FBI raids homes of Occupy protesters in Oregon and Washington
By Tom Carter
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article32182.htm
August 14, 2012 "Information
Clearing House" -- Over the last month, heavily armed “domestic terrorism”
units of the FBI used battering rams and stun grenades to conduct
early-morning raids on the homes of political protesters in Seattle and
Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. On July 25, three homes were
raided in Portland alone and, since July 10, as many as six homes have
been raided.
These raids are
only the latest in an emerging pattern of similar raids conducted by
the Obama administration in order to terrorize, suppress and chill
political dissent, in flagrant violation of the US Constitution and
Bill of Rights.
only the latest in an emerging pattern of similar raids conducted by
the Obama administration in order to terrorize, suppress and chill
political dissent, in flagrant violation of the US Constitution and
Bill of Rights.
“The warrants are
sealed,” FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele told the Oregonian
newspaper, “and I anticipate they will remain sealed.” Steele described
the raids as part of an “ongoing violent crime” investigation, which is
related to the recent Occupy May Day protests, during which a number of
minor acts of vandalism allegedly took place.
sealed,” FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele told the Oregonian
newspaper, “and I anticipate they will remain sealed.” Steele described
the raids as part of an “ongoing violent crime” investigation, which is
related to the recent Occupy May Day protests, during which a number of
minor acts of vandalism allegedly took place.
At 6:00 a.m. on
July 25, Dennison Williams was asleep in his Portland home when FBI
agents smashed down his door without warning with a battering ram and
threw flash or stun grenades into the building. FBI agents armed with
assault rifles then stormed into Williams’ bedroom, pointed their
rifles at him while they handcuffed him, and forced him to sit in a
chair for a half an hour without pants on while they searched his
apartment.
July 25, Dennison Williams was asleep in his Portland home when FBI
agents smashed down his door without warning with a battering ram and
threw flash or stun grenades into the building. FBI agents armed with
assault rifles then stormed into Williams’ bedroom, pointed their
rifles at him while they handcuffed him, and forced him to sit in a
chair for a half an hour without pants on while they searched his
apartment.
Williams, a
33-year-old self-described anarchist who helped run an information
booth at recent protests and events, reported that FBI agents boxed up
and removed his laptop computer, political literature, his cell phone,
thumb drives, and various pieces of clothing bearing political slogans.
33-year-old self-described anarchist who helped run an information
booth at recent protests and events, reported that FBI agents boxed up
and removed his laptop computer, political literature, his cell phone,
thumb drives, and various pieces of clothing bearing political slogans.
Neighbors
described yelling and multiple loud bangs and saw swarms of agents in
body armor using a battering ram against the front door of Williams’
home. Similarly disproportionate displays of force and violence were
involved in the other raids.
described yelling and multiple loud bangs and saw swarms of agents in
body armor using a battering ram against the front door of Williams’
home. Similarly disproportionate displays of force and violence were
involved in the other raids.
According to the
Oregonian, a search warrant was left behind during one of the
raids (available
here). The warrant indicates that the agents were seeking, among
other items, “anti-government or anarchist literature or material” and
“documentation and communications related to the offenses, including
but not limited to notes, diagrams, letters, diary and journal entries,
address books, and other documentation in written or electronic form.”
Oregonian, a search warrant was left behind during one of the
raids (available
here). The warrant indicates that the agents were seeking, among
other items, “anti-government or anarchist literature or material” and
“documentation and communications related to the offenses, including
but not limited to notes, diagrams, letters, diary and journal entries,
address books, and other documentation in written or electronic form.”
In one of the
raids, eyewitnesses reported as many as 80 agents in body armor,
wearing military fatigues, and armed with assault rifles participating
in the raid. No arrests were made in any of the raids, but as many as
six protesters have been subpoenaed to appear before grand juries.
raids, eyewitnesses reported as many as 80 agents in body armor,
wearing military fatigues, and armed with assault rifles participating
in the raid. No arrests were made in any of the raids, but as many as
six protesters have been subpoenaed to appear before grand juries.
