matthisresists.us

After the madness went down at Hofstra University, 15 of us were left facing criminal charges in Nassau County. To ensure charges would be thrown out against us, I began leading a defense campaign to pressure the district attorney to do the right thing and drop all the charges.

Well, it worked! On the 11th of December, 11 of us were preempted from pleading ‘not guilty’ when Nassau Country adjourned our cases in contemplation of dismissal.

The following are an array of e-mails I sent out and interviews I conducted to insure the Hempstead 15 would not be forgotten. The third-party presidential candidates and even Naomi Wolf, acclaimed 3rd wave feminist author of The End of America, were among many who took great in interest in the Hempstead 15 seeing justice. Read on to see how the campaign developed.

Video of Hofstra atrocities.

Matthis Chiroux
October 22 at 11:51pm

Hi folks. Matthis here.

We are currently working on a call to action for our supporters surround the Hempstead 15’s courtdate Nov. 10. We’ll be calling for people to join us at the courthouse at 8 a.m.

Furthermore, shocking videos recently released showing the unprovoked sidewalk trampling and near-killing by NCPD Officer Quagliano of Nick Morgan, a veteran of Iraq and close friend of mine.

As well, we will be providing a website where folks can donate to Nick’s immediate medical fees.

What we need now is exposure. The mainstream media was made fully aware of our actions before and after and CHOSE not to cover it.

We can respond by forwarding on the following link to all of our contact lists in an effort to make it go “viral,” which may force coverage of police actions Oct. 15, as well “free” the Hempstead 15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlI7tQCqwbU

As well, please forward on photos which I have loaded into my facebook photo albums.

Lastly, we need to add as many new members to this group as possible as fast as possible. If you haven’t already, please invite all of your friends to join this group and explain to them the importance of membership and support.

We’re not just standing for our rights here, folks. We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with you for the rights of Americans and oppressed people world-over.

Thank you for your commitment to seeing justice done at this most crucial time.

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis Chiroux

Naomi Wolf interviewing me regarding the Hempstead 15.

Matthis Chiroux
October 24 at 5:51pm

Hi folks,

Nick Morgan had a question read at the third party candidate debate in Washington D.C. yesterday by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges! Here is the link to the youtube video. Start it at 55 seconds in.

Please join me in congratulating Nick with messages of support and by sending financial support to help Nick with his medical bills to the IVAW national office! He needs it, very much.

See IVAW.org for more information.

Official call to action will be following soon!

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis Chiroux

Matthis Chiroux
October 29 at 2:43am

You’ve seen the videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlI7tQCqwbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eupU-StpCqM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Gd_ojcnk0.

You’ve read the testimonies:
http://www.squadron13.com/BillPerry/HofstraDebate/default.htm

You’ve called the campaigns and demanded answers.

Once again, it’s time to assemble. Please join the Hempstead 15 in court Monday, Nov. 10th, at the Nassau County District Court at 99 Main Street in Hempstead, NY.

Ten members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and five of our supporters who make up the Hempstead 15 will be arraigned for “disorderly conduct” at 9 a.m. We’re asking our supporters to show up at 8. Following the hearing, members of the Hempstead 15 will be available for questions and general socializing.

We ask that all supporters continue to respect the non-violent and reconciliatory nature and intent of our organization, particularly by helping us spread messages surrounding dignity and medical treatment for our veterans and acknowledgement of their voices which deserve to be heard.

As well, we ask that you sign the following petition condemning the trampling of Nick Morgan and others at the Oct. 15th demonstration which will be presented to the courts on the day of our arraignment. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justicefornick/ As well, please donate funds to help cover Nick’s medical bills at ivaw.org.

Thank you for all you’ve done, thank you for what you’re doing, and thank you for making what’s to come a reality. May we always find people uniting around the ideals of freedom, justice and democracy, in times of war and peace alike.

Thank you for moving forward with us, and we look forward to seeing you all at the courthouse!

In solidarity,

The Hempstead 15

Nick Morgan SGT, USA IVAW DC
James Gilligan CPL, USMC IVAW Philadelphia
Kris Goldsmith SGT, USA IVAW NYC
Marlisa Grogan CPT, USMC IVAW NYC
Matthis Chiroux SGT, USA IVAW NYC
Adam Kokesh SGT, USMC IVAW DC
Nathan Peld PO2, USN IVAW Central NY
Mike Spinnato CPL, USMC IVAW Boston
Jose Vasquez SSG, USAR IVAW NYC
Geoff Millard SGT, ARNG IVAW DC
Paul Blasenheim Washington, DC
Megan Day Portchester, MA
David M. Disimino Tacoma Park, MD
Lianne Gillouly Boston, MA
Ryan Olander Highland Park, NJ

Democracy Now had me on Nov. 5 to talk about elections and Hempstead 15 stuff. Can’t embed this one, but check it out here: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/5/iraq_vet_calls_on_antiwar_movement

Matthis Chiroux
November 7 at 12:54pm

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Ten members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and five of their civilian supporters will be arraigned here Monday, November 10th for “Disorderly Conduct” stemming from arrests at a non-violent demonstration at Hofstra University during the final presidential debate.

