Demonstration to Protest FBI and Grand Jury Repression

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 24, 2011

Contact: Richard Gomez 559-408-3320 or
Camille Russell 559-276-2592

http://www.peacefresno.org


Demonstration to Protest FBI and Grand Jury Repression

What: Peace Fresno Demonstration to Protest FBI and Grand Jury Repression
When: Tuesday, January 25, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Where: Federal Building, 2500 Tulare St., Fresno, CA

FRESNO, CA – Peace Fresno will hold a demonstration on the National Day of Action to Protest FBI and Grand Jury Repression, Tuesday, January 25, at the Federal Building in downtown Fresno. Events will be held in 49 U.S. cities in response to FBI raids last fall at the homes of peace activists and members of international solidarity organizations.

“We remember the violations of our privacy and civil rights when an undercover Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy infiltrated Peace Fresno for its outspoken opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We strongly oppose these FBI raids on the homes of peace and justice activists,” said Peace Fresno President, Camille Russell.

On September 24, 2010 the FBI raided six homes of eight peace activists in Minneapolis and Chicago as well as a Minneapolis office of an antiwar group. Agents kicked down doors of homes with guns drawn, smashed furniture, and seized computers, documents, phones, and other materials without making any arrests. Subpoenas were issued to activists to appear before the Federal Grand Jury in Chicago on January 25. In October, all fourteen activists decided not to participate in the secret proceedings of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s Grand Jury. Each activist signed a letter invoking their Fifth Amendment rights.

These FBI raids happened just a few days after the scathing report on “terrorism investigations” issued by the Department of Justice Inspector General. The report was very critical of the methods used by the FBI in its investigations of various peace and social justice groups.

Peace Fresno is calling for the revocation of the subpoenas issued by Fitzgerald and an end to the FBI’s unconstitutional, repressive tactics used to harass peaceful, law abiding activists.

Peace Fresno is a local peace and social justice organization working to end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the drone attacks in Pakistan.

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