Mon. Dec. 6: Emergency Rally: Protest latest FBI harassment of solidarity activists

[ckaihatsu]

> Subject: Mon. Dec. 6: Emergency Rally: Protest latest FBI harassment of
> solidarity activists
> Action Alert: Protest latest FBI harassment of solidarity activists
>
> When: Monday, Dec. 6, 4:30pm
> Where: Outside the Dirksen Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn (at Jackson),
> Chicago
>
> Federal agents harass, subpoena three more Chicago activists
>
> Chicago: An emergency rally has been called by the Committee Against
> Political Repression for Monday, Dec. 6 after the FBI subpoenaed three
> additional Palestine solidarity activists to appear before a federal grand
> jury in Chicago last Friday. Supporters are asked to voice their protest of
> this latest attack and rally outside the Dirksen Federal Building -- where
> the federal grand jury convenes -- at 4:30pm on Monday, Dec. 6.
>
> This is a continuation of the assault on the anti-war movement that began on
> September 24th. This case began with 14 subpoenas delivered to anti-war,
> labor and solidarity activists in coordinated raids that swept the Midwest,
> involving scores of federal agents.
>
> Three of the original 14 are awaiting new grand jury court dates as well.
> They may face imminent detention if they continue to refuse to inform the
> government about the activities of other activists.
>
> The Committee Against Political Repression also urges supporters to contact
> U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and condemn the use of the grand jury to
> repress the anti-war and solidarity movements. Call Patrick J. Fitzgerald at
> 312-353-5300.
>
> For more information:
> http://www.facebook.com/l/f9e28O3sUAPJ3RtbiH7SvDFrixg;www.stopfbi.net/

[Jimmie Higgins]

Holy Crap. I don't think we should be alarmist about this at this point, but it might be a good idea to have a "Activist Rights" faq stickied somewhere on the website. It could be as easy as a link from the National Lawyers Guild or something (I'm sure they or a similar organization has online guide to being questioned by police or FBI).

Well much solidarity to Solidarity comrades! An injury to one is an injury to all and I stand with Solidarity and FRSO against this blatant repression.

[Jalapeno Enema]

Of course, Amtrak doesn't have anything I can afford except going through Bloomington, and then the earliest I can be there would be 8:40.

I know I can drive to Chi-town in 5 hours, but I don't have enough fuel/money for fuel to get there and back home.

Is there anything else in the planning that isn't so immediate?

[Jimmie Higgins]

Of course, Amtrak doesn't have anything I can afford except going through Bloomington, and then the earliest I can be there would be 8:40.

I know I can drive to Chi-town in 5 hours, but I don't have enough fuel/money for fuel to get there and back home.

Is there anything else in the planning that isn't so immediate?Well these kinds of cases are likely to drag out for a while, so I wouldn't feel bad if you can't make this particular response on short-notice. I'd check with the Solidarity website over the next week and see what kinds of support they are asking for. If you work with another group, see what kinds of solidarity actions or things that your group can do. I don't know what the left scene is in your city, but there might also be solidarity rallies in other cities too, so see if there is anything on local activist message boards or Indy-media.

After they raided FRSO, RevLeft comrades posted solidarity statements from activists and other groups as well as various local protest responses and actions so I'd encourage people to do the same in this thread as well as the rest of the left reacts to this new development.

[Jalapeno Enema]

I don't know what the left scene is in your city, but there might also be solidarity rallies in other cities too, so see if there is anything on local activist message boards or Indy-media.while undeniably better then it was when I was younger/ more active politically, but still crappy, which is why I used to go up to Chicago for political rallies.

[Jimmie Higgins]

while undeniably better then it was when I was younger/ more active politically, but still crappy, which is why I used to go up to Chicago for political rallies.Well even in the bay area and places like NYC, we're all trying to rebuild a strong and active left. To paraphrase Don Rumsfeld, you go into capitalist crisis with the left you have, not the left you want.:lol:

If there's something good that can come out of these kinds of raids, it might encourage people in areas where the left is smaller to build up their networks a little more as they stand together on principle against state repression. Maybe people can also try and network with some of the Arab and Muslim communities who have also been targeted (and for much longer) and build some kind of coalition against these kinds of things.

[Jalapeno Enema]

Well even in the bay area and places like NYC, we're all trying to rebuild a strong and active left. To paraphrase Don Rumsfeld, you go into capitalist crisis with the left you have, not the left you want.:lol:

If there's something good that can come out of these kinds of raids, it might encourage people in areas where the left is smaller to build up their networks a little more as they stand together on principle against state repression. Maybe people can also try and network with some of the Arab and Muslim communities who have also been targeted (and for much longer) and build some kind of coalition against these kinds of things.I think the recession; much too long wars have helped the left cause here.

It's the best since '99 just after the Seattle WTO demos.

It sucks that it takes crap like that to happen before people notice you're around, but like you said, I'll take what I can get (I actually just learned of a leftist MEETING locally; unheard of 6 years ago)

[Bad Grrrl Agro]

I know this is last minute, but anyone going down from Milwaukee?

