Puregonzo1188 (708 posts) Thu Dec-23-10 03:50 PM
Original message
FBI Expands Probe into Antiwar Activist
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 Subpoenas to appear before a grand jury were served on 13 people but later withdrawn when the activists asserted their right to remain silent.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_prob...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x62391EFerrari (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-23-10 03:54 PM
Response to Original message
1. It's thuggery and right in our faces. n/t
And how would this compare to what Chavez is doing?
dixiegrrrrl (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-23-10 03:58 PM
Response to Reply #1
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.
Except you thought President Bush would do this, not the Anointed Won.
gratuitous (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-23-10 03:59 PM
Response to Original message
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?
Hm. Obama does have some friends that are terrorists, but these aren't on his Christmas card list.
Puregonzo1188 (708 posts) Thu Dec-23-10 04:03 PM
Response to Reply #3
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.
Every one of you DUmmies would turn on your friends in a heartbeat.
msanthrope (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-23-10 04:06 PM
Response to Reply #4
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.
DUmmies don't like to pay for anything, not even their own actions.