Two of the
subpoenaed protesters, Williams and Leah Plante, 24, read a statement
outside the courthouse on August 1: “This grand jury is a tool of
political repression. It is attempting to turn individuals against each
other by coercing those subpoenaed to testify against their
communities. The secret nature of grand jury proceedings creates
mistrust and can undermine solidarity. And imprisoning us takes us from
our loved ones and our responsibilities.”
subpoenaed protesters, Williams and Leah Plante, 24, read a statement
outside the courthouse on August 1: “This grand jury is a tool of
political repression. It is attempting to turn individuals against each
other by coercing those subpoenaed to testify against their
communities. The secret nature of grand jury proceedings creates
mistrust and can undermine solidarity. And imprisoning us takes us from
our loved ones and our responsibilities.”
Williams and
Plante declared their intentions to refuse to answer questions on the
basis of their constitutional rights.
Plante declared their intentions to refuse to answer questions on the
basis of their constitutional rights.
The “Pure Pop”
record store, where Ms. Plante worked, issued a statement on its web
site: “We at Pure Pop are unaware of the specifics of Leah’s current
legal troubles but in her time at Pure Pop Records she demonstrated
high character and integrity. We wish her luck, safety and
perseverance.”
record store, where Ms. Plante worked, issued a statement on its web
site: “We at Pure Pop are unaware of the specifics of Leah’s current
legal troubles but in her time at Pure Pop Records she demonstrated
high character and integrity. We wish her luck, safety and
perseverance.”
While the World
Socialist Web Site has fundamental political differences with the
various anarchist elements active in the Occupy protests, we
unreservedly defend the democratic rights of these groups and
individuals, and we demand an end to the campaign of intimidation and
repression against them.
Socialist Web Site has fundamental political differences with the
various anarchist elements active in the Occupy protests, we
unreservedly defend the democratic rights of these groups and
individuals, and we demand an end to the campaign of intimidation and
repression against them.
This is not the
first of such raids that has been carried out by the Obama
administration. In September 2010, the administration ordered raids on
the homes of leaders of the Anti-War Committee (AWC) and the Freedom
Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) in Minneapolis and Chicago, and
subpoenaed 23 people to testify before grand juries.
first of such raids that has been carried out by the Obama
administration. In September 2010, the administration ordered raids on
the homes of leaders of the Anti-War Committee (AWC) and the Freedom
Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) in Minneapolis and Chicago, and
subpoenaed 23 people to testify before grand juries.
The Minneapolis
and Chicago raids were similar in form to the recent raids in Oregon
and Washington: doors smashed in without warning by agents with assault
rifles and body armor, inhabitants terrorized, and property scooped up
and confiscated. The Obama administration justified raids using the
“material support for terrorism” provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
and Chicago raids were similar in form to the recent raids in Oregon
and Washington: doors smashed in without warning by agents with assault
rifles and body armor, inhabitants terrorized, and property scooped up
and confiscated. The Obama administration justified raids using the
“material support for terrorism” provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
In the period
leading up to the recent NATO protests in Chicago in May, similar
trumped-up “terror” charges were leveled against three young anti-war
protesters. Also in May, five young men described as “anarchists” were
ensnared in a so-called “terrorist plot” in Cleveland, Ohio.
leading up to the recent NATO protests in Chicago in May, similar
trumped-up “terror” charges were leveled against three young anti-war
protesters. Also in May, five young men described as “anarchists” were
ensnared in a so-called “terrorist plot” in Cleveland, Ohio.