The peaceful demonstration, designed to force veterans’ issues into the campaign spotlight, was responded to with police brutality resulting in serious injuries to one Iraq veteran when he was trampled by a police horse that charged onto a sidewalk.

IVAW’s Nick Morgan suffered a shattered cheek bone, among other injuries, after he was pulled to the ground by police and stepped on by one of their horses. He is still undergoing a series of reconstructive surgeries to repair damage done by the Nassau County Police Department.

It remains unclear how the entirety of the Hempstead 15 will plead to charges Monday, but one member, Sgt. Matthis Chiroux, vowed never to submit to police brutality or the infringement of his constitutional rights to peacefully assemble.

“The near killing of a veteran on a sidewalk is fine, but peacefully assembling to have grievances redressed by our leaders is disorderly? I don’t think so, America,” said Chiroux. “I will fight this to the bitter end to ensure our names are cleared and members of the NCPD are held accountable for their crimes against veterans and the U.S. Constitution.”

Supporters of the Hempstead 15 will begin assembling at 8 a.m. Monday at the First District Court of Nassau County located at 99 Main St., Hempstead, NY. The arraignment hearing is scheduled to begin at nine.

Matthis Chiroux
November 10 at 8:50pm

It was a sad day for Nassau County, but a proud one for veterans and activists nation-wide when the Hempstead 15 plead not guilty Nov. 10 in the Nassau County District Courthouse to charges of disorderly conduct while a crowd of nearly 100 supporters cheered them from in and outside the building.

The charges stemmed from an action planned by IVAW around the final presidential debate at Hofstra University Oct. 15. During the debate, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and supporters peacefully marched into police lines blocking Hofstra’s entrance after having their voices and issues ignored throughout the election cycle by the candidates.

During the demonstration, Nassau County Police used horses to push demonstrators onto a sidewalk before brutalizing them and arresting several, including Nick Morgan, a veteran of Iraq whose face was crushed by a police horse. In total, ten veterans and five of our supporters were arrested, hence the Hempstead 15.

Following an evening of relentless harassment by Nassau County Police, including threats of rape and further brutality, the Hempstead 15 were released to appear in court today where all plead not guilty as the police defended their actions to the press.

“The protesters were trying to gain entry into the debate, and police were not going to let that happen,” said Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone of the NCPD to Newsday. “We used necessary force in order to carry out that goal,” he said, before asserting that police have yet to determine whether Nick was actually trampled.

This claim comes in direct contradiction not only to video evidence clearly showing Nick and others being trampled and brutalized on the sidewalk opposite the main gate of Hofstra, but also a statement made by Lt. Kevin Smith of the NCPD’s Public Information Office almost a month ago where he acknowledged, “One of the defendants collided with a police horse,” before adding, “Who do you think is gonna win?”

After refusing to drop charges against the Hempstead fifteen, Nassau County once again snubbed the first amendment and our supporters by setting different court dates for our members, scattering our next appearances from this Wednesday to late January, I suspect in an attempt to complicate further demonstrations.

What these legal gerrymanderers don’t realize is they’ve just given a motivated movement a good reason to celebrate liberty and support our troops 15 more times on their front porch!

So where do we go from here?

We must keep up the pressure on Nassau County to drop all charges against the Hempstead 15. You can do this by calling District Attorney Kathleen Rice at 516-571-2994 or contacting her here: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/DA/contact.html

As well, you can sign the petition demanding that charges be dropped against Nick Morgan and that those officers responsible for the brutality of Oct. 15th be held accountable. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justicefornick/?e Additionally, please donate money to help cover Nick’s medical bills at ivaw.org.

Please reach out to president-elect Obama however you can and demand that he condemn the trampling and arrests of Nick and others as well the eroding of our civil liberties as Americans.

Please help us spread word of the tragic events of Oct. 15th by continuing to forward information about the demonstration, Nick Morgan and the Hempstead 15 to your friends, relatives and co-workers. This REALLY makes a difference.

Adam Kokesh will be going to trial this Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. Please come out to the courthouse at 8 a.m. to show your support! 99 Main St., Hempstead, NY. The next court appearance will not take place until December which gives us some time to plan.

I’ll be appearing on Democracy Now tomorrow morning for Veterans Day and to speak about what happened in court this morning. Please tune in or check out the broadcast on the web at democracynow.org.

We’re a long way from finished fighting. And this is a fight we will ultimately win. Simply having people in this country willing to put their bodies on the line in defense of our veterans and the constitution is proof that victory is within our grasps.

I was so moved this morning to see so many supporters gathered so early in the morning in solidarity with us. Thank you to all who turned out to make good on America’s promise to support her troops. And thank you to all who signed the petition, donated to Nick and who’ve helped us get the word out!

Much more is to come from IVAW and the Hempstead 15. Stay in touch to see how we’re going to end the war and ensure our troops get the care and respect they deserve!

