FBI raids: Protests in 19 cities called by solidarity activists

The International Action Center supports the call below from the Minnesota Antiwar Committee for Emergency Actions at federal buildings and FBI offices on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28 and 29, to support anti-war and international solidarity activists and stop FBI raids and harassment, and urges you to participate in one of the actions listed below or to organize an action in your city if one is not already planned.

In solidarity, Sara Flounders and John Parker, Co-Directors, International Action Center

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: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov.

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, Sept. 27 (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 iacenter@iacenter.org 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, Richard Russell Federal Bldg, 75 Spring St (at MLK)

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

---