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

On Nov. 24, a Ferguson grand jury decision cleared police officer Darren Wilson of the murder of Michael Brown. Michael Brown was an 18-year-old African American youth shot and killed by the white police officer as he walked to his grandmother’s house in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9. Witnesses stated that Brown, who was unarmed, had his hands up in the air when officer Darren Wilson shot and killed him. With blatant disrespect to Michael Brown, his family and the neighborhood, the police left his body lying in the middle of the street for hours after the police killing.

For the people of Ferguson, a mainly African American suburb of Saint Louis, enough was enough. Residents were fed up with their all white city government and almost all white police force. The next evening, a rebellion broke out that lasted more than a week. Despite the police showing their true face as a military occupation force complete with armored personnel carriers, the people of Ferguson, joined by neighbors in and around Saint Louis and supporters across the country, kept protesting night after night.

The Saint Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is known to have close ties with the police and he refused to arrest Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Brown. However, the government did assemble a grand jury to ‘investigate’ the killing. The government’s plan from the beginning was that the grand jury would cool out protests with the hope of an indictment. This hope is now shown for what it was: a false dream. Now people are even angrier.

The ‘justice system’ of police, courts and prisons in the U.S. is in fact an ‘injustice system’ designed to suppress African Americans to the benefit of the rich and powerful. We must be clear. Having African Americans at the top of the government, including the president and the attorney general, does not change the nature of the injustice system. The law, the police, the courts and the prisons are there to maintain the political power and economic privileges of the monopoly capitalists – the billionaires who are the ruling 1%. The police are the front-line enforcers of this all around political, economic, legal, cultural and social inequality of African Americans and other oppressed nationalities (Chicanos, Mexicanos, other Latinos, Asians, Arabs and indigenous peoples) in the U.S.. Every time an African American person is killed and the police or a racist vigilante gets away with murder, we must organize and protest to put an end to the officially sanctioned state violence and murder.

What will it take to win Justice for Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and all the other African Americans who are the latest victims of police and racist vigilante violence?

Our experience is that the struggle for justice and for full equality does not mainly come from elections or from the courts. What can push forward the struggle for justice is the militant mass movement based in the working class, using militant tactics that are effective and teach people to understand their own power. We can demonstrate our power through masses of people taking to the streets, combined with occupations and civil disobedience, or even strikes and work slowdowns, or possibly direct action and confrontations with the uniformed killers like we saw in Ferguson in August. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon certainly understands the impact of people protesting for fundamental social change, that is why he called out the Missouri National Guard.

The Freedom Road Social Organization fully supports the struggle of the people of Ferguson to get justice for Michael Brown, as well the fight of Black and Brown communities across the country to put a stop to killer cops and racist vigilantes. The struggle for justice and equality will continue in the streets, and activists in the community, workplace and campus must continue to organize the working masses for political power. The struggle against police brutality and racist vigilantes is a key part of the Black Liberation Movement that will inspire others fighting for freedom including the Asian American, Chicano, Mexican, Latino, Native American and other indigenous people, as well as women and LGBTQ people.

As the oppression of African Americans is rooted in the slave system that was one of the foundations of capitalism the U.S., only the replacement of capitalism with socialism can lay the basis for full equality for African Americans. As Mao Zedong stated after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, “The struggle of the Black people in the U.S. for emancipation is a component part of the general struggle of all the people of the world against U.S. imperialism, a component part of the contemporary world revolution.”

Stop Police Terror! Jail the Killer Cop! Justice for Michael Brown!

Flyer PDF

#UnitedStates #MO #OppressedNationalities #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #Racism #grandJury #InjusticeSystem #MichaelBrown #JusticeForMichaelBrown #DarrenWilson

Their attorney will present arguments for a motion to unseal the affidavits used to obtain the search warrants for their homes more than three years ago.

Jess Sundin, a plaintiff in the case, said, “The government launched its vicious attack on anti-war and international solidarity activists with two years of surveillance by undercover agents, then carried out FBI raids on a dozen homes and offices and attempted to force our testimony to a grand jury in Chicago. Every step of the way, the government acted under a cloak of secrecy and has insisted on guarding those secrets to this day. On Friday, Nov. 1, we will have our day in court, as our attorney argues for our motion to unseal the affidavits that were used to obtain the search warrants for those FBI raids.”

Bruce Nestor, attorney for the plaintiffs, writes in a document filed with the court, “Over three years ago, based upon the submission of secret evidence, the United States government convinced Magistrate Judge Susan R. Nelson to seal the search supporting affidavits at issue in this matter. Over three years after the applications and affidavits were ordered sealed, there are no public signs that the government is continuing its investigations related to these warrants or of the individuals named in the warrants. Indeed, while turning the constitutional presumption of innocence on its head by stating that the Petitioners in this matter remain subject to prosecution and therefore under ‘suspicion.’”

Nestor continues, “The government’s position in this matter also raises the question, ‘What is the prosecution trying to hide?’ [This also] … prevents undersigned counsel from effectively challenging the government’s claims.”

The hearing will take place in courtroom 3C at the United States Courthouse in Saint Paul (316 N Robert Street) at 9:00 a.m.

