Orion Community discusses ideas, values, and actions that ensure a good life on a finite planet.

Punishing Protest

Is the U.S. justice system about justice or law? Activists from the Occupy movement to climate justice camps are regularly made examples of by the courts for acts of civil disobedience, as in the case of Tim DeChristopher. Tim's action resulted in a two-year jail term that he is now serving. "They're trying to make an example out of me to scare other people into obedience," he says in the current issue of Orion ("What Love Looks Like").

Join a free, live, roundtable discussion on the punishing of protest, featuring Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director of the National Lawyers Guild, and Patrick Shea, who defended DeChristopher, February 21st at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific.

During the event, Shea will share his experience defending Tim against a government prosecution that disallowed defenses and evidence that would have exonerated him in its drive to make a statement about peaceful dissent, and Bhogosian will talk about the Guild's defense of Occupy encampments for the last several months, as well as her books "The Policing of Political Speech" and "Punishing Protest."

What would our society look like if justice meant far more than law? How can we get to a place where ethics matter, and what are some strategies for navigating the current system? This unique opportunity will also allow you to ask your own questions of the panel and share your thoughts. It is free to join, will be moderated by Orion staff, and is open to all readers and friends. Register here.

Orion hosts live web events every month. Sign up here to be alerted by e-mail when a new one is announced.