname 'Gloves.'Michael Tarm
Nadia: Church said: The city doesn't know what it's in for & after NATO, the city will never be the same. #NATO3Rummana Hussain
Chase allegedly said in recording: "you put one of those in the bottle & the f--King glass will explode everywhere." #NATO3Rummana Hussain
Undercover #Uygun on #NATO3 recording: "we should probably pick up some fireworks or something" while #Chase #Church talk potato launcherErin Meyer
The NATO 3 trial bears significant
implications for future terrorism cases, as it involves solely the use of state law, with no involvement of the federal government. The defense argues that if the NATO 3 are found guilty of terrorism, states could use broad statutes to prosecute things like vandalism and property destruction as terrorist acts.
“That's why this case is so extremely important. It's a case about who the state can brand a terrorist, which is the most damning and prejudicial accusation of all,"
said Gelsomino.
What do you think about the NATO 3 trial? Leave a comment below.
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