Activists consider wrongful arrest litigation on eve of court date for M/16 arrests.

Videos leaked to Indybay.org, youtube.com show San Francisco police brutally cracking down on a crowd of milling protestors Monday. Eight people arrested at street march to show solidarity with Tristan Anderson, Bay Area activist currently in critical condition after the Israeli Defense Forces shot him in the head with a tear gas canister.

One protestor was hospitalized and later released with nine staples in the head. Another protestor remains in jail awaiting court Thursday morning for felony assault on an officer. There is no news on his health.Seven of the eight arrestees have already been released.

The scuffle started when police began to make targeted arrests. People were standing around, conversing and exchanging signatures on a get-well card for Tristan when police grabbed a young woman, 21, by the arm and proceeded to arrest her. The police attacked, more and more officers jumping in the fray as legal observers and other media personnel attempted to calm the cops' panic.

With no order of dispersal given and no verbal warnings given, the arrests were groundless and unconstitutional. San Francisco Police Department could not be reached for comment on the incident as of print. One protestor was hospitalized and later released with nine staples in the head. One protestor remains in jail awaiting court Thursday morning for felony assault on an officer. There is no news on his health.

The district attorney's office declined to press charges and Tierney was released the following morning. Emily Vanderlyn, 18, was released this evening on her own recognizance. In Youtube videos the police are clearly shown hitting her in the ribcage and then arresting her with unnecessary force. From the video it is unclear what probable cause provides the basis for her arrest. While in jail she experienced bruising of the ribs as well as sharp pains in the stomach. She is charged with felony "lynching". For more video, Indybay.org.


Tierney's (also known by her tree-sitter pseudonym "Dumpster Muffin") charges included battery, resisting, tampering, and obstructing. The matter was since dismissed by the District Attorney.

Only one arrestee is left. Tristan has travelled to over forty countries as an independent photojournalist in the summit-hopping movement, a globe-trotting culture of international activists who travel in order to shed light on economic justice issues. His insightful coverage tackles the most penetrating issues of the day, from the occupation of Iraq, to the U.S. Mexico border, to the construction of a security fence barricading the West Bank from Israel. He has attended conferences and rallies around the world on matters of social and economic justice. He has friends on every continent except Antarctica. Email tristanarresteesnews [at] gmail.com for updates on his medical condition as well as latest details. Thurs March 19th 9:00 a.m. rally at courthouse in support of remaining protestor, 850 Bryant, San Francisco, CA
Friday March 20th 8:00 p.m. candlelight vigil and film screening for Tristan at the Grassroots House in Berkeley, CA film showing: "Up the Ridge: A U.S. Prison Story" Bring your favorite signs, banners, puppets, flowers, and crafts! In cooperation with the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

Activists in Maryland have successfully sued the police for false arrest, alleging battery, unlawful search and seizure as well as other brutality-related crimes. Officers of the Annapolis Police Department were named as the defendants of a personal injury lawsuit for police brutality.

"if it can be done in dc it can be done in san francisco!"