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Don and Teri Adams Update: Rendell's Role in Beating Focus of Civil Rights Hearing
Don Adams | 10/17/2006 | Don Adams

Posted on 10/16/2006 7:01:04 PM PDT by Physicist

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2006

 

 

GOV. RENDELL’S ROLE IN BEATING FOCUS OF CIVIL RIGHTS HEARING

Adams, et al. v. Teamsters, Rendell et al. (No. 03 – 3680)

 

Philadelphia — A special three judge panel of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals will convene tomorrow to decide whether a Civil Rights suit may proceed against Governor Ed Rendell for his alleged role in the 1998 teamster beating of two Clinton protesters outside Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Rendell, Philadelphia mayor at the time, has since admitted in a deposition to personally inviting teamster boss John Morris and Local 115 members to attend the rally, despite knowing their propensity for using violence. Rendell acknowledged that he had specifically instructed the teamsters to “drown-out” Clinton Protesters.

Moments before the October 2, 1998 beating, Morris was caught by several news cameras marking one Clinton protester for attack by placing a Fedora over his head. The teamsters then charged the man, Don Adams, and his sister—knocking both to the ground before viciously assaulting them. Mr. Adams was treated at an area hospital for a concussion, lacerations, and several bruises.

According to a statement from Morris’ top deputy, Mr. Rendell later tried to console Morris about the negative publicity the teamsters had generated by promising no charges would be filed against him and by suggesting ways to have the victim, Mr. Adams, prosecuted.

In July, 1999, Mr. Adams stood trial after several teamster women alleged he had assaulted them prior to his own beating. Mr. Adams was found not guilty and the women have since recanted their stories.

Morris was never charged. He died in 2001. Five teamsters pled guilty to various assault and conspiracy charges and were given probation.

Three judges from outside the 3rd Circuit’s jurisdiction were recruited to hear the appeal after the appellees filed a motion asking the entire circuit to recuse itself due to the fact Rendell’s wife, Judge Marjorie Rendell, sits on the Circuit.

The case will be heard on Wednesday, October 18, at 1:30 p.m., in the Albert Branson Courtroom, 19th floor, Federal Court House, Philadelphia, PA.

For further information, contact Teri Adams, ###-###-####.

- End -


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: donadams; rendell; teamsters; teriadams; unionthugs
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To: onyx

Thank you onyx! We surely need them.


61 posted on 10/18/2006 5:19:29 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591

I'm worried for you, but feel sort of confident too. Understand?


62 posted on 10/18/2006 5:20:49 PM PDT by onyx (We have two political parties: the American Party and the Anti-American Party.)
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To: onyx

Got it. Your mixed feeling are appropriate in this instance. There is a ray of hope, however. : )


63 posted on 10/18/2006 5:26:38 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591; Physicist
Yea, I know he wasn't a priest. I talked with him before the trial and he couldn't name a parish he was in.

It is hard for me to believe that you guys are still going forward with this. I mean, the expenses must be high.

I was so shocked when Larry Klayman, representing you, became a jerk.

No matter what Tom Fitton at Judicial Watch says,Klayman ruined their practice forever. Good.

Good luck in the future and sure hope you both get some satisfaction out of this.

So proud of Physicist for keeping us posted on this.

64 posted on 10/18/2006 5:28:26 PM PDT by AGP ((formerly AGreatPer))
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To: fatima

YOU were there? Girl we hafta talk, lol!


65 posted on 10/18/2006 5:28:52 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: AGP
"It is hard for me to believe that you guys are still going forward with this. I mean, the expenses must be high."

Per, financially, the good folks at Free Republic, have helped us to pay the expenses of this case. We couldn't have continued without their generosity.

But we have paid dearly in countless, other untold ways.

66 posted on 10/18/2006 5:33:47 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591

i saw it on TV live-trust me I am living something live right now.If you are out there they make you pay.Gotta love the people who want them in power.Little do they know.


