FBI Expands Probe into Antiwar Activist

[Puregonzo1188]

JUAN GONZALEZ: We turn now to the latest developments in the FBI’s widening targeting of antiwar and Palestinian solidarity activists. In late September, FBI agents raided the homes of activists in Minneapolis and Chicago. They seized phones, computers, documents and other personal belongings. Subpoenas to appear before a grand jury were served on 13 people but later withdrawn when the activists asserted their right to remain silent.

But earlier this month, subpoenas were reissued against three of those targeted in the raids. And just this week, a new subpoena was delivered to a Chicago-based activist and journalist involved in Palestinian solidarity work—at least the 23rd person subpoenaed since September.

AMY GOODMAN: All those subpoenaed have been involved with antiwar activism that’s critical of U.S. foreign policy. Details on the grand jury case remain scarce, but the subpoenas cited federal law prohibiting, quote, "providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations." In June, the Supreme Court rejected a free speech challenge to the material support law from humanitarian aid groups that said some of its provisions put them at risk of being prosecuted for talking to terrorist groups about nonviolent activities.

More at the link--very, very disturbing. http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/23/fbi_expands_probe_into_antiwar_activists

[EFerrari]

1. It's thuggery and right in our faces. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. And it is EXACTLY what some of us said would happen when they passed the Patriot Act.

They are trying to stifle dissent.

Hell, even the headline " expanding probe" sounds ....uncomfortable.

[EFerrari]

8. Yep. n/t

[tb1988]

17. For the first time, [the court] actually says it’s criminal to speak out, to associate,”

says Michael Deutsch. an attorney. In June, the Supreme Court in Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project upheld a much broader definition of material support—one that criminalizes speech advocating peace and human rights if it is “coordinated” with an official terrorist organization. It is this ruling that sets the stage for September’s raids. See In These Times article Terrorist By Association for a good look at the ruling behind these outrageous raids.

[gratuitous]

3. Are subpoenas valid again?

I remember the Bush administration officials who just blew off their congressional subpoenas with a note from their attorneys. I wonder if these antiwar activists can claim "executive privilege" and the FBI will just walk away? Isn't that how it works nowadays?

[Puregonzo1188]

4. Initially, the subpoenaed a large group of people, all of which claimed they would take the 5th and

remain silent. Therefore the grand jury was cancelled. However, the FBI has issued a new set of subpoenas for a select group of people offering them "immunity" meaning they are basically being forced to testify.

[msanthrope]

5. They aren't being forced to testify--they don't have to.

They do not have to testify. They can reject the government's offer of immunity, and choose contempt.

Of course, they must pay the penalty of refusal.

[Puregonzo1188]

6. You are so right--they were given the choice of testifying and going to jail. You are right no one

is forcing anyone to do anything.

[msanthrope]

7. If Judith Miller can tough it out, Maureen Clare Murphy can, can't she?

If she wants to go toe to toe with Patrick Fitzgerald, then she has the option.

Or, she can testify, under immunity, about payments to Hatem Abudayyeh and connections with PFLP, Hezbollah, and FARC.

At least, that seems to be what the investigation is about.

[EFerrari]

9. What utter cr@p. This is a clear attempt to stifle dissent.

The US government probably has stronger ties to all of those groups than these peace activists do.

Good freakin grief.

[msanthrope]

13. Yes. Patrick Fitzgerald, the only prosecutor to indict and convict a Bushco/Plame crony

must clearly be in the wrong here because you like these defendants more than you liked Scooter Libby.

If you have a scintilla of evidence that any of the subpeonas are unlawful, please post it.

[annm4peace]

15. Fitzgerald rolled over when it came to Bush/Plame

Fitzgerald should have went after Cheney, Rove, and the head of the CIA who covered up the leak. Instead there was a big deal made about holding Judith Miller in contempt of court.

Actually why was there even a Grand Jury.. there was enough evidence to go after all of them.


The grand jury subpoenas are part of the fishing expedition targeting these committed activists and organizers. The use of grand juries to conduct sweeping investigations dates back to the Nixon administration’s attack on the social movements in the 1970s. The grand jury is neither fair nor even handed, no matter who is in charge.

A grand jury is a panel of jurors who hear evidence from a prosecutor and decide whether or not to charge someone with a crime. The grand jury can subpoena pretty much anyone they want and ask about anything, and people can be jailed for contempt if they do not answer questions. The jurors are hand-picked by prosecutors with no screen for bias. All evidence is presented by a prosecutor in a cloak of secrecy. The prosecutor has no responsibility to present evidence that favors those being investigated. Grand jury witnesses have no right to have a lawyer in the room to object to how the prosecutor is conducting the proceedings.

The grand jury has been used as a tool of political repression against many movements for social change in this country. From the pre-civil war abolitionist movement to the Civil Rights movements, the movement against the war in Vietnam, the American Indian Movement, the Central America solidarity movement, the Puerto Rican Independence movement, animal rights and environmental movements, there have have been many targets of political repression and grand jury inquisition.

[msanthrope]

20. Sadly, you are incorrect about the grand jury makeup...

federal grand juries are drawn from the federal jury pool, and are not 'screened' by the prosecutor. Prosecutors get what they get.


