Being Anti-War Is Not a Crime -- But That's Not Stopping the FBI From Raiding Activists' Homes

[marmar]

AlterNet / By Lauren Kelley

Being Anti-War Is Not a Crime -- But That's Not Stopping the FBI From Raiding Activists' Homes
Activists who organized anti-war protests at the 2008 RNC have been targeted with raids, subpoenas and government spies.

July 8, 2011 |


In the early morning of May 17, longtime anti-war and immigrant rights activist Carlos Montes awoke to the startling sound of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team breaking down his door. "They came in with guns on their shoulders, yelling. I was shocked," 63-year-old Montes told the Pasadena Star-News. "I thought, let me close my eyes so I can go to sleep and see if I wake up from this nightmare."

Authorities searched Montes' home, confiscating his cell phone and computer. Montes says the authorities also sorted through, stacked and organized a large number of personal documents and photos, many of them relating to his activist activities and trips he took to Colombia and Cuba (Montes founded the Brown Beret Chicano youth group in the 1960s and has been involved in anti-war efforts for four decades).

When authorities discovered an illegally purchased firearm in his home, Montes was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon (Montes was charged in 1969 with assaulting a police officer), possession of ammunition, and four counts of perjury for lying on his gun registration.

Montes already felt the raid had less to do with firearms than with his political activism, but what happened next solidified that feeling. While sitting in the back of a patrol car, Montes was approached by a plainclothes FBI agent who questioned Montes about his involvement with the Chicago-based Freedom Road Socialist Organization. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/vision/151570/being_anti-war_is_not_a_crime_--_but_that%27s_not_stopping_the_fbi_from_raiding_activists%27_homes/

[xchrom]

1. ...

:mad:

[ixion]

2. This is the problem with the so-called 'war' on 'terror' and the legislation that has resulted

It pretty much makes anyone who isn't "with" the US govt a potential 'terrorist', according to the unPATRIOTic Act, etc.


And it's why I've been unable to support Obama despite voting for him: I voted for him because he promised to stop all that. He hasn't. Quite the opposite. He's embraced it.

You realize, of course, that all Obama would have to do would be to direct the FBI to stop harassing anti-war protesters, and that would be that. So the fact that the FBI continues to raid law-abiding citizens homes who protest our hostile occupations means that he has endorsed it. You do realize that, right?

[inna]

3. what the FUCK is wrong with this admin.

FFS. Do they perhaps know something that we don't, or... WTF?? :argh:

[bemildred]

4. If they want to get you, they will find some reasons, so plan ahead. nt

[_ed_]

5. Where are the admin apologists on this thread?

I'm waiting to see how the Obama cultists explain this one away. I guess this is another aspect of 8 dimension chess or I need a pony or something.

When will we just accept the fact that Obama is a power-drunk warmonger?

[saras]

6. Yeah, we need ponies. Me and Mr. Hands

The apologists won't explain this away because they don't see anything that needs explaining.

He's a criminal, right? The police said so. Lock him up. Put him in a tent in 140 degree weather and don't give him any water.
:sarcasm:

[tcaudilllg]

7. How about a change.org petition to get the Sheriff's dept behind bars?

Anyone game?

[bemildred]

8. I strongly recommend you modify that. nt

[tcaudilllg]

9. I don't know what you're talking about.

:?

[bemildred]

10. Indeed, what could it be?

:-)

[Doctor_J]

11. I think you would be surprised at the things that weren't crimes

10 years ago that are now. To counterbalance this, though, you can now wave a loaded gun at your rep without fear of punishment. You just have to make sure it's a Dem rep that you're waving it at.