Stop FBI Raids on Peace Activists!

Protest Harassment of Peace Activists by Federal Agents

Concerned South Bay residents to rally against FBI visits and intimidation of local civil rights activist

BACKGROUND: On the morning of Sept. 24, FBI agents armed with Grand Jury subpoenas raided the homes of several antiwar and social justice activists in Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan. Using the pretext of investigating “terrorism,” and with “possibly providing material aid to terrorists,” the FBI agents seized computers, cell phones, political leaflets and other printed materials.

An FBI agent also paid a visit to a local San Jose activist, Masao Suzuki, who – like the Midwest targets of the raids – is active in the union at the community college where he teaches. He has also been outspoken in his defense of the constitutional rights that were discarded when over 100,000 Japanese Americans were herded into concentration camps in 1942.

According to Mr. Suzuki, “The government seems to be trying to criminalize the political view of these activists, who have spoken out in solidarity with people who have suffered the loss of their lands and their rights under U.S. backed governments in Palestine and Colombia.”

The activists were ordered to appear on October 5th before a Grand Jury in Chicago investigating possible criminal activity and potential association with alleged “terrorist” organizations.

The protest is being called to demand that the FBI, the Grand Jury, and Federal agencies stop targeting people just because they challenge government priorities for war and occupation instead of social justice.

Rally organized by the San Jose Peace & Justice Center and the National Lawyers Guild