I just saw a Facebook post from Steff Yorek, whom I have known for many years, in Minneapolis. It reads, in full,
The FBI is executing a search warrant on our house right now. The claim to be looking for evidence of material support for so-called Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The FARC and PFLP are mentioned by name. This is taking place in multiple cities across the country. I have been served with a warrant to appear before a Grand Jury. It's an outrageous fishing expedition.
Steff further reports that they have lawyered up--and clammed up.
I have no way of knowing how broad this attack is and whether it is limited to supporters of the Colombian and Palestinian struggles, or if other groups on the FTO list are included. Please post any further information you have as a comment, and if they knock on your door, warrant or no, remember that YOU ARE NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED TO SAY ANYTHING TO THEM.
So don't.
UPDATE:
Early news stories say that six houses in Minneapolis and two in Chicago have been raided. No arrests at this point, but Grand Jury warrants served. A Facebook post reports workplace visits to harass activists as well.
This short description of your rights in such a situation, by the Center for Constitutional Rights, is a must read for everyone, even if you think you've never done anything that might attract the attention of the Feds.
UPDATE 2:
The group I belong to, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization / Organización Socialista del Camino para la Libertad (which is not the group whose members are among those under attack now) has issued a statement on these attacks which has been posted along with a timely warning about redbaiting.
5 comments:
witch hunting continues -- All progressive must stand together in the face of the attack by the Obama administration on Stef, Mick and the other progressives targeted by the FBI.
This morning the FBI raided homes and offices of anti war activists I work with and who have stood side by side with me in my work in the immigrants rights movements and the Chicano/Mexicano movement for equality. These FBI raids are the same repressive tactics used against the Chicano movement of the late 60's by the FBI, and local police to try to destroy our movement. I denounce these FBI raids and stand in solidarity with my fellow activist!
Please read article and forward it your friends and fellow activist. If they do this to us, they will do it to you in the future. Please raise you voice to denounce this FBI attack against fellow activist, I ask your organization to send a letter of solidarity and put out a statement to your local media and members denouncing this political attack.
About 30 people rallied in Milwaukee on Saturday against the FBI raids-- on 14 hrs notice.
I think the FBI should investigate the terrorists that try to recruit on facebook.We have way too many illegal immagrants in this country as it is and these terrorists are still in this country plotting against us as i speak.What,i ask you,as americans are we going to do about this growing problem?Are we just going to keep allowing them to take more jobs from US?Ithink the people(americans)should stand up and say "NOMORE" and send the illegals back to where they came from.
I mean really, If you cant speak our language and wont learn it,then why should our children be forced to learn theirs?They should be forced to take english classes as a requirement in school.Im really sick of hearing how these people are done wrong when they are part of the problem that is collapsing this economy by taking jobs that should go to OUR citizens.Get a grip crybabies.
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