Free Gregory Koger! Videotaping is not a crime - Gregory should do no time!
After 9 months of vengeful and unrelenting pursuit of a conviction by the Cook County (Illinois) State’s Attorney and the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago (EHSC), videographer Gregory Koger was found guilty on August 26th of trespass, resisting a police officer, and battery for the “crime” of videotaping a brief but newsworthy statement by Sunsara Taylor at the EHSC.
Gregory was maced and brutalized during the arrest, and this was acknowledged by police at trial, yet he was the one charged and now found guilty.
The courtroom was continually packed with supporters of Gregory who were stunned and outraged by the verdict. Then the judge furthered this shameful persecution by taking the almost unprecedented step of revoking bond after a misdemeanor conviction. Gregory was taken directly from the courtroom to the Cook County Jail until sentencing on September 8. He could be sentenced to substantial time in jail.
Gregory’s lawyer, Scott Frankel said, “I am unbelievably disappointed with the verdict and I know we will appeal. Gregory is a fine man and does not deserve this. I was stunned by the Court's decision to revoke Gregory's bond.” A motion for an order to reinstate Gregory’s bond will be filed immediately.
Supporters went straight from the suburban courthouse to the jail to protest and demand “Hands Off Gregory.” This was really welcomed by people coming in and out of the jail, by people driving by, and most of all, by prisoners in the windows and in the yard as the protesters chanted, “Videotaping is not a crime, Gregory Koger should not do time, Free Gregory Koger!” and “No Justice, No Peace, No Brutalizing Police!” and “Gregory Koger: Watch His Back!”
WE DENOUNCE THIS OUTRAGEOUS VERDICT!
WE DEMAND REINSTATEMENT of BOND and GREGORY’S IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM JAIL!
FREE GREGORY KOGER! NO JAIL TIME!
"I am astonished by the extreme measures taken against Gregory Koger, all for a misdemeanor charge. This is not justice, especially for a person of his moral standing."
-Fr. Robert Bossie, SCJ
UPDATE:
Today, September 8, 2010, in Skokie IL, the judge sentenced Gregory Koger to 300 days in Cook County jail. She did this in the face of 7 character witnesses (including a college professor, a former assistant state's attorney, a Catholic priest, a University of Chicago student Gregory mentored, and his employer, an attorney) and 25 written personal testimonials from a wide array of people, including former Ethical Humanist Society members. These were all moving tributes to Gregory's character, his transformation from a troubled youth, his morality and his devotion to bettering humanity. These statements painted a picture of a human being who had touched many lives and inspired people. They and the almost 1,000 signatories and comments on a petition called on the judge to not give Gregory jail time.
Supporters who overflowed the courtroom were outraged when the judge threw the book at Gregory for misdemeanor convictions for taking pictures with an iPhone. Probation is the default sentence for all misdemeanors.
The prosecution presented no witnesses. They entered only documentation of two prior convictions. The judge took this up with a vengeance, saying that Gregory had demonstrated his "volatile nature." She even went so far as to claim he endangered every person in the Ethical Humanist Society auditorium. This was extraordinary since there was no testimony claiming this during the trial. The judge delivered a tirade to Koger which included stating, "you absolutely deserve the maximum ..."
The defense committee for Gregory stated in a press release, "After the hearing people gathered outside to denounce the sentencing. People who had witnessed the arrest spoke about how outraged they were that Gregory was even arrested in the first place much less face real jail time."
We are determined to not let this outrage stand. Many more people need to hear about it and raise their voices in protest.
Sign the ad (coming very soon). 1000 people @ contributing $5 or more for publication in a major Chicago newspaper. Matching funds also needed.
Send letters and cards to Gregory in jail to show your support. In order to be sure he gets his mail, inform the committee that you wrote him. (adhoc4reason@gmail.com )
Gregory Koger
#2010-0826188
PO Box 089002
Chicago, IL 60608
More information will be coming; keep in touch with the Ad Hoc Committee at AdHoc4Reason@gmail.com
Sign this petition in order to stay involved with these efforts:
People v Koger
To the Judge:
We the undersigned strongly urge that Gregory Koger not be given jail time for these misdemeanor convictions. The extremely unusual revocation of bond for a misdemeanor conviction should be reversed so he can be free to work on his appeal. Far from a “menace to society,” Gregory has overcome his troubled youth, transformed his life, and become an inspiration for all those seeking justice and a better world.
