by the Free French audience as the accelerated rhythmic
editing increases the scene's intensity as it builds toward its climax.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
| For Immediate Release: 1/15/01 | Contact: Don Adams, 215-###-#### |
Criminal Complaint Against Teamster Leader John Morris Dropped
Assaulted Clinton Protestor Don Adams To End Appeal Process
Court Action Shifts from Criminal To Civil
Philadelphia -- Clinton protestor Don Adams has decided not to appeal a mid-December, 2000 Superior Court ruling upholding District Attorney Lynn Abraham's refusal to prosecute Teamster Boss John Morris for his role in the vicious attack on Mr. Adams and his sister, Teri, outside of Philadelphia's city hall during an October 2, 1998 Presidential fundraising at the hight of the impeachment inquiry resulting from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
The 30 day period for appealing the Superior Court decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is set to expire today.
"While we're disappointed by the court's ruling--no one should be above the law, we're not surprised that those responsible for upholding Civil Rights have shut their eyes to a Teamster Union boss's flagrant attempt to stifle free speech and assembly," said Mr. Adams. "The news video evidence depicting Mr. Morris's criminal behavior establishes a prima facie case. Without that evidence, a decision not to prosecute might've been defensible."
In spite of news video clips clearly implicating the pro-Clinton Morris--his political pal, DA Abraham, has refused to prosecute him all along. News cameras caught Mr. Morris, then leader of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters and Local 115, signaling the life-threatening attack by ramming a fedora over Mr. Adams' head and immediately pounding the hat down with his fist, thereby blinding Mr. Adams to the imminent Teamster onslaught.
The ensuing local 115 mob then charged the Adamses, knocking them to the ground. The Teamsters proceeded to stomp, kick, and punch both of them, particularly Mr. Adams. An English instructor from Cheltenham, he suffered substantial injuries and credits Ms. Adams, a probation officer at the time, with saving his life by using her body as a shield to blunt some of the blows. Ms. Adams sustained minor injuries.
The beating, which began after a Teamster ripped Mr. Adams' sign from his hand, was caught on videotape by news cameramen and broadcast nationwide. Mr. Adams demanded the sign returned but was capped with Mr. Morris' fedora instead. The sign read, "resign or get impeached" on one side and "liar, pervert, national shame" on the reverse. Other Clinton protestors, including senior citizens, were also intimidated, harassed, and assaulted--prompting then Mayor Ed Rendell's spokesman to say, "the anti-Clinton groups chose to make their views known...in the faces of Teamsters, that is generally not a good career choice."
In November, 2000, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued a ruling permanently banning Mr. Morris from Teamster Union membership--citing his conduct in the October 2, 1998 assault as a primary reason.
"The Superior Court has suggested we file a new complaint with evidence that has surfaced since the DA rejected our original complaint," said Mr. Adams. "We have considered the matter and decided we are more likely to attain justice in Federal Civil Courts than in Pennsylvania Criminal Courts. There was overwhelming video evidence indicting Mr. Morris from the beginning."
It took more than 11 months for District Attorney Lynne Abraham to arrest and charge the five Local 115 Teamsters that have since pled guilty to a variety of crimes, including assault and conspiracy. "We had to go to enormous lengths to get Ms. Abraham to bring charges against any Teamster, let alone John Morris," said Ms. Adams. "We are not going back to her now to beg her to do the right thing and prosecute him."
An obvious victim, Mr. Adams is the only person to stand trial thus far. Despite the existence of exculpatory evidence--including news videos and police statements, Ms. Abraham prosecuted Mr. Adams (who had no prior record) after a Teamster woman falsely accused him of starting the violence by hitting her first. He was found not guilty on July 8, 1999. Mr. Adams rejected a deal for a mutual dropping of charges between himself and the Teamsters. A federal civil suit is now pending against the Teamsters, Mr. Morris, DA Abraham, and Mr. Rendell.
Don faxed this to me last night and asked me to post it today. Except for one change in wording that Don asked me to make, the text is identical to what Don sent me.