#SaintPaulMN #JessSundin #MickKelly #grandJury #AntiWar23 #InjusticeSystem #FBIRepression

Jess Sundin, one of the raided activists, said, “In the most recent public comment, in response to a media inquiry, the U.S. attorney’s office gave a strangely-worded response: ‘there are no public criminal cases stemming from the investigation.’ Perhaps this is suggesting that there may already be criminal indictments under seal or maybe not. We and our kids need this investigation into our protected political activity and speech to be over.”

Sundin added, “Recent revelations by Edward Snowden – and the ACLU reports on fusion centers – show that there is a pervasive attitude amongst government that people are the enemy and that opposing government policies is a ‘security threat.’”

A letter with 200-plus signers will be delivered to the Minneapolis U.S. Attorney’s office urging that the U.S. Attorney publicly put an end to the investigation.

Sundin concluded, “This year, on the three-year anniversary and on the eve of a new war, we recommit ourselves to building the people’s movements. We demonstrate their complete failure in silencing activism, opposition to war and international solidarity. We will continue to do that work and to continue to build solidarity with other victims of political repression.”

#MinneapolisMN #Raids #grandJury #politicalRepression #AntiWar23 #FBIRepression

On Feb. 12, Sundin told the students of Westminster College a stunning tale of FBI repression that changed her life and the lives of her fellow activists. More than a dozen attended to hear her speak at the event hosted by the Revolutionary Students Union.

“I've dedicated my life to building international solidarity and friendships across borders,” she said. “Two and a half years ago that dedication brought the FBI to my door.”

She, her partner, and of other activists were the focus of a nationwide raid that involved more than 70 FBI agents and six locations, with the purpose of silencing them and ending their efforts. Sundin said her belongings were searched and seized, and she was ordered to testify before a grand jury that sought to investigate “material support of terrorism.”

She and all other activists under investigations refused to testify in front of the grand jury. The possibility of indictments is still a real danger.

“It's still hanging over us,” she said. “The police could come to our home tomorrow and arrest us.”

Sundin explained that an FBI infiltrator exploited the gender and sexual orientation of members of the Minneapolis Anti-War Committee in order to spy on their legal organizing. “Karen Sullivan,” who lied about being a queer mother to gain trust, joined the well-known and respected group, pretending to be a friend and fellow activist.

All the while, Sullivan was informing government officials of their activities, who even went so far as to prevent a group of activists from entering Palestine to meet with a legal women's group there.

Sundin said that international solidarity work remains not only commendable, but also essential.

“In fact the case against us, the work that we've done that's being criminalized, is the same kind of work that helped to bring apartheid in South Africa to its knees,” she said.

Throughout the presentation, Sundin, a member of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, stressed that she is free today due to the work of people willing to stand up against repression and support both her cause and the cause of others. Hundreds of people rallied to prevent the trumped-up case against her from moving forward, she said.

She also spoke about the support for Carlos Montes, a Chicano activist from California who faced similar repression, and the Holy Land 5, currently in prison in the U.S. for their charity work for Palestine. She said that to demand their freedom is also a demand to the freedom of all activists. She said hundreds of people are currently in prison for daring to fight against war and disagree publicly with U.S. policy.

“It's about this: there is a conflict and the U.S. has picked a side, and when we pick a different side, the government says it is illegal to extend a hand of friendship,” she said. “That's what we've been targeted for.”

Nevertheless, Sundin says that she remains committed and encouraged others not to be daunted by the tactics used to silence those who are trying to build a better world and end U.S. wars.

“Don't be afraid – because the fact is that being open and being outspoken in defense of ourselves and our work has done more to expand the political space for all of us to continue to build solidarity between each other and across the globe.”

#SaltLakeCityUT #JessSundin #CarlosMontes #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #RevolutionaryStudentsUnion #AntiWar23

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression stands in solidarity with Northwest activists Katherine Olejnik and Matt Duran, who are currently being imprisoned for refusing to cooperate with a secret grand jury in Seattle. Leah-Lynn Plante was also unjustly jailed for refusing to testify before the grand jury and has been released.

The grand jury resistors have had their lives turned upside down. They are held in prison, separated from their friends and families, in the government’s desperate attempt to try to make them wave their Fifth Amendment rights. We applaud your silence and your refusal to testify against your fellow activists and the people’s movements.

These activists are being investigated by a secret grand jury just like the 23 Midwest anti-war and international solidarity activists. Just like in our case, the grand jury is being used as a fishing expedition to get information on political organizing and dissent. In the raids of the Northwest activists’ homes, just like in ours, the police and FBI took “evidence” of their political beliefs, like books and flyers, and are looking for evidence of who the activists organize with. Is this a grand jury to investigate anarchists? To investigate the Occupy movement? The problem with grand juries is that the prosecutor has sweeping latitude to use search warrants and subpoenas to terrorize and punish activists in order to gather information to scare people from political organizing or to target activists for investigation. We need to stand together against these repressive tactics to criminalize dissent!

We call on our supporters to take action and demand the immediate release of Katherine Olejnik and Matt Duran and that the U.S. Attorney’s office shut down the grand jury. For more information on the Northwest grand jury case go to: http://nopoliticalrepression.wordpress.com/

For more information on the Anti-War 23 go to StopFBI.net

#UnitedStates #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #NorthwestGrandJuryResisters #KatherineOlejnik #MattDuran #LeahLynnPlante #PacificNWGrandJuryResisters #PoliticalPrisoners

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.