"The grand jury can subpoena pretty much anyone they want and ask about anything."

Indeed. Tell what, precisely, is wrong about citizens doing so? Scooter Libby was indicted and convicted on a question asked to him by a grand juror. President Clinton was investigated by a grand jury who refused to return a true bill.

When one is granted immunity, no constitutional violation of one's rights occur when testifying. If you do not like this constitutional system, then, find another one to your liking.

[Puregonzo1188]

10. Please, this very clearly a fishing expedition. With each subpoena the scope gets broader and

seems less connected to the original justification.

[msanthrope]

12. It is no fishing expedition....

Being called to the grand jury under a grant of immunity means that the prosecutor knows what you did, and with whom. Or at least enough to make the grant of immunity worth your while.

[annm4peace]

14. wow... you assume these people did something wrong

you assume that if a prosecutor gives immunity than that makes it positive that these people did something illegal.

So if you get subpoenaed for making terrorist threats when you wrote on DU, and the prosecutor gives you immunity to testify then that means you must be guilty.

** it is a very dangerously naive way to believe ***

We should not be presuming people guilty just because they are charge, subpoenaed, called to grand jury or given immunity.

It is one way to stifle dissent and acts of humanity if we have to worry we are going to be called to a grand jury trial.

Just being called to a grand jury trial costs money, it can cost you your job, your friends and family. It can make people in your community think you have done something wrong. In these people's case.. they have just tried to learn and educate others of the inhumane treatment of others. Something that the powers that be don't want to happen.

[msanthrope]

21. Not at all. It is you who conflate the granting of immunity with guilt.

A grant of immunity merely means that a prosecutor most probably knows what you have been up to, and with whom. And has judged that whatever you may have done is small potatoes compared to the big fish.

It is a mechanism. An effective one.

As I tell my clients.

(FYI--there's no such thing as a 'grand jury trial.'

[Rex]

11. Sadly no, Congressional subpoenas are GOP golden tickets.

If the FBI comes after you, expect to get thrown in prison eventually.

[annm4peace]

16. that isn't true either. You can fight back, and there are lawyers to help

It is awful if the FBI comes after you but you do have rights. There are several organization you can turn to, and there are people you have won their fight against FBI, Police or other law enforcement suppression.

Know your rights

http://www.nlg.org/resources/know-your-rights/

[annm4peace]

18. there is a great website by those who were subpoenaed

http://www.stopfbi.net/

They have almost a 1/2 million people who have signed the petition.

There is an amazing amount of groups who have given solidarity statements in support.

If you read about the individuals they are typical Americans with jobs and families. They just care about what our Government is doing to people in other countries and what our tax dollars are doing.

I am grateful for these people. If anything I hope it gets out what is happening to the people in Palestine by the Israel Gov and the US Gov.. as is pointed about by a Jewish organization. and what is happening to people in Columbia.

Read some of the comments made by those who are subpoenaed, and you will see why this is so concerning. When will it stop ?

[annm4peace]

19. Sign the Petition: Condemn the FBI Raids and Harassment of Anti-War and International Solidarity Ac

Sign the Petition: Condemn the FBI Raids and Harassment of Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists!
Tell President Obama, Attorney General Holder, DOJ Inspector General Fine, the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, Congressional Leaders, U.N. Secy Gen Ban, and members of the media to STOP THE FBI CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION AGAINST ANTI-WAR AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACTIVISTS NOW! Initiated by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression

http://www.stopfbi.net/petition/national



Educate others with these flyers:

http://www.stopfbi.net/resources


see the long list of groups who have made solidarity statements

http://www.stopfbi.net/solidarity-statements


Here is the latest one from an International Jewish group:
The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network condemns the federal government's accelerating use of the anti-democratic Grand Jury to harass and threaten the Palestine solidarity movement. We will not be deterred in seeking justice for Palestinians or for those who defend their rights.

The 23 activists subpoenaed in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota can count on our continued support as they face government repression for speaking out against violations of rights, unnecessary suffering and needless loss of life.

In addition to the nine new subpoenas in the past few weeks, the Grand Jury has renewed the subpoenas of three activists in the Twin Cities who will likely be stripped of their 5th Amendment rights and forced to testify—and be testified against—or face contempt of court and prison.

When the FBI attempts to muzzle those who fight for civil and human rights we will redouble our efforts to hold the government accountable. Against attempts to stop this work, the many of us who value these rights and human life and dignity will step up and continue it.

We will hold Patrick Fitzgerald accountable for his repeated targeting of Muslims and Arabs, including Muhammad Salah and Abdelhaleem Ashqar. We will hold Eric Holder and the Obama administration accountable for criminalizing anti-war and human rights activism instead of prosecuting Wall Street and Bush regime criminals. We will keep the pressure up until the Grand Jury is called off, all seized items are returned and the FBI stops harassing activists and communities.

As our movements continue to gain momentum and find increased effectiveness, we can expect continued government repression. However, history has consistently shown us that the human will for freedom, justice and life does not yield to attempts to crush it.