The question
arises whether the recent FBI raids in Oregon and Washington were
prepared by undercover police infiltration of groups around the Occupy
May Day protests earlier in the year. In the cases of the Minneapolis
and Chicago raids in 2010, at least one undercover FBI spy active in
preparing the raids was subsequently exposed. (See “FBI
infiltrator prepared government raid on antiwar groups in Minneapolis
and Chicago”) The “terror plots” in Chicago and Cleveland also
involved undercover provocateurs, who convinced the protesters to carry
out the plot and even supplied them with dummy equipment to carry it
out. (See “Chicago
police frame antiwar activists on ‘terrorism’ charges” and “FBI
provocateur ensnares Cleveland protesters in ‘bomb plot’”)
arises whether the recent FBI raids in Oregon and Washington were
prepared by undercover police infiltration of groups around the Occupy
May Day protests earlier in the year. In the cases of the Minneapolis
and Chicago raids in 2010, at least one undercover FBI spy active in
preparing the raids was subsequently exposed. (See “FBI
infiltrator prepared government raid on antiwar groups in Minneapolis
and Chicago”) The “terror plots” in Chicago and Cleveland also
involved undercover provocateurs, who convinced the protesters to carry
out the plot and even supplied them with dummy equipment to carry it
out. (See “Chicago
police frame antiwar activists on ‘terrorism’ charges” and “FBI
provocateur ensnares Cleveland protesters in ‘bomb plot’”)
The gravity and
seriousness of the Obama administration’s issuance of warrants to
search homes for “anti-government literature or material” cannot be
understated. It suggests that possession of such literature is now
being considered evidence of criminal activity or “terrorism.”
seriousness of the Obama administration’s issuance of warrants to
search homes for “anti-government literature or material” cannot be
understated. It suggests that possession of such literature is now
being considered evidence of criminal activity or “terrorism.”
The Obama
administration’s decision to target political protesters for
“anti-terror” operations signals that the police-state measures
implemented in the so-called “war on terror,” ostensibly to fight Al
Qaeda, are actually being utilized against domestic political
dissenters, labeled “terrorists.” In the years since the launch of the
endless so-called “war on terror,” all legal restraints have been
removed on what can be done to someone labeled a “terrorist.” The Obama
administration has openly asserted the power to unilaterally
assassinate such individuals.
administration’s decision to target political protesters for
“anti-terror” operations signals that the police-state measures
implemented in the so-called “war on terror,” ostensibly to fight Al
Qaeda, are actually being utilized against domestic political
dissenters, labeled “terrorists.” In the years since the launch of the
endless so-called “war on terror,” all legal restraints have been
removed on what can be done to someone labeled a “terrorist.” The Obama
administration has openly asserted the power to unilaterally
assassinate such individuals.
The American
ruling class knows that its policies of brutal austerity, unending
attacks on wages and living standards, and continual wars and
occupations abroad will eventually encounter popular resistance. But
the ruling class is determined to continue to pile up fantastic
fortunes at the expense of the rest of society no matter the cost. As
far as this layer is concerned, no form of political repression is too
abominable to be used to protect the privileges and obscene wealth of
the tiny few at the top.
ruling class knows that its policies of brutal austerity, unending
attacks on wages and living standards, and continual wars and
occupations abroad will eventually encounter popular resistance. But
the ruling class is determined to continue to pile up fantastic
fortunes at the expense of the rest of society no matter the cost. As
far as this layer is concerned, no form of political repression is too
abominable to be used to protect the privileges and obscene wealth of
the tiny few at the top.
For Obama
(advertised as a “constitutional lawyer”) and the rest of his regime,
elementary, centuries-old democratic protections—such as the First
Amendment right to free speech and the Fourth Amendment right to be
free from unreasonable searches and seizures—count for nothing. With
the unconditional backing of the ruling class, the Obama government
routinely imprisons, tortures, and murders its opponents abroad;
asserts the unlimited power to do the same to US citizens; and conducts
illegal warrantless spying against millions of ordinary Americans on a
daily basis.
