In today’s National Security State, the repression of political ideas and actions is commonplace, and the resources of the state are immense. However, there are ways of resisting this repression and fighting back against an unjust legal system.

As a hub of radical legal activism, the San Francisco Bay Area has a lot to offer in terms of the ways in which we can intervene and disrupt business as usual in the legal system. However, as activists, we must not rely on "legal experts" and a "service provider" model of legal support. We must take control of our own legal predicament and design ways of taking the political fight into the jails and courtrooms.

Join activist, author Kris Hermes, and members of the Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee at Station 40 for a discussion facilitated by Judith Mirkinson on how activist and defendant-led legal support efforts and the resurgence of law collectives can help politicize criminal cases and bridge the chasm that often exists between social change movements and the lawyers who defend activists in court.

As our movements develop, there will be increasing push back and repression by the state. Therefore, It's crucial for our political vitality to demystify the legal system for ourselves and to learn how to develop creative ways of using solidarity and collective action in a legal context.

Kris Hermes will have copies of his new book Crashing the Party: Legacies and Lessons from the RNC 2000 available for purchase and signing following the discussion!

Let’s make it FUN! Come dressed up as an activist from 2000--an anti-globalization era summit-hopper! A free copy of Crashing the Party for the person with the best anti-glob activist attire!

Unfortunately, Station 40 is not wheelchair accessible.