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Departments Ohio An urgent appeal on behalf of Carol Fisher We are friends of Carol Fisher, the woman from Cleveland, Ohio , who spent the better part of 2006 battling felony charges stemming from putting up anti-Bush posters. We urge you to take a minute to read an update on her situation and pledge your support. Millions of people are deeply concerned about the direction and fate of the world. The Bush Regime has made torture legal, is conducting a “surge” of US troops into Iraq , and continues to radically remake society very quickly, in a fascist way, and for generations to come. Many more need to step up to stop this, and join with people who are showing tremendous courage in refusing to be silent and complicit in these crimes being done in our name. As most of you are aware, in an outrageous trial Carol was convicted of two felony counts of “assault on police officers”. She served 5 weeks in jail, completed a court ordered “anger management” class, and is on probation until June of 2008. Carol has decided not to pursue an appeal of her conviction. “An appeal of my case would require immense time, money and energy from many people—that would be better spent focusing on the immediate necessity to drive out the Bush regime for its war crimes and crimes against humanity. We need a whole different and better world.” But the hard reality of seeking work as “a felon” has kept Carol virtually unemployed, in spite of all her skills and work experience, and in spite of applying for hundreds of positions. (She has been applying for jobs since March, responding to dozens of weekly postings online, through networking and other avenues that match her skills.) Especially since 9-11, most employers inquire about criminal backgrounds, which rules out anyone convicted of a felony. And many are bound by law not to hire persons convicted of “violent crimes”, where children and/or the elderly would be “endangered”. Carol’s sentencing specifically orders that she cannot work in proximity to children or the elderly—even though her actual “violent crime” was defending herself against two burly police officers in an illegal arrest. Meanwhile, Carol is also required to do hundreds of hours of community service to pay off the $2500 (!) in court costs and fines, and University Hospitals is demanding that she pay $4260 for the emergency services the day the police assaulted and arrested her! Combined with this, let’s face it, age discrimination is another barrier for women of Carol’s age. Since her release from jail, she has found a few odd jobs and did manage to find a housekeeping position, for which she made $215 for 10 days of work. But overall, Carol has had to rely on the financial support of friends, relatives – and even strangers worldwide who heard about the case – in order to survive. Through at least August, Carol will be doing her community service several days a week at Cleveland Public Theatre. She also is pursuing employment counseling through the Senior Employment Center, is enrolled in Ohio Employment Connection, and may participate in the Prose Program which is a course designed to “aid felons in their search for gainful employment”, which requires attending a 6-week course four days per week. Clearly, this complicates the matter of finding employment for the time being. We urgently ask for your financial help. Carol continues to be politically active in volunteering at Revolution Books, and in support of “The World Can’t Wait-Drive Out the Bush Regime”, and many other efforts. Carol’s attorneys, Terry Gilbert and Dan Shields, have generously contributed thousands of dollars in legal services. We want to support Carol’s ability to contribute to bringing about a better world, by financially sustaining her survival as she works off the community service and resolves the financial burden due to her conviction. Please contribute generously by visiting PayPal and entering carolfisher9@hotmail.com Or send checks to "Carol Fisher Defense Fund" at PO Box 609034 Cleveland OH 44109 You can make a one time donation or sustain her monthly. Her expenses include $350 a month for rent and utilities; $400 per month for transportation, phone and daily cash needs; and about $5,000 in medical bills. Carol wants to work. Can you help her find a job? She has years of experience in administration and the arts. (resume available on request). Spread the word to others who might know of the right job or could contribute. |
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