FeedJosh’s Speech for his Benefit 12/7/06
The last time I was in San Francisco, I was transported in the back of a US Marshal’s van. Shackles bound my feet[ my wrists were handcuffed together; and a chain was wrapped around my waist and through the cuffs. Despite being tightly bound and crammed into a sweltering van, it felt refreshing to be back in the city. To be back home. Trust me on thus one, the Tenderloin never looked so good.
I’d been shuttled in to attend a hearing on my request for a Thanksgiving furlough and to offer Judge Alsup the opportunity to screen the complete video in his chambers. Both requests were denied. Before returning to my holding cell Alsup extolled America as having the greatest press freedom and described the US as “This great country which has allowed you to be a journalist”.’ As he continued he stated that “ Sometimes your country asks for something back”.
And so I ask each of you to consider the gravity of these words, delivered by a federal judge. Does a democracy allow me to be a journalist? Or is it my inalienable right to capture and describe the world I see around me?
By engaging in such pursuits should I become indebted to the government and forced to act as a de facto agent for the FBI? Is this the cost of committing journalism in a democratic country? I certainly hope not.
And yet I continue to sit in a Federal prison for refusing to engage in such an exchange. I’ve lost my appeals. My legal fight has come to a close and it is now up to each of you who value a free and independant press to step up and demand it.
The time has come to free the media. We need an inclusive federal shield law and we need it now. So call your friends, write letters to your congress people, and exercise your right to assemble. It’s not too late to turn the tide.
I look forward to joining this struggle when I get back to San Francisco as a free man and rejoicing with all of you in celebration of my release. Until then, goodnight and good luck.
Josh: Two Friday’s ago I started something that I plan to continue each Friday until you are freed. I’ll blog about you, your case or issues I see arising from it. I have started to circulate this ideas to other media bloggers but have not had much feedback yet. Ideally this would spread but spread or not I’m one person who will do a bit that is within my means to call attention to your stand. Here is a link to the most recent Friday:
http://minimediaguy.org/2006/12/08/another-friday-and-josh-wolf-still-sits-in-federal-prison/
Good luck. Tom Abate
Dear Josh & Liz:
I am sorry to say we’ve come to that divide in the road wherein we now are experiencing what my mentor claims is “Working Law”. That is so far removed from the law we would expect would be in place for Justice for All (the Common Law) afforded us via the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If you need ask “what is the Working Law”? It ‘tis when an officer of the courts arrogantly proclaims that is the manner his court interprets the law so that is the law. Not only arrogant, but also proclaiming that those hollowed halls is “His court”! Will we eventually see victory? I believe we shall because I believe in a justice higher and perfect that will likewise judge the corruptible courts and their staffs.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
No Weapon, means No weapon!
We bless you in your efforts and wish you a most blessed holiday season in spite of the present circumstances:
Dr. H. Fred Johnson
Thanks, Dr. Johnson, my blessings and Josh’s go with you and your family also. Josh misses Kurt.
Liz