Anarchism Today

Police Brutality in Rhode Island: Update on Alexandra Svoboda

* This a follow-up to an earlier story.

On August 11, 2007, members and supporters of the Providence branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), marched and picketed against Jacky's Galaxie in Providence, urging the restaurant chain to sever ties with one of its warehouse suppliers in NYC. The supplier, HWH/Dragonland, is under investigation for violations of many state and federal labor laws due to their repression of the IWW 460 union workers who organized to combat sweatshop conditions.

Unprovoked, North Providence Police attacked the peaceful picket en route to Jacky's, maiming Alexandra Svoboda, while arresting her along with Jason Friedmutter, both IWW union members. Three officers attacked and arrested the 22 year old Svoboda, claiming she had hit them with drum sticks. While the officers had no injuries at all to warrant the arrest, one officer brutally kicked out Alex's left leg while the others tackled her to the ground. Jason was the only other person arrested, but several people sustained chemical burns from police mace and many others were nearly injured. It was a police riot.

Alex underwent emergency surgery that night at Rhode Island Hospital to save her leg by repairing the severed artery in her left knee. The totality of her injuries from the police assault are; a broken tibia, severed artery, nerve damage, severely torn ACL and PCL (ligaments) and torn muscles. Every vital component of her knee is damaged or destroyed.

Alex spent the first two weeks of her recovery in RI Hospital, where she underwent several vascular surgeries. She has been released from the hospital and is currently back home with her caring collective-mates and fellow union members. She is undergoing strenuous physical therapy and is awaiting the next series of operations to repair the tendons and muscles of her knee. Despite the stellar care provided at RI Hospital as well as at the physical therapy clinic, the window of opportunity to fully repair her knee is closing. Alex may never walk or ride a bicycle again.

Alex also faces charges of three counts of misdemeanor assault on an officer, one count of resisting arrest and one count of disorderly conduct. Jason Friedmutter faces one count of obstruction of justice. Alex, Jason and members of the IWW are confident these bogus charges will be defeated.

Fourtunately Alex has excellent healthcare coverage and the union has helped to defer legal costs, however medical co-payments and future legal bills are and will be in the tens of thousands. Furthermore, Alex's healthcare has begun to stop covering some of the costs of vital services of physical therapy.

The Providence IWW has already raised several thousand dollars from compassionate and driven supporters from around the world, but we will certainly need thousands more.

Please help and take a stance against police brutality, against first amendment violations, and for the right to a union and for the right to organize for a better life. The IWW strives help workers everywhere fight for these inherent rights, regardless of sex, race, nationality or legal status.

Thanks Very Much,
Providence, RI Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World

Providence, RI IWW myspace page.