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February 3: NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY!
TIME AND PHONE NUMBER CHANGED BELOW!!!! CALL-IN DAY STARTS AT 8AM!
On February 3rd, 2009–the one year anniversary of the hate crime against Jason–organizations and citizens throughout the country will be calling into the Northampton District Attorney’s Office to demand Justice For Jason. Throughout the country folks are infuriated at the racist prosecution that has already taken a year of his life and is threatening totake away 30 more years! Join the effort by signing up to call the DA and DEMAND JUSTICE FOR JASON!
The phone number for the office of Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel is (413) 586-9225. The office is open from 8am-5pm.
If you are unable to reach via phone, please either send an e-mail or fax demanding that the charges against Jason Vassell be dropped and informing the DA that you are watching her actions.
FAX: (413) 584-3635
Updated E-Mail: elizabeth.d.scheibel@state.ma.us
You are welcome to call anytime. We respectfully ask that your calls be respectful in tone.
In order to help us coordinate the National Call-In Day, we would appreciate if you and/or your organization made a commitment by signing the pledge here.
Sign the Pledge Now!
NATIONAL-CALL IN DAY SAMPLE SCRIPT:
The phone number for the office of Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel is (413) 586-9225. The office is open from 8am-5pm. You are welcome to call anytime. We have attached a sample script for your call below, feel free to stick with it, or speak your mind as you deem appropriate.
We ask that you keep your call respectful in tone.
Hello.
My name is __________ and I’m calling from ______________. I am calling to express my concern about the manner in which your office has pursued charges against Jason Vassell. It has become apparent that Jason was unjustly and selectively prosecuted due to the color of his skin, while his white assailants have escaped serious charges.
For local supporters: As a resident in the Northwestern District, this is not how I had intended for my elected District Attorney to act. I urge your office to view all races equally in the eyes of the law and to drop all charges against Jason Vassell. Thank you for your time.For non-local supporters: As a resident of (city/state) I will be watching closely the developments of this case and the actions you choose to pursue. I urge your office to view all races equally in the eyes of the law and to drop all charges against Jason Vassell. Thank you for your time.
If you are unable to reach via phone, please either send an e-mail or fax demanding that the charges against Jason Vassell be dropped and informing the DA that you are watching her actions.
FAX: (413) 584-3635
E-Mail: elizabeth.d.schiebel@state.ma.us
January 21, 2009 @10:27 am
How about the idea of setting up a reconciliation committee composed of students, and community people inlcluding ministers to meet with the people involved on both sides and try to work out an agreement where both sides agree to drop charges and shake hands. It’s been done before. Maybe then the judge would take the inniative to throw the case out, which would be a just act on the side of justice.
stan
Your comment is awaiting
I telephoned the DA’s office today and strongly urged justice for young Jason. I also urged her to do the job she is being paid to do- and to bring charges of hate and assault against Jason’s attackers.
And let’s keep it real – if President Obama and his staff does not get involved in this case, which mirrors numerous other around the country, then what is he good for? President Obama needs to dispatch his Attorney General and more onto Jason’s situation ASAP.
I was involved with the Julie Amero case, and this is looking like a similar case of wrongful prosecution. What puzzled me was it was in Massachusetts of all places. But after seeing the horrible state of Justice in Connecticut, and living in the Penal State of Texas, maybe I shouldn’t be suprised by anything.
[...] Sign Up for the National Call In Day! [...]
Thank you for organizing this simple and productive way to help this young man. I hope our efforts succeed.
I called and left a voicemail detailing that I am appalled the victim of a hate crime, who defended himself is being charged at all, let alone more excessively than the one assailant of the two who actually received a slap on the hand.
An exemplary student with no prior record, who had every right to defend himself should not be brought up on charges. This is obviously racial targeting and in a time when our Commander in Chief is an African American, it’s truly about moving forward and beyond this mentality.
I made it clear I will continue to stand in support and will be spreading the word.
Thankyou for making this Call-in day possible.
When’s the next one?
Has the news been contacted with press releases?
I called and was actually treated very politely as they transferred me to the DA’s secretary’s voicemail. I left a brief message, mostly using lines from the script you provided, making sure my tone was very civil if not kind. Thanks for putting this together, I hope it his a success and helps Jason.
I just called the DA’s office. Had to leave a message because I was forwarded to a number that no one picked up…not surprisingly.
I also sent an email with a modified form of the script for the national call-in day.
I really hope we are able to make a difference in all this.
peace!
Here’s a copy of the e-mail I sent. I also called and left voicemail.
Dear District Attorney,
This e-mail is being sent to encourage you to do the right thing in regards to Jason Vassell. As a concerned citizen of the US, it is our duty to ensure that justice be done. In this case, the most just thing would be to drop all charges and immediately release Mr. Vassell. This is a clear case of injustice at this point. The country is at a turning point and undoing racism is the responsibility of each individual. As a person in a position of authority, it is incumbent on you to lead the change to a more just society.
The country is watching your actions. I am in Seattle where Mr. Vassell’s story and your response are being tracked by several social justice organizations. I urge you to please do the right and just thing.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Knight
I called and was directed to the DA’s Executive Secretary’s Voice Mail.
I left a message that part of your script plus my own personal expression of concern. It was polite and I hope that this effort will secure his freedom.
Arizona is in solidarity with you. We sent the following email.
Paz!
Hello,
The youth and adults involved in our YWCA Tucson Racial Justice Program are closely watching the developments of the Mr. Vassell case and the actions you choose to pursue. Standing at 25,000 strong—we urge your office to take this opportunity to uphold the integrity of our justice system and those who operate within it by dropping all charges against the victim Mr. Vassell. The time for action is always right now and there is no easier choice than to step in and stop the racism that has permeated this case and forever impacted a young Mr. Vassell. We anticipate your willingness to rectify this gross abuse of the system.
Thank you.
Paz,
Sarah
Hi. I left a voice mail with the DA’s secretary. I initially tried emailing the DA but it appears as though they’ve de-activated the mailbox for the elizabeth.d.schiebel@state.ma.us address . -ag