(advertised as a “constitutional lawyer”) and the rest of his regime,
elementary, centuries-old democratic protections—such as the First
Amendment right to free speech and the Fourth Amendment right to be
free from unreasonable searches and seizures—count for nothing. With
the unconditional backing of the ruling class, the Obama government
routinely imprisons, tortures, and murders its opponents abroad;
asserts the unlimited power to do the same to US citizens; and conducts
illegal warrantless spying against millions of ordinary Americans on a
daily basis.
The ramped-up
raids on the homes of Occupy protesters are further refutation of the
conception, advanced during the Occupy protests, that the Obama
administration and the Democratic Party can be “pressured” by popular
demonstrations into reversing their policies. The response of the
ruling class and both of its political parties to popular
demonstrations is not reform, but dictatorship and repression.
raids on the homes of Occupy protesters are further refutation of the
conception, advanced during the Occupy protests, that the Obama
administration and the Democratic Party can be “pressured” by popular
demonstrations into reversing their policies. The response of the
ruling class and both of its political parties to popular
demonstrations is not reform, but dictatorship and repression.
This article
was originally published at WSWS
was originally published at WSWS
Copyright © 1998-2012 World Socialist Web Site
-
-
--
SIGN THE JERICHO COINTELPRO PETITION!
Free All Political Prisoners!
www.jerichony.org
Comments are closed for this blog post
Welcome to Black Talk Radio
Events
-
A WORD FROM GOD with Pastor Willie Woodson - 4:00 PM EST
May 19, 2013 from 4pm to 5pm – AMEN 820AM & 97.7 FM
Organized by Freedom Marketing | Type: talk radio, religion, spirituallity
0 Comments 0 Promotions -
The C.O.W.S. w/ Cleo Manago Part II
May 19, 2013 from 8pm to 11pm – http://tiny.cc/RWSWJ
Sunday, May 19th 8:00PM Eastern/ 5:00PM Pacific The Context of White Supremacy welcomes the return of Cleo Manago. Mr. Manago is a "same gender loving" black male, founder or Black Men's Xchange, an…
Organized by Gus T Renegade | Type: discussion
0 Comments 0 Promotions
-
Tanya Free: 2:00PM EST
May 22, 2013 from 2pm to 3:30pm – WLCM 1450AM
2:00PM EST TOPICS TBD Tanya Free and Friends Extra! “The Sip” with Coffee Black for the latest in Sports, Celebrity and Entertainment News Sponsorship opportunities available. Call Tanya F…
Organized by | Type: talk radio, politics, news
0 Comments 0 Promotions
Black Talk Radio News
BTR News: Stop the Genocide Now w/ Carl Dix
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Tonight revolutionary brother Carl Dix joins the broadcast to inform us about an upcoming event he and Cornel West will be hosting in NYC to stop the maddening mass incarceration going on in the United States.
"Mass Incarceration + Silence = Genocide. Act to STOP it Now!" Monday May 20, 2013, 7:30pm, The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew 263 W. 86th St (between Broadway and West End Ave), #1 train to 86th, For tickets: 212-691-3345 or online @ http://revolutionbooknyc.org
In 1996, Dix co-founded the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of Generation. Most recently, Dix has been a central figure in the campaign to Stop "Stop and Frisk" aimed at opposing the New York Police Department's efforts to stop hundreds of thousands of people in New York City and frisk them for weapons, drugs or other items. Dix has long addressed questions about imperialist war, revolutionary struggles and the oppression of Black people.
Other news out of New York pertaining to the NYPD Gestapo & Frisk campaign against Black people. The newly appointed Black Chief of Department wastes no time in fulfilling his duties as a racially showcased weapon of mass confusion as he goes to a white borough to tell them Gestapo & Frisks is not racial profiling.
Keeping it in NYC, a bronx based Hispanic religious organization shows up to the Gestapo Frisk civil trial to show their support for a suspected racist NYPD Deputy inspector caught on tape telling officers to target Black boys and men.
