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Protest at Humboldt law firm - PL/Sheriff conflict
Humboldt county, California--Local forest and civil rights activists protested in Eureka outside the law firm Mitchell, Brisso, Delaney, and Vreize today to expose conflicts of interest and unethical practices, including drawn out litigation at the expense of the
taxpayers.
taxpayers.
Earth First!
September 30, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACTIVISTS PROTEST AT CONTENTIOUS HUMBOLDT COUNTY LAW FIRM; FBI MAKES APPEARANCE
Humboldt county, California--Local forest and civil rights activists protested in Eureka outside the law firm Mitchell, Brisso, Delaney, and Vreize today to expose conflicts of interest and unethical practices, including drawn out litigation at the expense of the
taxpayers.
Mitchell Brisso et al defends the Pacific Lumber Company, Simpson Timber, the County of Humboldt, its Sheriff's Dept. and Correctional Facility, several cities in the area, Del Norte County (home of Pelican Bay Prison) and other large entities. Presently, through Mitchell Brisso, Pacific Lumber, a company which has incurred over 400 violations of the Forest Practices Act, the Clean Water Act, and The Endangered Species Act, is suing over 100 critics and protesters of its (PL's) logging and employment practices in what are called SLAPPs -- Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Additionally, while it is widely observed and undisputed that the Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept. works closely with Pacific Lumber in protest situations, law enforcement, presumably an objective entity is also represented by the Mitchell Brisso firm.
In the well-known pepper spray case in which peaceful protesters are suing the Humboldt County Sheriff's for civil rights violations, Mitchell Brisso has kept litigation going for six years, although the suing parties, likely to prevail, ask only for a settled greement by the county to not use chemical weapons on non-violent protesters. Protester Mark Knipper, says "Keeping these cases in limbo for an exorbitant amount of time costs Humboldt County taxpayers' money." Mitchell Brisso also has represented and refused to settle in other civil rights cases regarding treatment of inmates in the County Jail.
The firm has a conflict of interest in its representation of both Humboldt County AND Pacific Lumber, especially considering that the county's DA has brought a civil suit against PL. Protesters, 4 of whom today locked themselves to a disabled car in front of the Mitchell Brisso office and chanted such messages as "Mitchell Brisso, Delaney, and Vreize has Humboldt County on its knees!" believe the firm, which represents so many entities in the area, methodically instigates and thrives on the conflicts which are already tearing the community apart. Additionally, Mitchell Brisso maintains social and business ties to most of the judges that sit in Humboldt.
Locked-down activist, "Wren," who is being SLAPPed by Pacific Lumber said "Somehow Mitchell Brisso has been allowed to fade into the woodwork while virtually assisting in and representing the destruction of the Humboldt community, the forests, and Constitutional rights," and called the firm's practices "unscrupulous
and unethical." No arrests ocurred from the jovial yet focused protest nor from the related banner hang in downtown Eureka. However, notable was the presence of several plainclothed investigators with video cameras and an announced FBI agent for about half of the day around the demonstrators.
###
September 30, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACTIVISTS PROTEST AT CONTENTIOUS HUMBOLDT COUNTY LAW FIRM; FBI MAKES APPEARANCE
Humboldt county, California--Local forest and civil rights activists protested in Eureka outside the law firm Mitchell, Brisso, Delaney, and Vreize today to expose conflicts of interest and unethical practices, including drawn out litigation at the expense of the
taxpayers.
Mitchell Brisso et al defends the Pacific Lumber Company, Simpson Timber, the County of Humboldt, its Sheriff's Dept. and Correctional Facility, several cities in the area, Del Norte County (home of Pelican Bay Prison) and other large entities. Presently, through Mitchell Brisso, Pacific Lumber, a company which has incurred over 400 violations of the Forest Practices Act, the Clean Water Act, and The Endangered Species Act, is suing over 100 critics and protesters of its (PL's) logging and employment practices in what are called SLAPPs -- Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Additionally, while it is widely observed and undisputed that the Humboldt County Sheriff's Dept. works closely with Pacific Lumber in protest situations, law enforcement, presumably an objective entity is also represented by the Mitchell Brisso firm.
In the well-known pepper spray case in which peaceful protesters are suing the Humboldt County Sheriff's for civil rights violations, Mitchell Brisso has kept litigation going for six years, although the suing parties, likely to prevail, ask only for a settled greement by the county to not use chemical weapons on non-violent protesters. Protester Mark Knipper, says "Keeping these cases in limbo for an exorbitant amount of time costs Humboldt County taxpayers' money." Mitchell Brisso also has represented and refused to settle in other civil rights cases regarding treatment of inmates in the County Jail.
