Contact: W.F. "Casey" Ebsary, Jr
112 South Magnolia Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33606
813-222-2220 Voice and Data
webmaster@centralaw.com www.centralaw.com

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST PROTESTOR ARRESTED AT BUSH TAMPA RALLY

Tampa, Florida
July 27, 2001

Today State Attorney Mark Ober announced the dismissal of charges against Grandmother Janis Lentz, who was arrested after Republican operatives pointed her out to Police for removal from an event at Tampa's Legends Field.

Ms. Lentz, Grandmother Suni Haught, and Gay Rights Activist Mauricio Rosas were arrested June 4, 2001. Mr. Rosas was accosted for holding a sign that read in part, "Boo!"

Supporters of President Bush were allowed to remain, displaying signs that were supportive of Mr. Bush, while the grandmothers, whose signs requested an investigation into the Florida election, were forcibly removed from the stadium when they insisted that they had a right to display their signs too.

Defense Attorneys W.F. "Casey" Ebsary, Jr., Will Knight, and Luke Lirot of Tampa, represent the trio who has been charged since their June arrest with trespassing, and in the case of Grandmother Suni Haught, an additional charge of disorderly conduct.

Mr. Ebsary states, "It was a dark day for Democracy when the rights of this Grandmother were trampled by operatives who found her protestations offensive. It is too bad that someone in law enforcement with the courage of State Attorney Mark Ober was not at the stadium to stop this assault and the arrest of these people. Democracy shines in Tampa today."

For additional information on this story, please contact Mr. Ebsary at 813-222-2220, at email webmaster@centralaw.com, and for more information see: www.centralaw.com/press.htm