Anti-Elections

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Hello to all our friends and supporters,

In the last week, eight people affiliated with the RNC Welcoming Committee were arrested in their homes or picked up off the streets and charged with conspiracy to riot and furtherance of terrorism. The Welcoming Committee was a group that formed to facilitate logistics (food, housing, convergence center) around the 2008 Republican National Convention Protests in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Most of them were arrested in the days leading up to the convention, and many had their homes raided by law enforcement. They were being held in the Ramsey County jail but as of Thursday were all released on bail or bond. They are now facing serious criminal charges and the potential of a protracted and expensive legal battle.

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National Call for Action to Stop Police Brutality at the Republian National Convention!

Support 300 people arrested in Saint Paul! Demand an end to illegal detention and brutality in Ramsey County Jail!

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.