Occupy Philly acquittal sets free speech precedent

Today, a jury acquitted 12 Occupy Philadelphia protesters who were charged with trespassing and conspiracy back in 2011 during a sit-in inside a Wells Fargo bank. Wells Fargo had engaged in what Occupy rightly called "racist predatory lending" - a banking practice that has ruined neighborhoods and left customers homeless.

Occupy had argued that the protest was protected by the First Amendment. Thirty years ago, few would have questioned Occupy's stance - for Wells Fargo is a corporation, not a person. Corporations do not have limitless rights. But the hard freeze of rightism and the constant drumbeat of official praise for corporations made this defense a tougher sell.

But everything came up cool at the trial today when the Occupy demonstrators were quite properly acquitted. The implications of this acquittal are colossal. This sets a clear precedent that corporate "rights" are outweighed by the public interest served by peaceful protest.

Last year, Wells Fargo had to pay $175,000,000 to settle allegations that independent brokers who originated its loans practiced racial discrimination against borrowers by charging higher fees based on race.

Meanwhile, the judge who presided over the Occupy trial said the Occupy peeps "are the most affable group of defendants I've ever come across."

Now the Far Right is threatening to hold a demonstration in the courtroom to protest the acquittal. Your side lost, teaburglars. Get over it.

(Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/195297211.html)