Join California RSOL in protesting International Megan’s Law (IML), the law to prevent Registrant international travel, at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, July 27, 2016.
The government has led a motion to dismiss our lawsuit against IML, the recently signed law by President Obama, to keep Registered citizens in permanent internal exile. The court hearing for that motion will be at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom Three of Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton, 3rd Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California, 94612.
We need as many of our supporters to fi ll the courtroom as possible to show the court, and America, that there are many Registrants, families of Registrants, and friends who suff er under the yoke of unconstitutional, ex-post-facto, punishment. The government’s travel notifications to foreign countries, its “unique identifiers” placed upon the passports of Registrants, as well as its requirements that Registrants provide the U.S. Government advance travel plans – under threat of imprisonment – amount to a complete ban on international travel for those on the Registry.
These policies are already taking a terrible toll on those who, long ago, paid their debts to society. The Registry has become a continuously expanding regime of ever-escalating torment.
After the hearing, which will probably end by 10:00 a.m., there will be a rally in the plaza immediately outside of the courtroom in front of the entrance. We expect to have media covering the event and Janice Bellucci, President of RSOL, and lead attorney for the lawsuit, will speak, along with other members and supporters of RSOL.
When: July 27, Hearing at 9:00 a.m., The rally begins at approximately 10:00 a.m. in the plaza in front of Court entrance.
Where: U.S. Federal District Courtroom 3, Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton, 3rd Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California, 94612
Filled the Wisconsin Capital Building , Yard and Street outside with protesters. Collective Bargining still voted down.
Protests aren’t just about attempting to influence public policy. Demonstrations bring attention to our cause. Registrants who don’t know we exist will know when they see it in the paper or on TV. The fact we go out boldly inspires others to do the same, or at least gives them less excuses not to do so.
Last year, when I hosted a protest, many people feared that I was going to get shot at or arrested, or set the cause back 5 years. None of it happened, of course. I didn’t go to Tallahassee with the belief I was going to change the minds of a certain victim industry advocate. I went to prove the naysayers wrong. I went to show others they can be bold as well. I went so the general public can be exposed to the truth.
Protests ALONE may not be enough, but neither is any one tactic. Courts ALONE isn’t going to work, either. We need to do it ALL.