Support Harold Taylor of the San Francisco 8

[XXPANTHAXX]

Harold Taylor, one of the San Francisco 8, is facing a bogus charge in
Florida. Support him - come to court 10/23, 8:30 am Panama City.

Harold Taylor was arrested last December in Florida on a baseless charge
of “attempted purchase of cocaine.” Several people were swept up in a
neighborhood sweep and sting operation at that time.

Harold’s case has coincidentally received unusual attention by the
Florida court which is now fast-tracking his prosecution after many
months of inactivity. He is scheduled to go to trial on October 23rd at
8:30 am at the Bay County Courthouse - 300 East 4th Street in Panama
City, Florida.

As you can read in the letter from his San Francisco lawyer that
follows, this prosecution is a result of a new judge and prosecutor
taking over, not upon any substantial or new evidence.

Friends,

It is clear from the arrest and all the surrounding circumstances that
the charge against Harold in Florida is totally baseless. A thorough
search of his person and his van resulted in NO seizure of any
substances, legal or illegal.

Further, NO allegation is even made that any money was produced. Harold
was swept up in a sting operation in which numerous individuals were
arrested. All except Harold were alleged to have actually made a
purchase. None of them were with him when he was arrested. He has NO
drug history!!

In short, Harold was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had gone
to this neighborhood to thank some of the people that had written
letters of support for him when he was seeking release on bail in San
Francisco.

News of his arrest spread quickly and he was bailed out shortly after he
appeared in a Florida court.

Just days earlier he had appeared on "Democracy Now" with host Amy
Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, and attended a press conference held by the
World Council of Churches at Riverside Church announcing international
support for the SF8 launched by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and other Nobel
Laureates.

Harold has every intention of fighting the charges in San Francisco and
Florida. In light of the torture he suffered in New Orleans in 1973, his
strength and character in the face of this latest ordeal are amazing.
The stress this has caused for him and his family is overwhelming.

Randy Montesano,
Harold Taylor’s attorney in the San Francisco 8 case

Support Harold Taylor by coming to court and helping to mobilize
support:

October 23rd at 8:30 am at the
Bay County Courthouse - 300 East 4th Street in
Panama City, Florida.
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