The firm has a conflict of interest in its representation of both Humboldt County AND Pacific Lumber, especially considering that the county's DA has brought a civil suit against PL. Protesters, 4 of whom today locked themselves to a disabled car in front of the Mitchell Brisso office and chanted such messages as "Mitchell Brisso, Delaney, and Vreize has Humboldt County on its knees!" believe the firm, which represents so many entities in the area, methodically instigates and thrives on the conflicts which are already tearing the community apart. Additionally, Mitchell Brisso maintains social and business ties to most of the judges that sit in Humboldt.
Locked-down activist, "Wren," who is being SLAPPed by Pacific Lumber said "Somehow Mitchell Brisso has been allowed to fade into the woodwork while virtually assisting in and representing the destruction of the Humboldt community, the forests, and Constitutional rights," and called the firm's practices "unscrupulous
and unethical." No arrests ocurred from the jovial yet focused protest nor from the related banner hang in downtown Eureka. However, notable was the presence of several plainclothed investigators with video cameras and an announced FBI agent for about half of the day around the demonstrators.
###
For more information:
http://nopepperspray.org
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Law firm's ethics questioned, defended
By John Driscoll The Times-Standard
Wednesday, October 01, 2003 -
EUREKA -- A group of activists called into question a Eureka law firm's ethics Tuesday, claiming the firm has conflicts in representing the Pacific Lumber Co. and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.
The law firm Mitchell, Brisso, Delaney and Vrieze vehemently denied the claims, presented by a score of protesters outside the firm's 7th Street office. Some protesters locked themselves to a parked car's steering wheel and frame there, apparently to prevent law enforcement from removing them.
The protesters, who used pseudonyms, said the firm has kept a lawsuit stemming from a 1997 incident -- in which deputies used pepper spray during protests -- in constant limbo. The firm, they claim, has drawn out the case and sapped the county's funds.
"It's just taking up more and more of the taxpayers' money," said a woman who called herself Prana.
Nancy Delaney, a partner in the firm, scoffed at the notion. She said it was the plaintiffs' attorneys who asked for exorbitant fees when suggesting a settlement some time ago.
The case now at the U.S. 9th District Court of Appeals arose from deputies' use of pepper spray -- sprayed or daubed directly into protesters' eyes -- during a protest at then-Rep. Frank Riggs' Eureka office, and PL headquarters in Scotia. Several activists sued, alleging excessive force.
The conflict of interest allegation is at the heart of a controversy among the state's legal community. Diane Karpman, a legal ethics expert and columnist for the California Bar Journal, said the question at hand is whether the firm is representing the sheriff's department -- or the public interest.
"They're walking on the edge of the envelope," Karpman said.
Delaney called the claims of conflict "ridiculous."
"We represent law enforcement with respect to specific events," she said.
She said it appears the activists are trying to exert pressure on the county to fire the firm in an effort to choose who the pepper-spray plaintiffs' adversary is.
Prana said the firm should advise the sheriff's department to agree to settle the case on condition that pepper spray not be used against nonviolent protesters.
Delaney said the issue is what is safer, using a grinder to cut through the metal sleeves activists lock themselves into, or subjecting someone to pepper spray to force their release.
Activists claim the firm is costing the county money it doesn't have by representing PL -- against which Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos has launched a fraud suit -- and by helping PL bring a civil suit against logging protesters stemming from protests in the Mattole River Valley two years ago.
-------------------------------------------------
FAIR-USE NOTICE: This message may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner(s).
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only in the belief that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair
use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
By John Driscoll The Times-Standard
Wednesday, October 01, 2003 -
EUREKA -- A group of activists called into question a Eureka law firm's ethics Tuesday, claiming the firm has conflicts in representing the Pacific Lumber Co. and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.
The law firm Mitchell, Brisso, Delaney and Vrieze vehemently denied the claims, presented by a score of protesters outside the firm's 7th Street office. Some protesters locked themselves to a parked car's steering wheel and frame there, apparently to prevent law enforcement from removing them.
The protesters, who used pseudonyms, said the firm has kept a lawsuit stemming from a 1997 incident -- in which deputies used pepper spray during protests -- in constant limbo. The firm, they claim, has drawn out the case and sapped the county's funds.
"It's just taking up more and more of the taxpayers' money," said a woman who called herself Prana.
