NLG Massachusetts Chapter Stands with Chuck Turner

The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (Mass NLG) is proud to stand in support of Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner in this trying time.

Both the Mass NLG and Councilor Turner have long stood in defense of poor people, people of color, progressives, radicals, and others whose civil or human rights have been threatened. Councilor Turner has long been a steadfast and powerful voice for the communities he represents as a city councilor, and before that as an activist and community organizer.

He has led the fight for social and economic justice on scores of issues of concern for all the citizens of Boston. These include the reform of the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) laws, relief for homeowners and tenants being displaced by predatory lenders, economic empowerment of impoverished residents through the Boston Workers Alliance, political empowerment through the District Seven Roundtable, and as a voice for peace and justice reaching far beyond Boston.

The Mass NLG urges all to remember that the most basic tenants of the U.S. legal system are the presumption of innocence and the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt for guilt. Councilor Turner has not been proven guilty of anything at this point in time, other than being a committed progressive voice for the disenfranchised of our society.

Consequently, the Mass NLG calls on progressive organizations, peace groups, and all people committed to social, economic and racial justice to voice their support for Councilor Turner.

Chuck Turner has stood for all the people of Boston. Chuck Turner has stood for us. It is time for us to stand for Chuck Turner.

Ten Things You Can Do to Support Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner:

1. Visit supportchuckturner.com to stay updated on the issues

2. Social Networks – If it is the kind of thing you do join Chuck’s supporters on Facebook and MySpace.

3. Friends – Spread the word old school style, tell your family and friends about Chuck Turner. Invite them to support.

4. Attend – Keep updated on upcoming events so you can publically support Chuck.

5. Get involved with organizations and issues that Chuck Turner supports:
• CORI Reform Movement – www.unionofminorityneighborhoods.org/marc/
• Economic Justice – www.bostonworkersalliance.org
• Oppose Environmental Racism – www.ace-ej.org
• Stop the BU BioLab – www.stopthebiolab.org
• Peace and Anti-war – dotpeace.org
• Support Boston’s Youth – www.reflectandstrengthen.org
and www.byop.org

7. Write a personal letter of support or get your organization to write one supporting Chuck

8. Attend court hearings. (Call the US District Court of Massachusetts to check on dates, times and locations: http://www.mad.uscourts.gov/ )

9. Educate yourself on Chuck’s case, the law involved, and the history of the FBI
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO), and specifically the FBI in Boston
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Connolly_(FBI))

10. Write letters to editor (Globe, Herald, Metro, Banner, etc)
Globe – http://bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Herald – letterstoeditor@bostonherald.com
Metro – letters@metro.us
Banner – mbm@b-banner.com