FBI Expands 'Witch Hunt' Against Antiwar Activists

[Better Believe It]

FBI Expands 'Witch Hunt' Against Antiwar Activists
by Charles Davis
December 22, 2010

The FBI on Tuesday added four more names to the list of antiwar activists subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as part of an investigation into whether members of the peace movement provided “material support” for terrorism.

In all, 23 people have been subpoenaed since September 24, when the FBI raided the offices and homes of prominent activists in Chicago and Minneapolis. None has been charged with a crime. Several have also refused to testify in what they say is a witch hunt aimed more at intimidating those who dare speak out against U.S. foreign policy than uncovering actual ties to terrorists.

And they're probably right.

Thanks to a Supreme Court ruling this past June, the definition of “material support” for terrorism is now so broad as to include any sort of “advice” to a State Department-designated terrorist group, even if that advice is “stop engaging in terrorism and embrace nonviolence.” Former President Jimmy Carter and groups such as the ACLU and Human Rights Watch have spoken out against the ruling.



Read the full article at:

http://criminaljustice.change.org/blog/view/fbi_expands_witch_hunt_against_antiwar_activists

[Kennah]

1. Special Note to Christine O'Donnell

[dkofos]

2. It's still OK for the FBI to set up stooges and call them terrorists.

Are we there yet??

[gratuitous]

3. Great - more change to believe in

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when COINTELPRO stalked the land of the free and the home of the brave, ferreting out non-conforming behavior and heretical thoughts toward the High Church of Redemptive Violence.

Have I mentioned recently how much I hate these guys?

[wtmusic]

4. I guess this won't be a Merry Fitzmas

More:

"The FBI came unannounced to knock on doors at two apartments in Chicago this morning. FBI agent Robert Parker, under orders from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office, delivered a subpoena to Maureen Murphy. Murphy, like several other individuals served subpoenas, is an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago.

This continues the repression unleashed by Fitzgerald on the anti-war movement since September 24th, when fourteen subpoenas were delivered to anti-war, labor, and solidarity activists in coordinated raids involving more than 70 federal agents. Armed FBI agents raided homes, taking computers, phones, passports, documents, notebooks, and even children’s artwork. A total of 23 subpoenas have been served to activists around the country."

http://www.stopfbi.net/2010/12/21/fbi-delivers-subpoenas-four-more-anti-war-solidarity-activists-us-attorney-patrick-fitzge

[gateley]

5. Specifically who instigated this? Serious question. Was it the head of the FBI?

Homeland Security? DOD? And, for example, say it was Homeland Security - would Napolitano actually have had a voice in it or would it be some mucky-muck high up in the organization who decided it sounded like a good idea? Can we name names? So often we blame those who aren't deserving of the blame, so I want to know who I should direct my rage at.

Thanks.

[wtmusic]

6. Erstwhile DU hero Patrick Fitzgerald. nt

[gateley]

10. I had to go look him up. Why was he a DU hero?

[wtmusic]

13. Plamegate prosecutor nt

[gateley]

16. Thanks. He would have been my hero, too. nt

[bananas]

18. google "Fitzmas"

He was a straight-shooter who didn't know what he was up against.
He was a conservative but the good kind.

[gateley]

19. Will do. He sounds like a good Irish Catholic boy so that's always a plus

in my book. :7 :hi:

[Better Believe It]

8. It wouldn't happen without the approval of the Attorney General and FBI Director

This was a major national "raid".

Not something that only a lower level government bureaucrat would know about and approve.

[gateley]

9. I TOLD Obama to get Jonathan Turley for AG! But did he listen?

I heard (I think Thom Hartmann) say that since 9/11 we have become the most government-monitored country in the world. I'm not stating that very well, but essentially that we have no privacy at all.

If we read about some of this stuff happening in another country we'd be shocked and enraged and until 9/11, think "Thank God I don't live in a country like that!"

Thanks.

[bananas]

14. Obama has to be accountable.

edit to add: I'm not attacking Obama - I'm supporting him, urging him to take a stand on what is right.

[gateley]

15. Yeah, but I've always felt that was too easy. If I'm the head honcho and someone

on my watch does something wrong without my knowledge, it's not as though I supported or endorsed it. If/when I learn about it and don't rectify the wrong, THAT'S when I need to be held accountable. IMO.

[bananas]

17. Yes, I just edited my post to clarify that. nt

[SouthernLiberal]

7. They should be looking in the Senate

The publicans objected to the new START treaty, which, by continuing their hero Ronald Regan's policy of 'trust but verify', will help to keep Russian nuclear weapons and materials out of the hands of terrorists.

Some of them objected to continuing health care for 9/11 first responders, a move that if successful, would certainly make first responders think twice about entering a future terrorist attack site. Even a short delay would increase the deaths from such an attack.

So, as I see it, given a choice between siding with an America led by a Democratic president, or siding with terrorists who want to damage that America, these guys are perfectly happy to side with the terrorists.

And the FBI is trying to build a case against people who want to stop the wars we are in? Wars that help terrorists to recruit new help in attacking us.

[leveymg]

11. The problem is that Hamas is listed as a "terrorist" group while it's also the elected govt of

Palestine. Creates a serious problem for anyone who wants to engage the I/P peace process outside official channels - which is exactly why this Grand Jury was convened.

No Fitzmas.

[damntexdem]

12. What peace movement?

Would that we had something big enough to keep them supplied with targets for raids.