By Ellen Grady, re-posted from social media (3/1/2025)

On Wednesday, I went to trial at the Syracuse Federal Building on two violation charges stemming from an action November 15, 2024 calling for the US to stop funding genocide in Gaza. After a six-and-a-half-hour trial with a couple of short breaks, the judge found me guilty. I will be sentenced on Wednesday, March 12th. Below is my opening statement. The story at the end of my statement was the most important thing I wanted on the Federal record.

(This statement was modified slightly when presented at trial.)

Good morning, Judge Dancks. I am grateful to be here today with you. I am grateful that I have the right to be heard in a court of law, and that you have dedicated your life to that service. I’d also like to thank all the people serving in court today for your work in ensuring the right to a fair, public trial, a key tenant of democracy. And I am grateful to everyone who has come to bear witness today.

I want to acknowledge that we are on un-ceded Onondaga territory. And that the Haudenosaunee Confederacy founded in 1142 by the Great Peace Maker is often described as the oldest participatory democracy and that their Constitution is believed to be a model for the US Constitution.

I would also like to thank my parents and my elders for their example of trying to faithfully live the Gospel call to Love one another as God loves us.

Continue reading “Failure to Comply” →