Committee Against Political Repression

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Comment by Joe Balkis on April 22, 2012 at 4:14

If you are in the Los Angeles area...Join us at the Court! Thursday, April 26, 2012 8:00 a.m. Criminal Courts Bldg. 211 West Temple St, Los Angeles Dept. 123 on the 13th floor For more info go to stopfbila.net

Facing up to 18 years of prison time, Carlos Montes is preparing to go on trial. Here is what you can do:

Pass a resolution in solidarity with Carlos Montes or write a letter. Sign the national petitionsupporting Carlos Montes Sign the Pledge to ResistFBI and Grand Jury Repression Join a local support committeeof the CSFR or organize one in your town Donate to the legal defense fund

Comment by Joe Balkis on April 22, 2012 at 4:12

follow on Twitter | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved. Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! Our mailing address is: Committee to Stop FBI Repression PO Box 14183 Minneapolis, MN 55414

Comment by Joe Balkis on April 12, 2012 at 18:23

  CAPR will hold its next meeting Sunday April 15th 430 PM  We will be meeting after the CANG8 meeting at  Kent School of Law 565 West Adams Chicago Draft agenda and suggestions changes email me directly at jburger40@gmail.com Updates on the case Report on presentation and leafleting for the past two week Upcoming outreach opportunities Mayday Labor Note People Summit Counter Summit NATO protest NATO Protest contingent planning Proposal to endorse the protests against the RNC in Florida  Announcement Next meeting
minutes 4/1/12  Evaluation of 3/10/12 action: good energy great to combine with youth/immigrant/occupy movement  Best mobilization of the year  Addition of music and drumming increases energy and give great effect as we had at Carlos event Joe Pat and Newland went to UNAC conference in Connecticut  500 attended including 150 Muslim from NYC including several Bengali families and many black Muslim
 Decided we will put on each meeting agenda outreach opportunities
 A new flier subcommittee was suggested to update website  Joe I will work on it for now Case update 2 of 6 felony charges against Carlos were dropped based on statute of limitations Larry commented the defeat of two of the four felony charges for Carlos was not terribly significant legally  It was significant politically The 4 charges are enough to put him in prison if the prosecutor is successful  Currently the burden is on the State to produce proof of felony conviction or plea bargain  Paperwork currently shows it was a misdemeanor. Lets keep the pressure on to get the 4 drops as well Guy gave an update of Joe Callahans case found at http://supportjoe.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/support-joe-callahan/   Joe is out on bail in twin citiesbut will have trial in Thunder Bay  Might be looking for supporters to attend trial  4/14 at 5 pm at 1900 S Carpenter there is a meeting to organize around his case  There will be food and music CAPR  endorsed this event and proceeds from passing the hat at our meeting were donated to Joes case  Stan committed Sarah Smith to go and Stephanie will put together a box of CAPR ribbons Montes armbands stickers CDs and silkscreened t shirts
Occupy Spring 4/7  Start in the neighborhoods and marches downtown to Grant Park  Jackson and LaSalle at 1 pm going to Butler Field by 130  J and Bob will leaflet  Other encouraged to meet them at Jackson and LaSalle at 1 pm  There will be a celebratory freedom fest in the evening  More info at http://chicagospring.org/# On the same day Joe I is speaking at the National Muslim Leadership Council  Ask Joe for more info Proposal for workshops for counter summit due tomorrow 4/2 Joe  will do There is a website for counter summit natofreefuture.org  Proposals for Peoples Summit due 4/15  Joe and Stan will work on proposal for political prisoners and include CAPR folks  Stephanie will do table for Peoples Summit 4/13/12  Forum on alternative media and the labor movement: 10 years after the Venezuelan people defeated the coup d'etat.  530 pm at Depaul Schmitt Academic Center 2320 N Kenmore Rm 254  
Next meeting 4/15/12  1 pm in basement or lobby of Kent School of Law

Comment by Joe Balkis on March 29, 2012 at 5:33

Hello all,
We will be holding a fabulous CAPR meeting this Sunday, 1 pm, Room C40 at the Kent Law school, 565 West Adams, Chicago. Below is a proposed agenda, please send additions/subtractions to me directly at jburger40@gmail.com
Agenda
1. Introductions 2. Evaluation of the March 10th rally and march 3. Update in the legal case: a significant victory in the Carlos Montes case   - What is the significance   - Next steps   - Evaluate call-in day 4. Discuss the CAPR contingent for NATO protest(s) 5. CD's, wristbands and social media 6. Spring leafleting opportunities for our case
7. Announcements 8. Next meeting -- NATO = war by the 1% G8 = poverty for the 99%

