[Printed below is a submission from a self-styled anarchist… As an educational and entertainment periodical Reviewer Magazine regularly accepts unsolicited submissions from a variety of sources and, although they can often contain good information, they do not always reflect the opinions of the editor. 🙂 ~Ed.]

Anarchists: Terrorists or Patriots?

The so called, “Patriot Act” in actuality is an act to lasso and convict American political activists such as anarchists.

Prior to the 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC), the federal government led preemptive arrests on anarchists throughout the Minneapolis-St.Paul area. Matt Snyder, ( HYPERLINK “http://www.citypages.com/2008-09-03/news/police-raid-anarchist-homes-in-advance-of-rnc/ – 35k” citypages.com), reported on a secretly planned raid following a tip to the police from a paid informant, otherwise known as a “ HYPERLINK “http://www.citypages.com/2008-05-21/news/moles-wanted/” mole”, on a group of young men and women known as the Republican National Convention Welcoming Committee (RNCWC) who dub themselves, “anarchists.”

Brian Hokanson, a committee member described his experience to Snyder, “Lots of yelling, lots of commotion.” In less than a minute, rifle-wielding officers rushed upstairs and herded about 25 anarchists to the center of the room. “Get down on the ground!” the cops commanded. “Nobody move!” the anarchists complied and were handcuffed. At that point, one of the captives began singing Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” Hokanson believed, the “singer” was the mole planted in the RNCWC and was quickly removed from the building.

According to an article prepared by Tom Eley, of HYPERLINK “http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=144&a=8136” Intelligent Daily News, “An affidavit filed by police with the District Court for Ramsey County that allowed the warrant to raid and arrest declares the RNCWC a “criminal enterprise” and strongly implies that it is a terrorist organization. It claimed that numerous examples of weaponry would be found if the judge allowed the warrants. However, police turned up no such physical evidence in conducting their raids.”

Eley commented that eight members of the (RNCWC) committee were charged under provisions of the Minnesota state version of the Patriot Act with “Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism.” He further reported, “as many as eight were charged are all young, and could face up to seven-and-a-half years in prison under a provision that allows the enhancement of charges related to terrorism by 50 percent.”

The District Court declaring the RNCWC as a “criminal enterprise” without evidence to support this claim really is alarming. The criminal charges brought upon the young people by testimony of paid informants are equally alarming. Especially when substantial physical evidence wasn’t provided to link the RNCWC members to any criminal activity.

The police didn’t stop with the RNCWC, HYPERLINK “http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2008/08/preemptive-arre.html” preemptive raids and arrests were being made all over the Twin City area on anarchists’ homes, out of town journalists and a food kitchen. According to numerous reports, raiding and arrests didn’t stop there; during the protests, hundreds of peaceful activists were cornered by police; and were trapped like mice, many peaceful activists and anarchists were beaten and stun gunned, then handcuffed, arrested and systematically hauled away.

Evidence provided through HYPERLINK “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNS2NlqQrOU” YouTube and various online videos document the display of police brutality upon the activists at both the RNC and DNC. The police were in full riot gear, toting batons, guns, super soaker like pepper spray, stun guns, and flash bombs. They used weapons to their fullest, including firing upon the peaceful protesters with rubber bullets. Even a rap-metal band audience was not immune to the wrath of the police. Jocelyn Vena, of MTV News reported at least 100 concert attendees of the band HYPERLINK “http://www.ratm.com/” Rage Against the Machine were arrested, handcuffed and taken away on buses.

What is an anarchist anyway?
Anarchists are being labeled terrorists by the federal government when in actuality it is the police who are being the “terrorists” by using tactics of fear and intimidation as a weapon.

An anarchist can be linked to “the Joker” in the recently released movie, The Dark Knight as a “terrorist”. Rubin Ruinsky, HYPERLINK “http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/the-joker-rotten-to-the-core.php” (The Joker: Johnny Rotten to the Core!), wrote this about the director, Christopher Nolan, “Nolan sees the Joker as a man devoted to anarchy, to creating mayhem for mayhem’s sake. He’s not in it for money, but for the joy of destruction.” Could The Dark Knight have been a propaganda movie to plant a seed in the minds of millions of Americans who watched it? Anarchists are ‘terrorists’ and anarchy is ‘mayhem for mayhem’s sake’?”

The Free Online dictionary describes an anarchist as: 1) a person who advocates anarchism, 2) a person who causes disorder or upheaval. Furthermore describes an anarchist in the noun form as “revolutionary”, “rebel”, “terrorist”, “insurgent,” “nihilist.” However, depending where you search for the meaning of the word anarchist you will find that there are many definitions and types of anarchists.

The online US History Encyclopedia explains HYPERLINK “http://www.answers.com/topic/anarchist” anarchy as “Greek word for “nonrule,”…the eradication of government in favor of a natural social order. A libertarian variant of socialism, the ideals of anarchy date back at least as far as the eighteenth century. Elements of HYPERLINK “http://www.answers.com/topic/anarchic” \t “_top” anarchic thought were evident in the seeds of the American Revolution and Thomas Jefferson’s writings often hinted at anarchist thinking.”

