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Denied Bail But The Fight Continues

Greetings!
 
We have an important and disappointing update to share with you about the federal case against Peppy and Krystal. 
 
We received the devastating news on Thursday, October 26th that the judge rejected an appeal regarding Peppy’s pre-trial incarceration. This means that Peppy is likely to remain locked up indefinitely, as the legal team prepares for trial. 
 
 
Now that it seems clear that pre-trial detention is where he’ll remain for the foreseeable future, it’s time for us all to rally wholeheartedly behind Peppy and Krystal. There are many things we can do to keep building our loving network of support and keep light on this case to help influence the best possible outcome.
 
 
Here you can find the support flyer and poster to get the word out which is now more important than ever. This news comes as Peppy crosses the four-month mark of incarceration at a jail that offers prisoners no outdoor time whatsoever and no library. He needs your connection. It will absolutely help him get through this tough period. Please continue to write to Peppy and if you’re looking for ideas as to what to write this might help when  you’re first putting pen-to-paper. 
 
Here is his current address:
    
Butler County Prison
c/o Brian DiPippa
#42322 PO Box 9156
Seminole, FL 33775-9156
 
Krystal also continues to face serious political charges. We are grateful that she is not in any sort of pre-trial imprisonment, but she needs love too! Send her encouraging messages via email to freepeppyandkrystal@riseup.net and we will make sure she gets them, and if you’re directly connected with her and able to, please consider sending her a note by snail mail as well!
 
Also, as we begin to move toward a trial, there will be new and significant amounts of funds needed to support Peppy and Krystal’s legal defense. You can contribute to that fund directly through our website. Keep your eyes open for upcoming financial requests and please 
get in touch if you have any particular ideas of major donors who could help ease that burden. We’d be happy to answer any questions or explore easiest donation possibilities.
 
Thank you so much for your continued support!
 
With grief in struggle,
Peppy & Krystal’s Support Committee
Posted on

Moving Forward

At this point, Peppy has been in pre-trial lock up for over two months. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has supported him and Krystal in the face of this ongoing state repression. The donations, letters, and community support mean the world.


A word from Peppy:


“When I read your letters, my soul escapes this place to walk alongside you, to commune; and with a big inhale I share our smiles with others experiencing incarceration. Thank you for reaching through these windowless walls. Respect and solidarity to all the bravehearts!”


Legal update:


A procedural status hearing was held August 31st. Frustratingly, Pep was again not physically present in court. There will be a few more hearings along the way, and the court indicated it would like to set trial in February or March 2024.


The judge said that he will issue a decision on whether Pep will continue to be imprisoned pre-trial or if he will be released; that is, there will not be any hearing for appealing the pre-trial detention. He did not offer a timeline on when we could expect the decision. A deadline for pretrial motions has been set for the end of December / beginning of January.


Fundraising update:


We are deeply grateful for the financial support already offered! We’ve received donations ranging from $5 to $10,000. Each one of these donations has helped get us closer to meeting the exorbitant costs of this case … costs that will continue to rise, as this case is ongoing. If you’re able to give, please send funds to support Peppy and Krystal via the donate page here on the support site.

That’s it for now. We’ll share any relevant updates as they arise. In the meantime, please continue to write Peppy, check in on the website, spread the word within your circles, and write to Peppy at the following address:


Butler County Prison
c/o Brian DiPippa
#42322 PO Box 9156
Seminole, FL 33775-9156

The grinding pace of these sorts of proceedings is designed to isolate and demoralize – let’s make sure Peppy & Krystal know we have their backs!


With love and solidarity,

Krystal & Peppy’s Support Committee

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Free Peppy and Krystal!

In the early hours of May 19th, heavily armed agents raided the home of two long-term Pittsburgh activists, Brian “Peppy” DiPippa and Krystal DiPippa. Nearly a month and a half later they were both federally indicted on charges stemming from a demonstration against a University of Pittsburgh sanctioned event promoting transphobic hate speech. On June 30th, they both surrendered to the court with Krystal being released the same day, but Peppy remains in pre-trial detention. The raid, and their arrests are a part of a larger framework of repression by federal agents, working in tandem with local law enforcement, against community resistance.

Peppy and Krystal are exceptional and caring humans. For decades they have been active participants in solidarity with oppressed and marginalized people.

Their tireless advocacy and community building has put them in the crosshairs of state repression. They will both undoubtedly face a long and arduous court process in the months, if not years, ahead and will need a variety of care, support and compassion. Today they need our support.

We invite you to check this website to find updates on how to support them and to get updates on the case.