Signed by more than three thousand people, the petition calls for charges against Odeh to be dropped. The petition delivery follows a coordinated day of action on Wednesday, November 13, coinciding with Odeh’s court arraignment on charges of immigration fraud. More than a hundred supporters gathered outside the Detroit court where Odeh submitted her not-guilty plea. Actions were also held in Chicago, Oakland, Philadelphia, Gainesville, Tampa, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee.

“It is very clear that Rasmea is being targeted for her activism,” says Hatem Abudayyeh of the US Palestinian Community Network. “These charges are the latest example of a U.S. government policy that seeks to repress prominent Arab American community members and people working for the rights of Palestinians.”

On October 22 Odeh was arrested at her Chicago home by agents of the Department of Homeland Security who charged her with lying on her immigration application in 1994 for failing to mention an arrest and conviction in an Israeli military court over 40 years ago. Her arrest comes three years after 23 anti-war and Palestinian rights activists were subpoenaed to testify before a Grand Jury. Several of these activists also had their homes raided by the FBI and no indictments have been filed against them to date, though US Attorneys continue to claim the “investigation is ongoing”.

According to Palestine Solidarity Legal Support, during the past year alone there have been more than 75 documented cases of intimidation and legal bullying against Palestinian-Americans and supporters.

#WashingtonDC #PalestineSolidarity #HomelandSecurity #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder #InjusticeSystem #FBIRepression #RasmeaOdeh

On Monday, May 13th, the Associated Press (AP) announced that the US Justice Department secretly obtained two months worth of reporters’ and editors’ phone records. The AP says its privacy was violated in an effort by the US government to investigate an exclusive AP report on May 7, 2012. The AP reported that the CIA stopped a plot by an Al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression (stopfbi.net) demands an end to the Justice Department overreach and fishing expeditions that violate First Amendment freedoms. We have personal experience with this type of privacy and First Amendment violations.

AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt protested the extensive privacy intrusion into the AP in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday, May 13, 2013:

“There can be no possible justification for such an overbroad collection of the telephone communications of The Associated Press and its reporters. These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP’s newsgathering operations, and disclose information about AP’s activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know. We regard this action by the Department of Justice as a serious interference with AP’s constitutional rights to gather and report the news.”

Anti-war activists are also outraged. This attack on the media is one more way the government tries to stifle protests against US wars and occupations, by keeping the knowledge of these acts from the public in the first place.

The Obama administration is not only trying to scare the media, but also to intimidate people of conscious from being whistle-blowers about the role the U.S. plays in massacres and rights violations overseas. The US government wants to hide its acts of war and dirty tricks from the American public. They want to hide U.S. drone strikes; massacres in Afghanistan, and CIA missions in countries the U.S. has determined are “hostile” to US corporate interests. US wars, covert interventions, and deadly drone attacks are unpopular around the world and here at home. The US government is battling isolation on a global scale.

The FBI and the Justice Department are increasingly using “terrorism” as the justification for putting the First Amendment through the shredder. On September 24, 2010, the FBI raided and subpoenaed Midwest anti-war and international solidarity activists, revealing that these activists were being investigated for “material support for terrorism” because of their work to end U.S. aid to Israel and Colombia. 23 activists were subpoenaed to appear before a secretive grand jury in Chicago. The Anti-War 23 all refused to testify or to cooperate with the investigation because it was a violation of their constitutionally protected right to organize and free speech.

Ironically, only four days prior to the September 24th raids, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. declared that the FBI had systematically and wrongly spied on political activists.

On April 2, 2013, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund reported that government documents obtained through their FOIA records requests reveal that the Department of Homeland Security conducts daily monitoring of peaceful, lawful protests as a matter of policy. The heavily redacted documents show that Homeland Security’s “Threat Management Division” directed Regional Intelligence Analysts to provide a “Daily Intelligence Briefing” that includes a category of reporting on “Peaceful Activist Demonstrations” along with “Domestic Terrorist Activity.” The Department of Homeland Security is functioning as a secret political police force against people participating in lawful, peaceful free speech activity.

Every time the U.S. government violates the First Amendment in order to promote war and aggression, it damages our rights here at home and jeopardizes people’s lives abroad.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression calls on its supporters to call President Obama to say:

Stop the crackdown on journalists & whistleblowers! Stop the attacks on the anti-war movement! Stop the erosion of our civil liberties!

