Posted on 08/19/2014 11:45:17 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Four Georgia lawyers who have represented protesters affiliated with Atlanta's Occupy movements were headed to Ferguson, Mo., Tuesday as volunteer legal observers.
Mawuli Davis of the Davis Bozeman Law Firm, who describes himself as an activist attorney, organized the trip. He was joined by Jessica Robinson, Ecleynne Mercy and Shawn McCullers, as well as a legal assistant.
Davis said the group was responding to a call from the National Conference of Black Lawyers and the National Lawyers Guild seeking attorneys from around the country to observe protests in Ferguson and report constitutional rights violations by law enforcement.
"We will photograph, videotape and take notes of officers and their behavior. If it appears as though they are engaging in unlawful suppression of peaceful protesters or exhibit excessive force, we will provide that information to the National Lawyers Guild, who will turn it over to the authorities," Davis said.
Protests have popped up in Ferguson and elsewhere across the country following the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Ferguson police. Reports of the protests in Ferguson have included instances of looting and rioting, as well as law enforcement use of military tactics, such as tear gas and rubber bullets. Media at the scene also have reported the arrest of journalists covering the protests.
Davis said he is concerned about his personal safety.
"They told us to bring suits and clothes that we could live with getting tear gas in them," he said. "When lawyers who are there are telling you to be prepared to throw away a suit after working, it raises concerns."
However, he said lawyers have an obligation to assist that outweighs those concerns. He said he and his team will use their training in constitutional law and criminal defense to aid Missouri-licensed attorneys in their representation of protesters who are arrested by police.
"People are frustrated with a number of issues: excessive force, the militarization of police, racial profiling," Davis said. "Our position is that they should have a right to protest those issues. I believe that protest and civil disobedience have brought about an expansion of democracy in America. This is an opportunity to further expand."
The four lawyers planned to receive training on site and then observe protests Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
I’m sure they’ll be fair and unbiased.
/s
Per the REddit thread, one of the “legal Observers” was arrested tonight.
Any indication what for?
I hope they get robbed.
Oh goody the rent a mob thugs now have ambulance chasers helping them. Must be some more of that white price ledge I keep hearing about
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