Carrie Feldman, an animal rights activist who served more than four months in jail for resisting a grand jury, told the crowd that it's important that West Coast activists know that we have their backs.

Tracy Molm, of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression stated, “We need to take action and stand in solidarity with those who are resisting the grand jury. That is how we will defeat repression.” Molm is one of the anti-war and international solidarity activists raided by the FBI and subpoenaed in 2010 to a grand jury investigating “material support for terrorism.”

On August 1, two activists subpoenaed to the grand jury, Dennison Williams and Leah-Lynn Plante, announced that that they will resist. Here is part of their statement:

“We will not cooperate with their investigation. If we appear before the grand jury, we will not answer any questions other than our names. If we are asked additional questions, we will invoke our First, Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Under no circumstances will we talk about other people.

“This grand jury is a tool of political repression. It is attempting to turn individuals against each other by coercing those subpoenaed to testify against their communities. The secret nature of grand jury proceedings creates mistrust and can undermine solidarity. And imprisoning us takes us from our loved ones and our responsibilities.

“But our passion for freedom is stronger than the state’s prisons. Our refusal to cooperate with the grand jury is a reflection of our own desires for a liberated world and our support for others who are working to bring that world into being. We support the efforts of all those who will be resisting this grand jury.”

#MinneapolisMN #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #politicalRepression

The Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression expresses our solidarity for Julian Assange. Amy Goodman reported in the Guardian that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has a sealed indictment in the U.S., according to leaked emails from Stratfor, an intelligence company. The emails were hacked by Anonymous and then published by WikiLeaks. The Guardian and other sources had already reported that a secret federal grand jury in Virginia was investigating Assange for allegedly violating the Espionage Act by publishing classified U.S. State Department documents.

This news brings to mind parallels with our situation. Our committee is organizing in solidarity with the 23 peace and international solidarity activists who have been subpoenaed to testify at a secret federal grand jury in Chicago that alleges material support for terrorism. This investigation is because of their activism.

We believe that the grand jury in the case of the Peace 23 was convened in August 2009, but we are unaware of whether or not it is still meeting. The prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago have told their lawyers repeatedly that they are expecting multiple indictments, but we don’t know when this will occur or if, like in Assange’s case, they have the indictments and are waiting until later to release them. Either way, the Peace 23 wake up every day not knowing if the FBI will be back their doors again – this time to take them into custody.

The grand juries that investigated Assange and that are or were investigating the Peace 23 are similar in many ways. Both meet in secret and are fundamentally undemocratic. Suspects and witnesses are subpoenaed to testify to the grand jury but no one is allowed representation by a lawyer. Both have a wide scope for their “investigation” and neither is limited by a judge or even by much of a time table. Not surprisingly, 99.9% of all federal defendants called before a federal grand jury are indicted, since the grand jury system has been designed to help prosecutors.

Another similarity is the political nature of these cases. Assange is being investigated for publicizing the truth about U.S. foreign policy and the Peace 23 are being targeted for opposing U.S. foreign policy. Materials published by WikiLeaks have been invaluable to the anti-war movement. The true horrors of U.S. occupation in both Afghanistan and Iraq have been documented. Exposing war crimes is not a crime! And neither is solidarity or anti-war activism! End grand jury repression now!

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #WikiLeaks #JulianAssange #grandJury #MinnesotaCommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression

Minneapolis, MN – Supporters of grand jury resister Jordan Halliday gathered in front of the Federal Courts Building here, Jan 27. On Jan. 10, Jordan began serving out a ten-month prison sentence for refusing to appear before a federal grand jury investigating animal rights activists under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The protest in Minneapolis was part of a national day of actions to raise awareness about Halliday’s case, the dangers of FBI repression and grand jury injustice. Attending the protest in Minneapolis were Sarah Martin and Jess Sundin, grand jury resisters in the case of 23 international solidarity activists under investigation for supposed material support for terrorism.

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #FBI #grandJury #JordanHalliday #greenScare #PoliticalRepression

The letter states, “We are writing to share our concerns regarding reports about a Justice Department investigation of local Minneapolis peace and justice organizations and individual anti-war activists.”

The letter goes on to note, “This first came to our attention on September 24, 2010, when the homes of several Minneapolis residents were raided by FBI agents who confiscated computers, mailing lists, cell phones, passports, political literature, correspondence, and children’s drawings. That day the FBI also raided the office of the Anti-War Committee, an organization that the Minneapolis City Council, in 2007, publicly recognized as an important voice of nonviolence and political dissent. In connection with these raids, it appears that several Minneapolis residents have been investigated and served with subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury to testify regarding alleged material support for foreign terrorist organizations.

As elected officials we are committed to serving our constituents and our community. In that capacity we are formally sharing our concerns about the expansion of government surveillance of social justice organizations and anti-war activists in Minnesota as evidenced by this event. We are deeply concerned about the chilling effects these activities might have on completely nonviolent and legal activism as well as the threat it poses to the freedoms of speech and association and health of our democracy in general.”

The letter was signed by 12 of the 13 members of the Minneapolis City Council.

The letter is one of the many of statements that have been made by public officials, labor and community leaders opposing repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists.

