DON ADAMS UPDATE: Urgent Help Needed on Appeal

Don Adams | 2/25/2004 | self / Don Adams

[Physicist]

Gentle Freepers,

Today I received a phone call from Don Adams. The case he and his sister Teri are waging against the Teamsters, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham is in imminent danger of failing for lack of funds.

(If you are not familiar with Don and Teri Adams and their struggles, please turn to the "REMEDIAL SECTION" below.)

Now, I know that FreeRepublic is not a forum for fundraising, but FreeRepublic has been involved in the plight of the Adamses since the moment it began in October, 1998, and because Freepers have given generous support to them in the past, I was adamant that Freepers be given the opportunity to know the score while there was still time to do something about it. To that end, I urged Don to write a few lines explaining the situation, with the understanding that I would post them to FreeRepublic.

There is nobody on this website who has sacrificed more in the struggle against Clinton and his corrupt syndicate than Don and Teri Adams. They deserve whatever support we can provide. Don writes:

---

As you know, Teri and I are in the legal fight of our lives with the Teamsters, Ed Rendell, and Lynne Abraham.

Having lost our Federal Civil Rights claim in summary judgment, Teri and I made the tactical but difficult decision to end our relationship with Judicial Watch, Inc.

Much had been written on Free Republic's web site about the problems we encountered in dealing with Larry Klayman, Esq., particularly the year long battle we fought to gain possession of our case file from his firm.

After the dispute became public knowledge, Judicial Watch finally agreed to turn the file over to our new attorney, Trey Mayfield, of Gura and Day.

Meanwhile, the Teamsters (local and international), filed a motion with the Court, last year, to force us to pay their attorney's fees and costs which totaled over $160,000.

Imagine, they beat us up, put us on trial, and then attempt to make us pay their legal bills!

Fortunately, Attorney Mayfield vigorously argued the matter and the Judge agreed to defer his decision until after the 3^rd Circuit rules on our Federal Appeal.

Attorney Mayfield must now file the Appeal. Teri and I hired him on retainer. However, Mr. Mayfield cannot work for us pro bono and the costs of the appeal must be paid in advance.

Unfortunately, we may not be able to continue. We have used up our resources and must come up with $2400.00, ASAP, to pay for the costs of the initial filing of our appeal.

Attorney Mayfield thinks we have a strong case. He and his firm have dedicated themselves to a successful outcome. Teri and I absolutely hate the thought of resurrecting the Defense Fund--especially since so many have already contributed to the case through Judicial Watch--but we have no choice!

We are appealing to those who remember our case, and to those who believe in defending First Amendment Rights, especially the Right of American citizens to criticize their Government.

Any small donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to:

The Adams Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 306,
Cheltenham, PA 19012

[Physicist]

Again, Don Adams only provided this appeal at my urging. It is personally painful to them to make such a request, but considering the effort that Freepers have put into the Adams cases over the last five years, I felt that Freepers deserved the opportunity to prove their mettle once more.

Recent articles:

Don Adams Update: Teamsters File Motion to Recover $62,673.46 in Fees and Costs

Summary of the 8/6/2003 Don Adams Decision, U.S. District Court

Anti-Clinton Protesters Lose in Suit Against Rendell

---

REMEDIAL SECTION:

Who-what-where:

There was I time on FreeRepublic when I didn't have to introduce the topic of Don Adams. Other than Whitewater, it was FreeRepublic's first cause celebre.

In as few words as I can bear to muster, this is what happened. On October 2, 1998, Don and his sister Teri were beaten by members of the Teamsters Union for the crime of protesting against Clinton in Philadelphia.

(I myself had been attacked by the same mob earlier in the day, and I witnessed the Adams incident. I reported the events on FreeRepublic. One famous result was that it prompted Jim Robinson to call for a march on Washington, DC, which drew around 4000 people on October 31, 1998, to demand Clinton's impeachment.)

The DA filed no charges, so Don and Teri Adams pursued private criminal complaints against two of the Teamsters (Kevin McNulty and Marc Nardone), along with Teamster Local 115 boss Johnny Morris. In response, the Teamsters filed charges against Don Adams. McNulty and Nardone copped a plea and got probation. Morris walked. Don Adams was subjected to the indignity of a trial, and was acquitted in July, 1999. Meanwhile, three other Teamsters were identified from video: Charlie Davis, Mark Hopkins, and Norma Bottomer. Don and Teri Adams filed another private criminal complaint, to which the defendants copped pleas and received probation.

