At the June 27th protest against the bus fare hike, police issued six criminal citations and arrested one demonstrator charging him with assault. Organizers will protest these citations and arrest and have called them unconstitutional and illegal.

Jeff Bigelow, a union activist with AFSCME Council 92 was arrested and is presently being held at Central Booking. Sharon Ceci, a volunteer coordinator of the July 1st bus boycott and organizer with the All Peoples Congress, Ralph Moore, a long time community activist, and Eugene Peterson, Chairperson of the Transit Riders League were among the six issued criminal citations.

Sharon Ceci, stated, "This attack on our constitutional right to assemble and to speak out against the bus fare hike and cuts in service will not go unanswered. We will mobilize support at our hearing on July 28th at 8 A.M. at the North Avenue and Harford Road Court Building.

We are incensed that 22 police were sent to a peaceful and legal protest in an attempt to intimidate and silence protest. Notable public representatives such as elected State Senator Vernon Jones and Michael Sarbanes, Director of CPHA, along with disabled activists, seniors, and bus riders participated in the protest against the fare hike."

We should not be the ones cited or arrested. Robert Flanagan, Secretary of Transportation and Governor Ehrlich should be cited instead for jeopardizing the welfare of thousands of bus riders and low-wage workers. Layoffs, cutbacks, war and racism are a crime, not community activists speaking out against injustice."

It is even more important as Governor Ehrlich considers major cuts in people's programs and mass layoffs that we remain vocal and organized. A political and legal campaign to stop unconstitutional harassment will be mounted."

For more information contact: Sharon Ceci (410) 218-4835