Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Join in the National Day of Solidarity with the RNC8!

Thousands of police and National Guard with a budget of $50 million were in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota over the course of the Republican National Convention to guard what is most precious to those in power: law and order. They were defied by brave people who engaged in everything from permitted and unpermitted marches to civil disobedience, resulting in over 800 arrests.

The authorities attempted to preemptively contain the RNC protests by unleashing a tsunami of repression against local organizers involved in logistical support work in the form of infiltration, electronic surveillance, seizing political literature and artwork, and raiding meeting spaces among other tactics. After early morning house raids and preemptive arrests mere days before the action would begin, eight people have now been charged as terrorists under a state-version of the Patriot Act and are facing 12 and a half years in prison and fines of $25,000 per person.

The prosecution of the RNC8 is a naked attempt to criminalize above-ground legal organizing-- and we will not allow “examples” to be made of our friends and fellow travelers! Just as the authorities failed to staunch the protests that engulfed downtown St. Paul, we must act to once again disrupt their well-laid plans! Through ingenuity and solidarity we can accomplish the most amazing feats, as those on the streets of St. Paul can attest.

DEFEND THE RNC8!

This case is pivotal to the future of organizing in the United States! If the RNC8 are found guilty, this will serve as a precedent to prosecute as “terrorists” others who organize in their communities for equality, justice and liberation. Lawyers, investigators and expert witnesses cost money. The estimated cost of the trial is $250,000. Though none of us have that kind of money just lying around, the cost becomes more manageable if we all kick in. Please organize an event in your area for the National Day of Awareness for the RNC 8 on Saturday, March 28!

Some ideas for events are:
Film screenings (for a copy of Terrorizing Dissent go to www.terrorizingdissent.org)
Workshops/Teach-ins
Support rallies
Speakers (to see if a member of the RNC 8 or a support committee member can come to your town contact info-AT-rnc.org)
Fundraisers (potlucks, garage sales, 5-k runs, bike rides,
booksales, etc)
Shows or music festivals
Theater

To let us know what events you have planned, please email us at info-AT-rnc8.org

For more info on the RNC8, go to www.rnc8.org
Dismiss the charges! Go to www.thepetitionsite.com/1/defendthernc8 to sign the petition!
To Donate, visit www.rnc8.org
Go to rnc8.org/get-updates/ to get Friends of the RNC8 announcements!