George Washington was labeled a revolutionists and patriot. Could he have been called an anarchist? Yes he could. According to many historians the colonials thought our forefathers, the revolutionists, were foolish and crazy. Could anarchists be considered modern day patriots? Aren’t they seeking to have a sound Constitutional Republic with Liberty and Justice for ALL to the point that they are willing to go to jail for it? Let the anarchists speak; Americans may want to hear what they have to say about today’s government. Many of the anarchists are young men and women under the age of 30. These young people realize they will inherit many of the problems created by the present day government. But they were censored (by arrest) for attempting to exercise their right to free speech and assembly.

A posted comment on September 2, 2008, from an anarchist by the name of Makhno who responded to Bob Collins article, HYPERLINK “http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/09/anarchists_how_do_you_like_us.shtml” “Anarchists, How Do You Like Us Now?” writes, “I support the actions yesterday of my comrade anarchists, as do most anarchists…Violent protest is not acceptable in a modern democracy? What evidence do you have that we live in a democracy? In a democ[r]acy, thousands of people marching in the streets against war would prompt a government to change its policies. A “democracy” would not arm metropolitan police as fascist thugs and send them after protesters who break a few windows.”

Makhno commented that there are tens of thousands of young people across the country who are fed up! And their actions at the RNC should serve as a “wake up call.” “Smashing a window and going to jail is a blip in their lives. They certainly don’t give a damn that people dislike their actions. The criticism and outrage over property destruction and anti-police violence at the protests is incredibly misplaced. Who are the real violent people meeting in St. Paul this week? The Republicans. Last week their violent counterparts met in Denver. Both of these parties are responsible for wars that have killed millions of people. These parties have destroyed whole countries?…Compare. Broken windows vs. destroyed countries and millions of deaths. Or compare the violence meted out by the police vs. People fighting back when their rights are stomped on. Get it yet?”

Evidence of cruel torture on our American citizens, remember these people aren’t terrorists, just activists exercising their right to assemble.
Democracy Now! Amy Goodman, is one of the 19 journalists that had been arrested at the RNC, noted a disturbing experience after her arrest by describing that protestors of all types were placed in cages awaiting them in the police station garage. However, being caged was not the half of it, atrocities were going on not only outside in the streets but in the prison too. Democracy Now! spearheaded a HYPERLINK “http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/1/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_the_rnc” press conference after the activists and anarchists were released. A young man described the torture techniques used on him during his detainment as follows during the conference:

AMY GOODMAN: News conference of the RNC Eight. During it, a nineteen-year-old activist named Elliot Hughes said he was beaten and tortured inside the Ramsey County Jail.
ELLIOT HUGHES: “My name is Elliot Hughes. E-L-L-I-O-T, H-U-G-H-E-S. Me and some friends were chanting for—so that we could receive food in Ramsey County Jail, because we hadn’t been provided food. And six or seven officers came into my cell, and they took—one officer punched me in the face, right here where you see this bruise. And then they slammed—and I fell to the ground, unconscious. And the officer grabbed me by the head, slammed my head on the ground and re-awoke me out of—to consciousness. And I was bleeding everywhere. They dragged me to another detaining cell. They put a bag over my head that had a gag on it. And they used pain compliance tactics on me for about an hour and a half. They pressed—they separated my jaw as hard as they could with their fingers. And they bent my ankles back. They basically bent my foot backwards. I was screaming for God and like screaming for mercy, crying, asking them why they were doing this. And I’ve never been so violated in my life.”

In America we are living in a false sense of security. Americans need to start connecting the dots. The police brutality was showered upon ALL protesters at the twin cities, which is only the tip of the iceberg. HYPERLINK “http://charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/PoliceSurveillance.asp” Communities United Against Police Brutality ™ gives a brief history of police surveillance and oppression and noted that mass preemptive arrests have happened in the past…we just don’t hear about, for instance, “When Bush visited Washington State in 2001, 600 peaceful protestors were preemptively arrested to prevent trouble later.”

Jacqueline Homan, author of the book, “Nothing You Can Possess” writes, “The solution to most of the problems today in 2008 was given to us in 1787: in the Constitution of the United States of America. Our elected Congress People and President are legally and morally obligated to uphold it and apply it in all matters. If they do not do so, it is our responsibility as American citizens to run them out on a rail.” Maybe, just maybe our legislators and the powers to be are a tad worried that disgruntled Americans will literally start doing just that!

It is obvious that the federal government is trying to squash free speech and the right to assemble by using unlawful preemptive arrests as a brainwashing campaign to label anarchists as terrorist. Isn’t this also something that happened many years past when the German people started distrusting and hating Jews? Is America becoming a fascist country? History repeats itself, over and over.

Article submitted by:
J. Lyn Davis
A concerned American citizen who believes free speech, free press and freedom to assemble is a sacred constitutional right that people have fought and died for.

