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.”

Below is a 10-minute video produced by Twin Cities Indymedia chronicling Friday and Saturday’s Twin Cities actions and the strange police conduct. A press release about the success of the action in spite of harassment, as well as photos, are beneath the video.

COALITION: COP HARASSMENT, SPYING MUST STOP!
Groups Vow to Continue Defending the RNC 8 Despite Intimidation Attempts

March 30, 2008

Police conduct during last Saturday’s community event in support of the RNC 8­ – a group of protest organizers each facing four conspiracy and terrorism charges – ­provided a startling glimpse into coordinated multi-agency efforts to harass, intimidate and spy on community members engaged in legal, First Amendment-protected activities.  Just like the charges against the RNC 8, the operation was a waste of scarce resources in tough economic times.

At least 15 cities across the nation held events for the March 28, 2009 National Day of Solidarity with the RNC 8. In the Twin Cities, the Tour de Fletcher bicycle ride visited the sites of last August’s pre-emptive police raids by Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher.  Organizers advertised the event as 100% legal and riders obeyed all traffic laws.  Throughout the ride, several Minneapolis police squad cars, bicycle cops, two paddy wagons and a rented van full of more officers menaced the roughly 50 riders who participated.  Two police officers wore black masks, making them unidentifiable.  One rider who attempted to leave the event was arrested without any apparent justification and now faces charges of disorderly conduct.  The arrest appears to have been staged to justify the massive police presence–and wasted taxpayer resources–at the peaceful, lawful event.  The arrested individual overheard his arresting officer saying, “1 down, 39 to go” and an officer at the jail saying, “So how many did you get?” as if authorities had planned a mass arrest.

Video of the event produced by Twin Cities Indymedia is available here.

Later in the day, even more officers and police cars, including the unmarked vehicle of a St. Paul Police Commander, lined the streets at a south Minneapolis church during a community lunch which was part of the event.  Officers photographed individuals as they entered the church and recorded license plate numbers of cars outside.  Although the upbeat bicycle ride ended in Minneapolis, multiple squad cars with bicycles were sighted afterwards at 951 Iglehart Avenue and were reported at 627 Smith Avenue in St. Paul (sites of pre-emptive raids and listed as potential stops on the ride), confirming the multi-agency nature of this effort.

“We’ve seen a definite increase in police harassment and spying at social justice events since the RNC,” states Michelle Gross, President of Communities United Against Police Brutality.  She adds, “Police have been photographing participants, documenting license plates and even openly harassing people who have broken no laws, especially in the last few months.”

Despite police efforts, the March 28 event was a complete success with many new people coming forward to show their support for the RNC 8.  The lunch raised significant funds for their legal defense.  The previous day, supporters delivered a petition with 3,000 signatures to prosecutor Susan Gaertner demanding she drop the charges against the RNC 8.  Organizers stated this was only the first installment and that more signatures will follow. The 17,000 member Duluth Central Labor Body also submitted a support statement to Gaertner urging her to drop the charges, as did Don Olson on behalf of the “Minnesota 8,” well-known Vietnam-era draft resisters.  During the visit to Susan Gaertner, known undercover police officers were again seen photographing activists.

Several organizations were responsible for planning the March 28 event and these groups have vowed to continue their efforts in spite of police harassment.  They include Friends of the RNC 8, RNC 8 Defense Committee, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Community RNC Arrestee Support Structure (CRASS) and others.

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The photos below were taken by Alan Wilfahrt.  They may be used with attribution for non-commercial purposes; see many more at Alan’s website.

On 36th Street, several dozen legal riders followed by four bike cops, squad car, undercover car, two booking vans. A rented van with more officers inside later joined up.

sidewalk chalk was liberally/radically applied

@ 2301 23rd Ave S.

crossing Hiawatha Ave (cops cars don’t fit on bike bridges!)

The photos below are courtesy TC Indymedia:

delivering 3,000 petitions to Susan Gaertner

statement from the Minnesota 8, delivered by 1970 co-defendant Don Olson

Coleen Rowley w/ statement from “Americans Who Tell the Truth”

stack of petitions

only a few of the police vehicles staging near Walker Church during lunch

Eryn, Monica, Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Luce, six-eighths of the RNC 8

Tags: bicycles, coleen rowley, don olson, first amendment, minneapolis police, minnesota 8, national day of solidarity, RNC 8, RNC Eight, st. paul police department, Susan Gaertner, susan gaertner for governor, tour de fletcher