FLASH!

AS WE GO TO PRESS, THE SAN FRANCISCO MATTACHINE SOCIETY HAS ANNOUNCED ITS FULL SUPPORT BEHIND THE 98 PERSONS FACING CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TAY-BUSH RAID (SEE EDITORIAL, PAGE 14).

IT WAS THE MATTACHINE SOCIETY WHO ARRANGED FOR AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT MOST OF THE GROUP AND HAS AGREED TO ACT AS "CUSTODIAN" FOR A DEFENSE FUND TO HELP FIGHT THE CASE. THE MATTACHINE SOCIETY HAS ALSO AGREED TO TAKE CARE OF THE COST OF PRINTING BRIEFS IN THE EVENT THE DEFENDANTS ARE CONVICTED AND MUST APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT.

"WE ARE PREPARED TO FIGHT THIS THROUGH THE COURTS," HAROLD L. CALL, PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR, DECLARED. IT MUST BE DETERMINED THROUGH LEGAL PROCESS WHETHER THESE ACTIONS (BY POLICE) ARE NOT A VIOLATION OF BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS."

IN ADDITION, OTHER ESTABLISHED "GAY" PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAVE OFFERED AID IN A FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT OF SEXUAL DEVIATES TO MEET IN PUBLIC WITHOUT "PERSECUTION" BY POLICE.

OF THE ORIGINAL 103 CASES, 98 STILL FACE CHARGES.

WERE DISMISSED

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FIVE CASES

THEY WERE ACKNOWLEDGED AS "TOURISTS" FROM NEW YORK WHO HAPPENED INTO THE PLACE BY ACCIDENT.

WE COMMEND THE ACTION OF THE MATTACHINE SOCIETY IN TAKING THIS STAND. THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF "HARRASSMENT" OF GAY BARS ALL TOO LONG. EFFORTS BY THE MATTACHINE SOCIETY AND THE DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS TO MEET WITH PUBLIC AUTHORITIES TO FIND AN EQUITABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN TO NO AVAIL. IT IS TIME TO TAKE A STAND.

THOSE WHO WISH TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT TO THE DEFENSE OF THESE CASES MAY SEND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:

MATTACHINE SOCIETY, INC.

693 MISSION ST.

SAN FRANCISCO 5, CALIFORNIA

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