[Ppnews] Minneapolis protest against FBI raids, Chicago grand jury

[Political Prisoner News]

Minneapolis protest against FBI raids, Chicago grand jury

By <http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/profiles/mary-turck>Mary Turck and 
<http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/profiles/alan-wilfahrt>Alan Wilfahrt, 
<http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/partners/tc-daily-planet>TC Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/10/06/minneapolis-protest-against-fbi-raids-chicago-grand-jury

October 06, 2010

Protesters gathered outisde the FBI office in Minneapolis on October 
5, the day that <http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/39351>some 
targeted Minnesotans had been subpoenaed to appear before a Chicago 
grand jury that is conducting a secret investigation. All grand jury 
investigations are secret, with  the government prosecutor and grand 
jurors questioning witnesses, who are not allowed to have their 
lawyers present in the room.

The Minneapolis activists who were subpoenaed have 
<http://www.startribune.com/local/104345648.html>said they refuse to 
testify. Witnesses can assert their Fifth Amendment right not to say 
anything that will incriminate themselves, unless they are granted 
immunity from prosecution. In that case, refusal to testify can 
result in imprisonment for up to 18 months.

Those whose homes were<http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/39351> 
raided by the FBI on September 24 were also subpoenaed and ordered to 
bring extensive records with them:

For 2001 to the present: (1) all pictures and videos relating to any 
trip to Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or 
Israel; (2) all items relating to any trip to Colombia, Jordan, 
Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel;(3) all correspondence, 
including but not limited to emails and letters, with anyone residing 
in Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or 
Israel;(4) all records of any payment provided directly or indirectly 
to Hatem Abudayyeh, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine 
("PFLP") or the REvolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ("FARC"); (5) 
all records of any telephonic or electronic communication with anyone 
in Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel; 
and (6) any item related to any support provided to any designated 
terrorist organization, including the PFLP or the FARC.

More information and connections

<http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/39683>Grand Juries: What are they? 
How can we resist them? Public meeting on October 10

<http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/39645>FREE SPEECH ZONE | Is 
Progressive Dissent Public Enemy #1?

FBI agents raided the homes of six activists in Minneapolis and two 
in Chicago on September 24, seizing computers, cell phones, CDs, 
files and papers. Protesters also asked that this property be 
returned to its owners.

The FBI has said that its investigation concerns "material support to 
terrorists," and that it cannot commenet on grand jury activities. 
The FBI agents were seeking evidence of ties to "FTOs," or foreign 
terrorist organizations, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of 
Colombia (FARC) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

In an October 4 press release, several of those targeted by the raids 
explained their positions:

"We believe the FBI is targeting and investigating people for their 
ideas. We think we have the right to this political speech.  You 
don't have to agree with our conclusions and ideas about these 
international movements or even oppose the war, to agree that being 
targeted for those views is wrong and a dangerous attack on our civil 
liberties", stated Stef Yorek, whose home was raided on September 24th.

Jess Sundin, another target of the raids, said, "These raids and 
subpoenas are an attack on anti-war and other progressive movements. 
It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to assemble with 
like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their 
actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for 
more wars and occupations of other countries by the U.S. military."

"Many people of conscience have traveled to understand our 
government's role in places like Palestine and Colombia.  We went  to 
learn about how Palestinians and Colombians experience brutal 
repression from U.S. sponsored regimes and to bring their stories 
back, so that Americans are connected to these people.  Hearing about 
the reality of U.S. military aid is not a crime, " stated Meredith Aby.





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