RNC Aftermath

Jesse James Forrey, 27, RNC Arrestee, was convicted of a felony charge of damage to property in the first degree on August 7th, 2009.  He maintains his innocence, and bravely continues to fight the verdict.  He faces 1 year, and up to 5 years in jail. Jesse is from Santa Cruz, CA, and has been kept from his home for a year already. This is not over yet. Jesse’s lawyer is looking into grounds for appeal. And there are things you can do right now to try and effect Jesse’s sentencing.  Here are some ways you can take immediate action before September 17th.

UPDATE 9PM: We are sorry to report that Forrey was found guilty yesterday by a jury.  His sentencing was scheduled for September 17 at 1:30pm.

UPDATE 8/6: The jury has been out since 10:15am.

8/5: After three days of Jesse Forrey's trial, closing arguments and jury instructions will begin at 9am on Thursday in Room 1140 of the Ramsey County Courthouse at 15 W. Kellogg Boulevard in St. Paul.  This will be the last chance for the jury to see the crowd of supporters which has numbered 30-45 throughout the trial thus far.  Barring unusually long deliberations, the jury will likely return its verdict Thursday.  To be text messaged as soon as the verdict is in, sign up for TCIMC's twitter feed by texting follow tcimc to 40404.

from the open publishing wire: Recently, the City of St. Paul filed new charges against four individuals arising from incidents that occurred during the 2008 Republican National Convention. Nearly a year has passed since the RNC, so this begs the question: why has the City of St. Paul suddenly decided to file these?  

From the open publishing newswire: In the surest sign yet of the power of post-RNC court solidarity, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner has dropped two of four unfounded charges against the RNC 8. Caving to months and months of public pressure, Gaertner dropped one count of Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property in Furtherance of Terrorism.

“We are heartened by the fact that our supporters have won this concession,” said defendant Nathanael Secor. “It's taken a tremendous show of strength and solidarity over the past seven months.”

Breaking: Terrorism Charges Will Be Dropped | Original Story from Paul Demko/MN Independent | Press Release from Susan Gaertner (PDF) | Amended Complaint (PDF) |  Related News: Charge Against Activist Arrested at March 28 RNC 8 Event Also Dropped.  See Video: RNC 8 Supporters Mobilize as Police Continue Intimidation

Between the State and a Hard Place: Statement on David McKay's Plea
from the Austin Informant Working Group

UPDATE 4/9: The one activist arrested at the "Tour de Fletcher" for alleged disorderly conduct has had his case dismissed due to "insufficient evidence" from the prosecutor.

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. 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 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. Dozens of Tour de Fletcher photos from photojournalist Alan Wilfahrt | Friends of the RNC 8/CRASS press release | Rowley: Prosecutor Gaertner Petitioned by Thousands to End Persecution | Letter to MPD Chief Dolan | Arizona IMC: Flagstaff Pillow Fight for RNC 8 and other targets of state repression | More photos below

Minnesota Still Adversely Affected by Republican National Convention
Minnesota Prosecutor Petitioned by Thousands to End Persecution

by Coleen Rowley
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/coleen-rowley/minnesota-still-adversely_b_...