5 Teamsters attacked 2 Clinton protesters 9 years ago, legal fight goes on

http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=18910553&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6

Adams Refuses To Let Rights Get Trampled
By: Jenny DeHuff, The Bulletin
10/12/2007

Philadelphia - Where do victims of an assault case wind up having to pay the legal costs of the abusers? Only in Philadelphia.

Nine years ago this month, two protesters at City Hall received the lambasting of their lives. During a public protest against former President Bill Clinton, Don Adams and his sister, Teri Adams, were attacked by a group of Teamsters.



Last week, they filed an appeal after a federal judge ordered the Adams' to pay the teamster unions $15,000 in legal costs stemming from the October 2000 civil rights suit.
Five members of Teamster Local 115 eventually pleaded guilty to criminal assault, conspiracy and other charges.

Several years ago, Judge William H. Yohn dismissed the Adams' federal civil rights claim and remanded the civil suit back to state court. Charges of malicious prosecution, conspiracy and defamation of character are still being litigated against the Teamsters Local 115 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for accusing Don Adams of being involved with organized crime. One count of malicious prosecution still stands against Gov. Ed Rendell, for his alleged involvement in the attack.

According to Don Adams, Mr. Rendell, Philadelphia mayor at the time, has since admitted to inviting Local 115 Vice President John Morris and Local 115 members to attend the rally at City Hall. Don Adams said Gov. Rendell acknowledged in court he encouraged the teamsters to "drown out" Clinton protesters. A spokesperson for Gov. Rendell said they have filed a motion to dismiss the charge but no decision has yet been reached.

"Every step of the way, the court rulings have eaten away at our civil case, and I just feel we're fighting the political establishment," Don Adams said.


FULL story at link.

folks are still beating this drum.

The two that were convicted had priors for violence - it is not a labor or teamsters related crime

The judge is correct in awarding the teamsters 15,000 as repayment of their legal costs in this frivolous suit.