RNC 2008

The Des Moines Register obtained confidential documents last week that show a Ramsey County deputy traveled to Iowa to infiltrate groups protesting the Republican National Convention. The deputy was working for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s office as well as the FBI. MORE »

My name is Susan Mahoney. I am the mother of David Mahoney, who is due to stand trial accused of assault in the second degree and terroristic threats, arising from the Republican National Convention of September 2008. MORE »

With MNFashion Week in full swing, we’ve been running around like crazy people—the mood is simply infectious! We’re ridiculously proud to share an area code with so many talented artists, designers, and make-things-happeners. The past week has been surprising and inspiring and it’s not even close to over! Amid our usual slew of awesome events this weekend, you’ll find a number of Fashion Week funnings that you’ll need to see to believe. So dress cleverly, dear readers, the local paparazzi are out in full force! MORE »

It’s not speculation that the Republican National Convention 2008 was rigged to be protest proof. It’s practically a truth we hold to be self-evident. Now the courts are playing out that string. Law enforcement acted arbitrarily, immune to account. Cops pepper-sprayed and handcuffed citizens like it was lunch, perceptibly, storm troopers putting down an uprising. MORE »

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is preparing to drop terrorism charges against the so-called RNC Eight, according to a source close to discussions about the high-profile prosecutions. The group of activists, who have been accused of a criminal conspiracy to disrupt the Republican National Convention, will still face felony charges of criminal conspiracy to riot and damage property. MORE »

In the eyes of law enforcement officials, they were the core of a vast criminal conspiracy that for two years plotted to violently disrupt the Republican National Convention (RNC).

But in the view of their allies in social-justice circles, they were dedicated activists seeking to shine a bright light on war, poverty and other injustices. MORE »

At 10:50 a.m. on February 13, Bassam Khawaja was called from his music theory class, where he was completing an exam, and told that police were waiting for him. At his dorm room, he was met by the Macalester Dean of Students, the Macalester Head of Security and four St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) officers, two of whom were in uniform. As they stood outside the room, waiting for a search warrant to arrive, the officers refused to tell Khawaja the reason for the search. After half an hour, SPPD Sergeant Julie Maidment arrived with the warrant. MORE »

About 35 people met at Powderhorn Park to ride as part of the National Day of Solidarity with the RNC8. The TOUR de Fletcher started to visit the three homes in Hennepin County raided by Sheriff Bob Fletcher of Ramsey County, along with the FBI. MORE »

Friday night marks the second major event for the non-profit group Substance, organizers of the Ripple Effect event during the RNC last September. Much like that event, Manifestation is dedicated to bringing people together through music for social justice. MORE »

The Duluth Central Labor Body, which represents roughly 17,000 workers, has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the prosecution of the RNC Eight (pictured). The measure also calls for repeal of the state law under which the defendants have been charged with criminally conspiring to disrupt September’s Republican National Convention (RNC). Describing the prosecutions as “politically motivated,” the resolution implores labor unions across the state to oppose the actions of the Ramsey County Attorney’s office. MORE »