Republican's outrage over Benghazi is fake
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Conservatives in Congress just won't let Benghazi go and there is talk about impeaching President Obama concerning lies pertaining to a terrorist attack. Hillary Clinton is another one in their sights but again, this is manufactured outrage as well. The answer to why four Americans were killed in Benghazi is very simple, tune in for the answer.
Guatemalan dictator and US ally Efrain Rios Montt was found guilty on charges of genocide against Mayan villagers, some are asking if US officials will be charged in connection to their support of genocide in South America. Ronald Reagan staunchly supported this mass murderer and was complicit in many crimes against humanity.
New information on the killing of Malcolm Shabazz brings more questions and suspicions. Two men have been arrested in the murder of the emerging activist but other activist believe the Mexican labor activist Manuel Suarez had something to do with the murder as his story does not pass the smell test.
Today on May 13, 1985, the City of Philadelphia used its police force to commit an act of terrorism against the Move family by dropping a two pound bomb on their home from a helicopter killing several members of the group including children. The resulting fire destroyed over 60 homes.
Racism is not "accidental" it is conscious activity.
This and probably more tonight on Black Talk Radio News.
Cleveland Police looking & smelling like pigs in Amanda Berry rescue
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Join Scotty Reid as he reviews some of the day's political and social news headlines.
Talking the Charles Ramsey rescue of Amanda Berry and others and the criminal incompetence of the Cleveland Cops who ignored several calls to rescue these women.
A long haired white student who appeared to be a predominately Black classroom spoke his mind to a teacher and condemned her for not teaching the students and preparing them for that prison pipeline.
BTR News: Lil Wayne dropped and Tyler mad Mountain Dew ad pulled
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Truth Minista Paul Scott and Robbie YasinWiseguy Alexander (ThreesixtyWiseguy) dropped in again to discuss the news of Lil Wayne being dropped by Mountain Dew and the rapper Tyler is angry that his Mountain Dew ad was banned for being racist. Why Lil Wayne, or his publicist, issued an apology, Tyler the Creator still does not get why his ad was racists and says Dr. Boyce Watkins is some "old dude" disconnected from the times.
Followed up on the news that the FBI added Black activist Assata Shakur to its most wanted "terrorist list" and erected "wanted" bill boards in Newark, New Jersey, where the film Mumia: Long distance revolutionary was banned from the only theater in town which is co-owned by the racially showcased Shaquille O'Neil.
Political Prisoner Radio
Mumia, Assata & Malcolm w/ Zayid Muhammad
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
POP is planning another protest at Cineplex 12, Newark’s only major theater which stirred up controversy after it refused to show the new film titled "MUMIA: Long Distance Revolutionary" which focuses on political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal and his contribution as an author and commentator.
We will also get his thoughts on the recent addition of Assata Shakur to the FBI's most wanted "terrorist" list and the erection of the FBI billboards of Assata in Newark.
Finally we discuss the constantly changing stories coming from the media about the killing of Malcolm X's grandson Malcolm Shabazz who was talked into traveling to Mexico by deported Mexican activist Miguel Suarez who many say has holes in his account of what happened.
Malcolm Shabazz murdered and NYC NLG issues statements on Assata Shakur
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Join me for Political Prisoner Radio tonight to discuss the breaking news concerning the tragic murder of Malcolm Shabazz, a political and human rights activist and organizer who reportedly was found murdered today in Tijuana, Mexico.
Earlier today I spoke to attorney activist Nkechi Tiafu who shared statements from the NY National Lawyers Guild and The National Conference of Black Lawyers in reference to Assasta Shakur being labeled a "domestic terrorist" by the United States government.
On A Move w/ Sis. Pam Africa
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
Join me for Political Prisoner Radio tonight with Sis. Pam Africa to discuss corporate and state sponsored environmental terrorism, seedless veggies possibly destroying the seeds in our wombs, the Newark, NJ cancellation of Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary and more.
