Three RNC 8 charges dismissed. Dissent and Organizing is no a Crime !

[annm4peace]

The RNC 8 are the young people who were organizing the logistics for all the people coming to protest the Republican National Convention in 2008 in the St. Paul, MN. The convergence center, and their house were raided with a variety of law enforcement which included Sheriff's dept, police, FBI, and Secret Service. They were held before and during the RNC. Then charged with conspiracy for acts of terrorism and furthering rioting. They were just organizing places to stay, food, and a meeting center for incoming protest groups.


Yippeeeee !!!!! I can't tell you how happy this has made me. I was with the Vets for Peace when I heard of the illegal raid and round of these socially active young people. All of them give so much to others in their work. The Vets had been at the convergence center the day before the raid, and I can't tell how angry the Vets were when they heard these young people were targeted.
It was terrorizing dissent, but guess what.. it didn't work. We are still dissenting. We are still speaking out.

http://rnc8.org /



The RNC 8 received some surprising news Thursday afternoon - charges
against Luce Guillen-Givins, Monica Bicking and Eryn Trimmer have been
dropped!

The fact that charges have been dismissed against these three members
of what Ramsey County has for two years labeled a "criminal
enterprise" exposes the political motivations behind this case.
Although today's news is an amazing development, charges against four
of the eight defendants still remain and must continue to be fought
with renewed strength.

Thanks to everyone who has struggled alongside the 8 and the RNC 8
Defense Committee to help get these charges dropped - and please join
us as we continue to seek justice for Max, Rob, Garrett and Nathanael.
We'll post more information and analysis on this development soon -
stay tuned.

**************************************************************************

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/09/16/rnc-8-char...

By Mary Turck, TC Daily Planet
September 16, 2010

Luce Guillen-Givens, Monica Bicking, and Erin Trimmer can breathe a little easier after the Ramsey County Attorney dismissed charges brought against them as part of the RNC 8 prosecution. A fourth defendant, Erik Oseland, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor -- consisting of talking about knocking over newspaper boxes -- as part of a plea bargain on August 27. The remaining four defendants (Rob Czernik, Garret Fitzgerald, Max Specktor, Nathanael Secor) are scheduled to go to trial on October 25.

According to an email from defense attorney Bruce Nestor, "The State has mailed plea offers to the remaining four defendants as it seeks to settle the case prior to the scheduled trial date of October 25, 2010." Nestor says he heard about the dismissals via a copy of an email to the court indicating that charges against the three would be "in the interest of justice."

Nestor noted that Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner's office said the dismissal came because the trials would be costly and time-consuming.

"I don't think that Susan Gaertner should be allowed to hide behind this kind of justification," said Nestor. "For two years she and Bob Fletcher have claimed that the RNC Welcoming Committee was a criminal enterprise. It is absolutely shameful to charge them with conspiracy and terrorism charges and then dismiss those charges two years later because the trials are going to be time consuming. They should stand up and say they were wrong."

The RNC 8 were arrested before the 2008 Republican National Convention began, and did not participate in any of the demonstrations or other actions during the convention. The prosecution is based entirely on the theory of conspiracy to commit crimes. That's the basis of the third-degree conspiracy plea by Oseland, whose testimony at the time of his guilty plea was about talking about knocking over newspaper boxes.

Luce Guillen-Givens said, "I'm relieved personally that the risk for me has been taken out of the situation, but all this really does is demonstrate what we said all along that this is a politically motivated case and an abusive prosecution and we are committed to keep on fighting for the other four."

Guillen-Givens also extended an invitation: "We have a dinner coming up on September 28 at Walker Church at 6:30 p.m. - it's a free community meal, which we do every month, and everybody is invited to come."

Di

[old mark]

1. They need to sue the shit out of every individual and government organization

involved in their persecution, if not so much for financial redress, to expose the politics and influence behing the whole government conspiracy.

I am glad you guys won. Keep fighting-they gave you the weapons, please use them.


mark

[L0oniX]

5. +1

[snot]

2. K&R'd

[EFerrari]

3. Great news, Ann!

:kick:

[thereismore]

4. What a novel concept. 1st Amendment. nt

[Jumping John]

6. If you want to see how great this country is just look at how

The police treat the citizens - especially during a political party convention.

[Jumping John]

7. If you want to see how great this country is just look at how

The police treat the citizens - especially during a political party convention.