Councilor Turner Press Release 11/23/08

For Immediate Release - November 23, 2008

City Hall Office: (617) 635 3510
District Office: (617) 427-8100

City Councilor Chuck Turner released today the following statement:

While I intensely dislike and think that it is highly unfair to decide a person’s guilt or innocence through the media, it is clear that once you become the target of a media witch hunt, you either fight back by presenting the essence of your legal defense or allow the media wolves to destroy your reputation so that the jury’s decision becomes irrelevant to public perception.

Since my reputation for integrity has been the foundation of my forty-five year history as an activist and organizer and since I intend to continue my fight for justice until the day that I die, I find myself confronted by the daunting task of using the media coverage to present my case to the public.  This will not be easy, but I have no other alternative.

I have spent my entire life since graduating from Harvard College in 1963 fighting against the injustices faced by my racial community and my human community.  I refuse to allow the political desires of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to destroy my reputation.

My defense begins today with the release to my community and the press of a copy of my response to Council President Feeney’s call for a special Council meeting this Monday, November 24, 2008 at 3p.m. to decide my fate as a Councilor.  I don’t believe that the Council has a moral or ethical right to do that.  My service as a Councilor should only be interrupted by a decision from my constituents or by a verdict from a jury of my peers.

At 8 a.m. on Monday, November 24th, I will be on my community’s radio station, Touch 106.1 F.M.. At 2:30p.m. on Monday, I will hold a press conference on the City Hall steps.  At 3p.m. I will attend the special City Council meeting that Council President Feeney has called to have the Council decide my fate.  I have requested as is my right under law, that this hearing be public so that the media and public can hear the Counsel’s discussions in order to be able to decide whether whatever actions the Council chooses to take are appropriate.