For the past 3 days, John Heid and Eddie Bloomer were on
trial in Hennepin County Courthouse for the arrests at the Black Lives
Matter/Twins Home Opener/Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat action
last April. This was the final in a series of 5 trials, which concluded in two
acquittals, dismissal of charges against many of the defendants, the conviction
of 8 who requested jury trials and the acceptance of a plea agreement for
others. (I was in this latter group due to the uncertainty surrounding my dying
father’s situation – not wanting to be in the middle of a 3-day trial at the
time of his passing.)
It was a great honor to sit in on at least parts of 4 of the
trials and hear the clear testimony of fellow codefendants describe why they
took part. Although much of the trials focused on technical legal minutiae like
where exactly were you standing (were you technically on “Metro Transit
property”?) instead of the message we were trying to convey, defendants who
were eager to take the stand tried to embody the signs we carried: “White
Silence Equals Violence” by breaking silence around the police killings of
Jamar Clark and other black young men in our metro area.
Yesterday and today, John Heid, going pro-se (representing
himself rather than using a lawyer for defense), spoke clearly and
passionately. It was difficult to take notes because so much of what he said
was note-worthy. Here is the gist of what I wrote down.
·
The conscience of the community is an essential
part of a democracy.
·
He is committed to Kingian nonviolence –
following the practice of Martin Luther King, Jr.
·
My intent was to raise awareness [of the public]
when all other attempts seemed to have failed.
·
King teaches us to “raise the tension” –create a
“creative tension”. This process is not an easy or painless one; it is akin to
“lancing a boil- in order to get to the infection” and begin the healing
process. The cancer that must be addressed in our body politic is racism
exacerbated with notions of white supremacy throughout our nation.
·
We take a “civil initiative” (some use terms
such as “civil disobedience” or “civil resistance”) to both pressure our
government and its “leaders” as well as take personal responsibility ourselves
when the state has failed to right an injustice. As a Quaker, John stated he
had “civil responsibility” and as a citizen he has a “civic responsibility”.
·
Conscience must inform our view of the law.
There are times (such as now) when “we have to leave the comfort of the
sidewalk for the dissonance of the streets” – referring to being willing to
risk arrest rather than just holding a sign on the sidewalk or leaving the
street after an arrest warning is delivered. “I don’t just go into the street
to raise havoc”, he stated, explaining his principled commitment to nonviolent
direct action attempting to address social injustice. “When lives are at stake,
laws need to adjust accordingly.” Sometimes one has to violate a law like
rushing into a burning building to save lives despite trespass codes. “Racism
is that fire today and it is burning down our houses and destroying our souls.”
·
“What is important is not where I stood – but
rather what I stood for”. This, in response to Prosecutor Patrick Marzitelli’s
attempt to get John to admit that one of his feet might have been on “Metro
Transit property” in a photo the State entered into evidence. Although I’m
certain John was not technically “trespassing” at the time the “leave or
arrest” warnings were given – (he had moved further away from the light rail
tracks as the vigil/protest progressed) – he wanted his emphasis to remain on
what he stood for – and why- rather than exactly where his feet were planted.
·
Telling the jury that we can’t build a
nonviolent world using the tools of violence, John called out the names of
Jamar, Philando, and Cordale – “may they rest in peace; a peace they never
found in these cities”.
·
At the closing arguments, the Prosecutor told
the jury they were to consider “just the facts and the law” -oh, and “common
sense” , setting aside their feelings and sentiments about the Black Lives
Matter movement or anything else. To which John Heid, when his turn arrived,
countered with “You [the jury] are to be the conscience of the community”. You
have a responsibility – the ability to respond. “You, today, are acting as the
soul of this community.” My intent, John stated clearly, was to take a claim of
responsibility for the troubles of our society. I was trying to prevent further
harm and address the harms of the past. It was my conscience that brought me
here- not a criminal intent. WHY I stood where I stood informs my intent.
-->
Alas, the jurors decided to follow the pleas of the
Prosecutor. Both John and Eddie were convicted on all charges. But lest you think this was a defeat, John Heid
smiled his Quaker smile during a break in the trial, saying to me, it doesn’t
matter if I get convicted or not as long as we can speak some truth in this
courtroom. Thank you, brothers, for lives full of witness and conviction!