Worse than the MN Senate race, Minneapolis PD continue to intimidate peaceful citizens

[annm4peace]

Please check out the video.

On Saturday was a bike tour to support those arrested during illegal raids before the RNC. It was a family event with various ages, notice all the young children And the police followed them the whole way, including patty wagon, unmarked cars, filming them, and included police from st paul, even though it was in Minneapolis. Even the St. Paul showed up and along with Minneapolis PD waited outside the big Walker church to continue their harassment. If I had been there I think I would have lost it. How much is this costing tax payers ?
The Democratic Farm Labor party city officials are silent on this, so they must support this harassment.

The 1st part of the video is the delivery of petitions (over 3000 signatures) to dismiss all the charges against the RNC 8, which are felonies and conspiracy to organize others for terrorism. The 2nd is of the ride.. I’m so glad they put the video together because I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Just think of how much your tax dollars were wasted on this.. Amazing.


http://twincities.indymedia.org/2009/mar/video-rnc-8-supporters-mobilize-police-continue-intimidation


Part 1) On March 27, RNC 8 supporters delivered petitions and letters in song to Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, demanding she drop the charges. Several plainclothes deputies were present and photographed activists.
Coleen Rowley, the retired FBI agent collected signatures from various high level intelligence agents. Very respected in their field, all are a part of history, and all are heroes of this country. They are outraged that charges of felony and conspiracy to further terrorism are against these people who were just organizing people coming to protest during the RNC, and all where also here to protest the actions of Bush administration.
Those who signed the petition given by Coleen are: Daniel Ellsberg, leaked the Pentagon Papers; ret Col. Ann Wright, 30yrs in military, 15yr high level diplomate; and Ray McGovern, ret CIA for 27 years often reporting to the Presidents.

Part 2) The next day, the National Day of Solidarity with the RNC 8, supporters held the Tour de Fletcher in Minneapolis, a bike ride to the sites of pre-emptive house raids last August. They were trailed by a disproportionate, multi-jurisdictional police (st paul police in Minneapolis) presence which filmed, took photos and recorded license plate numbers outside the ride's conclusion at a benefit chili lunch. One activist was arrested, charged with disorderly conduct and released on bail. Long after the ride concluded and was declared a success, the cops stayed around, prompting many to draw the parallel between the waste of resources on the RNC 8 prosecution and the waste of 20-30 police officers to monitor a legal bike ride and lunch. Other events were held in at least 15 cities nationwide.

[Bjorn Against]

1. Thanks for posting Ann, this harrassment and intimidation of activists needs to end.

[annm4peace]

2. So far this has only been covered in alternative online news

http://minnesotaindependent.com/30558/rnc8-tour-de-fletcher-cops

You would think that 3 paddy wagons, and cops hanging around outside a community church would draw a little notice.

I hope those on the bike ride will sue the Minneapolis PD for harassment.


If you would like to call, write, or fax Chief Dolan and ask or interview him.. ask him what law gives him the right to harass law abiding peace citizens, especially young children.


Timothy Dolan
Chief of Police
350 South 5th Street
Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]



another added set of pictures:

http://www.twincities.indymedia.org/2009/mar/video-rnc-8-supporters-mobilize-police-continue-intimidation

[sinkingfeeling]

3. This type of activity is rampant across the country. We've held a peace march marking the start

of our Iraqi invasion each year. The police presence is huge always. The claim is to 'protect' the protesters from harm. Welcome to America where our love of all things authoritarian/military reigns.

[annm4peace]

4. This was different, we have that also now.. .. this is very different

This wasn't even protest march.. it was a bike ride, and they didn't even say they were there to make sure the ride went well. if you watch the video.. the st paul cop (even though this is in Minneapolis).. said he had questions for the riders.. but no one would talk to him.

This is so out of bounds .... 1st they come after the anarchist (and peace acivists), then they will go after the labor stikes.. then they will go after.....