And Then There Were Three: Third Grand Jury Refuser Goes to Prison

[sabrina 1]

284. Well, my comment wasn't about opposing Grand Juries although I have read both

sides of the arguments about them from people in within the legal system. The original reason for them was a good one, but they are very much open to abuse by prosecutors.

I haven't thought about how to fix the obvious loopholes in the system that makes it so easy for overly zealous prosecutors to abuse them but I know a lot has been written about the subject and there are good arguments on both sides.

My problem with this case is not the GJ system itself, it is how it is being used by the government to harass protesters. My problem is mainly with the law, which I believe I posted information on above, that allows and seems to have been designed to allow the persecution of protesters.

These three protesters have chosen to challenge the law. They are engaging in Civil Disobedience which may be the only way to draw attention to this law. Eg, I did not know about it until this case and another DUer, Starroute, posted information explaining how they were able to use the GJ in this case. Hopefully now more people will learn about and over time with enough people challenging it, we can get it changed, as has happened in the past.

Eg, right now while this case is in the news, it would be a good idea to get a petition started, on Avaaz eg, to oppose the law. Organizing groups to go to DC and talk to legislators eg. Protesting outside the jail. It won't happen quickly, that's the problem with bad laws, once they are passed, which DOES happen fairly quickly, it takes a long, long time to get rid of them.