Report Back from Press Conference and Rally 11/26/08

In a stunning display of solidarity, upwards of 200 community supporters gathered outside Councilor Turner’s Dudley Square-neighborhood office for his second press conference this week. In a determined and measured address Councilor Turner called attention to dramatic new developments in his case:

(1) The FBI’s main witness offered testimony to a Boston Globe columnist that starkly contradicts the US Attorney’s account of the case. He pointed out that the FBI approached him to assist in their investigation. This belies the US Attorney’s claim that the witness approached them.

(2) This witness also indicated that he’d be surprised if other people are “not looked at…” by the FBI, suggesting that he entrapped other people who have not been charged by the US Attorney.

Despite these revelations and contradictory accounts, the Councilor observed that the media has given the US Attorney a free ride: not a single publication demanded that tthe US Attorney explain why his chief witness has undermined his claim. The media has also failed to report on other possible FBI targets.

As at Monday’s (11/24/08) City Hall press conference, Councilor Turner pointed to another media omission: coverage of his work in the community has been restricted to negative reporting.  Turner decried the media’s silence around his dynamic efforts to sustain a drop-in District Office. He also discussed the public omission of his critical role helping to start the now flourishing Boston Workers’ Alliance.

In the face of this failure on the part of the media, Councilor Turner looked upbeat, even invigorated, as he outlined the community response that his supporters are mounting: building a network of residents to think critically about this and other cases of abuse by the media and
the powerful. The network echoes the work that the Councilor has consistently built over the years: recalling remarks at the start of his council work, Councilor Turner noted: “I would use my organizing skills to build a base of power within my community and the city to strengthen the ability of Councilor Yancey and I to convince the Councilors that they dare not ignore the needs of the people we represent.”

Despite the Councilor’s methodical refutation of the government’s position and the media’s case against him based on the witness’s revelations, the most poignant moments at today’s press conference came as residents spontaneously declared, “Chuck, we love you!” In response to other displays of support and affection, the Councilor thanked his communityby declaring, “It clearly shows me that you love me as intensively as I love you.”