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Terrorism charges lodged against protesters at GOP convention

by mtippett | September 7, 2008 at 07:22 pm

406 views | 16 Recommendations | 12 comments

I believe that this is the first time such laws have been used against protesters.

Prosecutors in Ramsey County, Minn., have formally charged eight alleged leaders of the RNC Welcoming Committee -- one of the groups organizing protests at the GOP convention in St. Paul -- with terrorism-related charges, The Times' P.J. Huffstutter reports.
Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald and Max Spector, face up to 7 1/2 years in prison under the terrorism enhancement charge, which allows for a 50% increase in the maximum penalty they could face.

It appears to be the first time criminal charges have been filed under the 2002 Minnesota version of the federal Patriot Act.

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Sanjay Jha

at 19:38 on September 7th, 2008

This is extremely deplorable step and slapping of terrorism charges against protesters is wrong precedent. Terrorism charges is meant for dealing with terrorists and Protest is part of democracy and should be allowed as long as it does not get violent.

Benner (not verified)

at 09:56 on September 8th, 2008

I suppose I define terrorism as a group of people prepared to use deadly force to impose their view point on other non-violent entities. If you people knew the whole story you may (or may not change your tune). I suppose we should let these people fire bomb buses and then attack them with machetes and hatchets. The house wherein these people were staying was loaded with explosive making materials. I suppose the St. Paul police could take the Clinton view of clear and present danger and ignore it until something catastrophic occurs.

Emilio Lizardo

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:47 on September 7th, 2008

mtippett, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Marshal law before the elections ?

Hey! That would work ...

master_jim2008

at 19:50 on September 7th, 2008

It's just another Republican tactic to try to quell the masses from rising up against the Bush/Republican establishment

it's deplorable but then again so is Bush

dunkelberg

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:56 on September 7th, 2008

It's morning again in Amerika.

Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 21:44 on September 7th, 2008

mtippett, I like this story. It's good stuff. I agree with Sanjay, and I will add that the Federal Patriot Act, and any version thereof, is a direct assault on civil liberties. "Democracy", I'm afraid, is a thing of the past...

Mikasi

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:56 on September 8th, 2008

mtippett, I like this story. It's good stuff.

And we are surprised at this why?

Neanderthal

at 08:57 on September 8th, 2008

Next step: Secret prisons,labeling as enemy combatants, torture and taped confession, and finally, death by hanging. Serves em right for being where they don't belong...reporting on the evil ones.

Sir Michael: do you hear the drums rolling? They are playing your song.

Monte (not verified)

at 09:45 on September 8th, 2008

mtippett, very good piece. I had not even heard about this, why is that not surprising. The new definition of Freedom of Speech in Amerika: Free speech is allowable so long as it is what those in power wish to be heard, all else is terrorism against the State.

"A little revolution is a good thing." Thomas Jefferson