In November of 1999, IBT President James Hoffa ordered that Teamsters Local 115 be placed into trusteeship, and that Johnny Morris be stripped of his powers, partly as a result of the Adams beating incident. Morris contested this bitterly until the end of his life.

The civil phase has been lurching along slowly since the end of the criminal phase.

Why you should care:

It is the business of Freepers to exercise our rights under the First Amendment. When we talk back to power, we have an expectation of being secure in our persons, in our property, and in our liberty. If Don and Teri Adams lose, none of these expectations are valid. It will mean that the men in power can silence us at will, without serious consequences. Five foot-soldiers of the totalitarians have received probation. That's something. But unfortunately Don and Teri have been made to pay a long series of terrible prices over the last five years, and much more lies ahead. I expect it to get worse for them before it gets better.

Would YOU be up to it?

---

LINKS:

The Don Adams Page is now defunct, but a version of it remains cached on archive.org (Warning: slow to load).

Civil Case:

My Affadavit For The Don Adams Civil Case

My Subpoena From Teamsters Local 115 (Don Adams Case)

Rendell Threatens to Walk During Deposition

Johnny Morris criminal case:

Court KOs Activist in Fight with Morris [DON ADAMS UPDATE]

DON ADAMS PRESS RELEASE: Criminal Complaint Against Teamster Leader John Morris Dropped

Davis, Hopkins, Bottomer criminal case:

Teamster Trio To Be Sentenced Today For Beating Clinton Protesters

Teamsters Sentenced to Probation in Adams Beating Case

3 Teamsters are Sentenced for Roughing Up Protester

McNulty and Nardone criminal case:

Pretrial hearing of Kevin McNulty and Marc Nardone, on February 10, 1999. Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4

[Physicist]

Ping. If some of you can help to keep this thread bumped, please do!

Let me know if you want on or off this ping list.

[Xenalyte]

DON ADAMS UPDATE: Urgent Help Needed on Appeal

Oh dear . . . anything I can do from Houston? I love Don Adams.

[billorites]

Shhh!

[martin_fierro]

Bttt.

Classy of you not to mention how that sleaze Klayman abandoned his clients once the cameras were off.

[bvw]

I'll be sending a few dollars by check.

[dutchess]

Physicist. Have been there since the beginning....So glad to hear they are alive and well and fighting the good fight. God bless them. A humble offering being sent tomorrow.

For all you newbies (2000 and above). Please read the links Physicist posted. Don and Teri are real heros and deserve, if nothing else, your prayers. Thanks for calling this to our attention Physicist. I had wondered what the status of this case was. Please keep us advised.

[weegee]

BTTT

[Clemenza]

Actually, THAT Don Adams has lived a very happy life since Get Smart went off the air and remains a regular at the Playboy Mansion. Its a shame he has to share the Grotto with Bill Maher on occasion.

[billorites]

"and remains a regular at the Playboy Mansion."

Should he find himself refractory, I'd be happly to fill the void.

[buffyt]

I remember the attack, and I remember when you were at the Freeper Rally Pizza party in DC, Oct 1998. Best of luck. Please keep us posted. If I had money I would send it.

[Larry Lucido]

Bump.

[Southack]

Thanks for letting me know about their position. I just mailed them $100.

[Dan from Michigan]

There's a blast from the past. Good luck to them.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Only in Philly could you get your butt kicked by the Teamsters, get arrested for A&B and then have to pay their legal bills.
Oh, and it was all caught by the news cameras.

I weep for Philly.

[jwalsh07]

Credit card?

[Palladin]

This is a most worthy cause. I will send a check.

If 120 FReepers could send $20 each, that would make up the fee.

How much are your First Amendment rights worth to you?

[PatrickHenry]

Bump.

[longshadow]

bttt for a worthy cause by FReeper #408.

[jokar]

bumped

[Auntie Mame]

Thanks for letting us know about this. I'll send a check in the morning.

Tell them, we haven't forgotten them.

