News Conference & Bannering – Tell the U.S. Attorney Hands Off Anti-War Activists!

Tuesday news conference and banners at Minneapolis Federal Building to protest FBI harassment of anti-war activists

Peace, anti-war and other community groups will gather Tuesday afternoon at the Minneapolis Federal Building at 4:30 PM for a news conference and to hold banners to denounce the FBI and grand jury harassment of anti-war activists.

Tuesday is the day that a second wave of anti-war and international solidarity activists, including several from the Twin Cities area, have been ordered to appear before a federal grand jury in Chicago. Those subpoenaed have stated that they will refuse to testify in front of the Grand Jury.

The FBI has continued its campaign of intimidation against anti-war activists, attempting to interview at least three activists in the Twin Cities area on October 6 and 7, according to a statement by organizers of the Tuesday news conference.

The current FBI harassment started on September 24, when the FBI raided seven houses and an office in Chicago and Minneapolis, the agents handed subpoenas to testify before a federal Grand Jury. The agency also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina. The FBI has indicated that the grand jury is investigating the activists for possible material support of terrorism charges.

As a part of the Tuesday event at the Federal Building messages of support and solidarity for the anti-war activists will be delivered to the U.S. Attorneys office at the federal building. Solidarity messages have been coming in from a wide range of peace, justice, religious, labor and other organizations.

A statement issued by organizers of the Tuesday event says, in part, “Join us as we tell the U.S. Attorney to get our message to Washington: End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists; return all materials seized in the September raids; stop the grand jury subpoenas of activists.”