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Rise Above: Georgia and Freedom of Speech
Rise Above
In May of '96 a photo-copied magazine by the name Rise Above
was circulated in Morrow, GA and through other areas of Clayton
county Georgia with an official circulation of 33. However more
copies were made and passed out by others. Most of it's contents
were excerpts from other anarchist publications as well as quotes
from anti-authoritarian activists, authors and bands. On July 37th
an explosion went off at the Centennial Olympic park in Atlanta,
killing two and wounding others. A few days later, on the day
Jason Moreland (the editor) returned from Florida, he was informed
that the police would like to "talk with him about his publication."
When Jason arrived at the police station he was informed that there
was a warrant out for his arrest and taken into custody - his mother
fainted.
The Clayton county police began investigating the magazine on
July 8th (two months after it been released) when officer Peabody
received a copy of the publication. However no arrest was made
until after the explosion of the 27th with Jason being charged with
advocating the overthrow of the Government of Georgia (O.C.G.A.
16-11-4), because of an obviously incorrect recipe for making
moltov cocktails and a tiny graphic that depicted a person throwing
a moltov at something the police felt resembled the capital building
of Georgia. During Jason's questioning the authorities asked him
about his beliefs, his publication, read him a list of names (to see
which he recognized), and about the bombing at the park. At this
time he did not have a lawyer present. He spent a week in jail and
his bond was set at $50,000 then later lowered to $25,000. He is
now awaiting trial and is faced with a $20,000 fine and a possible
20 years in jail; all for recycling other people's work and expressing
his fears and hopes for the world in which he lives.
The media coverage of Jason's arrest was all but unbiased as the
few newspapers that covered the story turned Jason into a minor
mad-man or a mixed up kid or as AM 750 put it a "fascist."
Stressing that his co-workers thought he was weird as he had
occasionally slept on the roof of his place of employment, handed
out literature dealing with various topics (police brutality, racism,
homelessness, etc...), and "didn't like authority." The press also
grossly exaggerated the contents of Rise Above. Claiming it was
filled with expletives, anti-government rhetoric and anti-police
cartoons completely skipping over such statements as "Anarchy &
Peace," "love and unity is the key," "Wake Up!," and a host of
others about self-empowerment and taking control over our own
lives. One newspaper felt that Rise Above encouraged mindless
violence, because of a reprinted flyer about direct action
encouraging people to disrupt corporate america; and according to
Jason another completely created a quote from his mother. All in all
Jason hasn't been given a fair shake.
Since his arrest, Jason has been asked to appear on a radio talk
show about first amendment cases, has put together a benefit to
help pay for his court costs (with more benefits to come) and is
attempting to put out another issue of Rise Above or create a new
'zine all together. However, he has been hindered in his political
activities since he has basically become a marked man. Also he has
also become concerned about rumors that Officer Peabody (the
officer that began the Rise Above investigation) has been spreading
rumors about "those punks from Rise Above." Another disturbing
note is that GBI has been asking to talk to Jason about the bombing
at the Centennial Park.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but it is a sad truth. The state of
Georgia is prepared to send Jason to jail for 20 years for a tiny
graphic in his publication. And even though the Clayton county
police don't believe that Jason has anything to do with the bombing
at the Centennial Park, they have expressed their happiness in
stopping "whatever he was up to." And in the process ignoring
Jason's right to freedom of speech.
Being that this case is an infringement of Jason's civil liberties the
ACLU has taken up his defense and is demanding that all charges
against him be dropped. However that will be not be enough to
sway the District Attorney, so we are asking for those that read this
to write District Attorney Robert E. Keller demanding that all
charges against Jason P. Moreland be dropped. As he had not
advocated the overthrow of the State of Georgia and these
proceedings are in direct violation of Jason's constitutional rights.
Contact:
DA Robert E. Keller
Clayton County District Attorney
200 Annex, Clayton County Courthouse
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
If you would like to contact Jason write to us at Circle A Magazine
so we can pass your letter along.
Circle A Magazine c/o Ignatz
PO Box 80967
Chamblee, Ga 30366
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