67 posted on 10/18/2006 5:35:43 PM PDT by fatima (Prayers for our Tonk.)
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To: fatima
Oh, I see. By "they" are you referring to the democrats?

Prayers for your difficulties also.

68 posted on 10/18/2006 5:42:58 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591
Terri God always wins.The people against life have pushed a button.It has hurt us today.I will say no more because enough has happened and we have friends and foes reading.
69 posted on 10/18/2006 5:50:34 PM PDT by fatima (Prayers for our Tonk.)
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To: Physicist

You will never have to remind me, I lived in New Jersey at the time and it was one of the sickest things I remember seeing on the news. I can't say I am the least bit sad that the scumbag Johnny Morris is rotting in Hell.


70 posted on 10/18/2006 9:11:00 PM PDT by Dmitry Vukicevich (Vegetarian: Indian Lingo for lousy hunter)
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To: Physicist
Please put me on the PING list, and never forget Slimy Eddie's comments about the attacks

Scumbag Rendell said "That's what you get when you mess with the teamsters"
71 posted on 10/18/2006 9:13:07 PM PDT by Dmitry Vukicevich (Vegetarian: Indian Lingo for lousy hunter)
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To: TAdams8591
God Speed, and maybe Greasy Eddie will go down as well.

Ed Rendell "Thats what you get when you mess with the teamsters."

He is truly despicable.
72 posted on 10/18/2006 9:17:29 PM PDT by Dmitry Vukicevich (Vegetarian: Indian Lingo for lousy hunter)
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To: Dmitry Vukicevich

Thank you for your support. We've been at this a LONG time.


73 posted on 10/18/2006 9:40:24 PM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591

You will prevail, there is just too much evidence. I still can't believe that Johnny Morris said that you and Don attacked him ( I can't say that I feel sorry that he died.)


74 posted on 10/18/2006 9:42:54 PM PDT by Dmitry Vukicevich (Vegetarian: Indian Lingo for lousy hunter)
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To: Physicist; All
In the Philadelphia Inquirer today:

Panel weighs reviving lawsuit against Rendell

By Joseph A. Slobodzian

Inquirer Staff Writer

Gov. Rendell has not been Mayor Rendell since 1999, and legendary Teamsters boss John "Johnny" Morris has been dead four years.

But yesterday the content of two conversations between the men eight years ago continued to fuel a civil-rights lawsuit filed by Cheltenham siblings who contend that their free-speech rights were violated when they were beaten by Teamsters for heckling President Bill Clinton at an Oct. 2, 1998, appearance in Center City.

At issue before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit yesterday was whether a federal judge properly dismissed the suit by Don and Teri Adams.

Don Adams, 46, and sister Teri, 47, contend that members of Teamsters Local 115 ended their anti-Clinton demonstration with a beating because Rendell had earlier called Morris, asked for a union presence at Clinton's appearance, and said the Teamsters should "drown out" anti-Clinton protesters.

"How are we supposed to decide what drown out means?" asked Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

"It's not for anybody in this room to decide what drown out means," replied the Adamses' attorney, Earl N. Mayfield 3d.

Mayfield argued that question should have been left to a jury to decide, not to U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr., who dismissed the Adamses' lawsuit in August 2003.

Jane E. Istvan, a deputy city solicitor representing Rendell and the Teamsters union in the appeal, argued that Yohn made the right decision because the Adamses had not found any corroborating evidence to show the phrase drown out was a tacit agreement between Rendell and Morris to use force to silence anti-Clinton protesters.

Istvan added that, in that same telephone call, Rendell also told Morris he wanted the crowd greeting Clinton to be "extremely peaceful and extremely positive."

The judges held the case for further review and gave no indication when they might rule.

All three judges were specially named to hear the appeal after Mayfield asked the Third Circuit's own judges to recuse themselves because Rendell's wife, Marjorie O. Rendell, is a Third Circuit judge appointed by Clinton in 1997.

