Fort Worth, TX – On Saturday, December 5, over 20 protesters showed up at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in downtown Fort Worth, where Fort Work police officer Aaron Dean was on trial for the murder of Atatiana Jefferson.

Jefferson, an African-American woman was shot by Dean, who fired through her window with no warning while she was playing videogames with her nephew. The protest demanded justice for her and condemned the court for not including any African Americans on the jury. The rally was organized by the National Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression – Dallas.

Rick Majumdar of NAARPR Dallas called for justice for Atatiana and denounced the decision to not include any African Americans on the jury. Majumdar also state that Aaron Dean, when a student at the University of Texas at Arlington, was reprimanded for the sexual assault of another student.

Rick Majumdar stated, “Justice has been denied for three years, how many times has this trial been pushed back, how many times? Six times this case has been pushed back. That's not right!”

Majumdar continued, “We are out here today to say that justice may be delayed but it will not be denied. Aaron Dean must go to jail. We don't want killer cops on these streets.”

Dominique Jones of the Party for Socialism and Liberation condemned white supremacy and the murder of Atatiana.

Xavi Velasquez of La Frontera Nos Cruzo spoke to the connection of the Chicano struggle and the Black struggle in their opposition to racist police terror: “The same kind of racist fucking police that throw Latino and Mexican and all sorts of people from South America into cages, separate families and brutalize them, are the same people who shoot and kill Black people, and, as a Hispanic person, I feel

strongly that we stand together in solidarity.”

“The only way we are going to fix this shit is if we stand together and organize,” Velasquez declared

#FortWorthTX #PoliceBrutality #GrandJuries #DallasAllianceAgainstRacistAndPoliticalRepression

Eight years ago, on Sept. 24, 2010, more than 70 FBI agents took part in a series of coordinated raids that were aimed at activists of the anti-war and international solidarity movements, and also members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). In a bogus investigation of “material support of terrorism” charges, seven houses and an office in Minneapolis and Chicago were raided. While the raids were underway, FBI agents approached and attempted to intimidate activists in Michigan, California, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Also on that day, the FBI delivered grand jury subpoenas to many of the raided activists. More activists were served with subpoenas in the following weeks; a total of 23 people were commanded to appear before a Chicago grand jury – and the government threatened jail for those who refused. The charge of material support of terrorism carries 15 years in prison per count, and federal prosecutors repeatedly stated that they intended to indict “multiple people on multiple charges.”

After these raids, the attacks kept on coming. On May 17, 2011, the home of a longtime leader of the Chicano liberation movement, Carlos Montes, was hit with a no-knock raid in Los Angeles. Montes was jailed, hit with trumped up weapons charges, and faced 22 years in prison. Then on Oct. 22, 2013, Homeland Security arrested the well-respected Chicago Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh, who stared down a decade in prison as well as deportation.

Court documents show that all these attacks by the federal government were linked and that they stemmed for a common ‘investigation’ that involved the same cast of FBI agents, police and sheriffs working with the FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Forces, and federal prosecutors. Taken as a whole, this repression ranks as one of the largest attacks launched against progressive and left movement since the 1970s.

In the end it was the wall of resistance and an outpouring of popular support that defeated and blunted these assaults on the right to speak out and organize. Not one of those called to testify in front of the grand jury did so. In that refusal, the grand jury resisters put principal and doing the right thing above their freedom. Prosecutors said they were looking for someone “inside” FRSO to testify in a trial. Their threats yielded them no one. Carlos Montes and Rasmea Odeh waged heroic courtroom battles against the false charges leveled against them. The case of Carlos ended with a victory. In court, Rasmea put the Israeli occupation on trial for its crimes and beat the jail time – but sadly was deported to Jordan, where she continues her activism.

Unions representing millions of workers, countless progressive organizations and individuals, and even politicians stood up to this campaign of repression. Rallies took place in more than 100 cities across the world. Those actions, hard work, and a sound legal strategy, explains why this resistance was met with success.

