Newby was charged after attempting to help the law firm employee, who fell during a protest where dozens of supporters demanded justice for Minneapolis homeowner Monique White. Monique was then facing imminent eviction at the hands of Freddie Mac – the government- sponsored mortgage giant known for its enormous taxpayer bailout and consistent refusal to negotiate with struggling homeowners.

Around 40 supporters packed the courtroom to support Newby, a founding member of Occupy Homes MN. When asked if he had any final words for the court, Newby said: “I look forward to the day when the executives who crashed our financial system receive the same degree of scrutiny I did over the past week.”

This trial is part of an aggressive trend of prosecutions by the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul targeting the non-violent Occupy Homes movement. It comes on the heels of the outrageous riot charges leveled by the city of Minneapolis at the peaceful protesters arrested defending the Cruz family home last spring. These charges all represent attacks by elected officials on those working to prevent foreclosures and evictions in the Twin Cities.

“The only assault I see happening here is the assault on our right to protest,” said Nick Espinosa, who testified on Newby’s behalf this week.

On Feb. 1 the judge threw out the disorderly conduct charge based on a lack of evidence. On Feb. 4 the jury acquitted Newby of assault and found him guilty of trespassing. He will pay a small fine and the charges will drop from his record within a year if he complies with the terms of his sentence.

“Today’s victory in court has renewed my commitment to stand against the corruption and greed of the financial industry,” said Newby. “I’m ready to get back to work building a more just and equitable world for hardworking families across Minnesota.”

#StPaulMN #HousingStruggles #HomeForeclosures #OccupyHomes #MinnesotaNeighborhoodsOrganizingForChange #AnthonyNewby

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people braved below-zero weather to join a Martin Luther King Day march here, Jan 21, for “Jobs, Justice, and Housing.” The event was organized by Occupy the Hood and Minnesota Neighborhoods Organizing for Change.

A statement from the organizers notes, “This march seeks to honor that legacy of Doctor King – the MLK of the ‘Vietnam and Beyond’ speech, in which he condemns the militarism, materialism, and racism in U.S. society and proclaims that: ‘A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death… Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’”

After rallying at 16th Street and Hennepin Avenue, marchers made their way to the skyway system, where they moved through downtown Minneapolis. A concluding rally was held near People’s Plaza. Among the speakers there was Deb Konechne of the Welfare Rights Committee, who spoke of their struggle at the Minnesota legislature to raise the welfare grants.

#MinneapolisMN #DrMartinLutherKingJr #OccupyTheHood #MinnesotaNeighborhoodsOrganizingForChange