Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: arg, in defense of, minneapolis, over it, resistance, rnc
for those of you who don’t know it, i live in minneapolis. i love it here. it’s usually a friendly, progressive city that moves a little slow at times for my jersey blood, but makes up for it with it’s summer thunderstorms, fried cheese curds, and lakes. i’ve been here nearly four years now as i work on my ph.d. and while i occasionally miss the northern east coast and its very different way of life, i’m happy here.
the last few days in mpls have been angry though…and scary. for those of you trapped under a rock, the republican national convention is in town and while you won’t see a ton about this on your mainstream news channel, it’s really fucking up my home. mere whispers of dissent are, apparently, enough for the cops to bust into your house and arrest you, it seems. there have been a number of houses in the twin cities raided over the past few days for suspected protest activity and “terrorism.” at one point, the local food not bombs group was raided in a search for…bombs.
what’s more is that, at present, there’s a reported 400 people being held in jail right now for protesting and over 100 of them are being held on bogus, inflated charges of terrorism under the patriot act. did you know that it’s against the patriot act to cover your face when demonstrating? that means that any attempt to shield oneself from the onslaught of tear gas and pepper spray used by police is not allowed. mere bandanas = terrorism these days. of the remaining prisoners not yet charged, many are being held past the state’s 36 hour law for being able to detain uncharged persons. reports have come out from other protest groups that many of their members being held are not being given medical care and that transgender prisoners, especially, have not been allowed to visit with lawyers or make phone calls.
as i type this, the news playing in the background, cnn was showing the arrest of two protesters on bicycle and even the on-the-ground reporter exclaimed “i don’t even know what they did! there doesn’t seem to be a reason for their arrest!” these are scary, angry times here. below is information on who you can call, what you can do to help per an email that’s been circulating amongst groups and folks who believe in the right to protest and who oppose this kind of horrendous treatment of others. even if you’re not in the minneapolis/st. paul area, you can still call and demand their release.
from the email:
Please call the following offices and continue calling until all arrestees have been released:
St. Paul Mayor – Chris Coleman (651.
266.8510)
Head of Ramsey County Jail – Capt. Ryan O’
Neil (651.266-9350 ext 1)
Ramsey County Sheriff – Bob Fletcher (651.
266.9333)
County Chief Judge Gearin (651.
266.8266)
Demand the following:
– Immediate medical attention as needed for ALL arrestees;
– That the prisoners who haven’t given their names (Jane & John Does and Jesse Sparkles) have access to
group meetings with a lawyer in jail;
– Dismissal of all charges;
– Release of all minors; and
– Ensure trans prisoners have access to phone and attorneys, and are held in gendered facility of their
choice.
Donate!
Money is needed to help cover legal costs and get people out of jail. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciate
d.To donate by Pay Pal visit https://coldsnaplegal. wordpress.com and click on the donate button.
For more details and up-to-date information about jail conditions and prisoner status, please see:
http://submedia.tv/
http://coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com
http://twincities.indymedia.org
1 Comment so far
Leave a comment
Femme FATale 
I listened to it on Democracy Now! today and I was shocked that people weren’t talking about this by the water coolers. This is the real deal. I’m sorry it has to happen in your home…
Comment by Miss Avarice September 6, 2008 @ 2:10 am