Tomorrow morning, Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Rob have their plea hearings. We would like to invite you again to be there in the courtroom with us for what we expect to be one final time:

* When: Tuesday, October 19, at 9am
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

We also want to remind you that we will be having a press conference and address immediately upon conclusion of the hearing.

A carpool will be leaving from Walker Church (3104 16th Ave S, Mpls) before the hearing. Please be there by 7:45am if you would like a ride or can drive people.

Dear supporters near and far,

It is with strong and mixed emotions that we bring important news: there appears to be a major change in the cases of the four remaining RNC 8 defendants–Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Rob. The four have tentatively reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, likely avoiding trial. The agreement, if it goes according to plan, significantly reduces the charge, calls for favorable sentencing, and is non-cooperating.

We wish to thank you for being there for the 8 and for us all along. You raised funds, raised consciousness of the fight against criminalization of dissent, and raised the next generation of rebels and revolutionaries to keep the struggle going. You were there at the jail vigil and the very first hearings; you were there in the kitchen and the dining room at our community meals; you were there at our rallies and actions. You were there at meetings, you were there at fundraisers, and you were there in the courtroom, through thick and thin.

Now, please be there in the courtroom for what we expect to be one final time:

* When: Tuesday, October 19, at 9am
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

Check our updates or the monitors in room 131 for the courtroom number. Please stay afterwards for a press conference and address immediately upon conclusion of the hearing.

We understand this news may well be surprising. Many of us feel the same and much, much more, but above all, we personally support all the defendants in their difficult decision and will continue to support them through whatever hurdles remain. We will release more information, analysis and logistical updates to you all after details are confirmed on Tuesday. We ask that, until then, speculation or rumor be kept to a minimum.

Again, thank you for your continued support and struggle.

In solidarity,

the RNC 8 Defense Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2010

Contact: Jude Ortiz (RNC 8 Defense Committee), 612.886.4565, press@rnc8.org

Four remaining RNC 8 defendants will appear in Ramsey County court Tuesday morning, Oct. 19, and accept plea agreements
Supporters will pack the courtroom in show of support; press conference to be held after plea hearing

St. Paul, MN — The remaining four RNC 8 defendants are scheduled to accept plea agreements to reduced charges to resolve their cases on Tuesday morning in Ramsey County court. The non-cooperating plea agreements are expected to ensure favorable sentencing for Rob Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald, Nathanael Secor and Max Specktor, the remaining defendants.
Statements will be made after the hearing on the plaza in front of the courthouse.

* What: Plea hearing for the remaining RNC 8 defendants, followed by a press conference (on Kellogg Blvd. side of courthouse)
* When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 19
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota

“The RNC 8 defendants wish to thank their supporters in this community, and in communities all across the country, who raised funds for their legal defense and stood with them for more than two years. From the beginning, the prosecution of the RNC 8, organizers of protests against the 2008 Republican National Convention, was an attempt to criminalize dissent,” said Melissa Hill, of the RNC 8 Defense Committee. “The court hearing on Tuesday will provide an opportunity for a final show of court solidarity, and allow all of the RNC 8 defendants to express their gratitude to those who have supported them through this legal ordeal.”

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Looking for a way to lend a hand during the upcoming trial of the four remaining RNC8 defendants? We are looking for you!

Lunches will be served during court recesses on Mondays and Wednesdays for the duration of the trial, beginning October 25th. Additionally, dinner will be served each night of the event series that will run Friday evenings from November 5th through December 17th.

We need volunteers to make this happen!

There are many ways that you could help out:

• Plug-in as a volunteer cook for a meal;
• Coordinate a meal (and prepare it with volunteers we send your way);
• Coordinate a team of people to take on a meal (or two!);
• Connect with a restaurant you know to get all or part of a meal donated;
• Offer to bring soup, salad, or dessert for 25-50 to one of the ‘potluck-style’ meals;
• Donate any food you have access to;
• Ask for donations from local producers/suppliers;
• Drive a meal from the kitchen to the event space; or
• “Sponsor” a meal with a cash donation!

Don’t be intimidated ~ we love your cooking! Plus, we already have the following in place to help our chefs along:

• A kitchen to work in during the hours before each meal;
• Donations of fresh ingredients; and
• Some cash to cover out-of-pocket expenses.

If you can help in any way, please email rnc8food@gmail.com, or call Emily at (612) 465-9253.

Thank you! And remember, the revolution will not be mal-nourished!

The remaining RNC 8 are gearing up for court and there are a few things that would help us and the Defense Committee prepare a little easier. As our volunteer base grows to incorporate more volunteer legal workers and independent media, we need to accommodate them with ways to help prepare for trial. We’re currently seeking donations of:

* 2 or more laptop computers to be used for legal defense. The computers we’re looking for don’t need to be fancy, but should be able to play cds/dvds, have wi-fi connection, and be running Windows. They would preferably have at least 1GB memory.

* Several USB memory sticks for sharing court documents and privileged attorney work product.

If you have any items to donate, email us at info(A)rnc8.org. All of these items will be re-gifted to local community projects after the completion of trial.

If you are able to donate, we would like any items prior to Oct. 20th. Many thanks!