Defense Fund update: The Don Adams Defense Fund ceased operations on December 31, 2000 in anticipation of the conclusion of the criminal phase of this case. The Adamses wish to thank the readers of Free Republic who contributed to the fund for their generous support. Your contributions bought a measure of justice.
Background on the Adams case:
Here is a thread from last month in the wake of the Superior Court decision.
Here is a thread from November discussing the prosecution and sentencing of Mark Hopkins, Charlie Davis and Norma Bottomer.
Here is a thread from September with more background.
Please don't miss The Don Adams Page, for more background and images. See Johnny Morris as he "makes peace" between Don & Teri and the Teamsters.
Another good source of background is my series of notes taken at the pretrial hearing of Kevin McNulty and Marc Nardone, on February 10, 1999. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Full Disclosure: I am not an impartial party in this matter. More than two hours before the attack on the Adamses, which I witnessed, I was attacked while protesting and slightly injured by members of this same mob, which comprised about 500 members of the Teamsters and Carpenters Unions. I did not press charges and am not a party to any lawsuit being pressed by the Adamses.
FYI
FYI
FYI
FYI
FYI
Bless Don and Terri and all those who worked for justice. The new Attorney General of the United States chooses the new U.S. attorney's for each state so perhaps there is hope for the future.
Thank you for the update.
Thanks for the update!
This should be prosecuted as a federal criminal violation of civil rights. Statute of limitations I would imagine to be five years. I wonder who the new U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia will be.
And, with respect to federal civil charges, think about RICO. Treble damages! Also, the racketeering activity could easily be argued to have continued long after the attack on the Adamses, which might matter for statute of limitations purposes.
Thank you for posting this, Physicist. I've often wondered what had become of Don and Teri's case. Lately, I've also wondered whether they'll be at the inaugural bash. It would be so good to meet them!
The Teamsters' assault against Don and Teri Adams wasn't the worst thing that was done to them. The greater crime was when the local Democrat machine not only refused to bring those who committed this brutal "hate crime" to justice, they knowingly and deliberately prosecuted the victims.
It upset me that the Republican convention was held in Philadelphia. It would've been great if they'd played the video clip of the Teamsters' assault over and over in the background, to hammer home to the nation just how corrupt the Philadelphia Democrats have become, but of course the people running the convention were too eager to be seen as bipartisan "healers" and "uniters" to do anything that might upset the Democrats. I was deeply disappointed that I never heard a single convention speaker even mention the various crimes committed in that once-great city against Don and Teri Adams and against American Democracy.
". A federal civil suit is now pending against the Teamsters, Mr. Morris, DA Abraham, and Mr. Rendell."
GOOD!
Thanks, Physicist!
What are the major causes of action against the Teamsters? I think 18 USC 1961 et seq. (RICO), and 42 USC 1981-1988 (Civil Rights) would be the big ones. I would think that a civil rights action could also include naming the DA in her personal and official capacities. Could be why they dropped the criminal charges. A conviction in a criminal trial would be res judicata in a civil trial against Morris and maybe the DA as well. the up side is the dismissal will permit the civil action to go ahead much more quickly and if discovery leads to criminal violations, they will assert their 5th Amendment rights, which will be of great benefit to Teri and Don.
Thanks for the info. I wish Morris would be prosecuted but maybe federal civil court will help. Atleast as I understand it Morris was booted from the union. I hope the Adams will keep the heat on until Morris et al call uncle. Thanks again.
FYI
Thanks for the update on the Adams case
Good luck in the civil matter.
Thanks for posting this Physicist.
Thank you Physicist for your help with keeping us informed of the progress of Don and Teri's fight for justice.
And thanks to Don Adams for being tenacious in making these criminal thugs accountable for their outrageous actions.
And a very special THANK YOU to Teri Adams, who is a great to friend to FreeRepublic, and a true patriot. Teri, please visit us again when you can. Many of us miss you.
Please convey my best wishes & prayers to Teri & Don who are greatly missed on FR.
