Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis
Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis
by Glenn Greenwald (Salon) - Saturday Aug. 30, 2008
Protesters here in Minneapolis have been targeted by a series of highly intimidating, sweeping police raids across the city, involving teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets. Last night, members of the St. Paul police department and the Ramsey County sheriff's department handcuffed, photographed and detained dozens of people meeting at a public venue to plan a demonstration, charging them with no crime other than "fire code violations," and early this morning, the Sheriff's department sent teams of officers into at least four Minneapolis area homes where suspected protesters were staying.
Jane Hamsher and I were at two of those homes this morning -- one which had just been raided and one which was in the process of being raided. Each of the raided houses is known by neighbors as a "hippie house," where 5-10 college-aged individuals live in a communal setting, and everyone we spoke with said that there had never been any problems of any kind in those houses, that they were filled with "peaceful kids" who are politically active but entirely unthreatening and friendly. Posted below is the video of the scene, including various interviews, which convey a very clear sense of what is actually going on here.
In the house that had just been raided, those inside described how a team of roughly 25 officers had barged into their homes with masks and black swat gear, holding large semi-automatic rifles, and ordered them to lie on the floor, where they were handcuffed and ordered not to move. The officers refused to state why they were there and, until the very end, refused to show whether they had a search warrant. They were forced to remain on the floor for 45 minutes while the officers took away the laptops, computers, individual journals, and political materials kept in the house. One of the individuals renting the house, an 18-year-old woman, was extremely shaken as she and others described how the officers were deliberately making intimidating statements such as "Do you have Terminator ready?" as they lay on the floor in handcuffs. The 10 or so individuals in the house all said that though they found the experience very jarring, they still intended to protest against the GOP Convention, and several said that being subjected to raids of that sort made them more emboldened than ever to do so.
Several of those who were arrested are being represented by Bruce Nestor, the President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers' Guild. Nestor said that last night's raid involved a meeting of a group calling itself the "RNC Welcoming Committee", and that this morning's raids appeared to target members of "Food Not Bombs," which he described as an anti-war, anti-authoritarian protest group. There was not a single act of violence or illegality that has taken place, Nestor said. Instead, the raids were purely anticipatory in nature, and clearly designed to frighten people contemplating taking part in any unauthorized protests...
Continued...
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/30/police_raids/
- Login to post comments
Precursor Video of Confiscation of cameras, laptops, etc.
Precursor YoutubeVideo Event of Confiscation of cameras, laptops, etc. from film crew in Minnesota. -
RNC Martial Law, Camera, Laptop and Notebook Confiscation at Republican National Convention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q3582Cdkiw
Twin Cities Independent Media Watching Police Action 24/7
Headlined on 8/31/08:
Twin Cities Independent Media Watching Police Action 24/7
by Kathlyn Stone
www.opednews.com
Twin Cities independent news sites have been providing extensive coverage of what is taking place in St. Paul and Minneapolis surrounding the RNC convention. Visit these sites for in-depth and timely reports.
Twin Cities Daily Planet http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/#
The UpTake - Has numerous video reports and posts live video when raids occur. http://theuptake.org/
Twin Cities Daily Planet - The editor, Mary Turck, and a slew of professional and citizen journalists, have been following and documenting law enforcement actions with on-the-spot coverage from many angles. http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/#
Minnesota Independent - Investigative reports, on-the-scene coverage, interviews. http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/
www.fleshandstone.net
Kathlyn Stone is a Minnesota-based writer covering science and medicine, health care and related policies. She publishes www.fleshandstone.net, a health and science news site.
Try CI...Civil Informationing
Since all of this behavior by the building police state has been well predicted, and that authorities are taking the point of view that what they are doing is legal, that they will gladly pay fines down the road as they have been funded by Homeland Security for such possibilities, and that they intend to stop this "criminal activity" now and deal with their legal-illegal consequences later, perhaps its time to change strategies...and perform some CI...in very small groups in many locations.
