OpEdNews » Is Planning a Protest a Terrorist Act?

The City of St. Paul in Minnesota has for the first time exercised a new law which, much like the U.S. Patriot Act, is aimed at preemptively stopping terrorist actions. Charges of “conspiracy to commit riot” have been levied against an anarchist group called the “RNC Welcoming Committee”. The group’s goal seems to have been to disrupt traffic by blocking streets with barricades in some strategic locations in order to disrupt the Republican National Convention. After police raided their headquarters eight members of the group now face charges which, if convicted, could lead to prison terms of up to seven years.

Other groups who were planning peaceful protests have been targeted by St. Paul police as well. Two groups, Food Not Bombs and I-Witness Video, have had their headquarters and homes raided at gunpoint, computers and other materials confiscated, and had many of their members handcuffed and held in custody for hours. In many cases members were physically forced to the ground and injured. In one case even a five year old child and next door neighbors had police point guns in their direction. Many journalists covering raids and protests have also been arrested including nationally syndicated journalist Amy Goodman. Dozens have been arrested with charges such as “suspicion of rioting” and “blocking a police action”.

St. Paul police say they are following up on informants information that the groups were conspiring to riot. Suspected fire code violations and even claims of kidnapping have been used by the police as excuses to get warrants. Even so, those warrants do not allow for forceful entry into offices and private residences. While the RNC Welcoming Committee group did have a track record that would make authorities nervous, that could not be said of the other groups. No violent acts were committed by any of the groups or its members nor were any weapons found. No crimes have been committed other than the alleged conspiracy or suspicion type crimes.

Supporters of the groups say excessive force is being used as a way to intimide would-be protesters during the RNC. Protests have been restricted near the convention site and protesters have been under close surveillance.

Freedom of speech has taken a serious hit in St. Paul this week. Is it a crime to plan a demonstration? Is it a crime to video a police action? There were no plans to destroy property or injure people. Just as in the Patriot Act, this law enables those in power to label anyone a terrorist and to arrest them. This can be a powerful tool for politicians wanting to squelch dissent in a society. These Gestapo-like tactics are going on in St. Paul while inside the RNC they are waving the American flag and wrapping themselves up in it. It seems that some have forgotten what that flag represents. The “War on Terror” has brought about many limitations on our freedom to dissent in this country. Our founding fathers would scorn this trend. Terrorism has always been with us. What’s new is the post-911 mentality that traditional methods of seeking justice are obsolete and that we have to wage a “war” against terrorism. Anyone who is opposed to such a war is labeled as aiding the terrorists and, therefore, subject to criminal prosecution, and in some cases, as a terrorist themselves.

Many great Americans from Thomas Jefferson to Teddy Roosevelt have been quoted as saying dissent is one of the greatest forms of patriotism. It is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. If we lose any part of that right we have lost a significant part of what makes America the greatest nation on earth.

A graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with an MBA in 1980, John went into the banking business from 1981-1991. John went into the gymnastics business with his wife, with whom he has two children, in 1992 and grew it enough by 1995 that he could quit conventional employment. He became politically active after his divorce in 2004 becoming a news reporter and talk show host for KPFT, a Pacifica station, in Houston. He has since been involved with the peace movement in many ways and continues to promote progressive interests through his monthly talk show, "The No Hate Zone" on KPFT.

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9 comments

Cassie is the OpEd pen name for a writer, musician, and filmmaker.
CassieCassie is the OpEd pen name for a writer, musician, and filmmaker.

Is anything not a terrorist act anymore?

I always thought freedom of assembly, political speech, press freedom and peaceful dissent in order to protest for regress of grievances were specifically protected in the US Constitution as acts essential to the proper functioning of democracy. Now they are terrorist crimes against the state, while policies of mass murder, theft, torture and lying are considered American virtues - with a prison term (or worse) if you "plan" to "object."

Watch and listen closely, as freedom chokes it's final breath on the glass of America and dies unto the bright, hateful glare of fascism.

If this nation is ever set free again perhaps we should consider changing the national symbol from the eagle to the phoenix to forever remind ourselves that we must remain vigilant, for evil never dies, it only waits for us to go back to sleep.

I can't imagine we will let these people go to prison while Bush, Cheney and their ilk lounge in their limos, mansions and jets, planning their eternal war on humanity. Surely enough of us will stand up before it is truly too late and do something to help these innocent, terrorized people - not to mention ourselves and our children and the web of life we see dying all around us.

But I thought that about 911 too.

All our dreams of freedom traded in for a few Wal-Marts and reality TV.

Sad. Maybe I should print up some "Free the St. Paul 8!" bumper stickers... I could probably make a killing hawking them to bloggers.

by Cassie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 15 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 12:11:07 AM

I am currently retired. My favorite hobbies are karaoke singing, photography, and travel. I have immediate family living outside of Philadelphia, PA whom I visit once a year (during the Christmas holidays). I've also participated in a number of anti-war demonstrations since October of 2002. I consider myself a staunch defender of the US Constitution.
eileen kuchI am currently retired. My favorite hobbies are karaoke singing, photography, and travel. I have immediate family living outside of Philadelphia, PA whom I visit once a year (during the Christmas holidays). I've also participated in a number of anti-war demonstrations since October of 2002. I consider myself a staunch defender of the US Constitution.

Is Planning a Protest a "Terrorist Act"?

The criminal acts of the St. Paul "law enforcement authorities" during the GOP Convention are nothing but criminal acts. There is no law on the books prohibiting planning for peaceful protest. It's been done across the country for decades; so, whatever the police did is totally ILLEGAL.

