students

In a historic move, the National Union of Students (NUS) in the UK has throws its weight behind campaigns targeting Eden Springs and Veolia.

“British campus watch organisation” Student Rights attacks Palestine solidarity in name of ‘balance’. Group says it’s “non-ideologically aligned”, but intimately supported by right-wing think tank Henry Jackson Society.

Attorneys respond to the Orange Co. DA’s charge that the students’ protest was “organized thuggery,” and point out that the prosecution’s intimidation tactics in building their case undermined the constitution and violated the law in order to criminalize dissent.

Guilty verdicts but no jailtime for the Irvine 11 defendants, as the presiding judge acknowledges that they were motivated by their beliefs. Attorneys say they will appeal — as high as the Supreme Court — to protect free speech and the right to dissent in the US.

Defense attorneys tell the jurors in the Irvine 11 case that they “stand between democracy and creeping fascism,” and should find the students not guilty of criminal charges for their nonviolent protest which was protected under the right to free speech.

The prosecution claims that the Irvine 11 students unlawfully conspired to “censor” Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, while the defense argues that the students were in their full constitutional rights to exercise free speech.

The defense rests following the conclusion of testimonies and evidence in the Irvine 11 free speech trial. The closing arguments — and a verdict — are anticipated for Monday.

Opening arguments in the Irvine 11 free speech trial include the defense attorney’s statements that no unlawful act was committed, and therefore the misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to commit an unlawful act are baseless.

Opening arguments in the “Irvine 11” free speech trial formally begin Wednesday in California. The Muslim students who protested an Israeli official’s visit continue to fight criminal charges that could lead to two-year jail sentences.

The Electronic Intifada will be in the Orange County courtroom this week to report on the first leg of this important free speech trial.