EXPOSED: Jared Shultz, 29, Thomas Keenan, 23, Jason Robbins, 29, James McGovern, Jr., 59
Four anti-fascists from thePhiladelphia, PA area were arrested at what was supposed to be a KuKlux Klan rally in Center City Philadelphia. Jared Schultz, Tom Keenan,Jason Robbins – all of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action – and a comradefrom the Progressive Labor Party – were all arrested and charged with aseries of trumped up misdemeanors in a situation that – for allpractical purposes – was straight up entrapment. (No, it wasn’t. Had they allowed the poser “neo-Nazi’s” have their say and move on, there would have been no issue. It is a well established FACT that so-called “anti-racists” are consumed with self righteous insolence; justifying aberrant behavior at the smallest incitement. The so-called antiracist movement is coming under more and more scrutiny from law enforcement and they don’t understand “why.” — Ed.)
Rumors spread through Philadelphia starting Friday July 20th thatthe Ku Klux Klan was supposed to show up for an 11AM rally on Monday atLove Park. While anti-fascists were present in the area starting at10:30AM, no racists showed up for the rally until noon when two menwearing what appeared to be neo-Nazi t-shirts showed up in the area.
Anti-fascists approached the men, confirmed they were neo-Nazisand told them to leave. Words were exchanged between the Klansmen andthe anti-fascists, and then the neo-Nazis said they were leaving. Theanti-fascists then followed behind them to make sure that they kepttheir promise.
Strangely, Civil Affairs cops remained on the other side of the parkthe entire time and made no efforts to follow the group even when theywere out of their sight. The boneheads got into an SUV around thecorner and were driven away. As they attempted to drive off,conveniently blocked by traffic, a verbal confrontation ensued withthe anti-fascists lasting several minutes before a window of the SUVwas smashed. The driver – who could have flashed his badge at anytimeto disperse the crowd – then ordered the four defendants against thewall.
While the arresting officer was a Philadelphia PoliceDepartment detective, the SUV was, according to paperwork received bythe arrestees, the vehicle an an FBI Special Agent, also present duringthe arrests. What an FBI agent was doing escorting neo-Nazis away fromthe park remains a total mystery.After the arrests, all four of the anti-fascists were transported tothe 9th Police Precinct where they remained for approximately 27 hoursawaiting notice of their charges and bail amounts.
Initially, the arrestees were informed that for some oddreason, Internal Affairs was investigating their case and that theywould be facing 10 charges – 4 felonies and 6 misdemeanors. In the end,however, all of the felonies were dropped, leaving the arrestees with 8misdemeanor charges of varying degrees upon being bailed out. Thefact that the charges were dropped so quickly proves just how trumpedup these charges are. However there’s still a lot at stake for The LovePark 4.Currently, the three defendants from Anti-Racist Action are continuingto fight their charges. The fourth defendant from Progressive LaborParty took a plea bargain offered by the prosecution late last year.
Almost 18 months since their arrests, the 3 remaining defendants havenot seen an actual court date. Between continuances filed by bothsides, and the sitting judge being on vacation, Schultz, Keenan andRobbins have been to court multiple times all with no result. OnNovember 24, 2008, the defendants expect to actually have their firstday in court. Their lawyers will be arguing several motions they filedand will have the opportunity to cross examine some of theprosecution’s witnesses.
The three ARA members are still facing the same 8 charges – Possessionof an Instrument of Crime With Intent, Criminal Conspiracy Engagingwith Possession of Instrument of Crime with Intent, InstitutionalVandalism/Illegal Possession, Reckless Endangering Another Person,Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief, Harassment – Subject Other toPhysical Contact, and Disorderly Conduct/Grading.