Demanding Justice for Kollin Elderts in Waikiki

On Monday, August 25th, Judge Ahn announced that the jury in the trial against U.S. Special Agent Christopher Deedy was deadlocked and declared a mistrial.  A protest was called for the following day.

By 5:30 pm people were gathering at the Kalakaua Statue at Triangle Park in Waikiki and began holding signs reading "Justice for Kollin Elderts" at the Kuhio/Kalakaua intersection.  By 6:15 pm about 40 people had gathered and after a short rally the group, led by several activists with Pū, headed down Kalakaua Avenue into central Waikiki.   The sound of the Pū , alternating with chants demanding justice for Kollin, grabbed everyone's attention.  Tourists were curious and many took leaflets.  Many residents voiced support and a few reactionaries jumped out to run out their racist shit: 

After reaching Seaside Avenue the march looped back along Kuhio, stopping for a short rally at McDonald's.   A number of the marchers stepped to the bullhorn to speak - some speaking to the sadness they felt at being at the site where Kollin was murdered and others voicing their rage that the jury had failed to convict an armed and drunk Agent of the U.S. government who had murdered an unarmed young Hawaiian man.   World Can't Wait spokesperson Liz Rees linked the murders of Kollin Elderts and Trayvon Martin; several put the murder of Kollin Elderts in the context of the APEC meeting, which was itself an intensification of the militarization and occupation of Hawai`i and the Pacific. 

The group was diverse and there were a lot of opinions, but there was a great spirit of unity and determination to continue the fight for justice for Kollin Elderts and other victims of this racist system.  

There will be a hearing to determine the date of the retrial on September 13th.   The Federal Government is determined to fight for acquittal and there will undoubtedly be a lot of maneuvering before an actual trial happens,  A much stronger movement to fight for justice for Kollin Elderts must be built and sustained.   The defense is hoping that the memory of this outrageous murder will face by the time Agent Deedy is re-tried.  Just the opposite must happen!

The coming together of several organizations to call the Waikiki action was a good beginning and there's great potential to strengthen that unity and determination!   Watch for upcoming plans.

Mistrial Declared in Trial of U.S. Agent Christopher Deedy

Call to Action!  Justice for Kollin Elderts
Tuesday, August 27
Gather at the Kalakaua Statue at Triangle Park
at the Intersection of Kuhio and Kalakaua at 5:30pm
March into Waikiki and to McDonald's where Kollin Elderts was murdered begins at 6:30

Today, Monday August 26th, the Judge announced that the jury had failed to agree on a verdict in the murder trial of U.S. State Department Agent Christopher Deedy, and that another trial will be held next year.  

This is an outrage!   Agent Deedy is guilty of murder!   Join this action on Tuesday evening to renew your commitment to fight for justice for Kollin Elderts!

For more information read earlier blogs on this site or go to the "Justice for Kollin Elderts" facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/371576282968436/,

Bradley Manning Sentenced to 35 Years!

Support Rallies Respond to the Sentence of Bradley Manning!

     

Press Release from World Can't Wait
“On behalf of the millions affected by the illegitimate, unjust, immoral wars and torture carried by the Bush regime, and continued by the Obama administration, we are outraged at the 35 year prison sentence just put on Bradley Manning. In light of the complete refusal of the Obama administration to investigate or prosecute those responsible for torture, rendition and secret “dirty” wars, Manning’s sentence is an indication that people who expose such crimes must fear losing their lives, while those who conceive, legally justify and carry them out them receive immunity. We remain committed to supporting whistle-blowers Manning, Edward Snowden, and the work of Wikileaks and other journalists who courageously expose war crimes and injustice.”

For a list of support rallies go to:  http://www.worldcantwait.net

Justice for Kollin Elderts

Justice for Kollin Elderts!

The defense in the trial of U.S. Special Agent Christopher Deedy is expected to close within the next few days and the jury will then begin to deliberate. When a verdict will come down is unpredictable.

The facts of the case are simple. Kollin Elderts, a Hawaiian young man, is dead. Christopher Deedy, a U.S. State Department Special Agent murdered him. Deedy is guilty!

If Christopher Deedy is acquitted, or the verdict is anything less than manslaughter, gather at the King Kalakaua statue (at the triangle park near the entrance to Waikiki and across from Fort DeRussy) at 5:30 the day after the verdict for signholding and a pre-march rally. A march to McDonald's and into Waikiki will begin at 6:30pm.  

Bring signs, noisemakers, whistles.