In Solidarity,

the RNC 8

You were with us when the prosecutor dropped the terrorism enhancement charges. You were with us when the judge granted the joint trial. You were with us as the defendants and their lawyers fought in court to have the charges thrown out. And you were with us when the prosecutor completely dropped the charges against Eryn, Luce and Monica.

Now we need you to be with us as Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Rob go to trial.

During the upcoming trial, we’ll have numerous volunteer needs. Here are just a few:

* HOUSING: Live in the Twin Cities and have space to spare? Help provide housing for folks coming to the trial! And check out our website if you need help finding a place to stay. Go to http://rnc8.org/housing/ to get plugged in.

* FOOD: We want to serve lunch twice a week in court, as well as a dinner every Friday. If you can donate or procure food, cook, clean up, or any or all of the above, email info(A)rnc8.org and let us know.

* CHILDCARE: We’ll need childcare so parents can attend court, as well as help entertaining kids at evening events. If you want to help us out by watching the junior rebels, email info(A)rnc8.org and let us know.

* COURT SOLIDARITY: One of the simplest things to do is court solidarity, the respectful presence of supporters in the courtroom gallery as a demonstration of community support. We are asking for court solidarity for the duration of the trial. We also need people to take notes on the court proceedings.

Know how you wanna get involved? Great! Email us at info(A)rnc8.org and we’ll get you plugged in.

Wanna help but not sure how? Join us for an *optional volunteer orientation on Saturday, Oct. 23rd at 3pm* (this will likely take about an hour). Email us at info(A)rnc8.org for the location.

In solidarity,

The RNC 8 Defense Committee

* Some Notes on Trial *

Trial may likely be several weeks long. If, like most of us, you can only attend for a limited amount of time, pace your attendance accordingly. Remember that although it is important to have a strong showing of support in the first week (which is expected to be mostly pretrial motions and jury selection), it’s equally important to have strong court solidarity during the rest of the trial as well. Also remember that our behavior and appearance in the courtroom can create a positive OR negative impression on the judge and jury.

Court is expected to typically begin at 9am, recess for lunch, and conclude around 4:30pm Monday–Friday, but this schedule can change. Check RNC8.org or our email/twitter/facebook for updates before you go.

September 22 marked the final pre-trial hearing for the remaining four defendants of the RNC 8. Important details such as the jury selection process, outstanding issues with the evidence in the case and lists of witnesses and exhibits, the table arrangements for the defendants and defense attorneys during trial and other matters were all discussed.

The defense attorneys argued for the disclosure of important pieces of evidence, such as a notebook maintained by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office about the investigation into the RNC Welcoming Committee. The defense attorneys only found out about this notebook through a deposition in a successful lawsuit against Sheriff Bob Fletcher. They also argued for sanctions to be imposed on the prosecutors for not complying adequately with the order to provide a list of witnesses and exhibits that will likely be introduced at trial. Towards the end of the hearing, the defense attorneys talked with the prosecutors and judge about the juror selection process, with each side arguing for how many strikes they should have when selecting jurors. They also discussed the jury questionnaire, which is still being drafted.

Despite all these topics being addressed, not many decisions were made, with Judge Teresa Warner taking many issues under advisement. We’ll update you on the details as we learn them over the next few weeks before trial.

During the hearing, Judge Warner also confirmed that trial would start at 9am on October 25. Continue reading »

Supporters will rally at 12:30 p.m., call on county attorney to drop the remaining charges

St. Paul, Minn. – On Wednesday, the four remaining defendants in the RNC 8 case will appear in court for the last time before their joint trial begins on October 25 to hash out the logistical details for a protracted trial.The court proceedings are expected to cover such important details as the procedure for selecting jurors and the instructions that will be given to jurors for deliberation. The pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday even though Judge Teresa Warner has not yet issued her ruling on the probable cause motion that was argued in court last May and June. If Judge Warner determines that the state does not have enough evidence to warrant the trial, the conspiracy charges against the defendants will be dismissed. Continue reading »

We will be offering carpool rides for those who need a ride to the Ramsey County court house. Meet us at 8:00 a.m. sharp outside of Walker Church (3104 16th Ave S – Minneapolis). The hearing begins at 9 a.m. at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. in Saint Paul.

At 12:30, or around lunch recess, please join us for a rally and press conference outside the courthouse to demand that Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner DROP ALL THE CHARGES! Gaertner is fearful of the circus-like atmosphere that this trial will create. If the state wants to hold a political circus in the courtroom, let’s also bring our own circus celebration to the streets of St. Paul. Send in the clowns!

Defend the 8, Free the 4!

(Hearing/Court Solidarity begins at 9am)

Expected to be the final hearing before trial is expected to begin on October 25, Garrett, Nathanael, Max and Rob will still be attending the upcoming pretrial hearing on September 22 at 9am. We’ll be there too!

At 12:30, or around lunch recess, please join us for a rally and press conference outside the courthouse to demand that Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner DROP ALL THE CHARGES! Given this week’s developments, now is a crucial time to make a strong show of solidarity with the remaining four defendants and push for Gaertner to go all the way in doing the right thing–dropping ALL charges.

We can use your support in court beginning at 9am on Wednesday, followed by the rally at 12:30. The courthouse is located at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. in Saint Paul–see you there!

(Download the flyer here.)