[blam]

I Remember.

Check is in the mail.

Time for FReepers to step forward.

[VadeRetro]

Stiff upper! Help is on the way.

[Darnright]

Bump

[Doctor Raoul]

I'm in for $100, that leaves 115 at #20 each.

[Angelwood]

Thanks for letting us know what has been happening to Don and Teri. They have been fighting this fight for over five years and were a catalyst for the DC Chapter formation and the March for Justice. A donation will be mailed in the morning.

FReep On!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the ping, Physicist.

[TaxRelief]

Just stick 5 bucks in an envelope. That's all it takes to help people. 5 bucks, and envelope and a stamp.

[Jim Robinson]

I'm in for a $100. Good luck with the appeal!
Jim

[RadioAstronomer]

BTTT! Count me in to help.

[RadioAstronomer]

Check in the mail in the morning.

[Hunble]

Seriously, why bother?

Black has become White.

[Physicist]

Bump...while Sophie takes a break from her bottle.

[Antoninus]

Bumpus Maximus.

[TaxRelief]

You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us

I'm in for $100.

[VeniVidiVici]

Any idea why Klayman dropped them? I assumed he was one of the good guys.

The reason I ask is that I received a fundraising letter from him since he is running for Senate from FL.

[Hunble]

The two of you are the most respected people I know. I would do anything to support both of you, if I thought it would do any good.

We have played all of our cards over the years and gave it our best shot.

There is nothing shameful when an Army must retreat from a battle field, if they have full knowledge that they did everything possible.

This legal case (I have followed it since the first day) reminds me of many historical Celtic battles. The betrayal from within always did more damage than the original enemy.

It hurts me more than you can imagine, but in all honesty, it is time for you to retreat from the field.

This battle is over, but the war is just starting.

[Little Bill]

Give me an address to send my pittance, I remember the first posts.

[TaxRelief]

Are you not concerned that they may lose $160,000?

[Nita Nupress]

We are appealing to those who remember our case, and to those who believe in defending First Amendment Rights, especially the Right of American citizens to criticize their Government.

Oh, boy, do I remember. Thanks for the ping, Physicist. And thanks for talking Don into letting you post this thread.

Folks, Don and Teri deserve any support you can give them.

I'll send something in the next few days. These two, Don & Teri, are well worth supporting.

[mountainfolk]

Check will be in the mail tomorrow. Good luck.

[xJones]

Thanks for the update. I'll send some bucks by tomorrow's mail. Not a lot, but we should do what we can. And BTW, you have been the most faithful of friends.

[Humidston]

I was here as well, when this garbage happened. Newbies, Don and his sister Terry were Freeping, minding their own business having fun and waving their anti-Clintoon signs when the Teamsters assaulted Don and beat him to the ground.

Terry fell on him to protect him from the goons and she was also assaulted. THE ENTIRE THING WAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY THE MEDIA, yet Don (and Terry too?) was accused and charged with assault AGAINST a female involved with the Teamsters.

Of course the entire thing was bogus from the start, but the bottom line is they have been through hell and back - just for being FReepers and peaceably demonstrating their first amendment rights in a corrupt and vile city owned and run by UNION GOONS.

My meager contribution will be in the mail. And please tell the Adams that they're missed!
(For those who may not know, they can't post here anymore due to all their legal problems. That just compounds their "punishment!")

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for the update.

Please tell Teri & Don that the Freepers have not forgotten their struggle. Sending a check for their Defense Fund.

May God bless them.

[Exit148]

A note is on my keyboard to send a check in, in the morning.

BTW. How is Don doing?

[Hunble]

I KNOW!

[JulieRNR21]

Any small donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to:


The Adams Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 306,
Cheltenham, PA 19012

[JulieRNR21]

Please read this thread and, if you can, help Don & Teri Adams........Thanks..........PING

[GEC]

Thanks for the bump Kevin!

And thanks for convincing Don and Teri to reopen it.

I refuse to lose this battle.

I hope Don's health is OK.

BUMP!

[Seruzawa]

Classy of you not to mention how that sleaze Klayman abandoned his clients once the cameras were off.

Ol' Larry got a good run for his money for a while suckering people here at FR for his Clinton lawsuits. What a maroon.