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis Chiroux

In studio with Amy Goodman discussing the Hempstead 15 1/2

In studio with Amy Goodman discussing the Hempstead 15 2/2

Matthis Chiroux
November 13 at 10:05pm

My friends,

A few updates on Adam Kokesh’s trial and the court dates for the Hempstead 15.

Adam’s case was adjourned until December 11, however the D.A. did try to raise his bail in obvious contempt toward Adam as an activist and a veteran.

This is yet another clear sign the Nassau County D.A. intends to continue her persecution of veteran activists and escalate injustice against us at every opportunity afforded.

However, a good number of supporters were present at the courthouse to send a clear message to the D.A. that we will not be silenced and her conduct and that of her officers will not be tolerated.

So six more days, total, for us to gather, have our voices heard and condemn the Nassau County Police Department’s offense toward this nations’ veterans and our Constitutional rights.

Dec. 10th and 11th, and Jan. 5th thru 8th are the days set for the 15 of us to be tried. Each day, we will assemble at 8 a.m. to demand that charges are dropped against us and the officers responsible for brutalizing us are held accountable.

Please continue calling District Attorney Kathleen Rice at 516-571-2994 or contacting her here: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/DA/contact.html to demand that all charges be dropped against the Hempstead 15.

As well, we are working on a petition exclusively for Nassau County residents to put some constituent-based pressure on the D.A., who is an elected official. If you can be of assistance either in contacting residents of Nassau county via phone or e-mail or actually street canvassing for signatures in Nassau County, please contact Lillian at lvu1@columbia.edu.

Lastly, Nick has received his first medical bill for his hour-and-a-half hospital stay in Nassau County where he was handcuffed to a gurney, diagnosed with a broken face and given nothing more than Motrin for the pain. $5,000, folks! No kidding. Nick nowhere NEAR has that kind of money, and this is only the first of many bills to right the wrong done by the NCPD to his person. NICK NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!

Please, if you haven’t already sent a donation to Nick through the IVAW website, do so. This troop deserves everyones’ full support at whatever level they can give. If you already have donated, consider doing so again. Nick’s sacrificed everything to do right by this nation and her Constitution, and now, we MUST do right by Nick.

We’ll be sending out more reminders about court dates as they approach and planned actions around them. As well, we are planning several benefits to raise money for Nick that I will keep all in the loop about as more develops. If you can, consider holding one yourself in your local community to raise money and awareness. This is the type of organizing that really makes a difference to people like Nick and the rest of us.

Please stay in the fight with us, and continue sending me your letters and opinions. I read all of them and respond to as many as I can. Your voices ARE this movement, and I want to hear them as much as our President should.

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis Chiroux

Matthis Chiroux
November 27 at 1:38am

In a remarkable reversal, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office has agreed to dismiss all charges against the Hempstead 15 following a six month adjournment in what’s called an “ACD” (Adjournment to Contemplate Dismissal).

Additionally, they have agreed to consolidate all of our court cases on one date (TBD) so that we and our supporters may be seen and heard together as we prepare to move forward now to federal court where our lawyer, Jonathan Moore is filing a civil case on behalf of Nick Morgan and others.

This is a decisive victory for activists and veterans everywhere, and for the Constitution. The outcome of these criminal proceedings would not have been possible without you, our supporters and allies. It was the calls, the demonstrations, the petitions and the grass-roots exposure that made the difference. For an event which received no real attention from main-stream media outlets to have been captured and brought to so many around the country and the world by a few hardworking organizers and supporters signals an evolution in our power as a movement to inform and impact our system.

We’d like to thank those videographers, bloggers, e-mailers and Facebookers that have stuck with us up until now and we hope will stay with us to the end. We’d also like to thank Democracy Now as well radio programs across the country for their dedication to covering this case in every stage of its development, ensuring we didn’t go entirely missing from the airwaves. As well, we must thank Newsday for their relentless coverage and powerful OpEds. Justice ultimately came about through the efforts of so many, and I’ve not room to begin to thank them all.

What happened at Hofstra will forever remain with all in attendance and those who suffered most. May it be burned into America’s conscience as well, but let it be a turning point. A moment in time from where clear divergence emerged.

Police and veterans from across this Nation have contacted us with their support and ultimately the same message: “We’re tired of this!”

So it is with great determination and much momentum we move forward, Nick and several into a civil case, and myself into a fight with the Army.

Shortly after our action at Hofstra, I was sent notice by the Army that I would be prosecuted for my refusal to reactivate and deploy to Iraq last summer. The Army wants to separate me on grounds of misconduct which I vowed to fight in May and continue to stand by firmly. I’ll know more on my exact hearing date soon, but with a good amount of support, I believe we can win this thing and prove once and for all that servicemembers have a right to refuse participation in the occupation of Iraq.

If you’ve not already, please consider joining the Facebook group “I support Matthis Chiroux’s decision not to go to Iraq.” Most of my updates from this point forward through Facebook will come from this group. Please pass it around to your friends, as well.

As soon as I know what day the Hempstead 15’s final hearing in Nassau will be, I’ll let everyone know. Let’s have one last blow out to make clear to our government and the world that we will not be silent!

You made this for us, and we are forever in the debt of our global movement.

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis