A group of Bay Area lawyers is calling on district attorneys to dismiss cases against peaceful protesters arrested during recent Black Lives Matter and George Floyd demonstrations.
Well-traveled attorney Tony Serra represented the Black Panthers in the 1960s. He proudly stood Thursday in front of a boarded-up Oakland City Hall, fist raised in the air.
"Power to the people!" Serra shouted.
Their request was a simple one.
"(We're asking) all cases be dismissed in all jurisdictions across the country but especially in the Bay Area," Serra said.
Even without it, the attorneys are confident of acquittal at jury trial for all protesters. Attorney Curtis Briggs was also in attendance, making a request of peaceful protesters that he said could cripple the criminal justice system.
"We are asking that every protester arrested in the nation ask for a speedy jury trial," Briggs said.
The group of attorneys are representing clients who are facing charges like failing to disperse at the scene of a riot and breaking curfew, among others.