Comment by Joe Balkis on March 27, 2012 at 16:26

Carlos Montes Back In Court, Today, March 27 Stop the Frame-up of Carlos Montes! Court Hearing to Uncover FBI Lies Tuesday, March 27, Call In Day Call: President Obama at 202-456-1111 Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-514-2001 Demand:“Drop the charges against Carlos Montes. There is no evidence!” Contact us and let us know how your calls went: info@stopFBI.net The FBI wants to frame up Carlos Montes. At his next court hearing on Tuesday, March 27 in Los Angeles, Carlos Montes’ lawyer will obtain results from discovery motions on how FBI special agent Matt Weber worked with L.A. Sheriff Detective Don Lord and the Joint Terrorism Task Force in this frame-up attempt

Comment by Joe Balkis on March 22, 2012 at 17:07

To the folks of Committee Against Political repression, We have been invited to have a lit. table at the fundraising concert listed below this Friday organized by CAMI folks in Pilsen. It will be a very hip event! Please RSVP to Stephanie or J about if you can staff the table or if you have stuff - especially in Spanish - that we can put on the table about CAPR, G8/NATO or Carlos Montes' case. en la lucha, Stephanie Weiner 773-368-6254    stephanieweiner6@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE=

Concert/RALLY

KONSTRUCT PEACE-NO TO G8

FRIDAY EVENING MARCH 23 7 PM-12 MIDNITE

ST. PIUS CHURCH BASEMENT 1919 S. ASHLAND

GROUPS-KONSTRUCT, ATRAS NADA

MONOLOGUE WITH ALFONSO

CHE-SPOKEN WORD

NATA-POETRY AND MORE!!!

ALL DONATIONS GO TO HELPING FORM A CONTINGENTE DEL PUEBLO

FOR THE G8, NATO MARCH.

Comment by Joe Balkis on March 19, 2012 at 21:43

Women in Palestine (in honor of Women's History Month)

Monday on March 19, 2012 at 7pm.

Loyola Chicago's Lake Shore campus

McCormick Lounge

1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660. 

Kristen Szremski, Sarah Smith, and Itedal Shalabi--as they speak about the distinct lives of Palestinian women (under and, in a sense, away from the occupation) through various lenses. This lecture panel will cover the role of the occupation in micro-financing, the psycho-social aspects of occupation, and the FBI raids and subpoenas targeting Palestinian solidarity activists. Overall, as Ms. Szremski states, "it will be a story of hope rising from the injustice of the occupation."
 
Kristen Szermski will talk about her trip to Palestine and the role of the occupation in micro-financing.
Itedal Shalabi will focus on the psycho-social aspects of occupation.

Sarah Smith will speak about grand juries, material support laws, and her experience of being subpoenaed by the FBI after traveling to Palestine.

 

Comment by Joe Balkis on March 1, 2012 at 7:13

Montes Court Hearing to Uncover FBI Lies Friday, March 2. Please call President Obama 202-456-1111 & A.G. Holder 202-514-2001

