Activist. Vegan. Cyclist. Parent. (Almost) Criminal defense attorney.

This is our hope...With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. -MLK, Jr.

After checking out Joe.My.God. yesterday, I realized that I failed you, my readers, and myself. Every so often I use this blog as a reminder of how far we've come, and how far we've got to go. Yesterday was the 35th anniversary of the raid of the Stonewall Inn, which led to the Stonewall Riots.

In 1969, after years decades centuries of repression and abuse, without warning or organization the GLBT community stood up. Like the Seneca Falls Convention gave rise to the feminist movement, and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas ignited the Civil Rights Movement, the Stonewall Riots stand as the birth of the Gay Rights movement. This movement continues today in the streets, in the courthouses, in the statehouses, and in the hearts and minds of every person who has the courage to ask the question, "What is equality?"

For more information:
Human Rights Campaign
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
ACLU: Lesbian and Gay Rights Project
Lambda Legal
National Lawyers' Guild - Queer Caucus
SpeakOut.com

What I've learned:

In my short time here at the DA's office, I've learned some interesting things that I would like to share with some of you, the few readers I have left:

1. It's not Law & Order. I know, it's a disappointment. I don't know that I fully expected it to be, but the contrast is so stark it's unsettling. Rather than the large oak paneled walls, high ceilings, and solid wooden tables and chairs the court rooms are claustrophobic inducing rooms with cloth covered walls - essentially cubicles with cielings. And the furnishings are more Office Space than To Kill a Mockingbird.
2. It never ends. This is another thing that I never really thought about, and consequently was humbled by the sheer scale of it. The paperwork, the files, it's a constant ebb and flow of folders moving about. They never seem to come from anywhere, they are just there, multiplying like tribbles.
3. A case is never 'just a.' While most people around here are guilty of doing this from time to time, I take a point to notice, and try to not use this language. As in, "this case is just a shove." Or something similar. Maybe to us it's a 'just a' shove, because we've seen an attempted murder, an aggravated assault and a kidnapping case in the past half hour, but that victim may have never been the victim of any crime, and to that person it certainly is not 'just a' shove.
4. 'Domestic violence' as a term is too sanitized, and potentially, allows us to further detach ourselves from it. Family violence is a bit better, and when appropriate 'Intimate partner violence' seems to address many of the concerns involved. Especially considering the increasing number of same-sex batterers we are seeing.
5. The prosecutors are young. Maybe it's my age, and my sensitivity to it, but the prosecutors that I interact with daily range in age from about 32 to 26. Yes, I'm serious.

So far, this experience has been invaluable. I've participated in jury selection (tedious, but very interesting), helped prosecutors prepare for trial (it's less than you'd imagine), watched and transcribed interrogation tapes (if you ever plan on being a detective, Mirandize the suspect on the tape, please).

I will catch up with more later. There are a backlog of stories to catch up on, including my First (of many) 29th Birthday, and on the horizon--a new job. 

Hell yeah.

Whose streets? Our Streets!

June 15th, 1990
Century City, California

Janitors took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the cleaning contractor ISS. On this particular day, 500 janitors and their supporters were beaten by police. Public outrage eventually led ISS to recognize the union and negotiate. In remembrance of that day, every year SEIU Janitors and their supporters take action on what has become known as - Justice for Janitors Day!

Find a local near you!

I'll update more soon, however...

until then:

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday, Sara Rich spoke at our WAND meeting about her daughter's experiences in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army. Her daughter did two tours of duty and after continued sexual harassment and assault, refused to return for a third tour.

Sara's daughter was picked up by Eugene Police last night and taken to Lane County jail, under orders from Ft. Lewis.

Sara tried to block them from entering her house, but a police officer twisted her arm behind her back, causing her extreme pain, and pushed past her. The police entered, showing no warrant, handcuffed her daughter and took her away.

An active effort to raise funds for legal fees is underway. There is also a vigil today, Monday, June 12 from 4:30 to 6 pm in front of the jail on 5th.

Please come and show your support for a 22-year-old woman who is bravely showing us how to stand up to war.

For more information, please contact Aria Seligmann, ariaseligmann (at) earthlink (dot) net, 343-7970.

In peace,
Aria Seligmann