Rochester Activists Rally Against FBI Harassment
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Rochester, NY joined with 50 other American cities on January 25, 2010 to speak out against Government harassment of Anti-war and International Solidarity activists.
On September 24, 2010, homes and offices of activists in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan were raided by the FBI. No one was charged with any crime, but agents served subpoenas to activists to testify before a Federal Grand Jury. These proceedings have been compared to McCarthy era witch hunts. They are conducted in secret and those testifying are not allowed legal representation. The US Attorney controls everything including juror selection. Fourteen people refused to participate. No action was taken during election season, but the subpoenas were reactivated shortly thereafter. Nine more people received additional subpoenas in November and January. They were Palestinian solidarity activists and most were Arab-Americans.
Additional Coverage: Chicago Indymedia: FBI targets Chicago activists amid Midwest sweep; activists push back | FBI Delivers Subpoenas to More Activists in Chicago, Pushback Continues | Indymedia US: Anti-war & Social Justice Organizers Nationwide Resist FBI "Terrorism" Investigation