Just as we were about to start a rally outside the courthouse to protest the charges against antiwar activist Mike Ladd of assault and resisting arrest, following the police’s brutal arrest at the March 18 Seattle antiwar protest, the police announced that they were not going to pursue charges against Mike at this time.

Their reason: They don’t have any witnesses to back up their charges.

The police have said they reserve the right to pursue these charges at some point of time in the next two years. But it they don’t have any evidence to pursue them now, then it’s very likely they won’t have any more evidence at any other future time.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer published the name, age, and city of residence of the pro-war counter-demonstrator who falsely claimed he was hit by Mike. If the police wanted to pursue this case, they easily could have. They surely could have called the witness in to court if they wanted to. All the evidence suggests that the police and the media planned to use an arrest to smear the massive Northwest antiwar events over the weekend of March 17-19, the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Once the protests were over, the police lost interest in pressing charges against Mike.

The police brutalized Mike, made false public accusations, (repeated by KOMO TV, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Times) and left Mike with an injured neck and shoulder. He is talking to a lawyer to see what further legal steps he will take against the City of Seattle. If you were a witness to these events and can make a statement, please contact Mary at [email protected] or (253) 565-7139.

This police brutality followed the police attacks on peaceful protesters during the recent week-long protest at the Port of Tacoma. Hundreds protested the shipping of Stryker armored vehicles to Iraq. At those protests police severely restricted the right to protest and fired rubber bullets and gas canisters at unarmed protestors without providing any warning.

Everyone should be alerted to the role the police are playing in these events. Far from being impartial bystanders, they have harassed and targeted antiwar activists for protesting this murderous war and occupation.

Pictures and videos of Mike’s arrest:
Pictures from Seattle Post-Intelligencer website showing the police brutality:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/308039_protest19.html

KOMO TV report where the pro-war counter-demonstrator lies and says Mike hit him according to witnesses:
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/6555287.html

Youtube links on policy brutality at the Port of Tacoma militarization:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Acumensch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIIuJK_Uh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfhUaUuG1sM