Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 00:17:59 -0700
From: murphy@MYBLUEHEAVEN.COM (Phil Murphy)
Subject: Press Release and Comment
To: AZRKBA@asu.edu


After reading the following press release, I would appreciate it if you
would take just a moment to reflect upon what you're witnessing.

This is what it takes to defend YOUR rights.

This is what a handful of Americans are willing to do to make sure that our
children and yours don't exist in the fascist police state this country is
rapidly becoming.

If you are appalled by the preceding statement, please don't fret. You and
your ilk are in the firm majority. You are quite safe. Your apathy and
self-imposed ignorance will guard you against the horrors of reality. You
can sleep well.

Some of us won't, but we don't ask for your pity or your patronizing
well-wishing. We ask only that you accept the following quote in the spirit
it's intended:

        "If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude
           greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from
           us in peace. We seek not your consul, nor your arms. Crouch
           down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set
           lightly upon you; and may posterity forget ye were our
           countrymen." -- Samuel Adams
--


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2000
For information, contact:
Scott Wood or Bernie Oliver
Brassroots, Inc.


Rineer trial concludes four-year-long civil rights challenge to Citys
authority

Tucson, AZ -- In a cramped city courtroom at 103 East Alameda in Tucson
this coming Friday, January 28, Arizonans will finally learn if the laws
and constitution of their state actually mean what they say.

At 2:00 PM, Tucsonan Ken Rineer will finally stand trial for the charges
brought against him by the City of Tucson for a legal challenge Rineer
kicked off after planning his own arrest with city police back in October
of 1996.

While City Magistrate Eugene Hays dismissed the charges against Rineer in
January of 1997, due to the ordinances conflict with state law and
unconstitutionality, the City of Tucson immediately appealed the judges
decision and pursued Rineer in the state courts where Hays ruling was
later overturned.  Rineers case was remanded back down to City Court where
he now faces trial.

Refusing to bargain with the City Prosecutor and plead guilty to the
weapons violation, Rineer, a twenty-year veteran of the Air Force, husband
and father of two, stated, Either the laws of this state mean what they
say or they don't, its that simple.  I just want this to end.

If found guilty, Rineer could face up to six months in jail for initiating
the legal challenge.

Rineers legal battle centered on his right to keep and bear arms (as
provided for in the Arizona Constitution) while carrying firearms in city
parks and how state law prohibits local government from enacting their own,
more restrictive ordinances.

Scott Wood, outgoing president of Brassroots, Inc., the pro-gun civil
rights organization to which Rineer also belongs, said the organization was
standing behind Rineers decision to go to trial instead of plea
bargaining, but qualified his statement with, It will be a very difficult
thing to watch our friend and colleague stand alone in that courtroom.  You
simply won't find a more dedicated defender of freedom than Ken Rineer.

Ken and I served together in the Air Force, said Wood, and I know Ken
considers this part of a lifelong duty to defend this country against all
enemies, both foreign and domestic.  Ashamed as I am to say it, it seems we
now face a lot more enemies of the latter variety than the former.

Whats even more embarrassing is, we're the ones who voted for them in the
first place.

-30-

For more information, please visit the Brassroots web site at:
www.brassroots.org



*************************************
             Phil Murphy
           Brassroots, Inc.
  9420 E. Golf Links Rd., #246
     Tucson, AZ  85730-1340
      Phone: (520) 298-4357
    http://www.brassroots.org
     murphy@brassroots.org
  murphy@myblueheaven.com

*************************************

• Crazy Atheist Libertarian
• Government Snitch?????
• David Dorn
• Fat Blond Guy
• Crazy Atheist