November 28th, 2008 | Category: statements
District Office: 617-427-8100
November 28, 2008
On the picture they said “proved” his guilt.
Today Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner released his fifth press statement since his arrest a week ago as part of his defense in the court of public opinion.
Councilor Chuck Turner Continues Focus on the Boston Media’s Attempt to Find Him Guilty in the Court of Public Opinion Before He Has Been Tried By a Jury of His Peers
On Monday, November 24, I declared that since I was being tried in the media I was going to act as my own lawyer and not allow the media to destroy a reputation for integrity that I have built over the last forty five years of advocacy and defense of the right of all people for fair treatment.
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November 26th, 2008 | Category: updates
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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November 24th, 2008 | Category: updates
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.
November 24th, 2008 | Category: statements
Dear Council President Feeney,
I am very troubled by the news report that you have removed me from my committees and chairpersonships. I am also troubled by the fact that you have called a special Council meeting on Monday at 3 p.m. to apparently discuss whether to take action against me based on my arrest.
I would urge you to cancel the meeting and allow the judicial process to judge my guilt or innocence. Not only would a meeting at this point be premature, unjust, and unfair, but also, it would create a situation in which I will not be able to defend myself since discussing specific aspects of my case would cause me to be in violation of the conditions imposed by the Court.
While I believe I have a right to a jury trial before any Council action, if you choose to forward with the special Council meeting, I am requesting that it be an open meeting as is my right. I sincerely believe that if the Council is going to put me on trial that it should not take place behind closed doors.
Sincerely,
Chuck Turner
