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Van Dyke judge has contempt

by Ted Pearson, Co-Chairperson, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
Today Judge Vincent M. Gaughan expressed open contempt for Black people and for the Constitution. He charged and arrested and sentenced on the spot Alliance activist Tyrone Williams, a leading campaigner for CPAC (an all-elected Civilian Police Accountability Council) for saying, in court,
"What?"
Williams is being held in Cook County jail without bond.
Frank Chapman, our field organizer, observed, "The Judge charged Tyrone with contempt and obstruction of justice but it is Judge Gaughan who is in contempt of the people of this
state by allowing the Jason Van Dyke case to drag on for two years, and today by further allowing nine people to potentially testify about Laquan McDonald's 'violent and aggressive nature' thus letting Van Dyke's defense attorneys put Laquan McDonald, the murder victim, on trial."
This is all the more reason why people who stand for justice and an end to police crimes need to pack the courtroom at the next hearing on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
The whole incident was like something out of a movie set in Nazi Germany.
It started with a Mr. Hall, appearing in Judge Gaughan's court in response to a summons. Hall tried to register his appearance with the court clerk.
A bailiff, a Cook County Sheriff's Deputy, told him he had to sit down and couldn't check in. The court had been hearing issues related to the impending trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the cold-blooded murder of Laquan McDonald.
Hall sat down. After an hour, and during a recess in the Van Dyke proceeding, an apparently frustrated Mr. Hall stood up at his place in the spectator section to try to understand what was happening. Other cases were being called and Cook County Jail prisoners in brown jail jumpsuits were in
and out before Judge Gaughan. The bailiff told Hall to sit down, and he did
so, making an audible "Humph". The bailiff took offense at his attitude and ordered him to leave the courtroom.
A while later, Hall's case was called. The bailiff told Judge Gaughan he had been put out. Another bailiff was told to "go get him." He came back to court, clearly confused as to why he had been called back and went to take a seat. He was told by the bailiffs to approach the bench, without explanation. He approached the bench. Judge Gaughan chastised him for being out of court when his case was called.
Hall Raised his hand, asking to speak. "Put your hand down," Gaughan ordered. He did. He raised his hand again. Judge ordered the bailiff to arrest him and place him in custody for contempt of court.
All of us, the dozens in court for the Jason Van Dyke hearing, were shocked. But we bit our tongues. Tyrone Williams, a leading Alliance member from the Hyde Park community, was in disbelief as they took Hall away. "What?!" he exclaimed.
"Who said that?" demanded Judge Gaughan. "I did," replied Williams, standing up. "Approach the bench," demanded Gaughan, and a bailiff went and
escorted Tyrone Williams before the bench. "Mr. Williams you have shown contempt for this court. Bailiff, arrest this man."
And with that Williams was whisked away to jail. It was like a hearing in a kangaroo court. It was unbelievable. Was this the United States, which has a Bill of Rights? No. This was courtroom 500 at 2659 S. California Ave, in Chicago Illinois, where apparently Judge Gaughan thinks the U.S.
Constitution does not apply.
Alliance attorneys have learned that Williams is being held in Cook County Jail with no bond. It is not clear with what he has been charged or when his case will be heard.
People are tweeting and posting this story all over the Net. They are calling newspapers and TV outlets asking what happened, and why? Judge Gaughan may think he is the dictator in his court, but he needs to learn that Room 500 is not outside the United States and exempt from respect for the U. S. Constitution.
Meanwhile, donations for Tyrone Williams's eventual bail and defense can be sent to the Alliance at 1325 S. Wabash Ave. Suite 105, Chicago IL 60605. Also visit our Face Book page at Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
FREE TYRONE WILLIAMS! JUSTICE FOR LAQUAN MCDONALD! #CPAC - DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITY CONTROL OF THE CHICAGO POLICE!