Before we hear from Sis. Pam Africa, I want to share an important update about Sis. Assata Shakur as the United States government, perhaps angry at the attention Cuba received after Jay-Z and Beyonce visited the island which caused a new generation to question why the United States has a travel ban on the country, the FBI has double its reward for her capture and placed her on its "most wanted terrorists" list possibly making her a target for President Obama's drone assassination program.
Environmental Activism and Political Prisoners w/ Leslie James Pickering
DOWNLOAD PODCAST
According to supportdaniel.org, Daniel McGowan is an environmental and social justice activist from New York City. He was charged in federal court on counts of arson, property destruction and conspiracy, all relating to two actions in Oregon in 2001. Following his arrest, Daniel was offered two choices by the government: cooperate by informing on other people, or go to trial and potentially spend the rest of his life in prison. His only real option was to plead not guilty until he could reach a resolution of the case that permitted him to honor his principles. After many months of litigation and negotiation, Daniel was able to admit to his role in these two incidents, while not implicating or identifying any other people who might have been involved.
Our guest tonight is Leslie Pickering former Earth Liberation Front spokesperson and owner of Burning Books in Buffalo, NY. According to the website lesliejamespickering.com, Leslie James Pickering was a Founder and Spokesperson for the North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office, serving with the organization from early 2000 until the summer of 2002.
During this period the Press Office sustained two raids by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and local law enforcement agencies, responded to over a half dozen grand jury subpoenas, conducted public presentations, produced booklets, newspapers, magazines, and a video on the Earth Liberation Front and handled the public release of communiqués for dozens of the most vital Earth Liberation Front actions.
"I don’t think that slow progress is going to do it, though. This isn’t a quality-of-life issue that we’re dealing with, the environment. It’s not something that we can pretend will be solved with our nonprofit, tax-deductible donations. This is a global catastrophe, and if we don’t act accordingly, the planet’s going to be dead. It’s not going to matter how uncomfortable we are with arson, or sabotage, or property destruction, or violent revolution, when the planet is dead. It’s not going to matter." - Leslie James Pickering
Find Us on...
Black Talk Radio Network
RSS Feed
Black Talk Radio News
Justice delayed for Ramarley Graham, teen killed by NYPD cop
By Scotty Reid, 5/16/2013, news, politics
There will be no justice for the family of Ramarley Graham unless another indictment against NYPD Officer Richard Haste is issued by another grand jury. Ramarley Graham is a teen who was shot in his grandmother’s bathroom while allegedly trying to flush a small amount of marijuana down the toilet. A Bronx judge tossed the indictment of the officer who shot and killed Graham claiming he had a gun but none was found. Citing mistakes…
Streets Is Watchin’: Who Speaks for the ‘hood ?
By TRUTH Minista Paul Scott, 5/13/2013 news, culture
“We Want in/Or let the revolution begin” - Various Shades of Black-Rakim
There was a time when Rev. Cleophus Johnson, head of the Negro League of Colored Black People ,Inc could call for a march and thousands of people would show up. So, he was confused when his latest call to integrate BigBubba's Beer and Burger Barn was only answered by a couple of elderly…
Ambassador Chris Stevens is dead because of US betrayal and state sponsored terrorism
By Scotty Reid, 5/13/2013, news, politics,
The inquiry into the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya by conservatives to this point has been little more than an expression of white supremacy and political theater. What the inquiry is saying is that only "American" lives matter and not the lives of the thousands killed in Libya or those that are still being killed and displaced from their homes due to ethnic cleansing by forces backed by the United States. The…
COINTELPRO? Malcolm X’s grandson Malcolm Shabazz found murdered
By Scotty Reid 5/9/2013 news, politics
The grandson of one of the Black communities beloved heroes, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz aka Malcolm X, was found murdered in Tijuana, Mexico according to New York Amsterdam News.
The reports cite a tweet by Terrie Williams of New…
Badge
Support The Black Talk Media Project
The Black Talk Radio Network™ is striving to be your #1 source of independent media geared towards the Global Black community.
© 2013 Created by Black Talk Radio Network™.
