Judge who issued injunction to stop Zuccoti evictions removed from case.

[MgtPA]

"Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lucy Billings signed an early-morning order temporarily barring cops from keeping protesters and tents out of Zuccotti Park.

But within hours, she was off the case as court administrators prepared to randomly choose a new judge — and excluded Billings’ name from the list of candidates.

Billings’ biography notes that before she became a judge in 1997, she spent 25 years as a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/judge-lucy-billings-signed-occupy-wall-street-order-aclu-veteran-article-1.977725#ixzz1dnSdiHk4

[grasswire]

1. what the hell?

Who has the power to remove her from the case?

[MgtPA]

2. TPTB

[backtoblue]

4. I know right?

:wtf:

[rubberducky]

3. This is a big f------ deal!

[grasswire]

6. feels like Soviet Union spirit to me

Ugh.

[femrap]

71. Fascism. nt

[fasttense]

79. This is just the start....The 1% will not allow their purchase to be devalued

in any way. They purchased the Government and courts outright and by damn they are going to insist that the politicians, police and judges dance to the tune that they call. Their idea is "THE PEOPLE BE DAMNED" As so famously put by a French aristocrat "Let them eat cake" and we all remember how that turned out don't we???? This current Police State called America must be reshaped in a PEACEFUL way but it will be reshaped to work for ALL OF THE PEOPLE, not just the richest.

[Fumesucker]

5. Paging Mr Kafka..

Mr Franz Kafka to the white courtesy phone..

[Viva_Daddy]

7. So much for "the rule of law" ...if the 1% allows it.

[dipsydoodle]

8. That's the problem with tactics

They'll always be met by other tactics.

Shame that - I was waiting to see who would arrest the NYPD if they were held in contempt of the original finding.

[ljm2002]

9. That's pretty blatant...

..."randomly" choosing a new judge but excluding her name from the list! Don't they need to have grounds for such an action? Usually one would expect a statement concerning a conflict of interest or something like that. I don't know the rules of this process, of course, but if it is as described it sounds as though it is arbitrary and not a standard procedure.

Well hopefully she can get the ACLU to assist...

K&R

[aquart]

56. Who made up the list?

[hack89]

81. OWS handpicked this judge when they went to her

They deliberately chose her. Do you agree that parties in litigation should no be allowed to handpick their judges?

[ut oh]

82. Where is the evidence of this?

From personal experience. I don't get to handpick a judge when I go to court. I'm TOLD what judge I'm going to see.

[hack89]

84. "Lawyers for Occupy Wall Street phoned Billings after cops moved into Zuccotti Park"

"Lawyers for Occupy Wall Street phoned Billings after cops moved into Zuccotti Park early Tuesday, evicted the protesters and got rid of their tents and other camp equipment.

Asked why they called her first, protest lawyer Daniel Alterman wouldn’t say, remarking that he’s not a “gossip guy.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/judge-lucy-billings-signed-occupy-wall-street-order-aclu-veteran-article-1.977725#ixzz1dsyjdbri

[Chan790]

83. Yes.

My best friend is a prosecutor in the DA's office of a major US city...I'll give you a hint: He and every other criminal-or-civil-court lawyer I've ever met seeks out specific judges based on their sympathies to petition for warrants, orders, holds, stays and every other type of legal document imaginable.

If it's okay the rest of the time, then it need be okay now. It's not an avoidable scenario...the courts work in a way to insure the viability of jurist-shopping and handpicking by litigants, their legal representatives and by judge themselves while keeping the truth of that out of the public eye because it would undermine confidence.

[hack89]

85. But there is no evidence that this particular case was handled differently

then similar cases in the past. How is it certain NYC is not following their procedures to the letter?

[Capitalocracy]

10. I wonder if any other judges were excluded from the list

because they "usually deal with real estate cases".

[madfloridian]

11. That's scary.

[robinlynne]

47. The scariest part of the entire story.

[hootinholler]

12. WTF! How can they do that? n/t

[mod mom]

22. This is what Bloomberg must have been alluding to here:

During the question and answer period, Bloomberg added, “It’s our considered judgement that the best course of action is to leave it closed” in the event that “the judge changes her mind.”

-snip

http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/15/368427/midnight-raid-occupy-wall-street/

[hootinholler]

31. So Bloomie can ignore a court order?

Sounds like grounds for a suit.

[mod mom]

35. It demonstrates the connections that the 1% have in our justice system.

Don't like a judgement...simply go over the judges head and find a more complying judge to render a decision.

[dotymed]

75. This should re-energize the OWS movement.

How much more proof do Americans need? Our country (including especially NY city) is run entirely by TPTB. This judge actually stooped to work for American Civil Liberties? Now, if she had been counsel for the Heritage Foundation, there would have been no conflict.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. And now we enter a whole new level

Can I use the F word now? Really.