#MinneapolisMN #September24FBIRaids #grandJury #MinneapolisCityCouncil #PoliticalRepression

¡Lucha y Resiste! habló con Jess Sundin del Comité para Parar la Represion del FBI sobre los casos de los activistas llamados al Gran Jurado de Chicago. Sundin es una de las activistas que el FBI cateó el 24 de septiembre de 2010. La redacción de ¡Lucha y Resiste! quiere que todos nos ayuden a pasar esta información a la mayor cantidad de gente posible.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cómo va la campaña contra la represión del FBI? ¿Qué han hecho hasta la fecha?

Jess Sundin: Hemos podido formar una base grande de gente que apoya a los activstas anti-guerra y activistas de solidaridad internacional que están siendo atacados por parte del FBI y Patrick Fitzgerald. Hemos recibido más de 300 declaraciones de solidaridad de iglesias, grupos estudiantiles, grupos interesados en immigracion y otros grupos de la comunidad, incluyendo 32 sindicatos. Estas declaraciones también traen acciones – muchos han hecho protestas contra la represion y muchos han hecho llamadas y han mandado cartas al gobierno sobre el caso. Todo esto ha resultado en cartas escritas por una docena de miembros del Congreso de E.E.U.U. al Abogado Superior Eric Holder y al Presidente Obama.

Sin duda alguna, ésta es la razon por la que los que resisten al Gran Jurado no están en la carcel. Todavía es posible que puedan imponer la immunidad para algunos de nosotros y meternos a la carcel si no hablamos al gran jurado, pero con todos los amigos que tenemos, no será facil para ellos. En todas partes del país, mucha gente ha firmado la declaración para resistir la represión, y para estar activos en sus areas locales si nos ataquen otra vez.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cuáles son las cosas principales que necesitamos hacer ahora para combatir la represión?

Jess Sundin: El caso cambió en mayo, cuando la casa de Carlos Montes, un líder chicano, fue cateada. Carlos ayudó a formar el grupo local del Comité para Parar la Represión del FBI en Los Angeles desde septiembre pasado. El FBI tomó acción y entró a su casa, y ahora Carlos podría estar en la cárcel por 18 años si no hacemos nada. Carlos es la primera persona en este caso que recibió cargos en su contra, y lo más importante es que nosotros ofrezcamos nuestro apoyo y demandemos que el gobierno retire los cargos. En todas partes del país, la gente hizo protestas en su primer día en la corte. Tenemos que aydar a Carlos para que no le metan a la cárcel – tenemos que ayudar a unir el movimento de los immigrantes y el movimento contra la guerra para apoyar a Carlos.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Qué crees que va a pasar en los meses que vienen?

Jess Sundin: Entendemos que los Gran Jurados no son justos – más del 98% dan a los fiscales lo que ellos piden. Basado en la poca comunicacion que hemos tenido con el Fiscal General creemos que todavia van a formar casos contra el resto de nosotros también. Vamos a continuar nuestro trabajo de luchar contra los cargos, y no ir a la cárcel, pero entendemos que eso es una posibilidad. No sabemos nada sobre los cargos, cuando podrían venir o si vienen o no, pero vamos a estar listos para lo que pase. Nuestros amigos tienen que estar listos.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: El gobierno te regresó tu pasaporte por un tiempo limitado ¿qué significa eso?

Jess Sundin: Todavía no han regresado la mayoría de las cosas robadas de nuestras casas, y lo que han regresado seguro que hicieron copias primero. Nuestros abogados pidieron el regreso de mi pasaporte, pero su respuesta fue un 'no'. En mayo, mi madre fue diagnosticada con cáncer, y ella vive en Australia. Pedimos otra vez mi pasaporte, con una nota del doctor incluyendo la forma en que mi presencia podría ayudar a mi mamá en su tratamiento. El FBI se puso de acuerdo en regresarme el pasaporte para un sólo viaje para ver a mi mamá, si yo me comprometía a devolver mi pasaporte al FBI cuando regrese. En las conversasiones que sucedieron, los fiscales dijeron muy claramente que los cargos contra nosotros todavía están siendo formulados. Es claro que esto todavia no se ha acabado. Tenemos que ser fuertes y estar listos para cualquier cosa que el gobierno haga.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #JessSundin #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #PoliticalRepression

Fight Back! interviewed Jess Sundin, of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, on the latest developments in the case of the anti-war and international solidarity activists who were raided by the FBI and who received subpoenas to appear in front of the Chicago grand jury headed by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Sundin is among those whose home was raided Sept. 24, 2010. The editors of Fight Back! urge our readers to forward this important interview as broadly as possible.

Fight Back!: How has the campaign against FBI repression been going? What has been accomplished to date?

Jess Sundin: We have been very successful building a broad base of support around the anti-war and international solidarity activists who are being targeted by the FBI and U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. We have received almost 300 statements of support from faith, student, immigrant rights and other community organizations, including 32 labor unions. These statements have been backed up with actions – hundreds have come out to protests across the country to demand an end to the government abuses and thousands of signed petitions and made calls demanding the same. This work has resulted in letters of concern from a dozen U.S. Congress people, addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama.

There is no doubt that all of this pressure has kept those resisting the grand jury out of jail. It is still possible that prosecutors could impose immunity and jail some of us for not testifying, but with all of the public support we have, that won’t be easy for them. Around the country, people have signed the pledge to resist this repression, and to join in locally-organized emergency protests to respond if and when there are any indictments or arrests in our case.

Fight Back!: What are the main things that need to be done now in order to push back against the repression?

