Ramsey County sheriff raids homes in South Minneapolis

This morning the Ramsey County’s sheriff raided the house of Food Not Bombs, two other private residences in south Minneapolis, and the Wellness Center in St. Paul. At least four people were arrested on charges of "conspiracy to commit a riot." The search warrants shown at these raids appeared to be nearly the same as the warrant for last night's raid, with the addition of specific named individuals and vehicles to be searched. The warrant lists multiple pages of items to be searched for, ranging from explosives to cardboard to "urine and feces."

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Ramsey County sheriff's deputies conducted the raids in Minneapolis this morning, as well as the raid in St. Paul last night, with back-up from Minneapolis police this morning and St. Paul police last night. At least one officer at the raid at 23rd Street and 23rd Avenue South in Minneapolis was wearing an FBI jacket.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher issued a press release this morning saying that at Friday night's raid on the Convergence Center, "Numerous items were recovered. No persons were arrested. The search warrant was a part of an ongoing investigation regarding serious criminal acts".

Fletcher stated, “This investigation pertains to actions of the RNC Welcoming Committee. The “Welcoming Committee” is a criminal enterprise made up of 35 self- described anarchists who are intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention. These acts include tactics to blockade and disable delegate buses, breaching venue security and injuring police officers. They have recruited assistance in their criminal conspiracy from other anarchists groups throughout the country. Through their plans and actions they have exhibited a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others.”

The Minnesota Independent reported that police searches turned up weapons and devices to disrupt traffic, though the location of the seized articles was not disclosed.

More to follow.