Besides, who are the protesters protesting...conservative republicans OYE-VE?...
...and what do they actually think that they will possibly accomplish in doing this in Minneapolis?
This is SOOOOO last century...
At least in Denver, Alex Jones knew exactly what HE was going to accomplish...get some advertisement for PrisonPlanet, InfoWars and Alex Jones. As an offshoot, there was some information delivered to the public at large because of the proper useage of bullhorns, the clever design and placement of 9/11 Truth signs, and the fact that the Truthers were flexible enough to NOT follow typical "protest activities".
Alex is a media personality and a capitalist doing what such fellows do! As long as he is NOT touted to be a spokesperson for the 9/11 Truth Movement and friendly fences are kept intact, let him be. Ed Shultz of Progressive Talk Radio [alegedly...he is a closet right winger temporarily wearing working man's blue...a PHONY!] tried to do the same for himself while in Denver albeit, using some different tactics, but sharing the same goal as Alex's...expanding their media businesses. Moving on...
In performing CI, there are no continuous meetings required to establish the whens, hows, whys and information to be shared with the targeted audience, the US citizenry. For the most part, this information is already established...and if not, new stuff is well on the way for distribution.
From my reach out to Washington State's ACLU, and in receiving their historical representations and legal rulings, here is the way freedom of speech still works for individuals and small groups...
Any person has the right to be on the public sidewalks, or in an area that the public has open access to, as long as they do not restrict pedestrians or vehicular traffic. Citizens are not allowed on private property without permission. So...
Smallish groups carrying smallish signs [or large-ish signs and posters IF it has been established as being acceptable] with chosen messaging and having some handouts supporting political, or in this case, 9/11 Truth information, cannot be stopped in manners such as these groups up in Mineapolis have been and will be stopped. These larger "group gatherings" have been infiltrated, set up for arrest, and thusly, charges can be EASILY trumped up against them...as we see here. If the cops are wrong, they pay fines-big deal! In the meantime, these last century style protest groups fail...AGAIN, or should I say STILL!
It would be nice if the 9/11 Truth Movement:
...checked out www.911civilinfo.blogspot.com ...
...read into some of the concepts about how CI actually works...
...stood WELL back from the "Webster Tarpley, Alex Jones + early We Are Change" tactics of confrontation...
...and, in many smallish groups, continue to do what it does best...
...connect with people with CONVERSATION and INFORMATION....
There are no large or organizing group gatherings needed in CI...because the idea is established and simple...
...be CIVIL AND LEGAL while in public only forming very small groups in many places instead of forming large groups in few places requiring permits or police state approvals...[I mean really folks, are people still doing this old fashined stuff?]
...be INFORMATIONAL in goals...not only with thought provoking or informational signage, banners and posters, but having some simple literature to hand out...make it look like you are supporting John Doe for mayor...
Hey people...for anyone, anywhere who is involved in any form of political or social change at this time in history to actually think that cointelpro has not infiltrated THEIR group is terribly naive, ludicrous and flat out irresponsible.
Cointelpro is deep into ALL peace movement groups at ALL levels, they are into all of these houses and groups in Minneapolis, and they are buried DEEPLY into the 9/11 Truth Movement also.
So what, who cares?
Practice some CI...Civil Informationing, and simply get around them by distributing the amazing viral '911 truth info" that has been assembled in small groups...
CI...is so simple to do, its already planned, we already have the information, and only a few calls need to be made about the specific street corners and other public locations where some teams of CI-ers will stand for a few hours. Start in your own home towns and in your own regions...and let the "information" steer citizens to informative and organizational websites. The good citizens in our country will do the rest because their children already are doing it well ahead of them.
How is it possible to be shocked by something so predictable?
Its time for the 9/11 Truth Movement to share the truth...
...its our viral information baby...
...its being civil in small groups baby...
...its the internet baby...
...it ain't the "hippies" baby...
...its respectful 9/11 Truthers baby...
