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The Northwest Constitutional Rights Center - visit www.nwcrc.org
From his humble office in Portland Oregon, PeaceRoots Alliance
activist lawyer Alan Graf has been on the forefront of human rights,
justice and free speech issues. Graf has challenged authorities and the
powers that be, representing protesters who have felt the brunt of
police violence in lawsuits against the city. His weekly radio show
provides an alternative voice in stark contrast to the usual rants of
talk radio.
In short, Alan is a dedicated soul and an inspiration.
Alan Graf is a founder and one the principle litigators for the
Northwest Constitutional Rights Center, a coalition that currently
consists of 7 lawyers, 3-4 paralegals, 1 ex-cop and 2 experts (1 a Duke
University professor and the other a former chief of police). Their
office in Portland, OR is cosponsored by Peace Roots Alliance, with a
mission to defend any infringement on free speech and dissent as well
as the rights of the disenfranchised. Right now the NWCRC has three
cases in the court system that challenge the current policies that
threaten free speech through the use of police intimidation.
Case #1 The first lawsuit stems from a visit by George Bush to
Portland Oregon on August 22, 2002. A loud but peaceful crowd had
gathered in the area designated for protest. Much to the surprise of
the crowd, suddenly heavily armed riot police came past the barricades.
The unprovoked members of law enforcement went wild with pepper spray,
attacking protesters by aiming the burning liquid directly in the eyes
at close range. Some police even sprayed directly in people's mouths,
where the reaction caused the constriction of airways passages and
choking.
A family of four, having observed the escalating violence, attempted
to leave the area. Their exit was blocked by police, who then sprayed
all four members of the family, including a 2 year old and 7 month old
child. Fearing for their children's life, the blinded couple cried our
for medical assistance, but their pleas went unheeded by police. Only
much later were they eventually transported to a hospital by friends.
The city has attempted to settle out of court, but their meager cash
settlement was rejected by the family and NWCRC layers.
Case #2 involves the demonstrations in Portland when the U.S. went
to war in Iraq in March of 2003. There are three plaintiffs who were
representative of the unlawful and unconstitutional treatment received
by other demonstrators.
The third action is a defense of those charged with violation of a
recent Portland Oregon criminal ordinance targeting the homeless,
making it illegal to sit on the sidewalk. The NWCRC has challenged this
ruling, leading Graf to stage a literal sit-in front of Portland
government offices. As over 40 people joined him for the impromptu
protest, one passerby inspired to join in the action was Granny D, who
just happened to be in town for a speaking engagement.
'The police repression in Portland is part of a trickle down violent
attitude whose purpose is to shut down free speech and dissent in this
country,' explains Graf. 'The NWCRC is already producing results,
establishing that police must respect and protect our right to protest.
All kinds of information is coming out. For example we learned one
member of the Portland police force has sometimes dressed in Nazi
uniform and placed a memorial to Nazi doldiers in a public park in
Portland.'
'Our plan right now is to expand our office and move from volunteer
to full time staff. We will be funding the office through income from
the cases that we win, allowing us to continue and expand our work,'
said Graf proudly. 'We can affect justice in the entire U.S. by
establishing precedents that can be applied to cases in other cities
and other states. I am excited about the potential for the Center and
feel we can make a difference. We already are.'
Graf can be heard weekly on Portland radio KBOO's talk radio with
his show 'Voices from the Edge,' a lively and informative discussion of
local and national issues. You can also listen in online by going to
the station's web site www.kboo.org
Thank you Alan for all your hard work!
The Mission of the NWCRC:
For the purpose of providing an official citizen based place and
organization where staff, volunteers and volunteer lawyers and legal
workers can continue to further the democratic principles of
accountability based upon the protections afforded by the US. and
Oregon constitutions.
Using these protections, the Center is committed to serving and
protecting the citizens of the Northwest from governmental agencies and
corporations which have a history and pattern of abusing their power
and privileges and exceeding their prescribed limitations.
The Tools:
The Northwest Constitutional Rights Center (NWCRC) will use the following tools and resources for the furtherance of its goals:
1. Litigation against Governmental Agencies or Private Companies that deprive citizens of their constitutional rights;
2. Media releases and press conferences designed to inform the
public about information gathered at the Center and other actions or
relevant events;
3. Research facilities and storage of files and information on
governmental officials who abuse their powers and privileges (we will
keep files on them);
4. Organizing teams of legal observers for protests or other public
activities where the U.S. or Oregon Constitutions are in danger of
being violated; and
5. Educating and assisting organizations and people who are fighting for peace, justice and equality.
For more information, visit www.hippielawyer.com
Visit www.nwcrc.org
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