#UnitedStates #InJusticeSystem #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder #PoliticalRepression #AssociatedPress #JusticeDepartment

“POP demands that criminal investigations of bank misconduct in the mortgage bubble be undertaken and federal and state levels. The first priority must be to find out what happened to the supposedly ‘missing’ mortgage notes. The investigations must also look into the actions of the banks in the overpricing of homes, selling them for much more than they were worth. Finding of both civil and criminal wrongdoing must be prosecuted.”

POP and C2SOH scheduled a Nov. 1 protest rally in Trenton, the New Jersey state capital, to demand an investigation. Other demands are that Governor Chris Christie release $300 million in federal funds for distressed homeowners that has been held up, and that mortgage principals be reduced to reflect the true market value of overpriced homes.

“Every government program to supposedly help distressed homeowners has turned out to be a bank bailout in disguise,” said a spokesperson for the campaign. The Home Affordable Mortgage Program as a case in point. Millions of homeowners have been strung along for months by banks, having to file extensive applications time after time only to be denied and then saddled with charges and fines by the banks for the delay!

Bank criminality in abusive loans that were designed to fail and the Three-card Monte games they played with mortgage notes were criminal violations. There has not been a single criminal prosecution for any of it.

POP and C2SOH are reaching out to other organizations and people in a petition addressed to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Already it has met with an eager response. Work is under way for a coordinated effort. Everyone wants this to happen.

#NewarkNJ #HousingStruggles #PeoplesOrganizationForProgress #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder #CoalitionToSaveOurHomes #HomeForeclosures

Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder got a cold reception in Minneapolis May 27, where the Committee to Stop FBI Repression dogged him all day about FBI and grand jury attacks on anti-war and international solidarity activists. 100 people gathered outside his event at the University of Minnesota. The shouts of protesters outside could be heard inside, “Hey Holder, hear our fury! Stop the FBI, end the grand jury!”

In September of 2010, 14 peace and international solidarity activists in the Midwest, including Minneapolis, were subpoenaed to testify at a secret grand jury investigating material support for terrorism. In December, nine more activists were subpoenaed. The 23 activists have declared their refusal to testify and have declared their First Amendment right to protest, to free speech and to assemble. Last week, the FBI stepped up its repression when it participated in a raid on the home of Los Angeles immigrant rights activist, Carlos Montes.

As Holder began to speak at the University of Minnesota event, several people stood up to interrupt him with questions demanding that he explain his why his Department of Justice is pursuing activists.

The first to challenge him was Tracy Molm, one of the targeted activists and a member of Students for a Democratic Society. Holder talked with her after his speech, saying they would have to “agree to disagree” on whether international solidarity activism like hers is constitutionally protected.

Afterwards, Molm told the protesters gathered outside, “He can disagree all he wants, but people around the country believe these attacks need to end because they're killing our free speech rights, our ability to question our government and our ability to speak out.”

All those who interrupted his speech were ejected by University police, but none were arrested.

Speaking for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Deb Konechne said, “It is disgusting that Eric Holder, who once defended Chiquita Banana’s payments to right-wing death squads and Colombia’s AUC – a designated ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ – is today the head of a grand jury fishing expedition against anti-war and international solidarity activists. This fishing expedition is, according to secret FBI documents released last week, predicated on the work of activists in the U.S. to publicize and advocate on behalf of Colombian trade unionists that have been AUC targets.”

Protesters also gathered outside a second speech by the attorney general at Augsburg College, but were barred from entering. When Holder exited the event, protesters sent him packing with these final words, “Hey Holder, you crossed the line. Political dissent is not a crime!”

#MinneapolisMN #CarlosMontes #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY to Fitzgerald, Holder and Obama

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Grand Jury is still on its witch-hunt and the FBI is still harassing activists. This must stop.

Please make these calls:

1. 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.
2. Call U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder 202-353-1555
3. Call President Obama at 202-456-1111

Suggested text: “My name is __________, I am from _______(city), in ______(state). I am calling _____ to demand he call off the Grand Jury and stop FBI repression against the anti-war and Palestine solidarity movements. I oppose U.S. government political repression and support the right to free speech and the right to assembly of the 23 activists subpoenaed. We will not be criminalized. Tell him to stop this McCarthy-type witch hunt against international solidarity activists!”

If your call doesn’t go through, try again later.

Update: 800 anti-war and international solidarity activists participated in four regional conferences, in Chicago, IL; Oakland, CA; Chapel Hill, NC and New York City to stop U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s Grand Jury repression.

Still, in the last few weeks, the FBI has continued to call and harass anti-war organizers, repressing free speech and the right to organize. However, all of their intimidation tactics are bringing a movement closer together to stop war and demand peace.