...its good citizens wanting change baby...
If we stand up usingCI this way right now ,soon much notice will be taken by other activist groups all across this country and the world, and the revolution will swing into higher gears.
The ONE thing that the HI PERPS fear the most are: INFORMED CITIZENS...and you know what?
This is EXACTLY WHAT the 9/11 Trth Movement does best in conversation and observation with citizens, and with its amazingly viral informationing...
Love, Peace and Progress with:
PUBLICALLY FUNDED ELECTIONS using HAND COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS on a NEW PAID FEDERAL VOTING HOLIDAY
...just for starters...
Robin Hordon
Make videos of everything.
... with two cameras if possible.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Aren't there somewhere in
Aren't there somewhere in this land honest, honorable, courageous smart judges who can deal with these outrages?
There are 96 Federal District Courts...not all are corrupt....
As an individual & responsible 9/11 Truth Activist, any person can mail 9/11Truth DVDs and information to their local Federal Prosecutors and Judges and Public Defender Offices. Any person can do this. I do this for my area...and the quantity of resources & people to mail to is immense. http://www.uscourts.gov/courtlinks/
Eventually, we will see a "Jim Garrsion" figure appear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Garrison
Chatting and sharing information is great, but the "rubber meets the road" with individual actions to get the truth out there.
Wow...
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This is bs.
Do these people deserve to know how and why their loved ones were murdered? Do we deserve to know how and why 9/11 happened?
BS that couldn't have happened without help
To repost from truthaction:
Ask the real question--how did they know who all to get to? How did they know that? Who had all the contact info?
Some of it was voluntarily(naively) given, of course. But some contact lists/"allies" had to be compromised for this to go off without a hitch.
This is why no one has the right play fast and loose with any private person's personal information. And any one who is, is helping the bastards whether they know it or not.
And anyone mocking privacy concerns is either an idiot or an evil shill who can't be trusted--with your life.
______________________________________
http://coljennysparks.blogspot.com/
http://truthaction.org/forum/
http://www.911blacklist.org/
Sue for millions
I believe this rises to the level of state TERRORISM.
70 Disturbing Facts About 9/11
John Doraemi publishes Crimes of the State Blog
http://crimesofthestate.blogspot.com/
johndoraemi --at-- yahoo.com.
It'd be far better to put violators in jail
I mean, those who violate civil rights - the SWAT team members, and especially whoever orders these things. They're obviously not concerned about trampling the Constitution - a piece a paper which embodies ideals that our soldiers DIED for, at least in principle.
A real solution has to involve electing responsible people to office, who will appoint responsible government attorneys and responsible judges. This is why is it's so important to support reform movements in both the Democratic and Republican parties, and also strategically support third parties. If anybody is serious about fixing problems like this, they need to dig in for the long haul. Just suing will be like putting a band-aid on a malignant tumor.
Also, have you heard any protest from the Democratic bigwigs about such Gestapo tactics? Including Obama? The corruption in our political culture runs VERY deep. Let's not kid ourselves, please.
Naomi Wolf helped found a group to try and get the government to roll back it's descent into fascism: http://www.americanfreedomcampaign.org/ Please consider supporting it. Naomi Wolf authored "The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot". Check out her interview at Democracy Now.
Finally, a reality check. Who do you think that pro-Constitution Naomi Wolf will vote for for President? I'm not saying. Instead, I invite the reader to at least listen to her interviewed, and then figure it out.
http://www.pdamerica.org
http://www.change-congress.org
Oops - Minneapolis
RNC, not DNC. Well, I heard similar stories about Denver....
http://www.pdamerica.org
http://www.change-congress.org
Unreformable
Some good points, but I differ where you refer to supporting 'reform movements in both the Democratic and Republican parties.' Both these institutions are unreformable, by design. Citizens of good will are lured like flies to a Venus fly trap in hopes of 'reforming' them, only to be swallowed up and effectively eliminated. If you see a reform-minded member of one of these parties, express your support for them and their positions--while simultaneously encouraging them to leave these decrepit institutions which can only ever (again, by design) act like a black hole on any positive energies for change--sucking it up, never to return.
unreformable by design? no, not really
You've not only not presented evidence for your point of view, you haven't even presented an argument!
