Written by: A. Rabideau

On October 17, I stood before a jury of my peers and explained why I helped shut down I-5 in Springfield six months ago. I described this highway blockade as an act of civil disobedience in response to a Palestinian call to action. The action was coordinated with more than 80 cities around the world and took place on April 15, Tax Day (“A15”), to disrupt “business as usual” that enables the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Throughout my hearing, we emphasized the power of civil disobedience and made comparisons between this action and the 1965 Civil Rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama; This march taught us that to successfully combat racial discrimination, it was necessary to block traffic and thus disrupt local economies. .

When asked about his own views on civil disobedience during jury selection, one juror echoed the words of John Lewis, underscoring the need for “good trouble” in a system where being nice is often not enough to have one’s rights recognized.

My jury listened thoughtfully as I described my horror at witnessing a genocide financed by my labor and taxes, and my hope that this action could contribute to ending the genocide when so many other strategies had failed. After two hours of deliberation, my jury returned a guilty verdict with an apologetic grimace.

One of the jurors then approached me to hug me and said that all the jurors supported me and that they felt bad about convicting me but felt they had no choice.

To my fellow judges, if you are out there and reading this, know that I expect much more from you; not just for myself, but for the reverberating effects of your decision. You have shown me that you understand the importance of this moment in history, and yet you have failed to overcome it.

The power to convict or acquit me was entirely in your hands, and you succumbed to pressure from the district attorney and convinced yourself that strictly enforcing the letter of the law was the “fair” thing to do.

There is a long history in this country of jurors using their unique position to refuse to uphold laws that violate their conscience and sense of justice.

In the historical contexts of fugitive slave laws and alcohol prohibition, jurors refused to convict people at such high rates that these laws became unenforceable and local law enforcement could no longer justify the hassle and resource drain of arresting and charging people who were consistently acquitted. their peers. This way, jurors can enforce their decisions not only against their colleagues but also according to the laws that govern them. I thought my jury might also view the disorderly conduct statute used against “good trouble” as oppressive and unnecessary.

In his closing argument, attorney Ryan Leal asked my jury to ignore my character, my case, and the overall context of my protest, upholding “law and order” and finding me guilty. He requested that the jury consider the next time the Proud Boys or KKK would block I-5. He said it was only fair that we all be treated equally before the law.

Leal’s provocation to “be fair” is hypocritical and frankly disgusting. We know that the law is not applied equally to everyone, and that the law does not keep us all safe, even if we obey it unquestioningly.

How did this great institution of US law and order protect my friend’s families living in Palestine and Lebanon? Where are the accusations of genocide, torture, and war crimes against our federal government? Where is the jury that will ask President Joe Biden to explain his repeated support for the Israeli government that steals land, systematically destroys hospitals, routinely kills children, and is on track to destroy an entire people?

How can Eugene justify spending its resources on a 30-hour jail sentence, a two-day trial, and 18 months probation for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge for someone who blocked a roadway for less than three minutes before being dragged away in handcuffs? I’m sorry, this government has nothing to do with “justice”. His priority is to continue business as usual to protect his financial and political interests; This sometimes includes forcing jurors to follow the status quo.

Finally, to my fellow jurors, if you accepted my cause and my actions, as I felt you did, I implore you to consider your power next time, stand firm in your beliefs, and refuse to conduct “business as usual.” while the genocide continues.

A. Rabideau has lived in Eugene for three years and works as a crisis counselor. They were arrested on April 15, along with 59 other community members. For more information about the ongoing campaign to drop charges against the remaining protesters, please see: Instagram.com/a15eugene.

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