Clinton, then embroiled in the scandal involving his sexual contacts with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, was to be in Philadelphia on Oct. 2, 1998, for a Democratic fund-raiser hosted by Rendell at City Hall.

According to court documents, Rendell wanted to buoy the president's spirits and called 15 to 20 groups urging them to line Clinton's motorcade route with a strong show of support.

Among those Rendell called was Morris, then 72, the fiery, strong-willed secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 115.

At Clinton's visit, Local 115 members wearing "Teamsters for Clinton" T-shirts were on hand at City Hall, as were the Adamses and sign-carrying anti-Clinton protesters who chanted "Impeach Clinton now."

At one point, according to court documents, Don Adams and Morris exchanged words. Morris then put his own hat on Adams' head, and several Teamsters rushed forward and began beating him.

Teri Adams, a probation officer, jumped in to try to protect her brother. Both were injured, Don Adams more seriously, with a concussion and broken ribs.

Later that day, court records say, Rendell called Morris again to "console" the union leader and assure him "nothing is going to happen to these guys," referring to Teamsters videotaped attacking the Adamses.

Mayfield argued that Rendell knew of Local 115's history of violent confrontations, and that "drown them out" was code for using force.

Mayfield said Rendell's second call to Morris was further proof, because the mayor was guaranteeing Morris his members would not be prosecuted.

Istvan, however, told the judges that the second conversation was "one of consolation, not concealment," and that it would be improper to infer a conspiracy by the men to violate the Adamses' free-speech rights.

In any event, Istvan noted, five Local 115 members were charged with the assault, pleaded guilty in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, and were sentenced to probation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact staff writer Joseph A. Slobodzian at 215-854-2985 or jslobodzian@phillynews.com.

75 posted on 10/19/2006 6:02:18 AM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: TAdams8591
Teri, thank you for the kind words. Coming from you, they mean very much to me. The Inky article definitely deserves a ping to the group!
76 posted on 10/19/2006 6:23:09 AM PDT by Physicist
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To: TAdams8591; Elle Bee; kuipo maui; phillyfilly; dirtboy; Jim Robinson; Doctor Raoul; abner; ...
In the Philadelphia Inquirer today:
Panel weighs reviving lawsuit against Rendell

Pinging the list!

If you want on or off the Don Adams ping list, please let me know!

77 posted on 10/19/2006 6:25:03 AM PDT by Physicist
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To: Physicist

Thanks for the update.


78 posted on 10/19/2006 6:31:48 AM PDT by DoctorMichael (A wall first. A wall now.)
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To: Physicist

Extra prayers for Don and Terri


79 posted on 10/19/2006 6:45:49 AM PDT by OldFriend (MSM SPANNING THE WORLD TO SUPPORT AMERICA'S ENEMIES)
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To: TAdams8591
"As always thank you for your uniquely well written and upbeat post."

You're more than welcome, Ter.
You & your brother have had a tremendous impact on my life by showing me what "courage" looks like.
So it is I who thanks you, Ter. ;^)

"Please see repy #45!...Because this hearing is of a more delicate nature than the others, we do not feel at liberty ourselves to discuss it in greater detail and hope you all understand."

Of course.
But I also find it ironic your tack is the exact opposite choice of any legal matter involving a Liberal-Socialists, too.
Know what I mean?

First thing the Liberal-Socialist does -- *guaranteed* -- following a hearing & regardless the delicacy of the matter, especially if/when a "gag order" has been issued?
Immediately seek out the microphones & cameras usually on the steps of the courthouse.
All in an obvious effort at swaying public opinion & thereby influence a judgment in their favor.
The shtick usually works too, that's the sad part.

"Some media was present from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Bulletin. We hope they cover the matter..."

Don't hold your breath.
If this ever receives any attention -- whatsoever -- it'll surely come after the election, when Rendell's {sp?} been reelected.

Talk about, "criminal".
~sigh~

... -BTTT-

80 posted on 10/19/2006 6:48:27 AM PDT by Landru (That does it, no sleep number for you pal.)
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