The US Palestinian Community Network denounces the FBI raids on anti-war, Palestine solidarity and Palestinian activists that took place in several U.S. cities on Friday, September 24. 2010. We are appalled at this gross violation of First Amendment Rights as well as the human and civil rights of social justice activists who speak for justice and peace for all our communities. We see this attack for what it is–an attempt at silencing opposition to U.S. wars in our homelands and our rights to express dissent at home. The movement for justice in/for Palestine in the United States will not be intimidated or silenced. We pledge our full support and our firm commitment to defend the targeted activists.
A statement from the activists and a list of planned protests is below:
For Immediate Release
24 September 2010
Contact: Tom Burke, 773-844-3612
Steff Yorek, 612-865-8234
Activists Denounce FBI Raids on Anti-war and Solidarity Activists Homes
Subpoenas, Searches, and FBI visits carried out in cities across the country.
We denounce the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassment of anti-war and solidarity activists in several states across the country. The FBI began turning over six houses in Chicago and Minneapolis this morning, Friday, October 24, 2010, at 8:00 am central time. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to about a dozen activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. They also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina.
“The government hopes to use a grand jury to frame up activists. The goal of these raids is to harass and try to intimidate the movement against U.S. wars and occupations, and those who oppose U.S. support for repressive regimes,” said Colombia solidarity activist Tom Burke, one of those handed a subpoena by the FBI. “They are designed to suppress dissent and free speech, to divide the peace movement, and to pave the way for more U.S. military intervention in the Middle East and Latin America.”
This suppression of democratic rights is aimed towards those who dedicate much of their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against U.S. funded occupation and war. The activists are involved with well-known anti-war groups including many of the leaders of the huge protest against the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN in September 2008. The FBI agents emphasized that the grand jury was going to investigate the activists for possible terrorism charges. This is a U.S. government attempt to silence those who support resistance to oppression in the Middle East and Latin America.
The activists involved have done nothing wrong and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation. The activists are involved with many groups, including: the Palestine Solidarity Group, Students for a Democratic Society, the Twin-Cities Anti-War Committee, the Colombia Action Network, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera (a Colombian Political Prisoner).
Steff Yorek, a long-time antiwar activist and one of the activists whose homes was searched, called the raids “An outrageous fishing expedition.”
We urge all progressive activists to show solidarity with those individuals targeted by the U.S. Government. Activists have the right not to speak with the FBI and are encouraged to politely refuse, just say “No”.
Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you would like to provide support to the targeted activists.
Emergency Actions to Support Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists
Stop FBI Raids and Harassment
We denounce the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassment of anti-war and solidarity activists. The FBI raided seven houses and an office in Chicago and Minneapolis on Friday, September 24, 2010. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to eleven activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. The FBI also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina.
This suppression of civil rights is aimed at those who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against U.S. funded occupation and war. The FBI has indicated that the grand jury is investigating the activists for possible material support of terrorism charges.
The activists involved have done nothing wrong and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation. The activists are involved with many groups, including: the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. These activists came together with many others to organize the 2008 anti-war marches on the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
We ask people of conscience to join us in fighting this political repression, as we continue working to build the movements against US war and occupation.
Take Action:
Call the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555 or write an email to: [email protected].
Demand:
**Stop the repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists.
**Immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, etc.
**End the grand jury proceedings against anti-war activists.
Plan and Support national days of protest at FBI offices or Federal Buildings, September 27 and 28th.
A demonstration has been called at the Minneapolis FBI Office Monday, 4:30, September 27th (111 Washington Ave. S.).
In Solidarity, the Anti-War Committee – www.antiwarcommittee.org
The following is a list of the 19 planned protests that we have heard of so far, and the list is growing. Please participate in the one nearest you, or if there is not one in your city, organize one and let us know at [email protected] so we can publicize it and add it to the list:
Please be in touch with the Minnesota Anti-War Committee – www.antiwarcommittee.org
Monday 9/27:
Minneapolis, MN – 4:30, FBI Office Monday, 111 Washington Ave. S.
Chicago, IL – 4:30 Fedeeral Building, Federal Plaza.
Kalamazoo, MI – 4:30 Federal Building, 410 W Michigan Ave
Salt Lake City, Utah – 9 AM at Federal Building
Durham, NC – 12 noon Federal Building, 323 E Chapel Hill St
Buffalo, NY- 4:30 pm at FBI Building – Corner of So. Elmwood Ave. & Niagara St.
Gainesville, FL – Monday, 4:30 PM at FBI Building
Tuesday 9/28:
NYC, NY – 4:30 to 6pm Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza,
Newark, NJ – 5 to 6pm Federal Building Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA – 4:30pm Federal Building, 6th & Market,
Washington DC – 4:30 – 5:30 FBI Building, 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Boston, MA – 5 pm, JFK Federal Building
Detroit, MI – 4:30 pm McNamara Federal Building, Michigan Ave. at Cass
Raleigh, NC – 9 am. Federal Building, 310 New Bern Ave
Asheville, NC – 5 pm Federal Building,
Atlanta, GA – Noon, FBI Building
Los Angeles, CA – 5 pm, Downtown Federal Building, 300 N Los Angeles St
Tucson, AZ – 5 pm Federal Building
Wednesday 9/29:
Albany, NY – 5 to 6 pm Federal Building
