RNC 8 case set to end with plea deal on October 19 (Terrorists from Republican National Convention )

[annm4peace]

Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet

By Sheila Regan and Mary Turck, TC Daily Planet
October 16, 2010

Plea deals with the final four defendants are tentatively schedule for October 19, ending the RNC 8 case, which has dragged on for more than two years after the end of the Republican National Convention. According to a press release Friday afternoon by the Friends of the RNC 8, Rob Czernik, Garret Fitzgerald, Nathaneal Secor, and Max Specktor "tentatively reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, likely avoiding trial. The agreement, if it goes according to plan, significantly reduces the charge, calls for favorable sentencing, and is non-cooperating."

Charges were dismissed against Monica Bicking, Erin Trimmer and Luce Guillen-Givens on September 16. Erik Oseland pleaded guilty to guilty to conspiracy to commit damage to property in the 3rd degree, a gross misdemeanor on August 27, in a deal that required him to serve a 91-day sentence in the Ramsey County Workhouse beginning on October 20.

A spokesperson at the Ramsey County Attorney's office, reached late on Friday afternoon, said, "What I can tell you is that there have been discussions amongst the attorneys in the case. The only other thing I can say is that there is a hearing on Tuesday."

On August 29 and 30, 2008, two days before the RNC started, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department raided the RNC Welcoming Committee Convergence Center and three homes and arrested members of the RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist/anti-authoritarian group. Monica Bicking, Garrett Fitzgerald, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, and Eryn Trimmer were the first to be arrested, followed by Luce Guillen-Givens later that day. Rob Czernik and Max Specktor were arrested on September 1.

The RNC 8 were originally charged with conspiracy to commit riot in the second degree and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in the first degree. The two conspiracy charges were later enhanced with a terrorism charge under the 2002 Minnesota version of the Federal Patriot Act, but last spring Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner dropped the terrorism enhancement.



Infographic from RNC '08 Support web site

The defendants and lawyers for the RNC 8 all have no comment until after Tuesday's hearing, but the feeling is one of frustration at the system. Indeed, one press statement from the RNC 8 Defense Committee speaks of "strong and mixed emotions" and states:

We understand this news may well be surprising. Many of us feel the same and much, much more, but above all, we personally support all the defendants in their difficult decision and will continue to support them through whatever hurdles remain.

Jude Ortiz, a member of the RNC 8 Defense Committee, said in an interview that "the reality of situation is that the courts are extremely coercive" and "have nothing to do with finding justice." According to Ortiz, the court system is about "creating situations into which people are overwhelmed by the entire process and can't possibly access all of their rights." The defendants ultimately were forced to take plea agreements, according to Ortiz. "Activists are not immune to the processes that burden individuals and the pressures that courts put on people."

The hearing where Fitzgerald, Specktor, Secor and Czernik will likely accept the plea agreements, which Ortiz said he expects to be "favorable to the defendants" is scheduled to take place Tuesday, October 19 at 9 a.m. at Ramsey County Courthouse (15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul).


Read more: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/

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After 2 longs years of bogus charges and waste of millions of dollars and the distruption of 8 wonderful people's lives.


I wish all the law enforcement and gov officials involved in this case could be charged with something and held responsible.

Dissent is not a Crime
Organizing is not Conspiracy
Protesting is not Terrorism !

[annm4peace]

1. how to fight back against crimes of the Government ? Solidarity

http://rnc8.org/


Important Update on the RNC 8 Case: New Hearing Tuesday 10/19 at 9am
by Webmaster ~ October 15th, 2010

Dear supporters near and far,

It is with strong and mixed emotions that we bring important news: there appears to be a major change in the cases of the four remaining RNC 8 defendants–Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Rob. The four have tentatively reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, likely avoiding trial. The agreement, if it goes according to plan, significantly reduces the charge, calls for favorable sentencing, and is non-cooperating.

We wish to thank you for being there for the 8 and for us all along. You raised funds, raised consciousness of the fight against criminalization of dissent, and raised the next generation of rebels and revolutionaries to keep the struggle going. You were there at the jail vigil and the very first hearings; you were there in the kitchen and the dining room at our community meals; you were there at our rallies and actions. You were there at meetings, you were there at fundraisers, and you were there in the courtroom, through thick and thin.

Now, please be there in the courtroom for what we expect to be one final time:

* When: Tuesday, October 19, at 9am
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

Check our updates or the monitors in room 131 for the courtroom number. Please stay afterwards for a press conference and address immediately upon conclusion of the hearing.

We understand this news may well be surprising. Many of us feel the same and much, much more, but above all, we personally support all the defendants in their difficult decision and will continue to support them through whatever hurdles remain. We will release more information, analysis and logistical updates to you all after details are confirmed on Tuesday. We ask that, until then, speculation or rumor be kept to a minimum.

Again, thank you for your continued support and struggle.

In solidarity,

the RNC 8 Defense Committee

[annm4peace]

2. any Trolls, Republicans, Freepers, or law enforcement reading this.

Please donate to the RNC 08 group. Would make a start on your penance.

http://rnc8.org/

just click to the top left corner.

there was 2 weeks of hearings before the trial was to start, and these individuals lives were turned upside.

[No Elephants]

3. TMA (Terrorists my ass.)

[Downtown Hound]

4. So after two years of bullying and bluster on the part of Ramsey County

All they ended up getting will be a few misdemeanors which were likely only accepted by the defendants because the risk of going to trial and risking felony convictions was too great.

Way to go St Paul! You give the Nazis a run for their money.

[annm4peace]

5. So your house gets raided.. you picture appears in national papers calling you a terrorist.

It just makes me sick that the Secret Service, FBI, Ramsey Co.Sheriff's dept gets away with this.

I'm glad some of the charges are dropped and somewhat sad the RNC 8 (4) took the plea bargin. I wish it could have gone to trial to expose the crimes of our government who act against citizens.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Here is clip from article 2008

"Fletcher stated, “This investigation pertains to actions of the RNC Welcoming Committee. The “Welcoming Committee” is a criminal enterprise made up of 35 self- described anarchists who are intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention. These acts include tactics to blockade and disable delegate buses, breaching venue security and injuring police officers. They have recruited assistance in their criminal conspiracy from other anarchists groups throughout the country. Through their plans and actions they have exhibited a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others.”

The Minnesota Independent reported that police searches turned up weapons and devices to disrupt traffic, though the location of the seized articles was not disclosed. "

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/08/30/ramsey-county-sherrif-raids-homes-south-minneapolis.html

[Javaman]

6. Two things...

first: your posting of this article should only be to 4 paragraphs as according to DU rules. More so potentially violates copywrite laws.

Second: the link you provide is not to the story but to the home page of the newspaper. Please correct that.

Thanks.