After an 18-day extradition process that led to his arrival in the Bay Area on May 31st, political prisoner Herman Bell was reported to be in good spirits and health. A hearing in Herman's case was held on Monday, June 4th. The first of at least two bail hearings for the 8 was held on Monday, June 18th. A large crowd gathered in front of the SF Courthouse at 850 Bryant Street at 8 am Monday morning calling for the release of the SF 8 and the dropping of all charges. ( Audio | Report ) The hearing took place at 9am before Judge Philip Moscone. This hearing was rescheduled from June 11th due to a scheduling conflict on the part of Judge Moscone. A Night of Solidarity with the SF8 will be held on Sunday, July 1st at 6:30 at the Women's Building in San Francisco. The evening will include speaker Derrick Jensen and an update about the case of the 8.

The San Francisco 8 have called for a national movement to demand the reopening of COINTELPRO hearings. They write, "We, the SF8, urge friends and supporters to phone/fax/write to John Conyers, Chair of the Judiciary Committee in Congress, and appeal for him to conduct public hearings on why victims of COINTELPRO languish in prison over 30 years after it was declared unconstitutional. We, the SF8, ask friends and supporters to contact your congressional representative, Congressional Black Caucus members and other elected officials urging them to enable John Conyers to reopen COINTELPRO hearings."

Report from 6/4 Hearing for Herman Bell | Read more about Herman Bell and the SF 8 | Committee in Defense of Human Rights | Indybay's Past Coverage of the San Francisco 8 | Herman Bell and the New York 3