[Peace] Fwd: FBI Raids Target Anti-War Activists; Solidarity Protests Planned

[Belden Fields]

FYI

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Portside Moderator <moderator at PORTSIDE.ORG>
> Date: September 25, 2010 2:01:18 PM CDT
> To: PORTSIDE at LISTS.PORTSIDE.ORG
> Subject: FBI Raids Target Anti-War Activists; Solidarity Protests  
> Planned
> Reply-To: moderator at PORTSIDE.ORG
>
> 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
>
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