A Spirited Rally and Packed Courtroom for Francisco Torres

Some one hundred supporters rallied on October 9  for the court appearance of Francisco Torres, the last of the SF 8 defendants to face charges. San Francisco Supervisors John Avalos and Eric Mar joined the rally. Five of the SF 8 were present –  in addition to Francisco Torres, Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones, and Richard O'Neal participated in the enthusiastic picket line.

Status Conference December 3

In a brief hearing before a packed courtroom, Judge Philip Moscone set a status conference for December 3 to pick a date for oral argument on the motion to dismiss the charges. The judge’s decision was welcomed by the defense, as until now  Moscone had indicated that he would not hear a motion to dismiss until the preliminary hearing had been completed.

Preliminary Hearing in February, Maybe

The judge also tentatively set February 18 for the start of the preliminary hearing, in case he does not rule in favor of the motion to dismiss. Such a hearing would be expected to last two to three weeks.

The motion to dismiss might be heard in January, although delays and changing dates are common, so please check the SF 8 blog and web site as those dates approach. 

Support Continues Strong

Organizers were upbeat about today’s developments, stating that in the last week alone the publication of the new Open Letter in the SF Bay Guardian signed by hundreds, the fax and  phone campaign on October 5 that resulted in the Attorney General's fax machine and phone closing down – as well as the tireless work of outreach and calling – are examples of the  pressure that we have to keep on building.

Photos of the rally will be posted on the SF 8 blog over the next few days.

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Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org


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Free All Political Prisoners!
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