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Friday, March 2, 2012: Montes Court Hearing to Uncover FBI Lies. March 2 - Call: -- President Obama at 202-456-1111 & -- Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-514-2001 Demand: “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes. There is no evidence!” Contact us and let us know how your calls went: info@stopFBI.net The FBI is relentlessly persecuting Carlos Montes. At his next court hearing on March 2 in Los Angeles, Carlos Montes’ lawyer will make discovery motions on how FBI special agent Matt Weber worked with L.A. Sheriff Detective Don Lord and the Joint Terrorism Task Force in this frame-up attempt. If you are in the Los Angeles area... Join us at the Court! Friday, March 2 8:00 AM Criminal Courts Bldg. 211 West Temple St, Los Angeles Dept. 123 on the 13th floor For more info go to stopfbila.net More info: Last May, the Los Angeles Sheriffs smashed down Carlos’ door at 5 a.m., waving automatic weapons, ransacking his home, and carting away his life’s work of notes and papers. A FBI agent attempted to question Carlos about the Freedom Road Socialist Organization while he was handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser. Chicano leader and long-time activist Carlos Montes is one of 24 anti-war and international solidarity activists hit by FBI and grand jury repression since Sept. 24, 2010. Like others caught up in this witch hunt, Montes of Los Angeles was one of the organizers of the massive protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC) in St. Paul, Minnesota. When the FBI raided the Minnesota Anti-War Committee (AWC) office, Carlos Montes’ name appeared on the warrant for investigation. An undercover law enforcement officer “Karen Sullivan” lied about her identity and spied on the AWC, including Carlos Montes, for two years. Repression of the ‘60s Is Back Carlos Montes is well known as a co-founder of the Brown Berets and for leading the immigrant rights mega-marches in L.A. The FBI is trying to railroad Carlos for his political organizing.   Montes' defense is challenging the state’s claim that he has a felony record from his 1969 arrest for leading a student strike that demanded Chicano, Black and Women’s Studies at an East Los Angeles college. Also, the legal record does not support the claim of a past felony, thereby ruling out the District Attorney going ahead with this case. Nevertheless, the government is alleging it was a crime for Montes to buy several guns at a local sporting goods store over a ten-year period, because of the (nonexistent) felony record. The FBI are relentless in their frame-up.   The prosecution is basing their evidence on this 42-year-old incident, where, during the 1969 student strike and rally, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department invaded the East Los Angeles college campus, beating and arresting student protesters. In the aftermath of the turmoil, Montes was arrested while driving home with a fellow activist and family. He was charged with assaulting a Sheriff’s Deputy. Just like today, the Sheriffs targeted Montes because of his politics - he was a leader of the La Vida Nueva on campus and the Brown Berets in the community.   Support Grows! Solidarity Will Bring Victory! Support for Montes and the other activists under attack by the FBI and U.S. Federal grand jury is growing. Recently, Montes received a letter of support from the 350,000-member California Teachers Association and the 40,000 members at LAUSD United Teachers of Los Angeles and the UAW Local 2865 at UCLA. On Feb. 27, the San Francisco Labor Council approved a resolution in support of Montes and many others targeted by ICE and FBI repression. Facing up to 18 years of prison time, Carlos Montes is preparing to go on trial. Here is what you can do:   1. Organize a solidarity protest and demand, “Drop the Charges! No FBI Frame-Up of Carlos Montes!” on March 2, 2012. Send your announcement to info@StopFBI.net for posting. 2. Pass a resolution in solidarity with Carlos Montes or write a letter. 3. Sign the petition at http://www.stopfbi.net/petition/national 4. Sign the Pledge at http://www.stopfbi.net/get-involved/pledge-of-resistance 5. Donate to the Legal Defense http://www.stopfbi.net/donate

follow on Twitter | | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved. Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! Our mailing address is: Committee to Stop FBI Repression PO Box 14183 Minneapolis, MN 55414

Comment by Joe Balkis on February 19, 2012 at 13:20

Carlos_Montes_en_Chicago.pdf

• Carlos Montes Feb 26.pdf

For more info:  Magda Castaneda, 773-216-8180, Committee Against Political Repression   On May 17, 2011 at 5 AM the SWAT Team of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. and members of the FBI raided the home of Carlos Montes, a long time Chicano activist and active member of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The SWAT Team smashed the front door and rushed in with their automatic weapons as Carlos slept. They also ransacked his home, taking his computer, cell phones, photos, diskettes, and hundreds of documents along with mementos of his current and historic political activities in the immigrant rights and Chicano civil rights movement.   The District Attorney has charged Carlos with felony charges based on an alleged 42 year old conviction and recent firearms code violations.  The DA claims he has a felony record from his 1969 arrest for leading a student strike demanding Chicano Studies and Black Studies at East L.A. College.  The FBI is dredging up a case over four decades old because of Carlos' involvement in the anti-war, immigrant rights and international solidarity movements today.   Carlos Montes has committed no crime and has done nothing wrong! This is an attack on him and an attack on the Chicano Liberation Movement. Carlos has been involved and a committed leader in the immigrant rights, anti-war, international solidarity, and quality education movement his whole adult life. On February 26th, he'll talk about his case, about FBI repression in general, and about the upcoming NATO / G8 protests in Chicago in May 2012.   Organized by the Committee Against Political Repression (CAPR) & the Coalition to Protect People’s Rights (CPPR) Please print and distribute widely. Joe

Comment by Joe Balkis on February 16, 2012 at 16:30

Today: Call U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and Patrick Fitzgerald. Tell them to stop this witch hunt! Jonas = 312-353-5300 x 68027. Fitzgerald = 312-353-5300 x 0 (zero)

