THE FUTURE OF FREE SPEECH AND POLITICAL ORGANIZING IS ON TRIAL IN NORTH TEXAS
Update
Feb 17 was meant to be the first day for the trial involving 9 of the Prairieland defendants, however, before jury selection was completed, a mistrial was declared. The supposed reason judge Pittman gave to declare a mistrial was the civil rights graphic on a shirt one of the defense attorneys was wearing. The judge claimed it could have swayed the jury. Now that the trial has been pushed back once again, we must use this opportunity to show up and show out for these political prisoners.
Context
Originally, 9 people were arrested on July 4th for staging a noise demonstration outside Prairieland ice detention facility. Since then, a total of 19 people have been arrested in relation to the case. Some defendants were arrested for removing people from group chats and having zines in their possession. Many had their homes raided by the FBI. Trump recently designated antifa as a terrorist organization. This is one of the first trials to be conducted under this new designation. Prosecutors have attempted to link the defendants to antifa through their possession of anarchist zines.
What’s at Stake?
The original 9 defendants were protesting the horrid conditions inside the Prairieland ice detention facility. This same facility is where Columbia protestor Leqaa Kordia has been held for almost a year. Many of the Prairieland defendants are also queer/trans and have had their deadnames used in court paperwork despite having legal name changes. This case sits at the intersection of anti-fascist, pro-Palestine, queer, and anti-ice organizing in the DFW area. We should all be paying attention.
Call to Action
Show up and show out to court and support the Prairieland defendants. The DFW Support Committee will be holding events outside the Fort Worth Federal Courthouse every weekday until the trial is finished.
For updates or go to prairielanddefendants.com. If you’re a UTD student, contact us to coordinate rides. We encourage all students and student groups across DFW to mobilize for this effort.
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
FREE PALESTINE
QUEER AND TRANS LIBERATION
DOWN WITH FASCISM
FUCK ICE