Sundin: This case took a surprising turn in May, when the Los Angeles home of veteran Chicano activist, Carlos Montes, was raided. Carlos has helped to lead the Committee to Stop FBI Repression in LA since last September, when the search warrant at the Anti-War Committee office listed him as a person of interest in this investigation. It came as a shock when interest turned into action. The FBI initiated a raid on his home, and Carlos is now facing 18 years for trumped up charges. He is the first person in this case to face charges, and the most important thing for us to do is to rally around him and call for the government to drop the charges. Around the country, people came out to protest on his first day in court, and called on the Department of Justice to call off the investigation of all of us. We need to help Carlos beat the charges – we’ve got to contribute to his legal defense and unite the immigrant rights and anti-war movements in rallying around him.

Fight Back!: What do you think is likely to happen in the months ahead?

Sundin: We understand that grand juries serve as indictment machines – that something like 98% give the prosecutors the indictments they ask for. Based on the limited communications we’ve had from the U.S. attorney, there is every indication that they are still pursuing multiple indictments. We will continue our work to bring the grand jury to an end with no indictments, while still preparing for the possibility of indictments. While we have no information on how many indictments are being pursued, or when they might come, we know that in some cases like ours, indictments have a come a year after FBI raids. We need our supporters to stay on alert.

Fight Back!: The government returned your passport for a limited time, what is the significance of that?

Sundin: Most of the property that was seized has still not been returned, and anything that has been returned was certainly copied first. Our attorneys asked for the return of my passport a few months ago, but that request was refused. In May, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she lives in Australia. We decided to make a second appeal for return of my passport, along with a letter from my mom’s doctor describing how my presence could aid in her treatment and recovery. The U.S. attorney agreed to let me have my passport in order to make a single trip to visit my mother, contingent on my agreeing to give it back to the FBI when I return home. In the conversations to negotiate this, the prosecutor made it clear that indictments are still being pursued, though they won’t likely come out in July, the month when I will travel to support my mom. The ridiculous conditions placed on the temporary return of my passport make it clear that I am still a target of this investigation, and this is not over. We’ve got to stay strong and be ready for whatever the government throws at us next.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #JessSundin #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury

Update: Since the publication of this article, activists have learned that the U.S. Treasury Department, not the U.S. Attorney's office, is responsible for the account freezings. See this story for more details.

On Friday, May 6, the U.S. government froze the bank accounts of Hatem Abudayyeh and his wife, Naima. This unwarranted attack on a leading member of the Palestinian community in Chicago is the latest escalation of the repression of anti-war and Palestinian community organizers by the FBI, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Hatem Abudayyeh is one of 23 activists from Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois subpoenaed to a federal grand jury in Chicago, and his home was raided by the FBI in September of last year. Neither Hatem Abudayyeh nor Naima Abudayyeh have been charged with any crime.

One of the bank accounts frozen was exclusively in Naima Abudayyeh’s name. Leaders of the national Committee to Stop FBI Repression, as well as Chicago’s Coalition to Protect People’s Rights, are appalled at the government’s attempt to restrict the family’s access to its finances, especially so soon before Mothers’ Day. Not only does the government’s action seriously disrupt the lives of the Abudayyehs and their five-year-old daughter, but it represents an attack on Chicago’s Arab community and activist community and the fundamental rights of Americans to freedom of speech.

The persecution of the Abudayyeh family is another example of the criminalization of Palestinians, their supporters, and their movement for justice and liberation. There has been widespread criticism of the FBI and local law enforcement for their racial profiling and scapegoating of Arab and Muslim Americans. These repressive tactics include infiltration of community centers and mosques, entrapment of young men, and the prominent case of 11 students from the University of California campuses at Irvine and Riverside who have been subpoenaed to a grand jury and persecuted for disrupting a speech by Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the US. The government’s attempt to conflate the anti-war and human rights movements with terrorism is a cynical attempt to capitalize on the current political climate in order to silence Palestinians and other people of conscience who exercise their First Amendment rights in a manner which does not conform to the administration’s foreign policy agenda in the Middle East.

The issuance of subpoenas against the 23 activists has been met with widespread opposition and criticism across the country. Six members of the U.S. Congress, including five in the past month, have sent letters to either Holder or President Obama, expressing grave concern for the violations of the civil liberties and rights of the 23 activists whose freedom is on the line. Three additional U.S. representatives have also promised letters, as thousands of constituents and other people of conscience across the U.S. have demanded an end to this assault on legitimate political activism and dissent. Over 60 Minnesota state legislators also issued a resolution condemning the subpoenas.

The Midwest activists have been expecting indictments for some time. The freezing of the Abudayyeh family's bank accounts suggests that the danger of indictments is imminent.

In Solidarity,

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression and

The Coalition to Protect People’s Rights

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #Palestine #HatemAbudayyeh #FBI #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #PatrickFitzgerald

Chicago, IL – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is undertaking a national effort to sign up thousands of people to a “Pledge to resist FBI, Grand Jury repression.”

Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression states, “We are calling on people to sign a pledge to take action if anti-war and international solidarity activists are called to appear in front of the Chicago Grand Jury, or if activists are indicted. We are facing a witch hunt that aims to put peace and solidarity activist in jail.”

Burke notes that sign up material for the pledge is available for printing at the web site StopFBI.net. He urges that it be used widely at upcoming anti-war protests.

