Oakland DA Won't Prosecute Port Protesters
POSTED: 4:52 PM PDT April 22, 2004
UPDATED: 5:00 PM PDT April 22, 2004
http://www.nbc11.com/print/3032817/detail.html?use=print


OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Alameda County District Attorney's office dismissed charges against a group of activists who protested against the war at the Port of Oakland in April 2003.

A short statement Thursday explained that "the decision to dismiss the charges was made in the interest of justice and with the agreement of the Oakland Police Department."

In addition, the district attorney's office said that while the cases were pending none of the 24 defendants were charged with any new violations. The Oakland police has also modified its protest response policies.

"The demonstrators have also changed the way they conduct protests so that they do not unlawfully close down public streets and private businesses," the statement said.

Bobbie Stein, the lead attorney for the defendants in the case, said she believed the district attorney did not sustain burden of proof on any of the charges.

"I am glad they finally dismissed the charges," Stein said. "I think they did it in a way to appease the police department."

The protesters were facing misdemeanor charges such as trespassing, interfering with a business and failing to disperse, Stein said. The maximum jail time for a misdemeanor is a one year-term

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