The ACLU was given a PRICELESS GIFT by the criminals who run the GOP; the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the enormous costs. Just wait; the lawsuits are coming in; perhaps, felony complaints as well. Kidnapping, hostage-taking, armed robbery, and assault are FELONIES under local, state, and federal statutes. Apparently, these goons haven't learned any lessons from the 2004 GOP Convention in NYC, where the NYPD committed crimes against innocent bystanders, as well as peaceful protesters. Well, NYC had to pay out tens of millions of dollars as a result.

by eileen kuch (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 76 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 4:28:16 PM

Len Hart is a Houston based film/video producer specializing in shorts and full-length documentaries. He is a former major market and network correspondent; credits include CBS, ABC-TV and UPI. He maintains the progressive blog: The Existentialist Cowboy
Len HartLen Hart is a Houston based film/video producer specializing in shorts and full-length documentaries. He is a former major market and network correspondent; credits include CBS, ABC-TV and UPI. He maintains the progressive blog: The Existentialist Cowboy

terrorism is always worse under GOP regimes

FBI stats, published by the Brookings Institution, showed conclusively that terrorism during the regime of Ronald Reagan was THREE TIMES HIGHER than terrorism under the regime of Bill Clinton.

Domestically, the same principle applies. Domestic 'terrorism' will, of course, increase exponentially if the current oppressive regime DEFINES as 'terrorist' any opposition to its incompetent missrule.

GOP regimes are inclined to knee-jerk over-reaction to opposition. It stems from fear ---fear of people, fear of free speech, fear of the truth.

When the final numbers are in, don't be surprised if terrorism should prove to have been worse under the Bush administration than any other administration in US history. It's the price the GOP must pay for its stupidity and hypocrisy.

by Len Hart (134 articles, 175 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 554 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 8:02:30 AM

i am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers
liberalsrocki am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers

stupid

It is a disgrace that our consitutional rights are trampled by Republcan thugs,it is a bigger disgrace that 98 percent of Americans including most Democrats and Republicans don"t give a damn.How far this country has fallen.At least we will have the phoney Fundamentalist God to offer us comfort when we are in slavery.I feel so much better.

by liberalsrock (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 139 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9:10:39 AM

Political Activism is a passion but I have earned a living since 1995 through my web page design and hosting business. I also do graphics design and offer business cards, fliers, brochures etc. My most recent venture which can be seen at http://www.locationpromos.com is to provide custom items via my China connections to the souvenir trade.
Paul KrugerPolitical Activism is a passion but I have earned a living since 1995 through my web page design and hosting business. I also do graphics design and offer business cards, fliers, brochures etc. My most recent venture which can be seen at http://www.locationpromos.com is to provide custom items via my China connections to the souvenir trade.

Another good reason to repeal the patriot act.

Another good reason to repeal the patriot act.

Need I say more?

by Paul Kruger (33 articles, 1 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 288 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 12:29:51 PM

Artist, Activist, Wife, Mother, Human Being
Cheryl AbrahamArtist, Activist, Wife, Mother, Human Being

I would invite all to read the Democracy Now interview

Here's the title: Eight Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges

Here's the link:

click here

These fascistic actions were premeditated - insurance was purchased to pay-off any future lawsuits where police may be found to have acted inappropriately. These fascists learning the lesson quite well from the 2004 RNC arrests and lawsuits.

This is an assault on our free society - think it will get better? I think it will get much worse - add this to the fact that these arrests, including the arrests of journalists went completely ignored in the MSM media. A disgraceful collusion with this gov't against their own journalists.

by Cheryl Abraham (13 articles, 2 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 206 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 4:03:56 PM

Masters degree in social work. Activist 40 years worth. Favorite quote, "we had to destroy the city to save it" hobbies taxedermy,music,saving souls and respirating
robert braunsteinMasters degree in social work. Activist 40 years worth. Favorite quote, "we had to destroy the city to save it" hobbies taxedermy,music,saving souls and respirating

terrorestrials

as always one man's terrorism is another man's liberation. The jerks with the guns always define terror. Ofcourse the real terrorists want to stop Americans from exercising their constitutional rights. Peaceful or not as defined by the "police" you can't believe anything they say. These so called anarchists only mess up property. Look at what the police did and do. They prioritize property over people. That is how their job is defined for them. Ten broken heads for a car antena. St. Pauls bravest.

by robert braunstein (36 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 131 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 5:43:21 PM

Michael Cavlan , RN, was an Official Green Party Observer for the 2004 Ohio Re-Count.
He was the Green Party Candidate for US Senate 2006 and is a Candidate US Senate
2008 Seeking Green Party Endorsement in Minnesota. See www.michaelcavlan.org
Michael CavlanMichael Cavlan , RN, was an Official Green Party Observer for the 2004 Ohio Re-Count.
He was the Green Party Candidate for US Senate 2006 and is a Candidate US Senate
2008 Seeking Green Party Endorsement in Minnesota. See www.michaelcavlan.org

Be Aware

There have been comments about the evil Republicans.

People need to be aware of some things. people such as Monica Bicking, who lives in Minneapolis can thank collaborators such as Congressman Keith Ellison for this.

Keith Ellison is Monica's Congressman, a self styled left wing "progressive" Democrat.

He signed the Homeland Terrorism Act HR 1955 AKA the Thought Crimes Bill.

When challenged on it, he has made excuses for it and has publicly stated that he does not regret voting for it. I was the person who challenged him on it and heard his response myself. Ironically, at the National lawyers Guild event in St Paul, about 6 months ago.

Thank you liberal and progressive Democrats for handing our Constitution and Bill of Rights away.

Thanks for nothing.

by Michael Cavlan (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 329 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 7:07:25 PM

10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,
Gallaher10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,

Maybe

If you are planning a violent protest even the planning could get you a very long stay in a federal prison. Remember there is no parol in the federal system. 120 months is a long time. The federal judges love giving time in months for the shock effect. ;)

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 833 comments) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 11:19:21 PM