On Sept. 24, 2010, the FBI raided the homes of anti-war and international solidarity activists in Chicago and Minneapolis. As things stand, 23 activists, many involved in Palestine solidarity work, have received subpoenas to appear before the Grand Jury headed by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Pledge to resist FBI, Grand Jury repression

Actions planned if anti-war and international solidarity activists are called to Grand Jury or indicted.

23 anti war and international solidarity activists have been subpoenaed to appear in front of a Grand Jury in Chicago, headed by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. They have done nothing wrong. They have educated and organized against U.S. wars around the world. And they have stood in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine and Colombia.

All 23 of the targeted activists said that they will not cooperate with this witch hunt against the movements so many of us have worked to build. The U.S. attorney is working to put these activists in prison. Whether some of them indicted, or others are jailed for refusing to testify, the threat is very real.

We pledge:

• We will carry forward the fight for our right to speak out, organize and to stand in solidarity with those who want freedom.
• We will stand up to any escalation of the attacks on anti-war and international solidarity activists.
• We will join the national day of protest when anti-war and international solidarity activists are ordered to appear in front of the Chicago Grand Jury or are indicted.

Anti-war and international solidarity activism is not a crime!

To sign the pledge go to:

http://www.stopfbi.net/get-involved/pledge-of-resistance

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury

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

New York, NY – Attendees at regional conferences Feb. 19 in New York City and Chapel Hill, N.C., enthusiastically applauded anti-war and solidarity activists who have stood up to extreme intimidation and refused to testify before a Chicago grand jury. The meetings were part of growing support for 23 activists who have all taken the principled position that they will not appear before the grand jury.

The New York conference endorsed an action program that includes participating in national anti-war events in March and April, calling mass protests when activists are summoned to appear at grand jury sessions, and organizing emergency protests when indictments are handed down.

Two earlier regional conferences were held Feb. 12 in Oakland, Calif., and Chicago.

An original 14 subpoenas were issued last September after FBI raids on the homes of activists, mostly in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago. Those subpoenas were vacated, but nine new ones were issued in December and three of the original 14 were issued second subpoenas. On Jan. 25 the newly subpoenaed people also refused to testify. The grand jury now must decide how to go on with its attack on the movement, which those affected believe will continue in one way or another.

Muslims also target of FBI

One session of the New York conference focused on the many other instances of state repression after passage of the Patriot Act. Most of those targeted have been Muslims victimized by provocateurs working with the FBI, who entrapped people into nothing more than questionable conversations. The state would then bring charges of “conspiracy,” since nothing was actually done. Hundreds of people have been convicted and sentenced to long prison terms.

Another important session included discussions by attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild, who provided strategy on what to do if the FBI knocks without having obtained warrants for arrest or search.

Speakers explained how someone subpoenaed but not charged with any alleged crime could still face jail time. The grand jury can offer immunity from prosecution based on a person’s testimony. When that happens, the person no longer has Fifth Amendment protection and cannot refuse to testify. The grand jury can then find those who refuse to testify to be in civil contempt and can imprison them, without any trial, for as long as the grand jury is sitting.

Both Feb. 19 conferences drew organizers from labor, the local communities, anti-war groups, political groups, civil rights and civil liberties organizations. More than 100 — including people from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia — were present in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina School of Law, while some 250 attended the New York meeting, including people from upstate New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Three of those who had been subpoenaed were invited speakers at the New York conference: Sara Martin of Women Against Military Madness; Mick Kelly, editor of Fight Back! newspaper; and Hatem Abudayyeh, the executive director of the Arab American Action Network, a community-based organization in the Chicago area.

For more information, see www.stopfbi.net.

#NewYorkCity #NY #InJusticeSystem #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #stopfbinet #subpoenas #PoliticalRepression

Speakers expressed solidarity and made donations from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Bay Area Committees to Stop FBI Repression, from the United National Anti-War Committee, from the San Francisco labor council and other northern California unions, from socialist and left organizations, from Spanish Civil War veterans, from Sacramento Peace Action, and from the Revolutionary Student Union in Utah and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in Los Angeles.

Subpoenaed activists Hatem Abudayyeh, Anh Pham, Thistle Parker-Hartog, Tom Burke, along with attorney Bruce Nestor, shared their decades of experience as anti-war and international solidarity activists. Each described their commitment to social change at home and abroad, organizing with students, unions, immigrants and community groups. They spoke about the U.S. government’s repression of free speech and the right to organize. Bruce Nestor spoke about the likely indictments and trial of some of the 23 activists. The lawyer also described the new interpretations of U.S. law that make it possible for political activists to go to prison for providing humanitarian aid or promoting political speech that goes against the views of the U.S. empire.

Tom Burke, who chaired the meeting, said, “U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald, raising the ghost of Senator Joe McCarthy, is carrying out a political witch-hunt against American activists. The U.S. government is criminalizing international solidarity, and focusing on the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Fact is the U.S. empire is losing its grip on the world and the regimes it props up are falling one by one. Our groups challenge U.S. wars and occupation, while saying the organizations who resist oppression are legitimate and good.”

