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Brian's case dismissed By Sean Wolfe Ashland Daily Tidings The charges against activist and videographer Wes Brain may have vanished, but the video he has been prohibited from showing by court agreement is likely to be around for a long time. In fact, an edited version of the video that shows local police confronting and scuffling with protesters at a peace rally in March is slated for broadcast in July on local public access television. Brain, who works for Southern Oregon University as an environmental health and safety technologist, is also contemplating suing the city for his treatment at the hands of police. "I don't know if that's going to happen, but I will look at it. Some questions need to be asked, and answered - not just in a courtroom, and not just questions from me, but from other folks with an interest in civil liberties," Brain said this morning in a telephone interview. On Tuesday afternoon, Ashland Municipal Judge Allan Drescher inked the dismissal of charges against Brain for his participation in the Books Not Bombs rally March 5. At the time, APD Lt. Rich Walsh, now acting police chief, said that a woman had complained that Brain and another protester had threatened her in her car. Brain has maintained that he was simply telling the woman to slow down so as to not endanger protesters in the street. As a result, Brain was arrested two days after the protest at his workplace, and charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of impeding police. Brain's bail was set at $10,000. While relieved that the charges have been dismissed, Brain said his videotape, and his treatment by police raise serious questions about the management and tactics of Ashland police. "Am I relieved? Yes. Absolutely," Brain said. "But I do think that the harassment of Wes Brain from Ashland police may not stop with my recent vindication." Brain said police are well aware of his identity. At rallies, Brain can be easily spotted with his camera, a sign around his neck noting his press affiliation with the Indymedia center, and another sign saying "Do Not Arrest." Now that the charges have been dismissed, Brain has broken his silence on the issue, starting by circulating a statement by email to Ashland City Council members as well as Mayor Alan DeBoer. "After waiting over 3 months, this announcement to dismiss seems way, way overdue. Although the arraignment took place in less than two working days, the timeframe after that was slower than a siesta and the whole slowdown questions the speedy trial process as guaranteed in our 4th Amendment. Also questioned is the guarantee against an undue arrest," the statement notes. Brain said he and his attorney plan to attend the next council meeting to raise awareness of the need for a police force that exhibits restraint when it comes to civil liberties. In addition, the first public airing of Brain's video is slated to appear on Rogue Valley Community Television Channel 31 at 6 p.m. on July 9, 11, and 16. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -