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Ramsey County Charges RNC 8 Under State Patriot Act, Alleges Acts of Terrorism
Coldsnap Legal Update | DNC/RNC Updates

In what appears to be the first use of criminal charges under the 2002 Minnesota version of the Federal Patriot Act, Ramsey County Prosecutors have formally charged 8 alleged leaders of the RNC Welcoming Committee with Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism.

Two days into the RNC, over 300 people have been arrested, including at least 120 people for felonies--mostly the notoriously vague charge,"conspiracy to riot." With no provocation, police have indiscriminately used rubber bullets, concussion grenades, and chemical irritants to disperse crowds and incapacitate protesters. Many arrestees now being held in Ramsey Co. jail are being denied medical attention. One arrestee with hemophilia and another with asthma are being denied their prescription medication.

Actions Underway, Blockades, Confrontations and Arrests Occurring

Today thousands of activists set out in a coordinated effort to shutdown the Republican National Convention. As this initial report goes out, actions are currently underway all over the city of St. Paul. Sector 1 participants, including many members of the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, began gathering at Wacouta Commons at 11:00 Central time, following the Coalition to March on the RNC's mass march and rally.

The anti-capitalist march gathered Monday evening around 1800 at Civic Center Park. By 1830 they were organized and marched out of Civic Center Park onto Bannock Street. They advanced a half block before encountering a line of riot police. The strom troopers were well armed with CO spray tanks (it looks like a red fire extinguisher), four foot clubs, bean bag guns (which look like grenade launchers), tear gas, pepper ball guns (the kind the Boston police used to murder Victoria Snelgrove at the 2004 Red Sox victory), and full riot gear.

Police break down doors in night-time raid on anarchist meeting
By Mary Turck , TC Daily Planet
August 30, 2008

“I heard somebody saying, ‘They’re coming, they’re coming!’ And feet pounding on the back stairs, pounding on the door saying they had a search warrant. They busted through the door. They’ve got their guns cocked at people.” Sammy Schutz held tightly to five-year-old Gabe, who had been watching a video with his mother and father and about 20 other people when the police stormed into 827 Smith Avenue in St. Paul, ordering everyone down on the floor.

Twin Cities IMC has minute by minute updates: twincities.indymedia.org
Coldsnap Legal Collective also has minute by minute updates: twitter.com/coldsnaplegal
UpTake Media has video of the raids: theuptake.org

FLOOD THE MAYORS' OFFICES ASAP
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
651-266-8510

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak
(612) 673-2100
(612) 673-3000 outside Minneapolis

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