While presidential candidates Nader, McKinney, and Gravel might agree with you, 2 of the most populist candidates in years - Kucinich and Ron Paul - would not. Why is this? Well, for one thing, they can see evidence that grass roots activism can help displace incumbents with more populist individuals. Donna Edwards defeating incumbent Albert Wynn by a whopping, 59% to 37%, and then defeating her Republican rival by a 4-1 margin, is a recent example. Donna Edwards is a Democrat. We shouldn't pretend that either the Democratic or Republican party is monolithic.
I'm glad that Kucinich remains active in populist causes, outside his district. Why he doesn't directly push the Progressive Democrats of America, or similar group, is a mystery to me. As for Ron Paul, he is also involved in pushing for long lasting political change outside of his own district, though it's not clear how much this will focus on the Republican Party. For info on his Campaign for Liberty, see http://www.campaignforliberty.com/mission/ .
BTW, at the highest levels, I do see little difference between the Republican and Democratic Party, in terms of some of the most important issues (e.g., the looting of US investors by Wall Street, supporting meddling in the Caspian Basin area, etc.). Of course, both parties are pro-empire. Anybody interested in the subject of high level corruption "reaching across the aisle", so to speak, might want to check out 'One Way Ticket to Crawford Texas' by Karl Schwarz, who was a former Republican strategist who has blown the whistle on the "Contract for America".
But AGAIN, neither party is monolithic. If you get enough decent people into office, they can force through change, even if the Nancy Pelosis retained their offices! It's one thing to believe in conspiracy theories, especially ones with compelling facts behind them. It's another to believe in naive conspiracy theories, which reflect frustration and its attendant irrationality more than reality. If somebody really can't tell the difference between a Donna Edwards and a Nancy Pelosi, well, then, I suppose that they should never vote for a Democrat. But is this realistic?
http://www.pdamerica.org
http://www.change-congress.org
Good points
This also describes many alleged grassroots activist groups:
"Citizens of good will are lured like flies to a Venus fly trap in hopes of 'reforming' them, only to be swallowed up and effectively eliminated."
______________________________________
http://coljennysparks.blogspot.com/
http://truthaction.org/forum/
http://www.911blacklist.org/
Fascism is here
Face it fascism is here ! Wake up America. You do not have any rights left. If you think we do your just kidding yourself. The police are being guided to embracing martial law, they are now empowered to do exactly as they like.
The US invades sovereign nations time and again and destroys cultures, kills civilians, and plunders assets. The US tortures people and dispenses propaganda everywhere. There is no free press. We restrict people's movements with no-fly lists and unlawful detentions. The elections are fixed. Whistle blowers are gagged or worse. Honest leaders are marginalized or worse.
Now we're talking about small groups to inform our fellow citizens without the right of assembly or protest. Why? Exactly what are these informed citizens going to do about it? Without mass protests and enormous civil disobedience what chance do we have? Until thousands of people commit to being beaten and imprisoned and thousands more are willing to take their places we have no real chance. We are like lobsters in the pot, the water temp has been raised slowly and we are just about cooked. How long do you think we will have our precious internet before it is restricted or shut down? How long before an E911 and the new legislation is whisked in? Sorry but I think not long.
what would have happened if these kids had guns...
and had shot at the intruders? If an armed intruder breaks into my house, he gets shot. We have the right to defend ourselves in our own homes.
There was a case in Maryland recently where the cops busted into the house of some completely innocent people and shot their two Labrador Retreivers. No apology or monetary compensation can ever take the place of those beloved pets.
Robin
There are a few here who truly "get it" and you are one of them.
Thanks for all your wise input.