[Capitalocracy]

18. By all means, please use it

Some people will always call you an alarmist for doing so, even if they start shooting the protesters with live rounds or call off the elections. Ignore them. Say what you know is true.

[Fawke Em]

29. Fascism?

I use it regularly when discussing our corporate-owned "government."

I mean... that is what fascism means!

[xiamiam]

14. that is totally f'ed up..nt

[hifiguy]

15. That stinks to high heaven.

Usually a judge can only be removed from a case for cause.

:wtf:

[RegieRocker]

16. Democracy my ass!!!

[supernova]

17. Why was she removed?

:wtf:



Not surprised. The City wanted a WS friendly outcome. Bastards.

[Capitalocracy]

20. "Because she usually handles real estate cases."

That's what the article says.

[booley]

24. how is that relevant?

I am beign rhetorical as I am sure you dont' know.

But seriously, as someone else said... they arent' even pretending anymore.

[Capitalocracy]

25. Yeah, I have no idea, that's all it says in the article

That's the only reason they've given. They fail to mention whether any other judges are off the list. Very little information in that article, and just one flimsy excuse.

[Why Syzygy]

38. Technically

this IS a decision regarding REAL ESTATE! The Park!

Her court was and still is the appropriate venue.

The crooks are feeling the screws and have stopped any illusion of fairness of judicial rulings. *hint* Italy

[robinlynne]

48. And yesterday 3 supreme court justuces were hanging out with the industries they are

ruling about, at a fundraiser. That of course, is legal.

[Capitalocracy]

49. As long as they don't usually deal with real estate cases...

(and they're corporatists) it's all good.

[robinlynne]

50. You are amking me laugh now.

[redqueen]

19. That is a very disturbing development.

They're hardly even pretending anymore.

[Spazito]

21. Wow!

Excluding Billings or any other Judge without cause makes it anything but random. Wow....just....WOW!

[Poll_Blind]

23. A Tuesday Morning Massacre.

Judges who are not in someone's pocket will be tossed away as quickly as possible.

PB

[PoliticAverse]

26. Can you continue to 'randomly' pick one until you get one that does what you want ? n/t

[jtrockville]

27. I don't see why not. Who could stop it?

[Fire Walk With Me]

30. Sure must be fucking nice!

[justiceischeap]

28. So they wanted a pool of judges willing to break the law. nt

[socialist_n_TN]

32. Judge shopping anyone?

This shows exactly what they're about.

[truebrit71]

33. Wow...they're not even bothering to TRY and be discreet anymore are they?

...un-fucking-real...:grr:

[Uncle Joe]

34. This seems to have the makings of a major conspiracy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2313863

"TITLE 42 > CHAPTER 21 > § 1985. Conspiracy to interfere with civil rights"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=5060418&mesg_id=5060418

"Mayor Quan Admits to Collusion of Multi-City OWS Evictions"

Thanks for the thread, MgtPA.

[MgtPA]

36. Yes, coordinated effort on their part. Bloomberg probably wanted to get the evictions wrapped up

before dawn, and didn't forsee the former ACLU judge and her injunction - bet he was really PISSED.

[Octafish]

37. ACLU

"My opponnent is a card-carrying member of the ACLU." -- George H.W. Bush on Michael Dukakis

It's odd how not a single member of the nation's press corpse ever asked Poppy Bush to his face why he opposed the organization, considering how it works to defend the United States Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights.

[AzDar]

39. Jeez.

:grr:

[MadMaddie]

40. This is why electing Millionaires like Bloomberg and Ahhrnold

don't turn out.....Bloomberg is power hungry and he doesn't want his power threatend.


Removing a ruling judge from a case is at a whole different level...city leaders having conference calls to destroy OWS yet they didn't do shit when the Teabaggers roamed around with their racist signs and guns.

The Koch Brothers are Treasonist bastards and when all is said and done they will be behind all of this coordination........just a matter of time...

These are dangerous times for the Constitution...for the lurkers you may not be impacted now but you will be...wake the fuck up!

[Why Syzygy]

41. It isn't being reported

on the legal defense team's site yet ..

http://nlgnyc.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Lawyers-Guild-New-York-City-Chapter-NLG-NYC/127778647295457

[Laelth]

42. That is vile, disturbing news. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[DirkGently]

43. Judge shopping. NIce. So democratic.

[mvd]

46. K&R

That definitely smells suspicious.

[lonestarnot]

44. Oh but meanwhile back at the ranch SCOTUS fuckwads cannot apparently be removed for obvious conflict

s (plural) of interest. What a fucking democracy!