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Demand U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and Patrick Fitzgerald call off their investigation of anti-war and international solidarity activists.  Call-In Day TODAY - Thursday, Feb. 16 1. Call Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas at 312-353-5300 x 68027 2. For Fitzgerald, call 312-353-5300, then dial 0 (zero) for operator and ask to leave a message with the Duty Clerk.   Suggested text:  “My name is __________, I am from _______(city), in ______(state).  I am calling Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas [and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald] to demand he call off the investigation of, and stop FBI repression against, the anti-war and international solidarity movements. I oppose U.S. government political repression and support the right to free speech and the right to assembly of the 23 activists subpoenaed.  We will not be criminalized.  Tell him to stop this McCarthy-type witch-hunt against international solidarity activists!"   3. Email info@stopfbi.net to let us know you called (and what city you called from). The Northern Illinois Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas confirmed that the “investigation is continuing” into the case of the 23 anti-war and international solidarity activists hit with FBI raids and grand jury repression in 2010. Barry Jonas, currently in charge, is known for his leading role in prosecuting the leaders of the Holy Land Foundation.    Jonas and Fitzgerald are part of the team that ordered FBI raids on anti-war and solidarity activists' homes and subpoenaed 23 from Chicago, Minneapolis, and Michigan in 2010. All refused to speak before the grand jury.  The grand jury is a secret and closed inquisition, with no judge and no media. The U.S. Attorney controls the entire proceedings and hand picks the jurors and the anti-war activists would not be allowed a lawyer. Now we are asking you to call those in charge of the repression aimed against anti-war leaders and the growing international solidarity movement.   Sign and circulate the Pledge To Resist and the petitions below:   **Pledge To Resist http://www.stopfbi.net/get-involved/pledge-of-resistance   **Please sign and circulate our new petition at http://www.stopfbi.net/petition   **Solidarity with Carlos Montes http://www.stopfbi.net/petition/national   Visit www.StopFBI.netor write StopFBI@gmail.comor call 612-379-3585.   Background U.S. Attorney’s Office Confirms Investigation Is Ongoing into Antiwar Activists   The Northern Illinois Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas stated that the “investigation is continuing” into the case of the anti-war and international solidarity activists hit with FBI raids and grand jury repression. Barry Jonas is known for his leading role in prosecuting the leaders of the Holy Land Foundation while he was trial attorney for the Department of Justice Counter-terrorism Section.   This confirms what the U.S. Attorney’s office related some months ago—they are preparing multiple indictments of multiple activists. The FBI raided seven homes and the government subpoenaed 23 international solidarity activists to a Chicago grand jury over a year ago. The anti-war activists refused to appear at the secretive grand jury and launched a campaign against political repression. The U.S. government is threatening to imprison anti-war activists on the grounds of “material support for terrorism.”   The confirmation of the ongoing investigation came during a January 24, 2012 phone call between Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas and attorney Bruch Nestor, who represents some of the political activists.   Nestor initially contacted Minneapolis Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Winter to view some of the sealed documents in the case. The grand jury proceedings against the anti-war activists are secret. The vast majority of documents relating to their case are under seal, meaning the targeted activists or their attorneys cannot view them. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winter helped to oversee the Sept. 24, 2010 raids and in recent months represented the government on the issue of returning property seized in the raids. Winter told Nestor to contact Chicago Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas.   Jonas told Nestor the documents would remain secret "pending completion of the investigation."   Barry Jonas is responsible for railroading the Holy Land leaders. Jonas views solidarity with Palestine as a crime deserving long-term imprisonment. He is willing to pull every dirty trick available to him to obtain convictions. The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was once the largest Muslim charity in the U.S. Its efforts were geared towards providing humanitarian aid to help the people of Palestine and other countries. In 2001 its offices were raided. Three years later, five people associated with the charity were indicted. The first trial ended with a hung jury. The second trial ended with convictions. The five defendants received sentences that range from 15 to 65 years in prison.   The trial included secret witnesses - the defense never got to find out who the witnesses were - the use of hearsay evidence, and the introduction of evidence that had nothing to do with the defendants in the case, such as showing a video from Palestine of protesters burning an American flag, as a means to prejudice the jury.   As lead prosecutor, Barry Jonas played a key role in all this. He is now working under Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who runs the federal grand jury attacking anti-war and international solidarity activists.   The Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges all supporters of peace with justice to sign the pledge to take action (http://www.stopfbi.net/get-involved/pledge-of-resistance) in the event that international solidarity activists are indicted. In a closely related case, the FBI directed the LA Sheriff to raid the home of veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes. Carlos Montes is now facing trial and imprisonment on six felony charges relating back to a student protest that happened 42 years ago. See www.StopFBI.net   http://www.stopfbi.net/2012/2/2/us-attorney%E2%80%99s-office-confirms-investigation-ongoing-antiwar-activists

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved. Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! Our mailing address is: Committee to Stop FBI Repression PO Box 14183 Minneapolis, MN 55414 Add us to your address book

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