Hatem Abudayyeh, whose home was raided by the FBI in Chicago, said, “Right now there is a dynamic and successful international movement to boycott, divest and sanction Israel for its apartheid system where Palestinians are militarily occupied or treated as second-class citizens. Israel is more and more isolated in the world and American taxpayers are growing weary of funding Israel and its occupation of all of Palestine. Some in the current administration are targeting Palestinian-Americans and the Palestine solidarity activists as an ‘internal enemy.’ They are supporting oppression overseas and repression at home.”

Anh Pham of Minneapolis addressed the standing room only crowd, “Now we know a U.S. Federal Agent, whose fake name was Karen Sullivan, spied upon the anti-war movement and lied her way into the lives of many activists. She lied about everything over more than a two years. It is likely Fitzgerald’s trial will be based on her half-truths, distortions and lies.”

Thistle Parker-Hartog , a member of the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee in Minnesota, spoke about two decades of international solidarity activism she has been part of. Thistle stated, “When I was in El Salvador, I learned from organizers how U.S.-funded death squads killed farmers and rural community members, nuns and priests, union organizers, and activists. I was able to accompany these targeted members in the first national free elections in that country. As a pacifist, the solidarity trips confirmed my commitment to working for peace and justice. The trips made me determined to promote international dialogue and understanding, and actively oppose the threats and war-making of the U.S. government. It is an ironic sign of the true malleability of U.S. foreign policy and the “terrorist” designations of the state department that the FMLN, who were called terrorists in the '80's by the U.S., is now the recognized governing political party of El Salvador.”

A second panel, “Speak Out Against Repression,” expressed solidarity and lessons learned from others facing FBI and government repression. It included Michel Shehadeh of the Los Angeles 8 on “Organizing to defend the Palestinian movement,” Richard Brown of the San Francisco 8 on “FBI repression of the African-American community and the grassroots response,” Zahra Billoo of Council on American-Islamic Relations on “Attacks on Muslim charities and community leaders,” Nina Farnia of the Impact Fund on “The relationship between U.S. foreign policy and domestic FBI repression” and George McKinney, Southern California Immigration Coalition on “Organizing to oppose raids and deportations.”

The West Coast conference finished with a unanimous vote to organize for the March 19 and April 9 united national anti-war protests. Breakout meetings discussed local protests to respond to the next FBI raids, grand jury subpoenas, or the very real possibility of indictments and a trial. Others discussed further visits to U.S. Representatives and Senators to shut down the Grand Jury and stop the political repression. All the participants took note of the tremendous response of the anti-war movement and discussed ways to reach out to more groups and unions to join in ending this abuse of government power and stop the grand jury.

#OaklandCA #FBI #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury

Tracy Molm – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and an organizer for AFSCME Local 3800

Jess Sundin – Anti War Committee and Freedom Road Socialist Organization

Conference proceedings and plans for future

#ChicagoIL #InJusticeSystem #FBI #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury

Chapel Hill, NC – A conference to address the recent FBI raids on anti-war and international solidarity activists’ homes and offices will take place Feb. 19 from 9:45 am until 5:00 pm at the UNC Law School on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided for a suggested $5 donation. Childcare will be available free of charge.

The conference is the southern regional event in response to the Sept. 24, 2010 FBI raids on activists’ homes in Minneapolis and Chicago and the office of the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee. To date, a total of 23 activists have received summons to appear before a Grand Jury run by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. There will be several speakers and panels over the course of the day. Scheduled panels include “History of FBI and Political Repression Against People's Movements” and “Grand Juries, Material Support of Terrorism, the Legal and Political Context.”

“This important regional conference, like the ones being held in New York, Chicago and Oakland, will bring many activists together to say 'no' to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's campaign of intimidation and repression against the anti-war and Palestine solidarity movements,” said Kosta Harlan, a local activist visited by the FBI in September. “Everyone concerned about the attacks on our democratic rights should attend.”

The conference main sponsor is The Triangle Committee to Stop FBI Repression. Co-sponsors include ACLU of North Carolina, Asheville Committee to Stop FBI Re­pression, Asheville SDS, Atlanta International Action Center, Blackwater Watch, Charles M. Jones Peace and Justice Committee of the Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist, Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Durham County Libertarian Party, Eisenhower Chapter of Veterans for Peace, Green Party of the United States, Internationalist Books, Israeli Coalition Against House Demolition (ICAHD-USA), Jews for a Just Peace, Libertarian Party of North Carolina, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, National Lawyers Guild at UNC Chapel Hill, NC Stop Torture Now, North Carolina Peace Action, Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Raleigh F.I.S.T., Raleigh Fruitcakes, Southern Anti-Racism Network, Tuscaloosa SDS, UE Local 150, UNC Chapel Hill SDS, U.S. Human Rights Network and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-Triangle Branch.

#ChapelHillNC #InJusticeSystem #FBI #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury

When the FBI delivered subpoenas for nine Palestine solidarity activists in Chicago to appear before a grand jury on Jan. 25, the response was loud and clear: Protests, press conferences and forums were held in more than 45 cities in the U.S. and around the world on that date to stand in solidarity and say no to FBI repression.

San Francisco

This same grand jury was impaneled by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to indict 14 individuals in Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan, some of whose homes and offices were raided in September. Many feel it’s a fishing expedition targeting activists in solidarity with Palestine and the Colombian people. Six of those subpoenaed to appear in Chicago were Arab Americans.

Many of the protests denounced this attempt by the U.S. government to criminalize solidarity with the Palestinian people. Protesters, including those summoned to appear before the grand jury in Chicago, vowed to continue to work to end U.S. aid to Israel.