Bibliography
Snyders, Matt. “CityPages.com” Police raid anarchist homes in advance of RNC. Sept. 03, 2008. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.citypages.com/2008-09-03/news/police-raid-anarchist-homes-in-advance-of-rnc/%20-%2035k” http://www.citypages.com/2008-09-03/news/police-raid-anarchist-homes-in-advance-of-rnc/%20-%2035k

Snyders, Matt. “Citypages.com.” Moles Wanted. May 21, 2008. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.citypages.com/2008-05-21/news/moles-wanted/” http://www.citypages.com/2008-05-21/news/moles-wanted/

“myfoxtwincities.com.” 6 Anarchists Arrested, Property Seized in Friday, Saturday Raids . Aug. 31, 2008. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7328645&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1” http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7328645&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Eley, Tom. “The Intelligence Daily.” RNC in Twin Cities: Eight protesters charged with terrorism under Patriot Act. Sept. 6 08. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=144&a=8136” http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=144&a=8136

Vena, Jocelyn. Rage Against The Machine Fans Arrested Following Impromptu Post-Show RNC Protest. Sept. 4 08. 21 Sept 2008. HYPERLINK “http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594053/20080904/rage_against_the_machine.jhtml” http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594053/20080904/rage_against_the_machine.jhtml

Collins, Bob. “Minnesoto Public Radio.” Anarchist: How do you like us now?. Sept. 1, 2008. Sept. 19, 2008. HYPERLINK “http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/09/anarchists_how_do_you_like_us.shtml” http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/09/anarchists_how_do_you_like_us.shtml

“democracynow.org.” Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC. Sept. 01, 2008. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/1/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_the_rnc” http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/1/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_the_rnc (online page has been deleted, contact Democracy Now! for a copy)

“Typepad”, “Silenced Majority Portal.” Preemptive Arrests at the RNC in St Paul. August 08. 18 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2008/08/preemptive-arre.html” http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2008/08/preemptive-arre.html

Watson, Steve. “Alex Jones’ Inforwars.net.” Feds Directed Preemptive Raids On RNC Protestors. Sept 1, 2008. National Lawyrs Guild. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.infowars.net/articles/September2008/010908Raids.htm” http://www.infowars.net/articles/September2008/010908Raids.htm

Snyder, Matt. “citypages.com.” Dozens of Journalist Arrested at RNC. Sept. 10, 2008. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.citypages.com/2008-09-10/news/dozens-of-journalists-arrested-at-rnc/” http://www.citypages.com/2008-09-10/news/dozens-of-journalists-arrested-at-rnc/

“freespeech.org.” DN! Journalists Facing Charges for Reporting on the Republican National Convention. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.freespeech.org/fscm2/contentviewer.php?content_id=1741” http://www.freespeech.org/fscm2/contentviewer.php?content_id=1741

Kim, Jinsoo. “Communities United Against Police Brutality.” A Brief History of Modern Police Surveillance and Oppression. 2008. Movement Support Network. 19 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/PoliceSurveillance.asp” http://charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/PoliceSurveillance.asp

Ruinsky, Robin. “Movie News.” The Joker: Johnny Rotten to the Core!. 11, June 2008. 22 Sep 2008 HYPERLINK “http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/the-joker-rotten-to-the-core.php” http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/the-joker-rotten-to-the-core.php

Homan, Jacqueline S, “Nothing You Can Possess,” Elf Books, 1st. Edition, 2008, pg. 31.

Wikipedia: Patriot HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_(American_Revolution” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_(American_Revolution)

HYPERLINK “http://www.answers.com/library/US%20History%20Encyclopedia-cid-2861” US History Encyclopedia: Anarchists HYPERLINK “http://www.answers.com/topic/anarchist” http://www.answers.com/topic/anarchist

HYPERLINK “http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anarchist” Free Online Dictionary: Anarchists HYPERLINK “http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anarchist” http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anarchist

Videos:
2008 DNC protester clotheslined…
HYPERLINK “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNS2NlqQrOU” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNS2NlqQrOU

World Alert: Cops posing as anarchists!
HYPERLINK “http://www.freepressinternational.com/2008/09/world-alert-cops-busted-posing-as-anarchists/” http://www.freepressinternational.com/2008/09/world-alert-cops-busted-posing-as-anarchists/

Democracy Now! Arrest Video:
HYPERLINK “http://rinf.com/alt-news/contributions/video-democracy-now-unlawfully-arrested/4497/” http://rinf.com/alt-news/contributions/video-democracy-now-unlawfully-arrested/4497/
“Everyone has the ability inside them to decide between right and wrong. In an anarchist society people will know the difference between right and wrong, and will live in peace with one another. The government is trying to change that. The government is trying to distort right from wrong, trying to make the American people hate Muslims and hate Iraqis. They do not want peace, and that’s what anarchy truly is, peace so therefore they do not want anarchy.” ~The Vigilante Punks, lead singer, Sky Miller

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