Sometimes victories can be assessed by what does not happen. FBI documents, including the Justice Department’s “interrogation questions for FRSO members,” affidavits for search warrants, and defense lawyer conversations with federal prosecutors, indicate that the government planned, at least in part, to hold an anti-communist trial for FRSO leaders and supporters. In so doing they aimed to criminalize the very idea of international solidarity. Yet here we are, eight years later, and FRSO and other subpoenaed activists are still building the movements against Trump, for justice and are making contributions to the people’s struggle.

The U.S. is not the free country it claims to be. For decades the U.S. government has been trying to criminalize organizations in other countries that fight for national and social liberation – like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Communist Party of the Philippines, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). It is wrong to call those who fight for freedom ‘terrorists,’ and it is unacceptable for the government to make it a crime for people to point this out.

In the years ahead, it is vital that we resist each and every attack on our democratic rights and that we stand with those facing repression.

The powers that be are not going to transform themselves. Exploiters and oppressors are true to their nature, and repression is what they do. We are activists and we are certain that change will come. And we are revolutionaries and socialists – we are certain this system cannot last.

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #Editorials #PeoplesStruggles #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #September24FBIRaids #AntiWar23 #FBIRepression #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression

New York, NY – Organizers gathered at the International Action Center, Jan. 16, for a panel called “After J20: Fighting Back Against Political Repression.” The panel was organized by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression – NYC (CSFR) as part of the #DaysOfRage. The #DaysOfRage is building towards a final rally on Jan. 20, which is the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of Trump.

The purpose of the panel was to bring up cases of political repression during the Trump era, and how organizers fought back for victories.

The panel was emceed by Michela Martinazzi, an organizer with the CSFR, who began the event by explaining why the event was important in this time. Martinazzi stated, “Because what is political repression? It’s when the state attacks people who are actively organizing to dismantle a system – it’s targeting based on one’s political beliefs and actions. It takes on a different character than other state attacks, such as attacks on gender or race, and therefore must be organized around differently.”

The first speaker was Leilani Dowell from the Worker’s World Party. Dowell gave an excellent and in-depth overview of the case of the Durham Fighters – a group of activists who tore down a Confederate statue back in August 2017. These organizers initially were facing felony charges but, as Dowell explained, through organizing their charges were dropped to misdemeanors. Dowell finished by saying, “Since that statue came down in August, we coined that phrase ‘do it like Durham,’ which is a statement we can get behind. It’s an understanding of militant struggle and never ceasing organizing despite what the racist state put against them. We have to incorporate that in our bodies, souls, and organizing until we tear down the rotten system.”

The next speaker was Christian Valencia, one of the 200 J20 defendants arrested during the Jan. 20, 2017 inauguration protests. Valencia explained the details leading up to the mass arrest of and blanket felony charging of the 200 people.

Talking about the J20 case, Valencia stated, “It’s been difficult because many people have dismissed the J20 defendants as a bunch of people causing trouble and wrecking stuff. And not getting that it’s actually very important, regardless of the politics involved, because that was the first clash between the real resistance, and not the coopted Democrats’ resistance, and the Trump administration.” Valencia then finished by saying, “We can’t really be [engaged] in sectarianism right now because we’re all in the same boat. We’re all fighting against this regime. They don’t care what our ideological differences are. They just care that we’re against them.”

The panel was finished with Jessica Schwartz, an organizer with CSFR, who elucidated on different cases of political repression and the different tactics that were used to win those respective cases. She brought up the cases of the Anti-War 23, Carlos Montes, Rasmea Odeh, the Jax5, and the Holy Land 5. Schwartz stated, “As activists, we must organize campaigns that target laws and institutions that seek to repress us into complacency. As we’ve seen from history, with programs like COINTELPRO, the enemy is always watching and ready to wreck our movements from the inside. However, it is up to us to remain strong and fight back, never cowering in the face of the enemy.”

The panel ended with a brief Q and A and the chant, “When activists are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!”

The final action for the #DaysOfRage is this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Grand Central Station. All the groups who organized for the week of action will be attending and protesting Trump, his administration and the evils of capitalism.

