Minneapolis, MN – The case of Mahamud Said Omar went to the jury, Oct. 17, with prosecution and defense attorneys making their concluding arguments. Given the prosecution never made a case against Omar, the defense rested without calling any witnesses. Omar is accused of helping the Somali resistance group al Shabab.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mahamud Said Omar continued here Oct. 15, with the prosecution and their witness, FBI agent Kiann VanDenover going all out to get a conviction against Mahamud Said Omar. Omar, who has done nothing wrong, is facing terrorism charges for allegedly helping the Somali resistance against the 2007 invasion of Ethiopia.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 30 people participated in a Bike Ride Against Political Repression here on a chilly morning Oct. 14. Riders collected pledges and raised over $1700.

Minneapolis, MN – About 70 people packed a hall in South Minneapolis to urge that the Canadian government drop the charges against prominent Twin Cities activist Joe Callahan. Callahan, who has received widespread support, is facing several immigration related charges and is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 31 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Minneapolis, MN – Holding signs and banners, around 50 people joined an anti-war protest here, Oct. 11, in front of the office of Senator Klobuchar. The protest, organized by the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, coincided with the week of the 11th anniversary of the war on Afghanistan.

Minneapolis, MN – On Oct. 7 over 200 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest to mark the anniversary of the start of the war on Afghanistan with a call for an end to war and for the troops to be brought home.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mohamud Said Omar continued here today, Oct. 10, at the Federal Court building, with testimony from self-confessed liar Kamal Said Hassan. While being questioned on the stand, prosecution witness Hassan admitted that he had lied while under oath in previous court proceedings. Other key prosecution witnesses have admitted that they can avoid jail time based on how well they do in helping the government put people in prison.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mahamud Said Omar entered its second week here, Oct. 9, with the prosecution putting Joint Terrorism Task Force officer Martin Siebenaler on the stand. Siebenaler opened up a gun case and pulled out an AK-47 machine gun. Siebenaler then proceeded to say that the gun, which came from an ATF collection, was “most similar to” the weapons used by young resistance fighters in Somalia.

Minneapolis, MN – Another attempt by the Justice Department to imprison Somalis who care about the future of their country was in full swing here, Oct. 5, as the trial of Mahamud Said Omar concluded for the week. The trial, which is taking place at the downtown Federal Court building and began Oct. 1, could continue until the end of the month. The government claims that Omar helped Somalis travel to Somalia to help resist the invasion by neighboring Ethiopia.

Minneapolis, MN – News reports on Sept. 30 confirm yet another tragic milestone in the U.S. war in Afghanistan has passed: the 2000th U.S. military death.

Minneapolis, MN – About 200 people rallied at the Federal Building here, Sept. 24, to demand an end to the ongoing Justice Department investigation into anti-war and international solidarity activists.

Minneapolis, MN – Around 60 people joined a weekly peace vigil in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul on Sept. 19 to mark 4000 days since the start of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

Minneapolis, MN – On August 21, 75 people attended a dinner in solidarity with American Crystal Sugar workers who have been locked out by their employer for over a year. The event was also a fundraiser; over $9,000 was raised to support the Crystal Sugar workers who have gone without pay for over a year to stand up for their jobs and their union. The event was sponsored by AFSCME Local 3800, the clerical workers union at the U of M, and Next Wave, AFSCME’s young workers’ organization.

Minneapolis, MN – Fifty people packed the popular Mayday Books, August 22, for the forum, “Is U.S. Military Intervention Ever Humanitarian?” organized by the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition (MPAC). The event was held because politicians of both parties and the mainstream corporate media are escalating calls to intervene in Syria to “protect human rights.”

Minneapolis, MN – On August 17 more than 80 people attended a rally here in defense of civil liberties. The event, held at the Communications Workers of America Local 7200 union hall on Lake Street, featured twelve speakers who all emphasized the need to wage a broad, united fight to defend civil liberties in the face of deepening state repression.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 40 people rallied outside the Federal Building here, August 2, in solidarity with the political activists who have been subpoenaed to a Seattle-based grand jury which is investigating anarchists. The protest coincided with the date that northwest political activists were called to the grand jury.

Minneapolis, MN – About 30 people assembled outside the Hennepin County Government Center here, August 1, to stand in solidarity with Occupy Homes’ Nick Espinosa and to demand all charges against community members involved in defending the Cruz family home be dropped. Nick Espinosa has been charged with riot in the third degree, along with other Occupy Homes activists. The charge is baseless.

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Occupy movement won a victory in their battle against the Minneapolis city attorney’s office, July 30. Four protesters got their charges reduced to only petty misdemeanors for an October 2011 civil disobedience action at U.S. Bank. This came about despite the Minneapolis city attorney office’s efforts to escalate the charges to crack down on the use of civil disobedience in the fight against home foreclosures.

Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cities activists came together for a fundraising party here, July 27, to help pay the transportation costs for the vans that are heading to the massive march on the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. The event, organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), brought in more than $600.

14 face ‘riot’ charges

Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people rallied inside City Hall here, July 24 to demand all charges be dropped against members and supporters of Occupy Homes who were arrested defending the Cruz family home. In recent weeks, city prosecutors added the charge of third degree riot – a gross misdemeanor which carries a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $3000 fine – to the original trespassing charge. The 14 were arrested May 30 in a peaceful protest at the Cruz family home.