Legal Defense

Rockin' in the free [sic] world

by Mike Miliard

More than 400 protesters were arrested at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia this summer, and some had bail set as high as $1 million. What's more, critics have alleged shady dealings by Pennsylvania state troopers (who were found to have infiltrated a group planning protests) and accused Philly police of using excessive force.

Somerville resident Alex Rae was there. Now facing seven misdemeanor counts, he sees the events in Philadelphia as "an aggressive crackdown" on free speech. "The police were much more media-savvy as to how they acted in the streets," Rae says. "It was in the jails when things started getting rough. People were handcuffed really tightly with plastic cuffs, and their hands started going numb and puffing up. People were left on buses for five hours and not given any water -- they were starting to get heat exhaustion. And that was only on the bus. In jail there was more direct abuse . . . people were kicked, stepped on, dragged by their hair. I had someone grind their boot into my toes, when my shoes were off." To add insult to injury, these defendants are now forced to show up in court and defend themselves.

As their trials near, people are stepping up to help. On October 27, the R2K Defendants and Supporters Group, a local affiliate of Philadelphia-based R2K Legal, will hold a benefit show featuring local rock, folk, and hip-hop acts including Segue, David Rovics, DJ Splice, and MC Bone, as well as a raffle and visual and performance art. Organizers hope the show will raise as much as $1000 to help defray the legal and transportation costs of those arrested in Philadelphia.

The benefit takes place this Friday, October 27, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at VFW Hall #299, 288B Green Street, in Central Square, Cambridge. Tickets are $5, and the show is all-ages. Call (617) 629-0134 or visit www.thepartysover.org.