General Discussion

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)

46. I deleted my other post to you as it didn't address the question I wanted to ask. Is the fact

Thu Aug 21, 2014, 01:40 AM

Aug 2014

that people have outstanding warrants due to a lack of access to legal representation? This is a separate issue, I know I have written about this issue before on DU, probably on DU2, poor people not having proper legal representation in this country, none at all in civil cases.

If that is the case, that people are not responding to warrants because they don't have legal representation, that is another issue and also needs to be addressed. Regardless of anything else, if someone has an outstanding warrant they must be constantly looking over their shoulders and not being able to respond compounds their legal problems.

Perhaps that too needs to be addressed, to lift the burden of the fear this creates not to mention the lack of self esteem people suffer when they feel they are in constant danger of being arrested.

I don't know how prevalent this is in Ferguson. But perhaps this issue could be addressed by starting a fund which would help provide attorneys for the poor when they are needed? Is Legal Aid available eg? Perhaps there are other organizations that provide legal counsel for the poor?

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"The People of Ferguson Have the Power to Fire the Entire Police Force" [View all] sabrina 1 Aug 2014 OP

I had heard there are a lot of local political organizers on site every day, I am hopeful they bettyellen Aug 2014 #1

But if what I've read about Ferguson is true ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #2

24,000+ warrents a year brer cat Aug 2014 #4

Not just the police department ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #6

They were all in bed together for sure. brer cat Aug 2014 #10

Perhaps a Federal Investigation is needed. Maybe a petition, through Avaaz eg, to the DOJ sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #47

is that for fear of being caught at the polling place? unless there's a felony conviction they can bettyellen Aug 2014 #5

This ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #8

Okay, I was just thinking about the felony thing. Shit, we need a fund to pay the fines and bettyellen Aug 2014 #11

My Dad (R.I.P.) ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #14

He sounds a great deal like my brother. He had by far the longest stint in one of the most bettyellen Aug 2014 #16

If you'd like ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #20

Yes, I would LOVE to read more about him! Thank you. bettyellen Aug 2014 #21

I hope you do write a book! pleinair Aug 2014 #54

That's an excellent idea. Or get people like the National Lawyers League who did sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #17

I was trying to research who is on the ground with no luck. There's Beacon doing a fund for bettyellen Aug 2014 #19

Kickstarter definitely is a great way to get something like that started. sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #24

I believe you're thinking of the National Lawyers Guild U4ikLefty Aug 2014 #44

Yes, that is who I was thinking of. Thank you. I had read about them during sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #45

thanks for the thread, bettyellen bigtree Aug 2014 #32

Pls do, sorry to PM you like that, but was hoping you would be interested... bettyellen Aug 2014 #33

here's some routes already in place for support bigtree Aug 2014 #57

Yes, I've read that. But this would be a reason to kick them all out, wouldn't it? sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #7

If someone is not registered, they can't vote ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #9

And in my own community, there is tons of evidence local officials get their hands on the voting bettyellen Aug 2014 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #18

Pls help me run with this by brainstorming for the right orgnizations! I will email a query ASAP to bettyellen Aug 2014 #22

Yes, I do think kickstarter is a good portal for a fundraiser. How to present it would be the sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #25

I guess to ask if they are or would consider direct action there to help citizens clear their bettyellen Aug 2014 #27

and maybe the NAACP's LDF or some of these organizations? bettyellen Aug 2014 #28

or http://www.sentencingproject.org/map/map.cfm bettyellen Aug 2014 #29

Thanks, I hadn't heard of them. sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #43

I did a little research on how Kickstarter works. Apparently they are there to help artists sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #35

Thanks so much for this! I do think there's a non profit version of Kickstarter, and if so.... bettyellen Aug 2014 #36

I mentioned Color Of Change earlier. It was co-founded by Van Jones after hurricane Katrina sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #39

Yeah somehow I googled that simple name wrong- (very tired) promising stuff there, thanks! bettyellen Aug 2014 #41

I deleted my other post to you as it didn't address the question I wanted to ask. Is the fact sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #46

I agree that the poor are woofully under-represented in legal proceedings ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #48

Yes, it does seem like planned approach from what I have read over the past few days. sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #59

I remember, not too long ago ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #61

I remember what happened in Az. I was there for a couple of years I believe in 2008-9 and was sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #62

from what i have heard questionseverything Aug 2014 #55

This is very interesting Gothmog Aug 2014 #3

I want to hold the FPD accountable and fire all 53 officers... Anansi1171 Aug 2014 #12

Try Color of Change, I have linked to it in other comments in this thread, but it does conduct sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #40

Great Rec! Thanks! -nt Anansi1171 Aug 2014 #42

Wow...thanks Sabrina 1....Take back our power of Representation... KoKo Aug 2014 #15

Yes, I know it would not happen quickly, it WOULD take time. Eg, people in this thread have pointed sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #26

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #23

K&R&bookmark JEB Aug 2014 #30

I think the police officer unions may have a problem with that, and for good reasons. kelly1mm Aug 2014 #31

That is true. However if you read the entire article, it appears the Police Chief is a political sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #37

The city of Jennings got around the Unions by dismantling JimDandy Aug 2014 #52

Yes, according to their charter it appears the City Council can fire 'officers' which I presume sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #64

I don't think the DOJ has the power to do that, JimDandy Aug 2014 #65

I am not sure but voting is not just a state or local right, it is a Civil Right guaranteed sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #67

I'm guessing, no they don't brooklynite Aug 2014 #34

Yes, everything you said, the Council, the Mayor, the DA, the Police Chief. That would be a start. sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #38

Correct, but..... HooptieWagon Aug 2014 #53

True indeed, but that's not what the OP proposed... brooklynite Aug 2014 #60

K&R woo me with science Aug 2014 #49

Perhaps if it can be made to work here, it could serve as a model to other similar communities cascadiance Aug 2014 #50

why should anyone be fire due to actions of another person? treestar Aug 2014 #51

They shouldn't, they should be fired due to their own actions. If you read sabrina 1 Aug 2014 #56

I'm afraid Tribalceltic Aug 2014 #58

Fuck these pigs >:# ncjustice80 Aug 2014 #63

Out of a cannon, preferably LloydS of New London Aug 2014 #66

a little late to the post marym625 Aug 2014 #68