ponchopeligroso:

This isn’t going to be funny.

I met Jerry in 2011 during my first book tour. I lived with him for a few months in 2012. It’s hard to say how much of an influence he’s had on me. Anyone who’s been following my work over the past few years has undoubtedly noticed that I have become increasingly outspoken about my politics, and this is largely due to the influence of Jerry. Before I met Jerry, I had beliefs, but they were paired with a feeling of powerlessness and resignation that it was impossible for me to effect any kind of lasting change. And now I know that I was right, at least in that I alone cannot make a difference. Jerry is the most principled and resolute man I know, and a supportive hub of the New York radical community. He taught me that even if I feel powerless on my own, there is power and hope in solidarity. 

Which is why he’s now facing the possibility of prison time, though he hasn’t been charged with any crime.

In 2009 Jerry was called in for a federal grand jury on a case he was totally disconnected from and knew nothing about. This being the case, he refused to testify.

Double Jeopardy not being something that applies to federal grand juries, he’s been called in again on the same case, and is taking the same course of action. 

Unfortunately, it seems to be going differently this time. In a federal grand jury, a witness can be granted “immunity,” which, though it sounds nice, essentially rescinds the witness’ 5th Amendment constitutional right, and that “right to remain silent” we all know and love goes out the window. What immunity means, in this situation, is something along the lines of, “You are incapable of incriminating yourself with anything you say, so you have no legal reason not to tell us everything we want to know, no matter how disconnected it may be from the ostensible case at hand. Thus, if you continue to exercise your 5th Amendment right and your right to remain silent, you are in contempt of court.”

If deemed uncooperative with the federal grand jury, the witness—Jerry—is subject to prison time for the duration of grand jury as a “coercive measure.”

As anarchists, we have said time and again that the existing governmental structures oppress the populace in hypocritical, unjust ways. And the government’s current response to that assertion is to call Jerry into a secret proceeding where he is not allowed to have his lawyer in the room, and then send him to prison without charges. As a “COERCIVE” measure.

The response has proven our accusations. Not that it helps.

Jerry, to his credit, is continuing to refuse to testify in a nonviolent act of civil disobedience, fully aware of the consequences it may have.

What we can do now is spread the word and support Jerry. The grand jury process relies on secrecy, and publicity is a great tool against it. Please, reblog this, signal boost this, whatever the term is. We need solidarity. Visit http://jerryresists.net/ to learn more. Tell your friends. 

Thank you for your time. Support Jerry.