Nancy Delaney, a partner in the firm, scoffed at the notion. She said it was the plaintiffs' attorneys who asked for exorbitant fees when suggesting a settlement some time ago.
The case now at the U.S. 9th District Court of Appeals arose from deputies' use of pepper spray -- sprayed or daubed directly into protesters' eyes -- during a protest at then-Rep. Frank Riggs' Eureka office, and PL headquarters in Scotia. Several activists sued, alleging excessive force.
The conflict of interest allegation is at the heart of a controversy among the state's legal community. Diane Karpman, a legal ethics expert and columnist for the California Bar Journal, said the question at hand is whether the firm is representing the sheriff's department -- or the public interest.
"They're walking on the edge of the envelope," Karpman said.
Delaney called the claims of conflict "ridiculous."
"We represent law enforcement with respect to specific events," she said.
She said it appears the activists are trying to exert pressure on the county to fire the firm in an effort to choose who the pepper-spray plaintiffs' adversary is.
Prana said the firm should advise the sheriff's department to agree to settle the case on condition that pepper spray not be used against nonviolent protesters.
Delaney said the issue is what is safer, using a grinder to cut through the metal sleeves activists lock themselves into, or subjecting someone to pepper spray to force their release.
Activists claim the firm is costing the county money it doesn't have by representing PL -- against which Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos has launched a fraud suit -- and by helping PL bring a civil suit against logging protesters stemming from protests in the Mattole River Valley two years ago.
-------------------------------------------------
FAIR-USE NOTICE: This message may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner(s).
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only in the belief that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair
use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
For more information:
http://times-standard.com/cda/article/prin...
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Thank you Activists
Thank you Activists
Great action, folks!
Actions in the woods and at the gates are great, but it's also important to keep bringing the struggle to the doorsteps of the pampered elites and the insulated decision-makers, as well.
Next stop...CDF?
Actions in the woods and at the gates are great, but it's also important to keep bringing the struggle to the doorsteps of the pampered elites and the insulated decision-makers, as well.
Next stop...CDF?
Another client of Mitchell Brisso is the APD/City of Arcata. They are being charged with discriminatory ordinances against homeless people. These City ordinances are a deliberate target against the homeless community.. The homeless community was harrassed by APD for the most petty actions (smoking on the plaza, standing with a dog, etc..).
This adds to Mitchell Brissos record of unjust clients. Supporting city ordinances that discriminate against the homeless is another example of being against the people..
Mitchell, Briso, Delaney and Vrieze..
WE DON'T WANT YOUR CORPORATE SLEAZE!!
This adds to Mitchell Brissos record of unjust clients. Supporting city ordinances that discriminate against the homeless is another example of being against the people..
Mitchell, Briso, Delaney and Vrieze..
WE DON'T WANT YOUR CORPORATE SLEAZE!!
So, just because you are homeless. Does that give you the right to aggressively panhandle in the plaza? Here's a penny for your thoughts.
moth , we are still waiting
we are still waiting for your list of the species that went into extinction for this hour! (5:00pm,to 6:00pm)
as you promised in a previous post
we would also like to see those hourly extinction rates for ten thousand years ago...along with the list of what disappeared during which hour....
EXACTLY WHICH SPECIES DISAPPEARED THIS DAY, THIS HOUR TEN THOUSAND YEARS AGO.?????????
EXACTLY WHICH SPECIES DISAPPEARED THIS DAY, THIS HOUR A THOUSAND YEARS AGO.?????????
IN YOUR PREVIOUS STATEMENTS YOU CLAIM TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL US THE EXACT HOUR THAT ANY GIVEN SPECIES GOES EXTINCT
SO.....THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO IMPRESS US WITH
YOUR SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
we are still waiting for your list of the species that went into extinction for this hour! (5:00pm,to 6:00pm)
as you promised in a previous post
we would also like to see those hourly extinction rates for ten thousand years ago...along with the list of what disappeared during which hour....
EXACTLY WHICH SPECIES DISAPPEARED THIS DAY, THIS HOUR TEN THOUSAND YEARS AGO.?????????
EXACTLY WHICH SPECIES DISAPPEARED THIS DAY, THIS HOUR A THOUSAND YEARS AGO.?????????
IN YOUR PREVIOUS STATEMENTS YOU CLAIM TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL US THE EXACT HOUR THAT ANY GIVEN SPECIES GOES EXTINCT
SO.....THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO IMPRESS US WITH
YOUR SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
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