This diary is in support of the hundreds of people, including friends of mine, who were arrested at the RNC. In particular, it is in support of the eight organizers (the RNC 8) who are currently charged with Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism, a 2nd degree felony that carries the possibility of several years in prison.
Six of the RNC 8 are attending court on Monday Oct 13th. In a show of support for them and the 800+ other RNC arrestees, please take 5 minutes to CALL and/or EMAIL Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, and St. Paul City Attorney John Choi and demand that ALL CHARGES BE DROPPED.
During the RNC, St. Paul was a police state complete with steel fences, protest pens, military style checkpoints, and thousands of riot police. Before protests even began, police raided homes and activist gathering spaces, detaining hundreds and confiscating people's belongings. Throughout the RNC, police systematically violated the rights of thousands, violently attacked protesters, and arrested over 800 people. St. Paul city officials were complicit in enabling this scenario, and now they deserve to hear from you!
Please call TODAY, Monday, October 13th.
- St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
(651)266-8510 | mayor@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Coleman did nothing to prevent the militarization of St. Paul and the numerous violations of people's rights that occurred there. After the RNC, he called the actions of police "nothing short of heroic." Call him to demand a real, independent investigation that holds police accountable!
- Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
(651)266-3222 | RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us
Gaertner is responsible for prosecuting all felony cases, including the RNC 8 who are facing 7+ years on trumped up charges of "terrorism," under the first ever use of the MN version of the Patiot Act. Gaertner plans to run for governor in 2010. Call her to demand an end to the repression of activists and an immediate dismissal of all charges.
- St. Paul City Attorney John Choi
(651)266-8710 | Choi@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Choi is in charge of prosecuting all misdemeanor RNC-related cases. He referred to RNC protesters as "outsiders who wanted to create mayhem." The vast majority of those arrested were Twin Cities residents who were protesting the Republican agenda for the country. Call Choi to defend our right to protest without permits and demand that all charges be dropped!
Please be polite, but firm. Remember that what you say will have an impact on everybody facing charges, and it could very easily have a negative impact if you are not careful.
For more info, you can check the following websites:
rnc8.org
antiwarcommittee.org
coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com