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Pre-RNC:Police Raid Convergence Center, Food for Bombs, and Homes

author: disrupt the RNC and others
Aug 29, 2008 22:59

Cops raid convergence center on bogus charges (haven't we seen this before?)

Statement from the RNC Welcoming Committee on the Convergence Center Raid

Assistant Police Chief Bostrom has talked about the St. Paul Standard, and on the anniversary of last years’ critical mass police riot, we saw its true face. The Ramsey County sheriff’s dept and the SPPD raided the RNC convergence space and detained over 50 people in an attempt to preempt planned protests of the RNC on Monday.

Looking for items found in any Twin Cities house like jars, paint, and rags, this attempt to portray us as criminals and destroy our credibility has already backfired as evidenced by the masses who have come to support us.

We are now accused of a simple fire code violation -which is outside the scope of the sheriffs department and clearly not justified provocation for a forceful raid with guns being drawn. Children and elderly people were inside the convergence center when the police violently busted down the doors. The police may claim that the raid was executed according to protocol - however, the violence inherent in this action may only be a hint of the violence to be expected on Monday and beyond, and is only a hint at the violence perpetrated daily by the police.

The convergence center is simply a gathering place and is not used for illegal actions - it is a place for workshops and trainings. Tonight we were watching films and sharing food.

This action will not deter us from our plans to protest the RNC on September 1st. We want to invite all people who oppose this police oppression to join us on Septemeber 1st. See you in the streets.

Ongoing Updates:

08-30-2008: Police Raid Convergence Center in St. Paul No warrant shown. 50+ people cuffed, photographed, released. No arrests reported. Sexual harassment of women, inappropriate touching. Five year child there terrorized, starting crying.

08-30-2008: More Raids in St. Paul: Food Not Bombs House Raided, No arrests there, Raids at 2 other houses. 4 arrests reported.1 person charged w/ conspiracy.

08-30-2008: Per Friend from T-Town: "There was a raid last night, and there were several people from Northwest that were detained, but every one is okay. The convergence center has been closed. Today there was a raid on 3 houses in St. Paul. 4 arrest so far. Police say they are lookig for 'bomb making material', glass jars, rags, x boxes, stock piles of piss and shit, spray paint, lock boxes, etc."

08-30-2008: Per RNC Welcoming Committee Website: "Convergence Space Re-Opens, Moving forward with organizing for Sept 1.

"The convergence Space is open as of 2 PM today. The police ransacked the building Friday night, bursting in with guns drawn and breaking down doors inside the space. They took with them taking computers, boxes of protest literature, maps, cell phones, digital cameras, a video camera, the landlord’s pvc piping and poster making supplies. The Ramsey Co Sheriff’s office closed the building for a 'fire hazard' code violation. Today, Saturday, the city council representative for the ward that the Convergence Space is in was able to contact the Department of Safety and Inspections who actually are the authorities to determine if there is a code violation. The director of the department came to the space and ascertained that there were no code violations to be found." http://www.nornc.org

08-30-2008: VIDEO from Home Raided The police forced members of a household and their friends to the floor. The police initially refused to show the household search warrants, carried machine guns, and called each other by code names such as the Terminator and the Executioner.

Jane Hamsher of firedoglake.com and Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com interview peace protesters whose homes were raided by Ramsey County Police on August 30, 2008.

If you can't see the video above, click here.

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