On January 19, Occupy The Stage rolled in krewedelusion - the parade that follows Krewe du Vieux, which kicks of Mardi Gras.
Our Krewe "Guise of Fawkes" made a "You can't jail an idea" float to show solidarity with imprisoned hactivists and Free Anons.
We were thrilled to receive donations of flags and stickers from Hammond Support Network and Blastedrat to use as throws during the parade. Along with our own handmade throws (voodoo dolls, chalk with Chalkupy instructions, and buttons we made with our button machine), these stickers made our parade great, and we hope to have raised awareness about Jeremy Hammond's unfair bail denial and the prison sentence he is facing.
A lot of people asked us what the #FreeAnons krewedelusion float was about on Saturday. The interview with Sue Crabtree is by far a great explanation, and I urge all of you to read this article.
This interview with Sue Crabtree clearly explains the charges Jeremy Hammond faces (he is in a Federal Prison), WikiLeaks, The United States Government spying on citizens, corruption, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act that Aaron Swartz was being prosecuted under, and has links to sources to learn more.
A few quotes:
"Jeremy Hammond, 28yrs old, sits in a Federal Prison right now. Since March the 5th of 2012, over ten months ago, he has been held without bail or trial. Jeremy is accused of accessing the intelligence firm Stratfor and its database then releasing 5 million internal emails. He is facing numerous charges having the potential of sentencing him up to 37yrs to life in prison. The information that was revealed has shown the world the depth of an otherwise unknown network of global governmental corruption and surveillance. Corruption and surveillance that is so all encompassing that it is difficult to even comprehend. The scope of which raises an even more difficult question of how those involved are able to participate in good conscious, much less operate within the law and behind a veil of secrecy."
" Jeremy is being prosecuted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the very same act that Aaron Swartz was being prosecuted under. This is a very broad law and basically allows the Government to prosecute anyone. The law prohibits someone from accessing a protected computer but does not explain what a protected computer is. The CFAA defines a “protected computer” as a computer. Given the FBI’s clear entrapment issue in this case, I am concerned with the blatant disregard for Jeremy’s rights and the severe sentence he is facing, should he be found guilty. I would expect another obscene display of our justice system when it comes to Jeremy Hammond."
Please read the full article here: http://wtfrly.com/2013/01/21/guest-post-what-would-we-know-without-you-jeremy-hammond/#.UP2XM_Kz6Jy
We'll update soon with a complete write-up about the experience of being in the parade itself.
Meanwhile, check out our photo-set!
Address them to:
Jeremy Hammond – #18729_424 Metropolitan Correctional Center 150 Park Row New York, New York 10007
~ OTS