Prosecution Failed to Review Key Evidence, Requested Continuance to Interview Police Officers
Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–July 15, 2013. The bench trial for Mr. Gary Wagaman on four counts of felony aggravated battery against a Chicago police officer has been postponed until September 16 at 9am. Wagaman is alleged to have thrown a deadly weapon—a frying pan—at the officer. He was arrested along with other protesters at a “casserole” march on June 6, 2012 that was held in solidarity with student strikes in Montreal. Casserole marches typically include protesters using pots, pans, and kitchen utensils as noise makers. Nearly all of the people arrested that day had their charges dropped and one was acquitted at trial. Only Wagaman continues to face charges, which supporters say are politically motivated and designed to scare people away from exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.
What: Felony trial for Gary Wagaman (case no. 12 CR 11384)
When: Monday, September 16, 9am
Where: 2650 S. California Ave, Courtroom 207, Chicago
Supporters point to the commonplace use of police violence and trumped up charges against protesters across the country as indicative of a pattern of state repression against dissent. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) also has a notorious history of using violence and intimidation against protesters in the streets, as clearly seen in the CPD’s responses to last year’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) protests. Wagaman’s arrest is one of many arrests that occurred across the country during solidarity marches with the student strike in Montreal and as students and their allies have taken to the streets to protest exorbitant student loan interest rates and soaring student loan debt at home.
Supporters will pack the courtroom to show the strong community support for Wagaman and refusal to tolerate repressive police violence and politically motivated prosecutions.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/FreeGaryWagaman?fref=ts for more information.
