UPDATE: The one activist arrested at the “Tour de Fletcher” had his disorderly conduct charge dismissed a week and a half later for “insufficient evidence.”

On Friday, supporters seranaded Susan Gaertner at her office with a stack of almost 3,000 petitions to drop the charges – just the first batch! Supporters present included a member of the Minnesota 8, Vietnam-era draft resisters, who presented a letter from the Minnesota 8 to Gaertner. Another letter was presented from high=profile social justice activists nationwide. For more, read this Huffington Post article about the event by former FBI Agent turned peace activist Coleen Rowley.

On Saturday, about 50 people gathered at Powderhorn Park for the Tour De Fletcher, which visited the sites of Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher’s pre-emptive raids in which most of the RNC 8 were arrested last August. Although the ride was upbeat, relaxed and even stopped at traffic lights, the police saw fit to tail the ride with several bike cops and squad cars. Halfway through, the MPD arrested one bicyclist for “disorderly conduct”; he was bailed out a few hours later (thanks Coldsnap Legal Collective!). An amazing chili lunch with donated goodies filled the bellies of several dozen more people inside, so much so that combined with the chilly weather, those of us who were considering riding to St. Paul decided to put it off for another tour.

Meanwhile, we realized that outside the Minneapolis church, several more cops, including two booking vans and a St. Paul Police commander, continued to stage, and we later learned that a dozen more were waiting across the river too. Since the prosecution of the RNC 8 is already an enormous waste of taxpayer money, apparently it makes sense to the authorities to waste even more by swarming (while wearing black masks, no less!) a legal bike ride, too. In any case, we had fun and raised a few hundred dollars for legal defense with this successful action!

We’ll post a more detailed Day of Solidarity reportback soon, including photos and video. Thanks to all who helped organize an event!

P.S. Flagstaff rocks!

Tags: Bob Fletcher, Coldsnap Legal Collective, coleen rowley, minneapolis police, minnesota 8, national day of solidarity, Petitions, Powderhorn Park, RNC 8, RNC Eight, st. paul police, Susan Gaertner, susan gaertner for governor, tour de fletcher