Fundraiser Video

Chuck on the Latest Attempt to Deny His Rights

As provided under the 5th, 6th, and 14th amendment to the United States Constitution as well as Article 11 of the Declaration of Human Rights, all persons have a right to be presumed innocent unless found guilty by a jury of their peers. However, the release of two pictures as “evidence of his guilt” to the media by US Attorney Sullivan almost immediately after Councilor Turner’s arrest is proof to him that the US Attorney’s strategy is to have the media find him guilty in the court of public opinion, thus creating the presumption of guilt in the minds of jurors and even potential witnesses.    Read the rest of this entry »

Report Back from Turner Rally @ RCC!

Ever the visionary, ever the rebel, Councilor Turner rallied hundreds of supporters and neighbors at Roxbury Community College this evening. In a crowd that swelled from a capacity of 300 at the outset to a couple hundred more at its high point, Turner methodically refuted the two main media narratives against him: “victimhood” and “need for new leadership”. Throughout the emotional evening, the Councilor and all the speakers, singers, and poets connected with a deep spirituality as they prepared for the next day’s hearing in federal court. The event however was grounded by a serious analysis of US Attorney Sullivan’s motives in bringing charges against Councilor Turner.

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Talking Point Questions

We are concerned that Chuck has been targeted in this investigation because of his political beliefs and effective advocacy. Republican Attorney Sullivan’s main cooperating witness, Ron Wilburn (the wire), said there were lies in the FBI’s affidavit against Chuck. While Sullivan’s case may collapse on its own, we as supporters can help Chuck win in the court of public opinion. We stand with Chuck, not only because he stands fearlessly on the side of the people, but also because the FBI and Attorney Sullivan’s scheme to undermine Turner’s leadership is unconscionable and wrong. As supporters, we are forced to raise some critical questions about the recent events.

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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.

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Report Back from Press Conference & Rally 11/24/08

A sea of over 500 supporters stood with Chuck Turner at his first press conference since his arrest on Friday.  Turner maintained his innocence to the charges brought by US Attorney Sullivan, and denounced the media bonanza attempting to try and convict him before his day in court.  Turner vowed to continue to fight for the liberation of his community, and rededicated his pledge to work against poverty, cruelty and oppression.

In an attempt to preempt Turner’s gathering, Council President Feeney made a public statement at 1pm, recanting her original intention to take negative action against Chuck by the Council.  This morning, City Hall offices were bombarded by calls that successfully pressured Feeney to indefinitely cancel a Council meeting to remove him from his seat.

The strong show from a diverse crowd of supporters was a testament to Turner’s 45 years of dedicated service to the Boston community.  While Turner has been advised to avoid discussing details of his defense, his many supporters have begun raising critical questions surrounding the motivations and sting tactics of the FBI and Federal Prosecutors.  Turner and his supporters will continue to demand a fair trial, and resist the character assasination that is being attempted in the media.

Thank you to the hundreds of people who participated in todays event, and to the thousands across this City who are talking to friends and colleagues about the critical work of Turner, and of the broad based progressive movement that he has helped to build.