Arrested Meet

The 24^th of January Movement met February 20^th to discuss the possibility of bringing suit against the Detroit Police Department for the illegal arrest of the 43 persons who were seized in the raid and released without charges.

Attorney Dennis James addressed the group, clarifying legal procedures and explaining what is necessary to collect damages in such a suit. He felt that the suffering experienced by those detained was slight, at least in a legal sense, and that a weak case at best could be brought by individuals against the police.

Other possibilities, said James, include action by the Artists’ Workshop Society, as an incorporated non-profit organization, to recover damages suffered by the seizure of publications, adverse publicity, and the mistreatment of many of the organization’s members.

Many of those at the meeting felt that it was necessary to bring suit against the police no matter how weak the case appeared. This, it was felt, would serve as a political weapon to show the police that they can’t commit illegal acts against individuals without suffering the consequences of their actions, and would in addition give the group a public platform from which it could make its views known.

The final decision as to whether a suit will be begun will be made at the next meeting of the 24^th of January Movement, to be held Monday, March 6, 8 p.m., at the Artists’ Workshop.