They are both heroes in the cause of Free Speech and I pray that they will finally receive justice and compensation in their civil case.
Thank you for the up-date. I realize that court costs could go on and on. So, it is wise to cut the bate on that fish.
But this Adams case has sent a hugh message not only to these kinds of actions in Philadelphia but accross the nation. They won't get away with that kind of stuff anymore. They learned what a fighting and protesting Republican/Freeper is.
"...we're not surprised that those responsible for upholding Civil Rights have shut their eyes to a Teamster Union boss's flagrant attempt to stifle free speech and assembly," said Mr. Adams."
That statement sums it all up very succinctly.
Anyone who had any previous doubts about the corruptness of Lynn Abraham, should have no doubts after this case.
I like the part where Teri is so brave.
I like the part where Teri is so brave.
I agree with you about her bravery. She has a lot of inner strength when it comes to doing what is right. Bravery is simply acting on that strength. Both Don and Teri are to be commended for what they have done to clean up the rot in the teamsters and the Philadelphia government.
I miss Teri very much. The best to you Teri & Don. May God Bless.
Can you say "mob mentality" (pun intended).
Bill Clinton's Favorite Home Videos <<<-----click here
In a memorable, melodramatic duel of anthems sung in opposition, the
Germans
are drowned out by the Free French audience as the accelerated rhythmic
editing increases the scene's intensity as it builds toward its climax.
Everyone at the cafe pours their hearts into the singing of the song, except for two individuals - Rick and Ilsa. In two closeups, she gazes at Victor in a state of awe, fear and prideful admiration, forgetting to sing. Yvonne, who has been sitting at the bar with her German officer, shouts: "Vive la France!" at its stirring conclusion.
With the inspiration of Laszlo's bold, patriotic, revolutionary act,
Major
Strasser is thoroughly embarrassed and considers him a dangerous threat.
He
promptly orders Renault to 
punish the cafe's patrons and close down
Rick's
place before storming out, on the grounds that people are having "much
too
good a time." Rick protests to French gendarmes, but to no effect.
Reluctantly, Renault closes the saloon, hypocritically blaming it on illegal gambling:
Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that
gambling is going on in
here.
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Renault: Oh. Thank you very much. Everybody out at once.
Renault is handed his gambling winnings by the croupier as he finishes his pronouncements...........
.........Confronting Ilsa without Laszlo at her side, Major Strasser intimidates Ilsa and threatens to return Laszlo to occupied France "under safe conduct" from himself. Bravely and steadfastly, she questions the validity or safety of his guarantee. As he parts, the sinister Major offers two alternatives for her husband: placement in a "concentration camp" by French authorities, or death as he explains bluntly:
My dear Mademoiselle, perhaps you have already observed that in Casablanca [translation: 'The White House'], human life is cheap. Good night, Mademoiselle.
BUMP !
.
.
Click on this Garner cartoon and go to: Blood in the Water -The Democrats got Chavez without cashing in a single chit ~ WSJ.
.
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Thanks for your continued excellent job of chronicling this saga.
Philadelphia's law enforcement officials don't exactly have a stellar reputation for integrity, do they?
Thanks.
It's great living in a place that even the bizarre film-maker David Lynch described as the most corrupt place he had ever been. When it's time to go, I hope Southwest still has cheap flights.
Thanks for the update. Are you going to the Freeper Ball this weekend? It might require some quantum math to get an accurate count of the WH silverware. ;~))
They are right up their on the integrity scale with New Orleans finest.
---max
Thanks for the update.
Please send our best wishes to Don and Teri. (Haven't seen them post in awhile)
5.56mm
Thanks for the heads up
Hi Physicist:
Thanks so much for flagging me. I would have missed this. I admire those two heroes immensely.
For future reference: link to Dave Racher's Daily News story about the press release.
Is it possible that the attack could qualify as a federal crime because Don was attacked to silence political speech(thats got to be violating his civil rights)?
If so maybe we could take it out of the hands of the local corrupt prosecutors and petition the new Bush administration to look into it. Thoughts?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
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