From: camiloupdate-admin-AT-lists.democracygroups.org
Subject: AUT: Camilo's Trial Began Today
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 21:34:56 -0700 (PDT)



Dear Friends & Supporters,

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Camilo Viveirosâ^À^Ù trial began Monday, April 5, 2004 and is expected to last the week, with Timoney testifying on Tuesday and the defense on Wed. & Thursday (court is closed on Friday).  

It is not too late to send in support letters! Since time is short, please fax as well as mail letters:  877-240-9517,  Friends of Camilo, PO Box 59177, Philadelphia, PA 19102,  see: www.friendsofcamilo.org for guidelines.

Camilo stood up against Republican policies that are hurting our communities. Letâ^À^Ùs stand up for him! It is his day in court, we need to make sure he gets justice. 

Remind your neighbors that taxpayer money should be spent on our community needs not on the villianization of social justice activists.

For those in Philadelphia during this time, we are planning a solemn vigil that will take place outside the courthouse starting on Tuesday.  Outside the court, please discourage happenings that may seem to trivialize the trail or promote a seeming celebratory atmosphere. We welcome you to plan a diversity of events around the trial but are requesting that our presence in and outside the court be cautious and strategic. We do not want to irritate the judge unnecessarily or give the press or the court any opportunity to distract from the serious issue at hand. 

If you orchestrate solidarity events at other locations we ask that you do not invite the press (if press approach you please refer them to Katie, 215-500-8580).  We have a carefully laid out press plan that will highlight establish community leaders who will highlight the broad base of support that is out there. 

The court room is very limited for space. Not everyone will be able to fit in. If you cannot fit in the court room please attend the vigil. We want to minimize unnecessary disruptions and the potential of aggravating the judge and his staff.  We are asking that if you plan to go to court please read the notes below. If you want to coordinate transportation, please email us. 

What Will Happen During the Trial? 

The amount of people willing to take time off and in some cases travel great distances to be in Philadelphia during the trial is amazing.  Gestures of solidarity like this continue to prove that the City of Philadelphia and the police department did not scare or intimidate people from being active and visible in the fight for justice.    

Everyone will not be able to get into the courtroom.  The courtroom has limited seating. There are three defendants, each with their own family, witnesses and people that they need in the courtroom.  There are people that Camilo needs to have in the courtroom and they need to be given priority.  We wanted to warn people ahead of time so that they do not automatically assume that they will be viewing the actual trial, and to avoid any conflicts or disappointments on the day of the trial. For people that do not get into the courtroom there will be several events scheduled and other positive ways for people to show their support for Camilo. 

Inside the Courtroom 
If you are hoping to be in the courtroom, please be outside the courthouse,1301 Filbert Street, at 9:30am. (This does not automatically mean you will get to go inside.) 

It is very important that our demeanor inside the courtroom be respectful, we do not want to cause more harm than good with our presence.  The following are some guidelines that we are asking people to follow.  We are not generally interested in imposing standards of fashion and etiquette of people but, too much is at stake to risk pissing of a judge or court-room sheriff.

Please come to the court suitably dressed for a "business like" setting: conservative skirts, dresses, dress pants, button down shirt, nice shoesâ^À¦You get the picture.

Please do not wear T-Shirts with controversial messages ie- anti-police, anti-America etc.  We will provide people with buttons to wear that will help to express everyone's support for Camilo and make it clear who is there for him. 

It is important that the Judge gets a picture of the diverse support that is in place for Camilo.  The character witnesses have been carefully picked with that in mind.  Along with Camilo's family and tenants from his work, we would like to reserve the seating in the front of the courtroom for them. 

The rules of a courtroom are strict and stringent.  Silence from the audience is often demanded.  As much as it may be tempting to react to the comments of the judge, prosecutor or the outrageous stories the police will be telling, we must refrain.  Acting out of line will get people kicked out of the courtroom and generally set a bad tone for the trial.  When in the hallway outside of the courtroom, people should continue to conduct themselves in manner consistent with the environment. It is best for those how do not fit in the courtroom to participate in the vigil outside. 

*For people that do not want to go into the courtroom, or that can not fit into the courtroom, there will be a vigil for justice outside the courthouse. Please gather at 1312 Race St. 

 




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