#NewYorkNY #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #PoliticalPrisoners #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #RasmeaOdeh #Antifascism #NYC #J20 #DurhamFighters

In a statement to the media today, Freeman credited this change of course to concerns he’s heard from people about the Clark case. After a month of weekly protests at his office, thousands of calls to his office, testimony at county commissioners meetings and an open letter from Jamar Clark’s parents, he said, “I concluded that the accountability and transparency limitations of a grand jury are too high a hurdle to overcome. So, at this point in time, and in a democracy where we continually strive to make our systems fairer, more just and more accountable, we in Hennepin County will not use the grand jury in the Jamar Clark case.”

Brettina Davis of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar said, “Every day we were at Freeman's office asking for justice. The reason we continued is because we believe in a world where there is justice, where if you commit a crime you go to court have a chance to defend yourself just like everyone else. The Coalition has been fighting the fight every week. No breaks and no vacations when it comes to justice. The fight is not over, but we should celebrate the small victories and fight for the large ones.”

Freeman also said he will no longer use grand juries in police shooting cases in Hennepin County. Corydon Nillson, who has been coming out to the protests at Freeman’s office, explained the significance of this announcement, “In Minnesota, since the year 2000, there have been over 140 deaths at the hands of officers. The grand jury process has returned zero indictments. Our stance has been that the grand jury process is where justice goes to die. We have been showing up at his office the last five weeks, urging him to forego the process. His office had said that he was going to use the grand jury until today. This is monumental for this case. He also followed California's lead and decided to not use the grand jury process when it comes to police-involved shootings in Hennepin County. The grand jury process rarely indicts officers, so this is a huge deal!”

The community continues to demand prosecution of police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, who are back at work despite their responsibility in Clark’s death. Several witnesses have shared accounts of the night, with Clark on the ground and handcuffed before he was shot. Despite this, Freeman said, “I will make the factual determination whether there is sufficient evidence to support a criminal charge against the police officers in the tragic death of Jamar Clark.”

The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar will hold a public meeting to update the community and organize next steps in the fight for justice for Jamar Clark. The meeting will take place on Saturday, March 19 at noon at the Urban Jerusalem Church, 1823 Emerson Avenue N, Minneapolis.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #grandJury #GrandJuries #JamarClark #MikeFreeman

Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people descended on the office of Hennepin County Prosecutor Mike Freeman, Feb. 19, for the second Friday in a row, to demand that he prosecute Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, the Minneapolis police officers that killed Jamar Clark. Protesters addressed their demands to two staff members. Speaking for the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, Jodie Carroll presented the groups’ position and Brettina Davis asked where Mike Freeman was – apparently he was out sick.

Davis asked Wesley Martin to come forward, “This gentleman was one of the people shot at the Fourth Precinct demanding justice for Jamar Clark. I just want to introduce you guys to him, and maybe if Mike Freeman is here next week, I can introduce Wes to him as well.”

Davis and Carroll asked about plans for charging Ringgenberg and Schwarze.

Initially, Lolita Ulloa of the county attorney’s office said it was not yet decided whether this case would go to a grand jury. After being challenged that other sources said differently, Ulloa admitted, “As of today, the process is that it will go to the grand jury.” According to her, the case files are being reviewed and processed, but have not yet been presented to a grand jury.

One protester asked, “How many police have been prosecuted as result of a grand jury?” When she failed to answer, several in the crowd said, “Zero!” Ulloa answered, “I think for our process, that is what it is today.”

Carroll answered, “We want the police to be prosecuted. We want justice for Jamar. No grand jury.” Protesters filed out, chanting, “No grand jury!” From there, protesters took to the skyways, chanting as they passed hundreds of downtown workers on lunch breaks.

They pledged to return the following week, starting with a massive call-in effort scheduled for Monday. Supporters are urged to call Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman at 612-348-2146 and demand prosecution of Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, the Minneapolis police who killed Jamar Clark.

#MinneapolisMN #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #GrandJuries #JamarClark

Hempstead, TX—Twenty-five activists protested outside the grand jury at the Waller County Courthouse on January 6. The grand jury met to determine whether or not to indict Texas Trooper Brian Encinia for the unlawful arrest of Sandra Bland. Trooper Encinia lied about forcefully removing Bland from her car while yelling, “I will light you up!”

