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malthaussen
malthaussen's Journal
malthaussen's Journal
January 16, 2012
Trial of Penn and Mead: OWS in 1670?
Came across an account of this trial in an old pamphlet, and reading it reminds me of what OWS is facing in the fight for freedom of speech and assembly. William Penn and William Mead were haled into the Old Bailey for "making a tumultuous assembly," and steadfastly defended their rights as Englishmen to free speech. So did the jury, which led the judge to imprison both the defendants and the jury. The account of the trial is a quick read, and actually very funny, if one can keep up with the 17th century style. Some of the passages are quite eloquent.
http://www.constitution.org/trials/penn/penn-mead.htm#01
-- Mal
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Member since: Sat Sep 24, 2011, 10:36 AMNumber of posts: 17,195