On the passing of fighter for justice and people’s lawyer Ted Dooley
Minneapolis, MN – On Feb. 2 an outstanding lawyer for the people, Ted Dooley, passed away. Fight Back! extends our condolences to his family, many friends and all those who knew him through the struggles for peace, justice and equality.
Ted was a passionate opponent of injustice and used his knowledge and ample legal skills to serve the people’s struggle. In court he was willing to transcend a narrow law-based approach for a political one. When members of the Twin Cities-based Anti-War Committee were arrested at a protest during the war on Iraq, he pursued a ‘necessity defense,’ arguing in court that it was necessary to break the law in order to prevent a greater harm. He won.
In a civil case against police violence at the 2008 Republican National Convention, Ted attempted to subpoena the notorious undercover police officer “Karen Sullivan,” who spying and lies paved the way for the 2010 FBI raids on anti-war and international solidarity activists. Ted also came to the home of one of the international solidarity activists to provide legal assistance while the FBI raids were taking place.
As a young man, Ted served time for his refusal to be drafted into the military. He was a member of the National Lawyers Guild and in 2010 he received the Paul Marino People's Lawyer Award from the Guild’s Minnesota chapter.
Ted Dooley’s contributions are many, and we will miss his warmth, humor and willingness to fight.
Ted Dooley ¡Presente!