Nato protesters arrested in Chicago raid held on terrorism conspiracy charges [View all]
Source: The Guardian
Nato protesters arrested in Chicago raid held on terrorism conspiracy charges
Lawyer says men are 'in shock' over allegations they tried to make
a Molotov cocktail ahead of Nato summit protests
Gary Younge in Chicago
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 May 2012 14.16 BST
Three Nato protesters, arrested in a late night raid on Wednesday, have been charged on terrorism-related offences.
Police claim the charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism, providing material support for terrorism and possession of an explosive or incendiary device, are the result of a month-long investigation into a group they believe was making Molotov cocktails. They had already been pulled over by police last week and asked about their protest plans in a stop they posted on YouTube.
Attorneys representing the men say the charges are fabricated and aimed at intimidating activists. "We cannot say enough that we believe that these charges are absolutely
very trumped up charges," said Sarah Gelsomino of the Peoples Law Office. "Clearly in an attempt to continue this intimidation campaign on activists. Charging these people who are here to peacefully protest against Nato for terrorism, when in reality the police have been terrorising activists in Chicago, is absolutely outrageous.
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Read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/19/chicago-nato-protesters-terrorism-charges