[Jimmie Higgins]

I feel kind of dumb - "s"olidarity activists, not activists from the group Solidarity:blushing:. Lack of sleep.

[IndependentCitizen]

Holy Crap. I don't think we should be alarmist about this at this point, but it might be a good idea to have a "Activist Rights" faq stickied somewhere on the website.
Much agreed on this!

[ckaihatsu]

On 12/7/10, Fight Back! News <[email protected]> wrote:

> Chicagoans protest three new FBI subpoenas
>
> By Staff
>
> Chicago, IL - More than 100 anti-war, labor and solidarity activists rallied
> and picketed here, Dec. 6. The emergency action was organized by the
> Chicago-based Committee Against Political Repression after the FBI delivered
> or declared its intention to give federal grand jury subpoenas to solidarity
> and anti-war activists in Chicago the week before.
>
> On Dec. 3, the FBI contacted Sarah Smith, a young woman who travelled to
> Palestine last summer. Though the FBI agent who called Smith said he merely
> wanted to ask her a few questions, she later found out through a lawyer that
> she was to be subpoenaed. Sarah’s father, veteran anti-war and solidarity
> activist Stan Smith, read a statement on Sarah’s behalf and also made his
> own statement against the harassment of his daughter.
>
> Sarah Smith spoke about her trip to the occupied West Bank and the irony
> that the U.S. claims to stand for peace but is opposed to Americans
> travelling to learn the experiences of the Palestinian people. She thanked
> the Committee Against Political Repression for support in the face of this
> repression. Stan Smith demanded that the U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald
> and the FBI agent who phoned Sarah apologize to his daughter for this
> harassment.
>
> Before and after the speeches, people marched in the spirited picket line
> despite the frigid temperature, chanting “Opposing war is not a crime!”
>
> Stephanie Weiner, one of the 14 activists originally subpoenaed in
> September, reminded the crowd that three of those activists are awaiting new
> grand jury court dates. If these women - Sarah Martin, Tracy Molm and Anh
> Pham, all from Minnesota - refuse to take part in the U.S. Attorney's
> fishing expedition, they may be held in contempt and jailed in Chicago for
> the life of the grand jury. If this happens, the women would be held in the
> Metropolitan Correction Center in Chicago’s Loop.
>
> Protests like the one tonight show that the anti-war movement in Chicago
> will not be silenced, despite the threats of jail time and the ongoing witch
> hunt.

[ckaihatsu]

[StopFBI-National] 2 new subpoenas + Call-in Day Today 12-9-2010

Call Off the Grand Jury Witch-hunt Against Anti-war and Solidarity Activists! Stop FBI Repression!

Call U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald at
312-353-5300, then dial 0 (zero) for operator
and ask to leave a message with the Duty Clerk (paralegal).

You could say: “My name is __________, I am from _______(city), in ______(state). I am calling U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to demand that he call off the Grand Jury and stop FBI repression against the anti-war and international solidarity movements. I oppose political repression and defend the right to free speech and right to assembly of the 19 activists subpoenaed.”

UPDATE: Two more people were subpoenaed on Thursday Dec. 8. That brings to total number of subpoenas to 19. Look for an update later today or tomorrow.

Please send a short message to [email protected] to let us know that you called.

Background info from our Dec. 7 alert:

Fitzgerald Expands Repression with 3 New Subpoenas in Chicago

Under the direction of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office, the FBI is expanding their repression of anti-war and Palestine solidarity activists in Chicago. On Friday, December 3, 2010, the FBI targeted three young women who traveled to Palestine together last summer. After the FBI called to question a young Jewish-American woman Sarah Smith, FBI agents knocked on the door of two young Palestinian-American sisters. One sister was already on the phone with lawyer Jim Fennerty and handed the phone to the FBI, causing the FBI to leave. The FBI agents soon returned however with subpoenas to the Grand Jury targeting anti-war and solidarity activists, dated for January 25, 2011. The three are standing strong with the other 14 subpoenaed activists from Illinois, Minneapolis, and Michigan. Over 100 people protested in Chicago on Monday against the expanding repression.

Help Keep 3 Minneapolis Women Out of Jail

Fitzgerald’s new wave of repression comes a week after the re-activation of subpoenas for three Palestine solidarity activist women in Minneapolis. Tracy Molm, Anh Pham, and Sarah Martin are being asked to appear before the Grand Jury again, despite refusing to speak in October. In Minneapolis and other cities the week of actions demanded “Protest to keep Anh, Tracy, and Sarah, out of jail!” Lawyers for each of the three are meeting with Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox this week. However, on orders from Fitzgerald’s office, the FBI shenanigans continue with visits to anti-war activist’s homes.

So please stand with the 17 subpoenaed anti-war and solidarity activists and make a phone call to Fitzgerald at 312-353-5300.

**Please sign and circulate our petition at http://www.iacenter.org/stopfbi/
Visit www.StopFBI.net or write [email protected] or call 612-379-3585.