1-25
of 1069 signatures
Number
Date
Name
Organization
How you wish to be ...
1069
Thu Jan 12 13:16:41 EST 2012
Kim Brechtel
Human Race
So it happpens to this person, so CAN it happen to the rest of us!
1068
Tue Oct 19 18:09:16 EDT 2010
Angelique Kemp
Arca
If you are willing to buy a car, you will have to receive the <a href="http://bestfinance-blog.com/topics/home-loans">home loans</a>. Furthermore, my sister usually uses a sba loan, which supposes More....to be the most firm.
1067
Thu Oct 07 15:09:47 EDT 2010
Dana Awachi
Signing because this is nonsense. This man is jailed yet those who committed serious crimes (Abu Gharib, anyone?) get to walk away? What kind of justice is that?
1066
Mon Oct 04 05:39:33 EDT 2010
tracie boudreaux
shit stirrers association
1065
Fri Oct 01 19:24:18 EDT 2010
Paul Ritz
Free Gregory Koger!!!
1064
Fri Oct 01 07:23:26 EDT 2010
Phil DeNavoli
What?
Greg pushed a cop in the chest with both hands. He's lucky he just got one year.
1063
Wed Sep 29 00:25:37 EDT 2010
Veronica Hayes
No one should be jailed for filming at a public speaking event. Furthermore, 300 days is extreme to say the least. He was convicted of a misdemeanor, and a non-violent one at that (say what you'd like More....about resisting arrest constitutes 'violence', but certainly anyone with experience on either side of the law knows that such a charge is VERY ambiguous & one of the easiest to pin on someone by any officer who is present at the time of an arrest). Convictions for felonies, even violent ones, often result in far less time in jail. The jails can't even house the people that SHOULD be there, and resort to overcrowding their facilities and then early releases, when the State steps in to force them to improve conditions. That is why ALTERNATIVES to incarceration exist-- for cases just like this one.
Get a clue, get off of your high horse and do your job with a little more perspective and a lot less ego.
1062
Tue Sep 28 15:32:51 EDT 2010
Miriam Volkmann
no organization
1061
Sun Sep 26 23:44:32 EDT 2010
Cindy McLain
1060
Sat Sep 25 12:51:07 EDT 2010
Ron Jacobs
writer
Ron Jacobs, writer and library worker
1059
Tue Sep 21 13:41:39 EDT 2010
Erica Huey
1058
Mon Sep 20 01:09:21 EDT 2010
Susy McMahan
1057
Sun Sep 19 04:54:30 EDT 2010
LISA GOOD
1056
Sat Sep 18 13:18:59 EDT 2010
Ren BEan
none
A judges political opinions have no place in sentencing.
1055
Wed Sep 15 22:48:38 EDT 2010
William H Warrick III MD
VFP Gainesville
1054
Wed Sep 15 13:34:37 EDT 2010
Barbara Goldman
There's a rumor abound that we have freedoms protected by a constitution. Anyone? If the powers that be had any sense at all, they'd let Gregory get on with his good life.
1053
Tue Sep 14 19:44:21 EDT 2010
Joe Feinstein
Democratic party
Let freedom ring!
1052
Tue Sep 14 13:09:13 EDT 2010
J D
1051
Tue Sep 14 01:47:32 EDT 2010
ovidiu hosu
1050
Mon Sep 13 20:30:08 EDT 2010
Patty Fuksa
This is fucked up!!! Does this mean we have to take the video camera's off of our phones? Signed Sprint, Verizon, & AT&T.
1049
Mon Sep 13 16:26:09 EDT 2010
David Atias
Green Party of Monroe County
1048
Mon Sep 13 14:07:30 EDT 2010
Kelly Sheridan
World Can't Wait
Big Brother hard at work!
1047
Mon Sep 13 12:01:26 EDT 2010
mara ahmed
1046
Mon Sep 13 10:08:39 EDT 2010
Nicole Moore
1045
Mon Sep 13 02:36:56 EDT 2010
Michael Collier
Citizen
This debauchery is continuing to grow...What is this world coming to? This is wasting our time and HARD earned cash and resources. 3 words..GET A LIFE!!!!
After 9 months of vengeful and unrelenting pursuit of a conviction by the Cook County (Illinois) State’s Attorney and the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago (EHSC), videographer Gregory Koger was found guilty on August 26th of trespass, resisting a police officer, and battery for the “crime” of videotaping a brief but newsworthy statement by Sunsara Taylor at the EHSC.