Message-ID: <alpine.NEB.2.00.1009252143580.7808@panix3.panix.com>
From: Alan Sondheim <sondheim@panix.com>
To: Cyb <cybermind@listserv.wvu.edu>, Wryting-L <WRYTING-L@listserv.wvu.edu>,
Cyberculture <cyberculture@zacha.org>
Subject: FBI Raids Target Anti-War Activists; Solidarity Protests Planned
(fwd)
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 21:44:17 -0400 (EDT)
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 15:01:18 From: Portside Moderator <moderator@PORTSIDE.ORG> To: PORTSIDE@LISTS.PORTSIDE.ORG Subject: FBI Raids Target Anti-War Activists; Solidarity Protests Planned Nationwide FBI Terrorism Raids Target Anti-War Activists; Solidarity Protests Planned The Raw Story September 24th, 2010 -- 3:37 pm http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/09/fbi-raids-antiwar-activists/ The FBI said it searched eight homes in Minneapolis and Chicago as part of a terrorism investigation on Friday, and two subjects said the agency is targeting leaders of the anti-war movement. FBI spokesman Steve Warfield told The Associated Press agents served six warrants in Minneapolis and two in Chicago. "These were search warrants only," Warfield said. "We're not anticipating any arrests at this time. They're seeking evidence relating to activities concerning the material support of terrorism." The home of Minneapolis anti-war activists Mick Kelly and Jess Sundin were among those searched, they told the AP. "The FBI is harassing anti-war organizers and leaders, folks who opposed U.S. intervention in the Middle East and Latin America," Kelly said before agents confiscated his cell phone. Sundin called the suggestion they were connected with terrorism "pretty hilarious and ridiculous." FULL AP STORY FOLLOWS BELOW FBI Serves Terrorism Warrants in Minn., Chicago FBI searches Minn. anti-war activists' homes, as well as homes in Chicago, in terrorism case By Steve Karnowski AP News Sep 24, 2010 13:42 EDT http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100924/world/us_fbi_raid_terrorism_1 The FBI said it searched eight homes in Minneapolis and Chicago as part of a terrorism investigation on Friday, and two subjects said the agency is targeting leaders of the anti-war movement. FBI spokesman Steve Warfield told The Associated Press agents served six warrants in Minneapolis and two in Chicago. "These were search warrants only," Warfield said. "We're not anticipating any arrests at this time. They're seeking evidence relating to activities concerning the material support of terrorism." The home of Minneapolis anti-war activists Mick Kelly and Jess Sundin were among those searched, they told the AP. "The FBI is harassing anti-war organizers and leaders, folks who opposed U.S. intervention in the Middle East and Latin America," Kelly said before agents confiscated his cell phone. Sundin called the suggestion they were connected with terrorism "pretty hilarious and ridiculous." Warfield said he couldn't comment on whose homes were searched or give details on why because it's an ongoing investigation. "There's no imminent threat to the community," he said. The searches were first reported by the Star Tribune. Sundin said she wasn't certain exactly what kinds of information the FBI was after or who else had been searched in either city. An FBI SWAT team entered first "and looked for pointy things. And then they left and the FBI agents came in and looked through everything in the house," she said. The agents took "computers, several boxes of papers, everything related to data like discs," Sundin said. Both Sundin and Kelly were organizers of a mass march on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in St. Paul two years ago, and recently appeared at a news conference to announce plans for another protest if Minneapolis is selected to hold the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Police estimated the peaceful march drew 10,000 protesters; organizers put the figure at 30,000. Other protests were marked by destructive acts by anarchists. More than 800 people were arrested during the four days of the convention, including Sundin and Kelly. Sundin said they've already sought permits for 2012, "something I don't think terrorists would do." The FBI's spokesman in Chicago, Ross Rice, would only say two searches were conducted Friday in Chicago and that there were no arrests. He declined comment further. Asked about the reports, the U.S. Attorney's office spokesman in Chicago, Randy Samborn, confirmed warrants were served in the city "in connection with a law enforcement investigation." He also declined to provide details. [Associated Press Writer Michael Tarm in Chicago contributed to this report. Source: AP News] ========== Against FBI Raids: 3PM Saturday Chicago press conference with peace/solidarity activists targeted by FBI raid http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/92033/index.php CHICAGO Social justice and anti-war activists will gather at 3pm on Saturday, September 25 at the West Town Law Community Office, 2502 W. Division St. to speak out against a series of FBI raids that took place on Friday, September 24 in Chicago and around the US. Please spread the word about this, and if you can, come to the press conference and lend your support. These raids are clearly part of a much larger campaign to shut down solidarity work for Palestine and Colombia and more broadly to derail the larger U.S. movement for peace and justice. MEDIA ALERT: For Immediate Release Press Contact: Chapin Gray, 773-647-8599 Targets of FBI Raids to join supporters to speak out against federal assault on antiwar, solidarity activities Subpoenas, searches have a chilling impact on core rights and civil liberties, say activists. CHICAGO Social justice and anti-war activists will gather at 3pm at the West Town Law Community Office, 2502 W. Division St. to speak out against a series of FBI raids that took place on Friday, September 24 in Chicago and around the US. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to about a dozen activists in Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan on Friday, searching the homes of most of these activists. They also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina. Targeted Chicago activists include Hatem Abudayeh, Joe Iosbaker and Stephanie Weiner, with the FBI naming interest in their work around Palestine, Colombia and peace activities. "This is really about trying to intimidate the anti-war movement, and we won't be silenced," said anti-war activist Stephanie Weiner, one of the victims of the raids. "This suppression of democratic rights is aimed towards those who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against US funded occupation and war. This is a US government attempt to silence those who stand in solidarity against oppression in the Middle East and Latin America." Speakers at Saturday's press conference will include Melinda Power, attorney and member of the National Lawyers Guild; Chapin Gray, activist with Students for a Democratic Society-Chicago; Maureen Murphy of the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago; Rev. C.J. Hawking of Arise Chicago; and Stephanie Weiner and Joe Iosbaker, who were among the Chicago targets of the raid and are long-time anti-war activists in the city. They will be joined by peace and solidarity activists from across the metro area. _____________ Activists Rally in Twin Cities, Respond to Raids http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyG3dIUGQvQ _____________________________________________ Portside aims to provide material of interest to people on the left that will help them to interpret the world and to change it. 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