Alachua Living

July 23, 2010 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: GrapskiDefense@gmail.com

AS ANNUAL DEMOCRACYFEST OPENS IN LAS VEGAS, FEATURED SPEAKER -- SCHOLAR AND POLITICAL ACTIVIST CHARLES GRAPSKI, A FOUNDER OF DEMOCRACYFEST – REMAINS IN HOUSE ARREST IN FLORIDA AT DEMAND OF ALACHUA COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Charles Grapksi, a scholar and political activist, is in house arrest in Kissimmee, Fla., today, restricted from travel to Las Vegas to participate in the seventh annual DemocracyFest, a conference Grapski helped to found in 2004 and where he – along with former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean – has given speeches every year over the past six years.

Earlier this month, as more than six thousand progressive activists registered to attend the event, Grapski once again was invited to speak and to lead workshops at the conference, which trains citizens to participate in political campaigns and local government.

DemocracyFest program director, Dr. Quintus Jett -- a senior research fellow at the Tuck Business School of Dartmouth University -- wrote to Grapski as follows:
“Mr. Grapski, . . . Your lectures and insights on the U.S. Constitution are very informed and popular with our event’s participants. . . You have a history with DemocracyFest from its inception, and you intimately understand our mission and audience. As program director, I consider you irreplaceable on the program.”

However, according to Grapski’s court-appointed defense attorney, Holly Stacy, Grapski won’t be attending DemocracyFest this weekend. On Thursday afternoon, Stacy said, prosecutor Geoff Fleck e-mailed to her his notice of objection to her intent to request of Circuit Judge James P. Nilon his release of Grapski from house arrest to participate in DemocracyFest as a speaker and a trainer. Since then, Fleck has not responded to numerous messages left with his office, inquiring about the reasons for his objections. Previously, in court hearings, Fleck has said that Grapski poses no risk of flight.
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