While Marley’s charges were dropped, charges against other protesters stand. Chainbreaker, Common Cause, Santa Fe Dreamers each won Santa Fe Community Foundation Pinon Awards. The blog includes video from the Awards ceremony focusing on Chainbreaker.
Retake Coming Events. There are a number of tremendous Events & Opportunities over the next two weeks, including two House Parties for Chainbreaker and Retake’s screening of two extraordinary documentaries from America Divided. The first film (Oct 21) focuses on water issues in Flint Michigan featuring Rosario Dawson. The second documentary (Oct 29) focuses on gentrification in NY featuring Norman Lear. After the second screening Retake will host a panel discussion with panelists to be announced soon. In addition to these screenings there is an important Retake meeting Thursday night, as the Roundhouse Activism Team advances plans to develop a set of state legislative priorities in collaboration with progressive lobbying partners and with the state DPNM platform committee (SPARC). Click here to get to our Events & Opportunities page and find out more about all of these events.
Marley Charges Dropped.
This was seemingly inevitable, but still welcome news. As reported in the Santa Fe New Mexican, all charges were dropped by the District Attorney the day before the DA had to present evidence to warrant proceeding to trial. Perhaps it finally dawned on the DA that there was no evidence to be had, as video shared in this blog from both the police body cam and from other protesters showed no evidence of any battery on the part of Marley. Battery by police is another matter.
As reported in today’s New Mexican, the DA could refile charges in a higher court or with a Grand Jury, but Marley’s attorney commented: “While there’s always a possibility that charges will be refiled, Marley’s attorney, Dan Cron, said it is unlikely. “In a case like this where the documentary evidence seems to be so clear that nothing occurred, it would be surprising if the state tried to pursue these charges again in the future,” he said. “Dismissing these charges is the right thing to do,” Cron added. “It’s time for the community to heal over this incident.” Click here for the full story.
Chainbreaker Collective Among Pinon Award Winners, Winning Visionary Award
Common Cause New Mexico: Policy Champion Award -honors an organization that is creating positive social change by focusing on a policy and systems-based approach to long-term transformation in our region.
Community Against Violence: Tried & True Award – honors an organization that is known for consistent high-quality programming, despite changes in the external environment.
Santa Fe Dreamers Project: Courageous Innovation Award – honors an organization that uses a bold approach to solving a persistent problem in the community.
Chainbreaker Collective: Visionary Award – honors an organization that can anticipate the unmet needs of future generations and has the stamina to achieve success.
Richard Hertz and Doris Meyer; Allan Houser: Philanthropic Leadership Awards – recognize leaders for their dedication to building healthy and vital communities. Awardees have close connections to the Santa Fe Community Foundation and are motivated by a sense of community over a sense of self and exhibit innovative and creative philanthropic responses to unmet needs.
Categories: Actions
Congratulations to all the winners. A special shout out to Viki Harrison and Common Cause. The community may need to heal, but Marley needs to sue.