"I couldn't find anyone in that office to talk about proportionality and humanity. It was driven by a desire to turn this into a significant case, so that some prosecutor could put it into his portfolio."
In fall 2010, Aaron Swartz downloaded millions of academic journal articles from JSTOR, violating the site's terms of use by exceeding their article limit.
For that crime, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Massachusetts, led by District Attorney Carmen Ortiz, charged him with 13 felony counts, threatening the online activist with over 50 years in prison and over $1 million in fines.
Last week, Aaron Swartz took his own life.
It is too late to do anything for Aaron. But for the people who used outdated legislation to try to brand him a felon and condemn him to decades in prison, our efforts are just beginning.
In only a few days, the White House petition for Obama to fire Carmen Ortiz for overreach has reached over 25,000 signatures. We're here to make sure we add our own voices to the call. Will you join us in urging Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to remove Ortiz from her position as US District Attorney?
PETITION TO BARACK OBAMA AND ERIC HOLDER: A prosecutor who does not understand proportionality and has respect for the humanity of a case has no place as a US District Attorney. We urge you to remove Carmen Ortiz from her position immediately for her overreach in the Aaron Swartz case.
Click here to sign -- it just takes a second.
Thanks,
-- The folks at Watchdog.net
P.S. If the other links aren't working for you, please go here to sign: http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/2282?n=11880783.fgxag7