Twin Cities Indymedia - minneapolis - st. paul

[TCIMC note 12/14 5PM: We have heard a rumor the Heffelfinger/Luger RNC Public Safety Review Commission may fail to release their report on Monday, Dec. 15 as mandated. Plz send more RNC-related materials into TC Indymedia & RNC '08 Report.]

Just a few days after the RNC dust settled, it was announced that the City of St. Paul hired former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger and former assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Luger to review police plans and how they were carried out during the Republican National Convention.

What became immediately clear was that the independent review would not be a fact-finding mission to explore allegations of police wrongdoing or violations of people's rights but a look at the City's security plan, how it was implemented, and whether it reflected what Heffelfinger described as "best practices" (Star Tribune, September 9th, 2008).

Lawyers for the RNC 8 reportedly received a letter today from the Ramsey County Attorney's office amending the complaint against them. The new complaint reportedly lists the charges as follows:

Count 1 - conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism (the original charge)
Count 2 - conspiracy to riot in the second degree (without terrorism enhancement)
Count 3 - conspiracy to damage property in furtherance of terrorism
Count 4 - conspiracy to damage property (without terrorism enhancement)

The timing of the additional charges from Ramsey County is unique, coming on the heels of a successful court solidarity action on Friday and upcoming call-in days to Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. Ramsey County prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft also recently sent a letter threatening more charges to the lawyer for Dave Mahoney.

Check back to TC Indymedia for updates.

No jail for Joe! Joe Robinson was sentenced this morning on felony first degree property damage stemming from slashed delegate bus tires during the RNC. The judge rejected nearly all the prosecutor's wishes, sentencing Robinson instead to three years probation, a $100 fine and 100 hours of community service in an organization of his choice. The standing-room only courtroom was packed with about 50 friends and supporters, who all stood when Robinson's name was called. Judge Salvador Rosas - soon to become the judge for the RNC 8 - mentioned the action favorably before delivering the sentence, calling it "Gandhi-like."

Related: Statement in Robinson's Behalf | Prosecutor: Dave Mahoney's Finger-Point "Most Serious RNC Case I Have" | RNC Letter-Writing Saturday

Today, members of the Twin Cities branch of the IWW handed out leaflets to workers and passersby in front of the US Trust Building in Minneapolis. US Trust was recently bought our by Bank of America and now functions as their "Private Wealth Management Division." They got positive reactions from every single person who took a leaflet. A few of the people they talked to were being laid off themselves. Workers in this country are hungry for change, and increasingly ready for a fight.

Quincy Smith was a former DJ with KMOJ Radio in North Minneapolis, and died shortly after being tased by Minneapolis police during a confrontation on Knox Avenue on the north side. He is at least the 20th person killed by police in Minnesota this year.

The initial corporate news report is below. If you have information about Quincy Smith or this incident, please submit it to TC Indymedia.

From Fight Back News Service: Minnesota Protest Demands a 'People’s Bailout'
By staff

St. Paul, MN - While state officials announced a record $5.2 billion dollar budget deficit at the State Capitol here, Dec. 4 , about 25 members of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout were outside the room chanting, “Hey politicians, here’s the fix! Tax the rich! Tax the rich!”

UPDATE: Wednesday, Dec 10 - 11 AM - KFAI will feature "Clearing the Courts... and Our Consciences" hosted by Andy Driscoll and Lynnell Mickelson, talking with lawyers and defendants. With attorneys Larry Leventhal and Gena Bergland, Michael Friedman from the National Lawyers Guild and Legal Rights Center. Tune in FM 90.3 (Mpls) or 106.7 (St. Paul) or streaming live @ KFAI.

Last night's rally and dance party outside RNC felony prosecutor Susan Gaertner's gubernatorial fundraiser in downtown Minneapolis was a smashing success from the perspective of protest organizers. At 4:00, the RNC 8 held a press conference satirically endorsing Gaertner's run for Governor, and presenting a giant check for "Eight dollars and zero sense." Soon thereafter a banner was dropped from a nearby parking ramp, and the crowd for the CRASS-organized rally swelled to about 100. A large police presence of nearly two dozen MPD officers with a booking van and flexicuffs was also on the scene, but the crowd avoided arrests and ended the party at about 6:30, chanting "We'll be back!"

Meanwhile, the number of cases dismissed by St. Paul City Attorney John Choi this week is at 30 according to CRASS, all but three of which were scheduled for trial on December 15. Many of the cases are from the Shepherd Road and 7th/Jackson parking lot mass arrests. A minimum of 63 misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor cases have now been dismissed and a dozen others declined for prosecution.

Press Statement from the RNC 8 | CRASS | Petition to Susan Gaertner: Drop the Charges | "your felonies, your fault!" | Photos by kostyaissoli | (did you take photos or videos of the rally? publish or link to them on TC Indymedia and we'll add them here!)

An initial review of Ramsey County court cases scheduled for today shows 25 misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases formally dismissed! Stemming primarily from the mass arrests on September 1, this dismissal of charges comes after a similar dismissal of up to two dozen cases two weeks ago.

As we find more information about the latest batch of bogus charges, we'll post it here.