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Forum Against Political Repression
Speakers: Tom Burke, Subpoenaed Solidarity Activist
John Royal, Michigan National Lawyers Guild President
On September 24, 2010 the FBI raided seven Chicago and Minneapolis homes of well-known anti-war and international solidarity activists, serving 14 subpoenas. Here in Michigan the FBI served two people subpoenas to appear at U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s Grand Jury in Chicago. Those targeted are leaders in the anti-war movement and many helped to organize the huge protest against the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN in September 2008. In December, nine more subpoenas were served to Palestine solidarity activists in Chicago. Now 23 activists are taking a principled stand to not answer questions at Fitzgerald’s Grand Jury.
In September 2010 the Justice Department’s Inspector General issued a report admitting the FBI “improperly spied on American activists involved in First Amendment-protected activities and mischaracterized nonviolent civil disobedience as terrorism which improperly placed activists on terrorist watch lists.”
This is the suppression of our democratic rights and is an attempt by the U.S. government to silence those who support resistance to oppression in the Middle East and Latin America, by putting people in jail. The 23 targeted activists are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or their organizing against war and occupation.
The response of the anti-war movement, including Kalamazoo, is tremendous. The two weeks after the FBI raids more than 70 protests were called. Then in response to the nine new subpoenas, over 50 cities held coordinated protests against U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald’s campaign of repression on January 25. We need to boldly expose and work to stop the FBI’s repressive actions, as we continue to speak out and build the movements for social justice.
• Stop FBI Raids and Grand Jury Repression of Activists
• Support free speech
• Support the right to organize
• Stop repression of Arab and Muslim communities
Please come hear from one of the targeted activists and an attorney helping to represent them .
7 pm. Wed. March 30, Wesley Foundation
2101 Wilbur Ave. WMU Campus (near flagpoles)
Cosponsored by the Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War, the Peace Center (as a part of an extended Peace Week from March 21-30), and the Kalamazoo Committee Against Repression. For more information contact kzoocar@gmail.com or call 269-548-8919.
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