Organized by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, one of the largest demonstrations took place outside the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, where more than 250 people crowded the sidewalk during rush hour. A number of the activists who were subpoenaed but refused to appear before the grand jury addressed the rally.

In New York City people rallied in front of the FBI offices chanting, “Stop the subpoenas, Stop the raids! We are here and not afraid!” Groups supporting the protest included the May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights, Al-Awda-NY, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the International Action Center, Veterans for Peace-NY, the Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum, Workers World Party, The World Can’t Wait, the Free Mumia Coalition and others. Ralph Poynter, spouse of jailed lawyer Lynne Stewart, read her statement. Stewart is serving 10 years in federal prison after being framed up by the government for her steadfast defense of politically targeted defendants.

At a picket line and street meeting in Cleveland, speakers stressed the long history of FBI spying and grand jury harassment against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activists and the anti-war movement.

In Los Angeles, protesters gathered outside the Westwood Federal Building, which houses the FBI offices. A tribunal was held where members of Students for a Democratic Society, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the International Action Center, the South-Asian Network, the Labor Strategy Center, the Freedom Socialist Party, the Answer Coalition and the National Lawyers Guild testified as witnesses to crimes committed by the FBI against solidarity activists. Participants pledged to intensify resistance.

In Atlanta a dozen people withstood cold wind and rain to stand downtown with banners against FBI repression and in solidarity with imprisoned soldier Bradley Manning. Flyers were distributed and a press conference was held.

Cleveland

Subfreezing temperatures failed to dampen the spirits of participants in a strong, diverse picket line in Detroit comprised of members of labor unions, youth groups, anti-war and other progressive organizations. Chants included “From Iraq to Palestine, solidarity is not a crime!” and “FBI off our backs! Enough attacks!”

A speakout after the picket included solidarity statements from youth/student organizations at two universities in Arizona. Debbie Johnson of the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice, sponsor of the rally, demanded an immediate halt to grand jury proceedings; that those targeted receive justice and have returned to them all of the items that were stolen by the FBI; and that all government attacks against progressive and revolutionary activists cease.

‘Free, free Palestine!’

In Philadelphia a press conference brought a number of activists together to denounce the FBI harassment campaign. It was followed by a forum on FBI entrapment of innocent Muslims featuring attorney Steve Downs, a founding member of Project SALAM; Dominick Calsolaro, member of the Albany, N.Y., City Council, which passed a resolution in support of justice for Muslims targeted by preemptive prosecution; and Burim Duka and Leila Duka, brother and daughter of members of the Fort Dix 5. Endorsers included the ACLU-PA, the CAIR-PA; the Brandywine Peace Community; the International Action Center; and Philadelphia Against War.

Speakers and audience members commented on and linked the FBI repression of activists; the targeting of Muslims; Immigration and Customs Enforcement and police collaboration; police brutality, including Philadelphia’s stop-and-frisk policies; and the Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security spying on more than 300 groups and individuals in 2010 for potential “terrorist” activities. Abdus Sabur, father of a young Black man brutally beaten by police in September, spoke movingly about his son’s experience and urged Philadelphia’s City Council to pass a resolution supporting the Muslim community.

In Raleigh, N.C., activists gathered outside the Federal Building with signs reading “Federal Bureau of Intimidation” and “Hands off Activists.” Participants included the Triangle Committee to Stop FBI Repression, the Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee, FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand Together) and the National Lawyers Guild. Khalilah Sabra of MAS (the Muslim-American Society) Freedom read a statement by a ninth-grade student on the injustice of repression.

At a noontime rally and an early evening demonstration in Boston hundreds of flyers were distributed to passersby and rush-hour commuters, many of whom applauded the demonstrations. A man whom activists suspected was an undercover agent, likely FBI, filmed participants and appeared to be trying to provoke a response.

More than 200 people chanting, “Free, free Palestine! Solidarity is not a crime!” protested in front of the Federal Building in downtown San Francisco. Coordinated by the newly formed Bay Area Coalition to Stop Political Repression, participants staged a dramatic enactment of 23 duct-taped grand jury resisters marching into the Federal Building to return their subpoenas.

Speakers included Richard Brown of the San Francisco 8, who served time for refusing to cooperate with a grand jury witch hunt targeting the Black Liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Brown stated, “The FBI and police are the real terrorists.” Monadel Herzallah, a key organizer and member of the Arab American Union Members Council, announced that the subpoenaed brothers and sisters did not come to court as ordered.

Another case of FBI intimidation was reported from Memphis, Tenn., where solidarity activists planning a public event at the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center were visited by the FBI and a Memphis police SWAT team who claimed they were there to “keep peace” at the demonstration. Two activists’ homes were also visited by the sheriff’s department with bench warrants.

For reports on actions and events in other cities, including St. Louis; Salt Lake City; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Dallas; Tucson, Ariz.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Seattle; Providence, R.I.; Asheville, N.C.; Louisville, Ky.; Albany, N.Y.; and Kyiv, Ukraine, visit the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at www.stopfbi.net.

John Catalinotto, Judy Greenspan, Dianne Mathiowetz, John Parker, Bryan G. Pfeifer and Susan Schnur contributed to this roundup.

#UnitedStates #FBI #September24FBIRaids #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #grandJury #PoliticalRepression