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Cincy Seven Trial Closes, Several Convicted

By VVAW

The trial of seven people in Cincinnati ended with four acquittals, and three people being found guilty of reduced charges on April 18th. The seven people, members of VVAW/WSO, the Revolutionary Union, the Peoples Health Movement ( a community group working around better healthcare), and the Jimmy Hardy Defense Committee (a group fighting the frame-up trial of a militant Black community leader), had been charged with various counts of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, interference and disorderly conduct.

Seven months earlier, on Sept 17, the seven defendants had been part of a picket line protesting police repression. The police singled out the one Black defendant who was handing out leaflets, and began harassing him, finally placing hum under arrest. When another of the defendants came to support him, she was attacked by the police, and the other defendants joined in to resist this blatant attack. This show of multi-national unity, and of people fighting back was something that the police had to stop, and the seven people were arrested.

The state delayed the trial a number of times, thinking that it could intimidate the defendants into restricting their organizing activities. This tactic failed, though, and the defendants kept right on working. When the trial finally began on April 14th, there was a spirited and militant demonstration on the courthouse steps, and the courtroom was crowded with supporter throughout the five-day trial. Four of the defendants had their charges dropped; two VVAW/WSO women were found guilty of interfering with police officers (assault charges were dropped), and one man was found guilty of assault and interfering. Sentencing is set for May 9th.

Although there was support both inside and outside the courtroom, the defendants had decided that the day-to-day work of their organizations was more important than building mass support around the defense. As a result, they are now faced with court costs and fines which could total as high as $3500; contributions can be sent to: VVAW/WSO, P.O. Box 19302, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.