BALTIMORE (7/14/03) -- At the Baltimore City Council meeting, the President of the Council, Sheila Dixon, and a majority of its members introduced a resolution requiring hearings and an inquiry into the arrests of 9 community and union activists at a recent protest against the bus fare increase. One of the protesters, Jeff Bigelow, is facing 10 years on assault charges and the other eight were given criminal citations for the use of a bullhorn and are facing a total of $4,000 in fines.

Sharon Ceci, a volunteer organizer with the All Peoples Congress, called tonight's resolution a clear victory. The next step will be for the council to set up public hearings to gather testimony. The resolution also calls for the Baltimore City States Attorney, Patricia Coates Jessamy and newly appointed Police Commission, Kevin Clark to appear before the Judiciary and Legislative Investigations.

Ceci stated, "We intend to wage a campaign to have all charges dropped and to defend our right to protest. The overwhelming presence of scores of police including City, State and MTA Police along with special SWAT teams and a helicopter at the June 27th hike protest is meant to intimidate and criminalize dissent.

It is an outrageous expense at a time when many in our city go hungry at night and have nowhere to sleep; it is costly when school children are in need of books and teachers," she stated.

AFSCME Council 92, representing 30,000 state and county workers has voted formally to support the case of Jeff Bigelow.

Information: Sharon Ceci (410) 218-4835