The grand jury decided to indict Texas State Trooper Encinia for perjury, but not for “assault, battery or abuse of his official power.” A few hours later Trooper Encinia found out he was fired.

This follows a recent grand jury decision not to indict any sheriff’s officials or jailers suspected of murdering Sandra Bland. Bland was found hanging dead in her cell with a plastic bag wrapped around her neck, just three days after Trooper Encinia arrested her on a traffic violation.

Houston organizers with the National Black United Front spoke demanding justice for Sandra Bland. Protesters at the rally chanted, “Say Her Name: Sandra Bland!” They then marched around the courthouse chanting, “No justice, and no fear, Sandra Bland marches here!”

Soon after a group of twenty State Troopers marched to the courthouse in military formation, passing the protesters with an officer barking out cadence.

Encinia’s perjury charge is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum $4,000 dollar fine and up to a year in prison. Jinaki Muhammad with the National Black United Front called the misdemeanor charge “a slap in the face to the Bland family.”

Houston activists are upset with the grand jury, the prosecutor, and the whole justice system. The nationwide movement against police crimes continues to grow with each grand jury ruling.

Encinia’s trial begins on January 23, 2017.

#HempsteadTX #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #GrandJuries #Texas #SandraBland

Cassia Laham of People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) in Fort Lauderdale states, “The South Florida anti-war and pro-Palestine communities have been mobilizing for Rasmea ever since her case first went to trial. We understand the importance of keeping this amazing Palestinian hero out of jail. She survived the unlivable horrors in occupied Palestine at the hands of Israeli soldiers, and, instead of coming to the U.S. and forgetting her homeland, Rasmea began organizing in the streets of Chicago for immigrant rights, women's justice and against police brutality. She is a relentless warrior and we have supported her through this witch-hunt against her and we will continue to do so in Cincinnati at her trial.”

Laham continued, “If one 67-year-old woman can survive occupation and torture at the hands of Israeli military, come to the U.S. and continue organizing for justice even after her imprisonment, then surely the pro-Palestine community can mobilize in her defense!”

A rally will take place in front of the Federal Courthouse at 8:00 a.m., Oct. 14, and supporters will attend the hearing.

#FtLauderdale #FL #Palestine #PoliticalPrisoners #Florida #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression #POWIR #RasmeaOdeh #SouthFlorida

Minneapolis, MN – About 100 people joined a protest here, Sept. 24, at the Federal Building, to demand an end to the three year federal investigation of anti-war and international solidarity activists that began with FBI raids and grand jury subpoenas on Sept. 24, 2010.

A delegation from the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression delivered a letter, signed by academics, trade union leaders and other progressives to the U.S Attorneys office inside the federal building. The letter demanded an end to in investigation.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office is alleging “material support for terrorism.”

Jess Sundin, a prominent anti-war leader whose home was raided by the FBI, told the crowd, “Three years ago, they busted through our front doors, armed with battering rams, search warrants and grand jury subpoenas and they turned our lives upside-down. Treating us like terrorists and the entire anti-war movement like some kind of criminal enterprise, the government set out to silence all of us and clear the way for war. Thanks to 23 grand jury resisters and thousands of supporters they failed. We are walking around free, speaking out against the agenda of war for empire and standing united against political repression.”

Sundin also stated, “I never imagined that I would live for three years under a cloud of suspicion, as a subject of an endlessly ongoing investigation. In its latest statement, the U.S. attorney’s office says, ‘there are no public criminal cases stemming from the investigation.’ It seems clear enough that criminal indictments might already be there, under seal, just waiting for the right political moment to bring them out. We are here today to show that there will never be an easy time to take us, that our friends in the people’s movements will never stand by quietly while we are locked away like criminals for opposing the crimes of U.S. wars.”

Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee stated, “While our government kills poor and working people in other countries and calls that justice, we call it terrorism. While the activist community stands up and brings home about what our government is doing to the poor and working people in other countries our government wants to call that terrorism. The government had tried to silence our movement but we did not allow that to happen. We stood up and fought back and resisted. We at the Welfare Rights Committee will continue to stand and support our sisters and brothers who were targeted by the FBI.”

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #AntiWar23 #FBIRepression #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression