Billed as GRAND JURY RESISTANCE & KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, the public has been invited to attend a panel discussion of recent events surrounding the Seattle May Day street violence and the justice system’s reaction to the same. Those targeted by the Grand Jury subpoenas protest their ‘rights’ are being violated (presumably their 1st Amendment rights) in what amounts to a political witch hunt for ‘anarchists’ and their associates. Yet the rhetoric exposed on Facebook pages belies this claim as activists openly threaten investigatory reporters & photojournalist seeking to cover this news as part of the public invited to attend.
The following are pertinent excerpts from that exchange from Mike Coday’s Facebook page created for the purpose of organizing and promoting it. The content of much of that rhetoric serves to reinforce the antipathy much of the public holds for those being investigated.
A panel discussion about the recent raids and subpoenas targeting activists in the Pacific NW
Event is free, open to the public and disability affirmative!
Join your community allies for a discussion about the federal grand jury process and how it is abused to repress political
movements and activists. The past few years government witch hunts went after activists in Minneapolis, Chicago and Oakland. Now in the past month, NW activists have been targeted by the FBI;having their homes raided, computers seized, as well as being
served grand jury subpoenas to testify against their fellow community members. Find out how you can resist political
repression and support activists.
Lauren Regan is the founder, executive director, and staff attorney of the Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC). She has worked with targeted communities and hundreds of activists confronted with federal grand jury threats over the last 15 years. The CLDC
educates and defends activist engages in radical or progressive social change in order to empower effective activist and organizers working to confront the current repressive political climate. Knowledge is power, know your rights in order to powerfully advocate for the change you want to see in the world.
Dear Amicus,
I am rather appalled by some of the comments. These same few folks have used bullying tactics on other people online before and in group discussions. They have targeted me on a few occasions. Keeping this in mind I would like you to take their comments with a grain of salt, or a whole heaping spoonful of salt. They think that speaking that way is an effective form of activism when most would see that it clearly is not. Perhaps in certain rare situations of intentionally violent and overt oppression it might have it’s place although I can think of reasonable ways that would still be better. I would like to see you there and for it to be filmed but I understand that you might be worried to do so. It seems a rather ridiculous thing and far off topic. Understand that the majority of people at the event will not feel that way. Please consider blocking on FB the people who are harassing you, it has improved my mood to do so and saved me time arguing with people who have an extreme aversion to criticism that upsets their dogma.
Bruce,
Thank you–you’re a breath of fresh air. I’m not a young man or in the best of health. But I’ve been beaten by experts in my life, including a FEMA guard in Dec, 2007 for (no joke) criticizing the competency of FEMA when I reached for my cell phone to dial 911. I was clubbed to the floor, then illegally arrested by a local deputy sheriff. He was too poorly trained to realize I was on federal property under exclusive federal jurisdiction, even without considering the merits, and the local court had no jurisdiction. The judge dismissed the charges he (Rhoades) trumped up as lacking probable cause, a minuscule hurdle. So I’m familiar with the landscape of corruption in the judiciary many times over.
I’ve been prosecuted in Thurston County for assisting a young disabled mother I’ve known most of her life when I remonstrated with a juvenile probation officer in the hallways of the Family Courthouse for repeatedly refusing to allow her to be accommodated due to her brain injuries she sustained in an accident that nearly killed her and did kill her passenger. In the end, I kicked their @ss (metaphorically) without even going to trial. Sometimes, if you’re interested, I’ll share the details–or you can read about it here if you search for ‘good Samaritan’ and related references. BTW, I’ve never lost a case (and there have been more than a few) where I’ve represented myself. Being a paralegal committed to basic concepts like fairness and Constitutional guarantees has helped.
It’s not part of my nature to yield to bullying, threats, or intimidation. I think I’d rather die than give up my 1st Amendment rights. It’s at the core of my being. But I’m not passive (despite my heart condition, diabetes, and being on blood thinners) and WILL *fight* if I’m assaulted–even if it kills me. But my goal is not to get into a brawl. I feel a strong duty to provide what, in many instances, the community cannot provide for itself.
Ironically, I’m fond of these young people who feel passionately about a just cause even though I find the more vacuous or obtuse very frustrating. I prefer one-on-one discussions with young folks and genuinely wish them the best–sometimes I try to afford a step in that direction. I can’t say the violence doesn’t frighten me, but I’d never have made it this far if I allowed myself to give into that kind of fear. I’m pretty happy with every day life has to offer me and each one is a good one.
I’m pleased you reached out to contact me and look forward to meeting you this Friday evening at Traditions.