2010.10.19: Today: National Call-In v. FBI Repression of Antiwar Activists

From: Letwin, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 9:58 AM
To: 1199 Members; ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: Today: National Call-In v. FBI Repression of Antiwar Activists

 

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY, Tues OCTOBER 19: Stop FBI Repression of Activists
>>>Call President Obama at (202)-456-1111 and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at (202)-353-1555<<<
Demand:
**End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
**Return all materials seized in the raid!
**Call off the Grand Jury!
http://stopfbi.net/2010/10/15/national-call-in-day-october-19/

Trade Unionists Speak Out Against FBI Attacks on Civil Liberties
From the Industrial Workers of the World’s (IWW) fight for free speech in the 1910s to the major labor-inspired civil liberties court decisions of the 1930s, the labor movement has often been in the forefront of defending the right to speak and protest.
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6557/trade_unionists_speak_out_against_fbi_attacks_on_civil_liberties/

Labor Activists Condemn FBI Repression: Updated Signatories (123)
Like Dr. King before us, we will not be silenced.
View statement and endorse at: http://www.laborforpalestine.net/wp/2010/09/28/labor-activists-condemn-fbi-repression/

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Other Responses to Rising Political Repression, Racism, and Anti-Muslim Bigotry

Muslim Support Organizations Deplore Convictions of Newburgh 4
Our tax dollars are paying for these show trials, more reminiscent of Stalinist machinations than anything we ever thought could happen here.
http://www.projectsalam.org/events/10-18-10.html
[ALAA member] Mark B. Gombiner, who represented Onta Williams, called the notion that citizens were safer “pure nonsense,” adding, “It does not reflect anything that happened during the investigation and prosecution.”  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/nyregion/19plot.html?scp=1&sq=gombiner&st=cse

Statement on Sentencing of Aafia Siddiqui
Following a blatantly prejudiced and unfair trial in which little conclusive evidence of her guilt was presented, she was found guilty.
http://www.justiceforaafia.org/articles/press-releases/642-jfac-statement-on-sentencing-of-aafia-siddiqui

ADL’s demonization of student activism denounced
As members of several student groups working for justice in Palestine, we affirmatively state that the ADL’s characterization of our campus educational efforts and activism about Israeli injustices against Palestinians as “biased” is a disingenuous and misguided attempt to vilify students who criticize Israel’s occupation, which denies Palestinian human rights and self-determination.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11578.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29

Longshoremen Will Shut Ports to Protest Police Killing of Oscar Grant in Oakland
When it comes to killer cops, especially around election time, with both the Democratic and Republican parties espousing law and order, the mainstream media either expunges or whitewashes the issue.
http://www.counterpunch.org/heyman10182010.html

2010.10.05: Update: Antiwar activists refuse to testify/4:30 Rally

From: Letwin, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:03 PM
To: 1199 Members; ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: Update: Antiwar activists refuse to testify/4:30 Rally

Activists say they’ll refuse to testify
Associated Press – October 5, 2010 11:44 AM ET

CHICAGO (AP) – Anti-war activists raided recently by the FBI say they’ll refuse to testify before a grand jury in Chicago as ordered.

Activist attorney Jim Fennerty says all 14 Midwest activists who were served subpoenas to testify this month won’t appear.

A Chicago couple whose home was raided last month spoke at a rally Tuesday just outside the Dirksen Federal Building where the grand jury is sitting.

Joe Iosbaker and Stephanie Weiner told reporters they’re among those who were set to testify this month but won’t.

Weiner says the government is on “a fishing exhibition” to find wrongdoing by peaceful activists.

About 30 people attended the Chicago rally. One person held a sign that read: “Stop FBI Repression.” Another sign read: “We refuse to be silenced.”

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Join us as part of the national days of action against FBI repression!
PROTEST in NEW YORK CITY, TUESDAY OCTOBER 5
4:30-6:30 PM
26 Federal Plaza, Broadway side, NYC

Directions: all trains to Chambers Street or City Hall.

Thousands have come together in response to the FBI raids on seven homes and an anti-war office on Friday, September 24, 2010. Across the country organizations and individuals are standing together to protest the United States government’s attempt to silence and criminalize anti-war and international solidarity activists.

Jess Sundin said, “These raids and subpoenas are an attack on anti-war and other progressive movements. It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to assemble with like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for more wars and occupations of other countries by the U.S. military.”

Protests against the intimidation and harassment have taken place or are planned for 39 cities across the country. From Minneapolis and Chicago ,to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Kalamazoo MI and Dallas Texas, The response has been tremendous an continues to grow.

We are calling for further actions to take place in the coming week as the first Grand Jury Subpoenas call for activists to appear on October 5.

Demand :
**End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
**Return all materials seized in the raid!
**Stop the Grand Jury Subpoenas of activists!

Committee To Stop FBI Repression:
http://www.stopfbi.net
Email: stopfbi@gmail.com

2010.10.04: Response to FBI Repression v. Antiwar Movement

From:  Letwin, Michael
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 10:12 AM
To: 1199 Members; ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: Response to FBI Repression v. Antiwar Movement

Oct. 4, 5: Say No to the FBI Witch-hunt
On Tuesday, Oct. 5, the first of 14 solidarity activists targeted by the FBI will appear before a Chicago Grand Jury. Let’s show the Inquisitors we will not them silence our movement.

Today, Monday, Oct 4: National Call-in Day! Call President Obama 202-456-1111 and Attorney General Eric Holder 202-353-1555 to demand an end to repression against antiwar and solidarity activists, immediate return of all confiscated materials, computers, cellphone, papers, documents, etc., and no grand jury proceedings against antiwar activists.

Tuesday, Oct. 5: RALLY AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING 4:30 to 6:30, 26 Federal Plaza, Broadway side, all trains to Chambers Street or City Hall. Actions in cities across country.

Last week there were coordinated national actions in 43 cities protesting the latest FBI raids.

Statement: Labor Activists Condemn FBI Repression: “Like Dr. King before us, we will not be silenced.”
A growing number of union members (including ALAA and 1199 members at LAS) have signed the statement below. To endorse, go to: http://www.laborforpalestine.net/wp/2010/09/28/labor-activists-condemn-fbi-repression/