We demand:

• Call Off the Grand Jury Witch-hunt Against International Solidarity Activists!
• Support Free Speech!
• Support the Right to Organize!
• Stop FBI Repression!
• International Solidarity Is Not a Crime!
• Stop the Criminalization of Arab and Muslim Communities!

Background: Fitzgerald ordered FBI raids on anti-war and solidarity activists' homes and subpoenaed fourteen activists in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Michigan on September 24, 2010. All 14 refused to speak before the Grand Jury in October. Then, 9 more Palestine solidarity activists, most Arab-Americans, were subpoenaed to appear at the Grand Jury on January 25, 2011, launching renewed protests. There are now 23 who assert their right to not participate in Fitzgerald’s witch-hunt.

The Grand Jury is a secret and closed inquisition, with no judge, and no press. The U.S. Attorney controls the entire proceedings and hand picks the jurors, and the solidarity activists are not allowed a lawyer. Even the date when the Grand Jury ends is a secret.

So please make these calls to those in charge of the repression aimed against anti-war leaders and the growing Palestine solidarity movement.

Email us to let us know your results. Send to info@StopFBI.net

**Please sign and circulate our 2011 petition at http://www.stopfbi.net/petition

In Struggle,

Tom Burke,

for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression

FFI: Visit www.StopFBI.net or email info@StopFBI.net or call 612-379-3585.

#Everywhere #WashingtonDC #AntiwarMovement #FBI #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #PatrickFitzgerald #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder #PoliticalRepression

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

National Call-In Day to Fitzpatrick, Holder and Obama

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 – all day!

Over 50 cities, hundreds of groups, and thousands of people protested against FBI and U.S. Grand Jury repression on Tuesday January 25. The protests are a response to ongoing and expanding repression originating from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's office in Chicago. On September 24th, the FBI raided anti-war and solidarity activists' homes and subpoenaed fourteen in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Michigan. All fourteen decided to not appear before the Grand Jury in October. The Grand Jury is a secret and closed inquisition, where the U.S. Attorney controls the entire proceedings, hand picks the jurors, there is no judge, and the activists are not allowed a lawyer.

The following month, three Minneapolis women had their subpoenas reactivated and they are still waiting in limbo. Then nine more Palestine solidarity activists, most Arab-Americans, were subpoenaed to appear at the Grand Jury on January 25, 2011, launching renewed protests.

Now we are asking you to call those in charge of the repression aimed against anti-war leaders and the growing Palestine solidarity movement.

We want your help in promoting the national call in day to demand:

• Call Off the Grand Jury Witch-hunt Against International Solidarity Activists!
• Support Free Speech!
• Support the Right to Organize!
• Stop FBI Repression!
• International Solidarity Is Not a Crime!

Three calls:

1. 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.
2. Call U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder 202-353-1555
3. Call President Obama at 202-456-1111

Suggested text: “My name is __________, I am from _______(city), in ______(state). I am calling U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (Eric Holder, President Obama) to demand he call off the Grand Jury and stop FBI repression against the anti-war and Palestine solidarity movements. I oppose U.S. government political repression and support the right to free speech and the right to assembly of the 23 activists subpoenaed. We will not be criminalized. Tell him to stop this McCarthy-type witch hunt against international solidarity activists!

Please sign and circulate our new petition at http://www.stopfbi.net/petition

Visit www.StopFBI.net or write StopFBI@gmail.com or call 612-379-3585.

#UnitedStates #FBI #BarackObama #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #PatrickFitzgerald #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder

Los Angeles, CA – Angry Black and Latino activists held a protest at a fancy dinner party where U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was speaking to honor Martin Luther King, Jan. 17. The Martin Luther King Coalition for Jobs, Justice and Peace; LA Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant; Latinos Against War; Fight Back News and other allies protested the visit of the attorney general at the annual MLK SCLC gala dinner to call out how the FBI attacked and harassed Reverend King and continues those same attacks today.

Protesters demanded that U.S. Attorney General Holder stop the current FBI attacks against anti-war activists and prosecute the police who killed Oscar Grant and Manuel Jaminez.

The Los Angeles area has seen a spike in police killings and the FBI has recently served subpoenas on anti-war activists to appear before a federal grand jury on Jan. 25.

Eric Holder is target of protest because he, as the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the U.S., has the power to call off the FBI investigations. He can also order federal investigations into civil rights violations of Oscar Grant and Manuel Jaminez, who were murdered by the police.

The protest showed unity and solidarity with the Black, Latino and anti-war movement in Los Angeles. The groups say Holder represents the U.S. governments attack on the anti-war movement and its lack of action in prosecuting killer cops.

#LosAngelesCA #AttorneyGeneralEricHolder