We have a lot of events coming up over the next few weeks. Mark your calendars now!

1. April 20: Free “Sloppy Robs” Dinner in Minneapolis
2. April 22: “A Talk on Resistance and Repression: A Benefit for Legal Defense” in Chicago
3. April 24: Keynote Speech at the Young Activist Summit in Duluth
4. April 30: Free Community Meal/Potluck in Minneapolis
5. May 2: Sign the Support Banner at the May Day Festival in Minneapolis
6. May 3-6, 13, 14: May Evidentiary Hearings in St. Paul
7. May 14: “We’re Getting Ready (for Court)” Screening at the Chicago Anarchist Film Fest
8. May 18: Free Post-Hearing Community Dinner in Minneapolis

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1. April 20: Free “Sloppy Robs” Dinner in Minneapolis

* When: Tuesday, April 20th, 6-7:30 pm
* Where: Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S., Minneapolis

We have something special on our plates this month that you are sure to enjoy–“Sloppy Robs”! Join us for a uniquely delicious and FREE meal hosted by the RNC 8 and friends!

As always, vegan and vegetarian options are available at our community meal.

For those who like to plan ahead, mark your calendars now for a May 18th post-hearing special dinner.

2. April 22: “A Talk on Resistance and Repression: A Benefit for Legal Defense” in Chicago

* When: Thursday, April 22, 6-9pm
* Where: Biblioteca Popular, 1921 South Blue Island Ave, Chicago

With special guests:

- Luce Guillen-Givins, Rob Czernik and Garrett Fitzgerald of the RNC 8
- Recently released grand jury resister Carrie Feldman
- Paul Muller, former Marine and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War who went AWOL in order to avoid deployment

The evening will feature a discussion on governmental attempts to criminalize protest, organizing and dissent, and the communities that are resisting it. The talk will focus on three current cases against organizers and activists:

* The RNC 8 are 8 anarchists who organized against the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2008. As a result of this organizing, they were arrested prior to the protests and charged with Conspiracy to Riot and Conspiracy to Commit Property Damage. They will be tried together in a trial scheduled for October 2010.

* Carrie Feldman and Scott DeMuth were subpoenaed to a federal grand jury in Iowa investigating an animal rights action. As a result of their political convictions, they refused to testify, which resulted in Carrie being jailed for four months and Scott being charged with “Conspiracy to Commit Animal Enterprise Terrorism,” which is set to go to trial in May.

* Marc Hall is an Army Specialist who expressed opposition to being redeployed to Iraq and wrote a political hip-hop song protesting the Army’s Stop-Loss policy, which the military deemed a “threat.” As a result, he was arrested and is currently being held awaiting a US Court Martial in Iraq.

Suggested donations $5-20, with all funds raised split between Friends of the RNC 8, the Scott & Carrie Support Committee and Friends and Family of Marc Hall.

For more information on the legal cases, visit:
http://www.couragetoresist.org/
http://davenportgrandjury.wordpress.com/

http://rnc8.org/

3. April 24: Keynote Speech at the Young Activist Summit in Duluth

* When: Saturday, April 24, 9:30 am – 3 pm–keynote speech from 10:30 – 11:30 am
* Where: Kirby Garden Room, University of Minnesota–Duluth

Students for Peace in Duluth-Superior will be holding its second annual Young Activist Summit from 9:30am-3pm on Saturday, April 24 in the Kirby Garden Room at the University of Minnesota–Duluth. It will include workshops and networking opportunities, and members of the RNC 8 Defense Committee will be the keynote speakers from 10:30-11:30am. We’re happy to be back in Duluth, which has been one of our biggest bases of support in the peace and labor movements.

The summit is open to all campus activists and allies around the Twin Ports area, and coincides with the state Democratic Party convention…so look for us elsewhere around town, too. (Gubernatorial candidate and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner finished last in this spring’s caucuses, but has vowed to ignore the Party’s endorsement.)

For more information on the event, contact Steve at wickx079@d.umn.edu.

4. April 30: Free Community Meal/Potluck in Minneapolis

* When: Friday, April 30th, 7 pm
* Where: Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S., Minneapolis

Join us for a FREE community meal/potluck to welcome in the spring! To kick off May Day weekend, we’re inviting the community to join us for a delicious meal, learn about the upcoming court dates in May and how you can help support the RNC 8, listen to some great music, and catch a screening of “We’re Getting Ready (for Court).”

We’ll be bringing lots of tasty food (vegan and gluten-free options included), but feel free to bring a dish to share. Riding with Critical Mass that afternoon? Come refuel after a great community bike ride!

5. May 2: Sign the Support Banner at the May Day Festival in Minneapolis

* When: Sunday, May 2nd, after the May Day Parade & Ceremony
* Where: Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis

The May Day Parade will be winding its way through South Minneapolis, ending up in Powderhorn Park, as it does in its characteristic style every year. After the parade passes by, come find us in Information Alley in the park to find out more about the RNC 8, the upcoming court dates (see below), and to sign the support banner to show how much the community supports the RNC 8 and the right to dissent!

6. May 3-6, 13, 14: May Evidentiary Hearings in St. Paul

* When: May 3rd-6th, 13th & 14th, 9am-?? each day
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul
* Lunch provided every day! Sunshine and rain locations TBA. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

The first week of May marks new growth outdoors and new developments in the RNC 8′s case inside the courthouse. During these days, the lawyers for the 8 will argue motions such as ones to suppress evidence seized during the preemptive raids prior to the RNC, and the probable cause motion as a part of evidentiary hearings that will include testimony from witnesses-including cops.

These could be long days in court, so we’re providing lunch for all supporters each day to help us all get through the day. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available. If you think you’ll be in court, email rnc8foodcourt@gmail.com to let us know so we can prepare enough food for everyone. Wanna help prepare food or serve? Email us and let us know!

Carpools will be leaving at 8am sharp each day from Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S. in Minneapolis.

7. May 14: “We’re Getting Ready (for Court)” Screening at the Chicago Anarchist Film Fest

* When: Friday, May 14th, sometime between 7 and 10 pm
* Where: No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glendwood Ave, Chicago

We’re happy to share that “We’re Getting Ready (for Court)” is being screened at the 10th Annual Chicago Anarchist Film Fest this year. The screening is scheduled for the night of May 14th, so if you’re not able to be in St. Paul for court, maybe you can be in Chicago for the film fest. Also screening that night will be “Resist! An RNC Aftermath Documentary,” produced by Chicago Indymedia and featuring some of the RNC 8.

This night of films is part of the second weekend of the film fest. More information and the full schedule is available at http://home.comcast.net/~more_about_it/.

Can’t make the film fest? Check out the video online at http://www.rnc8.org.

8. May 18: Free Post-Hearing Community Dinner in Minneapolis

* When: Tuesday, May 18th, 6-7:30 pm
* Where: Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S., Minneapolis

A few days after the May hearings wrap up, join us for another FREE meal and some decompression time. The menu is still TBD, but it will be delicious! Mark your calendars now!

In solidarity,
The RNC 8 Defense Committee