Thank you,
Tom Burke
for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression


_______________________________________________
StopFBI mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.organizerweb.com/mailman/listinfo/stopfbi

[ckaihatsu]

Hello friends,

Across the country, people are celebrating holidays, gathering together with friends and family, hoping for a world of peace and prosperity. For the anti-war and international solidarity activists whose homes were raided by the FBI and who were subpoenaed to the Grand Jury, these holidays are even more meaningful. The children are hugged a little tighter and moments with loved ones are more precious. A pall hangs over what should be joyous family time, as U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald intensifies the witch hunt and expands the repression with more subpoenas.

In this real life drama, Patrick Fitzgerald is playing Scrooge, re-subpoenaing three Minneapolis women -- Tracy Molm, Anh Pham, and Sarah Martin -- and threatening them with jail. So far the three “choose to refuse” by not testifying at the Grand Jury. Fitzgerald is expanding the repression too, ruining more holidays by handing out subpoenas to young Jewish and Palestinian-Americans who took solidarity trips to Palestine. It is outrageous!

We need to do everything we can to stop this witch hunt, to defend the anti-war and other movements, and to keep our brothers and sisters out of jail. Please donate so we can pay the excellent lawyers representing the now 19 of us with subpoenas. The lawyers are doing hundreds of hours of work and with so many clients and the bills are adding up. Also, please give generously so we can continue to tour speakers, send delegations to the U.S. Congress, and organize protests to resist the Grand Jury repression.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is asking you to make a special holiday donation today at http://www.stopfbi.net/donate

or checks can be mailed to:
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
PO Box 14183
Minneapolis, MN 55414

We ask you to support those being targeted here at home and help us to shine a light for people in other countries who are being abused and murdered by U.S. war and occupation. We have friends who believe in us around the globe!

We wish you and your family a new year filled with peace and justice!

Thank you,

Tom Burke
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
www.StopFBI.net

-----------
StopFBI.net
Petition: stopfbi.net/sign-the-petition

[ckaihatsu]

For Immediate Release - 12-21-2010

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald Expands Witch Hunt
--FBI delivers subpoenas to four more anti-war, solidarity activists

The FBI came unannounced to knock on doors at two apartments in Chicago this morning. FBI agent Robert Parker, under orders from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office, delivered a subpoena to Maureen Murphy. Murphy, like several other individuals served subpoenas, is an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago.

This continues the repression unleashed by Fitzgerald on the anti-war movement since September 24th, when fourteen subpoenas were delivered to anti-war, labor, and solidarity activists in coordinated raids involving more than 70 federal agents. Armed FBI agents raided homes, taking computers, phones, passports, documents, notebooks, and even children’s artwork. A total of 23 subpoenas have been served to activists around the country.

Maureen Murphy said, “Along with several others, I am being summoned to appear before the Grand Jury on Tuesday, January 25th, in the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. We are being targeted for the work we do to end U.S. funding of the Israeli occupation, ending the war in Afghanistan and ending the occupation of Iraq. What is at stake for all of us is our right to dissent and organize to change harmful US foreign policy." Ms. Murphy is also the Managing Editor of the widely-read website, The Electronic Intifada.

In addition, three women in Minneapolis - Tracy Molm, Anh Pham, and Sara Martin - are threatened with reactivated subpoenas by Fitzgerald’s office and new Grand Jury dates. Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression explained, “It is likely the three individuals, like all the others so far, will continue to refuse to take part in Fitzgerald’s witch hunt. Fitzgerald can then call for putting them in jail as long as he wants.”

For more information: www.stopfbi.net
Contact: Tom Burke, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, 773-844-3612

_______________________________________________
StopFBI mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.organizerweb.com/mailman/listinfo/stopfbi

[Amphictyonis]

More like the Obama administration harasses and subpoenas three more Chicago activists. If this were going on under Bush it would have been put squarley on Bush's shoulders.

[ckaihatsu]

> Protest at Site of Grand Jury
>
> By Staff
>
> Chicago, IL -75 people entered the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Building
> here, Dec. 23, to make a statement to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and
> the FBI. They were there because four more anti-war and international
> solidarity activists have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury.
>
> Maureen Murphy, one of those targeted by Fitzgerald with a grand jury date
> of Jan. 25, made a strong statement to the press:
>
> "I have no intention in participating in the government's witch hunt. It is
> very clear that no crime has been committed and that the government's
> motivation in issuing these subpoenas is to have us name the names of other
> activists not only here in the United States, but also in places like
> Palestine and Colombia, where many of us have traveled to learn about the
> human rights situations in those places. We can only assume that the U.S.
> government shares intelligence with the governments of Israel and Colombia,
> whose repressive military rule the U.S. bankrolls at the taxpayer's expense.
> And it is essentially a prison sentence or worse for human rights activists
> in Palestine and Colombia to be singled out in this way. And I have no
> intention in playing any role in that."

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