Defend the "RNC 8"

This past fall the Republican Party held its national convention in St. Paul, MN. Tens of thousands of protester from around the country converged to show their opposition to the Iraq war, and other reactionary policies.

Anticipating mass protests, state and federal authorities closely watched local activists who were working on preparations for these demonstrations. Local activist groups were infiltrated with informants, and activists were regularly followed and spied upon.

Immediately prior to the anti-RNC protests, a series of raids were conducted by police in an attempt to disrupt the protests and intimidate activists into staying away. Authorities in particular targeted the largely anarchist "RNC Welcoming Committee".

The pre-protest raids began on August 30, 2008, when the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department raided three houses, seizing common household items and arresting Monica Bicking, Garrett Fitzgerald, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, and Eryn Trimmer. Later that day Luce Guillen-Givins was arrested leaving a public meeting at a park. And then on September 1 Rob Czernik and Max Specktor were also arrested.

While hundreds of protesters were arrested during the anti-RNC protests, these 8 organizers have been singled out for particularly outrageous charges.

Originally the RNC 8 were charged with conspiracy to riot in the 2nd degree in furtherance of terrorism, a felony which is the first ever use of Minnesota’s PATRIOT Act. As if that wasn't outrageous enough, more recently they have received three additional felony charges, courtesy of Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner (who is also running for Governor of Minnesota as a Democrat). The additional charges are 2nd degree conspiracy to riot (without the terrorism enhancement), 1st degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in furtherance of terrorism, and 1st degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property (without the terrorism enhancement). All together these charges would result in over a dozen years in prison.

Facing enormous legal costs, fundraising efforts and educational events on behalf of the RNC 8 are being organized on their behalf around the country. Recently three of the RNC 8 made their way to Duluth, MN, for example, for a week long series of events. Several forums were organized, as well as meetings with labor and political leaders. Among the fundraising activities were a "hug a terrorist" booth at the annual Living Green Conference, and a fundraising concert at Carmody's Irish Pub in Duluth that netted almost $1500.

In the coming months it's crucial that additional events be organized in as many cities as possible. While Socialist Action does not support all of the tactics or politics of anarchist groups like the RNC Welcoming Committee, we firmly believe that an injury to one is an injury to all. Activists of all stripes should particularly be concerned about the liberal use of terrorism charges - which could very easily be used in the future against anti-war, labor, community and other activists.

For more information about the RNC 8, to donate, or to get involved in other ways in support of their defense, visit

American Indians Fight for Land in Northern MN

On January 20 the St. Louis County Board in northeastern Minnesota refused to sell abandoned, tax-forfeited lands located on the reservation to the Fond du Lac band of Ojibwe. Like many reservations in the U.S., much of the land within the Fond du Lac reservation is owned by non-tribal members. The tribal government has for years been striving to turn around this situation by buying up non-tribally owned land whenever it can. The County refused to sell on the grounds that they could get more tax dollars from it if it weren't owned by American Indians. To add insult to injury the St. Louis County Board’s discussion of the matter reflected troubling stereotypes and misinformation about American Indian taxpayers, misunderstanding of the legal, economic and historic facts of Indian tribes and our region, disrespect for Indian taxpayers’ rights and an effort to circumvent state law.


On February 12 over 100 protesters from the Fond du Lac, Bois Forte and Red Lake bands, along with supporters from the Duluth/Superior area, gathered on the steps of the St. Louis County Courthouse to demand that the County Board reverse its decision.


Protesters listened to several speeches from local American Indian activists, Fond du Lac Band Chairwoman Karen Diver, and representatives of the League of Women Voters and We Are Watching group (which formed last year as a watchdog group to keep an eye of the St. Louis County Board). An American Indian drum circle also performed before and after the speakers.


Speakers at the rally criticized the St. Louis County Board for basing its decision on false information and stereotypes. They pointed out how the American Indian community does indeed pay taxes, and that its casinos are a major boost to the local economy.


Following the rally, a delegation of a few dozen of the protesters went into the Courthouse to present a letter signed by hundreds of local citizens.


The letter called for the the County Board to (1) Retract its position; (2) Agree that in the future it will not discuss or make decisions about tribal issues without meeting first with tribal governments; and, (3) Agree to participate in training to enhance Board understanding of Indian tribes and issues.


Lake Superior Socialist Action stands in solidarity with tribal efforts to regain control of land within the reservations. The fact that so much land within area reservations is owned by non-tribal members is a sad legacy to the land theft that has characterized so much of the history of relations between the U.S. and local government, and American Indians. We call on the St. Louis County to work with, rather than against, the Fond du Lac and Bois Forte bands' efforts to expand tribal ownership of land within their reservations.