Posted on 03/21/2008 4:53:50 PM PDT by TAdams8591
PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE FOR CONSTITUIONAL JUSTICE P.O. 306, Cheltenham, PA 19012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Don Adams
CLINTON PROTESTERS AND TEAMSTERS END TEN YEAR LEGAL BATTLE
Philadelphia, PA (March 21, 2008) -- One of the few remaining civil suits stemming from the Clinton-era Lewinsky scandal—involving the vicious beating of two anti-Clinton siblings by pro-Clinton Teamsters outside Philadelphia’s City Hall during a 1998 presidential visit—settled out of court today.
The victims, Don Adams and Teri Adams, signed an agreement after Teamsters Local 115 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters opted to pay an undisclosed sum in exchange for dropping the suit, which included counts of assault, defamation of character, and malicious prosecution against the unions. A May, 2008 trial had been set by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
“Today, my sister and I are declaring victory for the First Amendment and freedom of speech,” said Mr. Adams. “Every American citizen has the right to protest the actions of any U. S. President, whether he, or she, be a Clinton or a Bush.”
The October 2, 1998 attack occurred as Mr. Adams marched with a sign calling Bill Clinton a “liar, pervert, national shame.” Two Teamsters snuck up behind him and ripped the sign out of his hand. When he and his sister turned around to retrieve it, they were encircled by a mob of Teamsters led by (then) Local 115 officer and IBT Vice President, John Morris.
Mr. Morris rammed a fedora over Mr. Adams’ face, blinding him to the onslaught of Teamsters who proceeded to jump and pummel both Adamses.
Mr. Adams suffered head injuries (including a mild concussion), lacerations, bruising, and a herniated (neck) disc. He was treated at an area hospital. Ms. Adams, who tried to protect her brother, was bruised but not seriously injured.
The attack was captured on videotape by local news stations and broadcast nationally at a time when (then) Mayor Ed Rendell was trying to attract both the 2000 Democratic and Republican National Conventions to the “City of Brotherly Love.”
Mr. Rendell’s spokesman, Kevin Feeley, caused a public uproar when he responded to the incident by saying, “they [the anti-Clinton protestors] chose to make their views known in the faces of Teamsters—that, generally, is not a good career choice.”
(more) Clinton Protesters Page 2
Mr. Rendell subsequently admitted to inviting the Teamsters to the pro-Clinton rally— instructing them to “drown out [anti-Clinton] protesters.”
For his part, Mr. Morris spoke on camera to Bill Baldini of Channel 10 News—accusing Mr. Adams of hitting two female Teamsters and of belonging to the mafia.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham, who refused to criminally charge Mr. Morris for signaling the attack, prosecuted Mr. Adams on a trumped-up private criminal complaint lodged by Teamster Heather Diocson—despite news video evidence and police testimony exculpating Mr. Adams.
At Adams’ arraignment in January, 1999, Teamster attorney, Norton Brainard, offered to have the criminal complaint against Mr. Adams withdrawn on the condition that Mr. Adams drop his criminal allegations against the Teamsters. Mr. Adams declined the deal and was put on trial in July, 1999. He was found not guilty of simple assault and other misdemeanors. Mr. Adams was the only individual to stand trial in the entire matter.
In October, 2000, the Adamses filed a Federal Civil Rights suit—not only naming the Teamsters—but also Mr. Rendell and Ms. Abraham. All counts against Ms. Abraham were eventually rejected by the court on grounds of prosecutorial immunity.
In August, 2003, Federal Judge William Yohn dismissed the Adamses’ Civil Rights claims with prejudice—throwing the case out of Federal Court. In his decision, Judge Yohn set aside all federal charges against Mr. Rendell. The state counts against Rendell and the Teamsters, however, stayed in tact. The Adamses quickly appealed Judge Yohn’s ruling to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals and cross-filed their claims in state court.
Because Mr. Rendell’s wife, Marjorie Rendell, sat on the 3rd Circuit bench, the Adamses’ attorney, Trey Mayfield, asked the entire 3rd Circuit to recuse itself. After a long delay, the appellate court appointed an outside panel of judges to hear the case. In 2006, the panel upheld Judge Yohn’s ruling.
The Adamses immediately moved to activate the case in Common Pleas Court, where the remaining civil counts against Mr. Rendell were dismissed in January, 2008. . Last year, Judge Yohn ordered the Adamses to pay the Teamsters $15,000.00 in legal costs arising from the Federal suit. The Adamses, again, appealed Judge Yohn’s decision to the 3rd Circuit. The issue was rendered moot by today’s settlement, whose terms are confidential.
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You're still in my thoughts and prayers. You did a very brave thing, it cost you both a great deal, but you've prevailed.
Happy Easter, Happy Victory.
Good for you! I hope it hurts them badly enough to watch it next time. But a thug is a thug...JFK
Congrats. A long a painful fight you all have endured has resulted in triumph. A victory for you all, the first amendment and all of us who have followed the reports of your valiant fight over the years — we share in your joy. I also regret that some characters were able to escape justice, but I believe their day will come. Blessings to you.
“Mr. Rendell subsequently admitted to inviting the Teamsters to the pro-Clinton rally— instructing them to “drown out [anti-Clinton] protesters.” “
Have you and your brother considered suing Rendell? It sounds like he was the one who caused it to happen. Anyways, congrats on your victory.
Congratulations. I remember watching the Channel 6 news and wanting to choke the ever loving horse squeeze out of Mr. Morris. I hope you and your brother both get out of Philly, there is little worth saving anymore. I know it is a little rough but I had to come to that realization and headed south. God Bless you both.
Sincerely,
Dmitry
Doug, I only hope that you can be the catalyst that takes down this piece of excrement. If you could have seen the smile on his porcine face only days after what happened to Terry and Don you would only wish fior evil for this p.o.s.
Sincerely,
Dmitry
I’m breathing a sigh of relief. I will chastise Philly for ever for this completely antiAmerican chain of events.
Philadelphia is an American disgrace
Congratulations! So glad this is over.
Americas Unions at work!
You became part of Freeper Lore - heroes in a great battle. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words. My brother and I have been wanting to escape from Philly since before the incident. And now in the next few months we will. : )
Thank God Teri!
I’m glad it’s over.
I have a feeling that Fast Eddie will get some bad news next month and in the fall because he is a Clinton cronie.
It may not be justice, but it could certainly have been worse...
I hope the amount is enough, Teri. I’ve always been pulling for you.
Fred
In the month that marks the 10 year anniversary of Don’s beating, the Left is getting ready to do something similar to Joe the Plumber for daring to embarrass the Obamessiah
Do ya think they'll beat him up, or attempt to embarrass him by revealing details of his private life? Maybe they'll get into Joe's love life going back to highschool.
But Don and I well know what it's like to be researched by the left and worse. And unfortunately also by our own.
The Left will want to make a public example of Joe, and remind people that bad things happen to people who cross the Left. Thus they hope to intimidate people who might think of doing something that embarrasses the Obamessiah
Great news!!
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