[Odin2005]

45. Sounds like a conspiracy.

:grr:

[cascadiance]

51. This reminds me how judge Reggie Walton was "randomly assigned" to TWO Sibel Edmonds court cases...

... as well as Scooter Libby's criminal case for outing Valerie Plame, which assured in Edmonds' case that both of them would be thrown out using "State Secrets" privilege.

Another example of how our system "fixes" which judge gets assigned when the PTB feel too threatened!

http://antiwar.com/deliso/?articleid=8340

Another fishy case of "fixed" judges was in the Microsoft appeal to an earlier monopoly ruling they had in an appeals court with judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly that very "coincidentally" threw out that ruling the weekend before the midterm election in 2002, and also 'coincidentally' not long after she was assigned to move on to the FISA court (i think to head it up) around the same time..

[Harmony Blue]

52. We must remember this day

because it was a turning point in America.

[EFerrari]

58. Agreed.

For one thing, it was the day we found out the federal government was colluding with mayors in our major cities to deprive us of our first amendment rights. I don't see how that can be walked back.

[SammyWinstonJack]

78. As was 12/12/2000. The ultimate turning point in America that has brought us to this

OWS movement.

If a former ACLU lawyer turned judge wasn't qualified to hear this case, then who was?


Mostly handled real estates cases...translastion for...probably was going to rule for the Occuppiers.


That would have left egg on bloomie's face and certainly he wouldn't have that!

[moondust]

53. Echoes of Watergate

Saturday Night Massacre

[Kablooie]

54. Well, that was convenient, wasn't it? God.

[chill_wind]

55. Whoah. This is very disturbing. n/t

[defendandprotect]

57. "Nuremberg Laws' Judges being brought in" -- !!! Heil, Koch Bros + Chamber of Commerce -- !!

Bloomberg and Kelly should be pressured to resign --

and NYC should rise up and remove them if they don't!!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

61. I'll second that.

[defendandprotect]

88. Never saw that quote before -- FDR Memorial -- Thanks --

[quakerboy]

59. Shouldnt that be "randomly"

or perhaps allegedly randomly?

[Marr]

60. Every move they make here is just solidifying the view that the 1% has rigged the system.

I don't know where this goes, honestly. Ultimately law is just a sort of gentleman's agreement-- it's not like it holds any mystical power of it's own. More and more people are seeing that this system is only serving a tiny, pseudo aristocracy, and that it has no legitimacy.

[nineteen50]

62. another act of

inequality of law and power.

[Enthusiast]

63. The U.S.A. don't do justice, it's

so 20th century. Been done to death.

[Hubert Flottz]

64. Gauleiter Bloomberg and the 1% want to set up Nazi style courts.

Bring out the nearest Roland Freisler clone and let the Volksgerichtshof "(People's Court)" convene...

Edit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQaP5aLVig8

[woo me with science]

65. Is it fascism yet? nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

80. Most definitly!

[Javaman]

66. And the boot is being lowered....

"If you want a vision of the future," says O`Brien, "imagine a boot stomping on a human face forever."
-George Orwell 1984

[marmar]

67. Kafka-esque America.

nt

[yellerpup]

68. If she can be removed, then it's time for Thomas to go.

Pick a name out of a hat for his replacement. Couldn't be worse, could it?

[yodermon]

69. "court administrators" ??? who the fuck are they? what branch of government?

elected? appointed? what?

[stillwaiting]

70. Absolutely 100% Grade A Fascism in all its glory.

They own all 3 branches and can simply change the rules as they go until they get what they want for the elite.

[snot]

72. We need more info.

It sounds like Billings was contacted during off-hours -- kind of like when you try to reach your doctor during off-hours, and you're referred to another doc you've never met but who happens to be covering emergencies for a bunch of others.

We need to know what the customary, usual rules are for judge assignments in these situations, which may be local rules.

[inna]

73. I just hope that things won't get really bad, fast. Welcome to police state, folks.

[AsahinaKimi]

74. The war on the 99% continues...

The 1% has most of the weapons.. they have everything in place.. I am not sure what we have anymore.

[MgtPA]

76. Numbers.

[caseymoz]

77. The headline's misleading. There's no news here. Calm down everybody.

This looks like to be purely procedural.

I mean, it was basically the lawyers for OWS that chose this judge to issue an emergency injunction stopping the raid on the camp. Just from the fact that OWS got to choose her, there's no way she could hear the continued case. This would be true in any court case.

[socialindependocrat]

86. THE MAYOR HAS GOT TO GO!!!!

wHEN YOU PICK A JUDGE TO GIVE THE DECISION YOU WANT - THAT'S A BIT MUCH!!!

Why don't the other judges stand up and support the law??

The next "picked" judge ought to pass a similar decision.

This is another example of the wealthy paying to rule the land!!

[socialindependocrat]

87. Just another Scott Walker!!! - VOTE HIM OUT!!!