Revolution #165, May 24, 2009


Update: Two out of four charges dropped against the RNC 8

An April 9 press release from the Friends of RNC 8 announced that “Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner has dropped two of four unfounded charges against the RNC 8. Caving to months and months of public pressure, Gaertner dropped one count of Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property in Furtherance of Terrorism.”

This is a significant development in the case of the RNC 8. The use of the Minnesota Patriot Act was garnering widespread attention to the RNC 8 (including appearance on MSNBC, Duluth labor council resolution, 3,000 petitions, countless fundraising events around the country, etc.)

The decision by the prosecution to drop the “terrorism enhancement” charges is an important indication of the weaknesses in the government’s case and the growing support for the RNC 8. In the face of this, the prosecution is maneuvering to both defuse the outrage over this case while still going forward in seeking a conviction on two other serious felony conspiracy charges. Now is not the time to relax but to step up the efforts to stop this railroad by demanding that ALL charges be dropped. 

As the press release puts it:

“‘Make no mistake,’ said defendant Luce Guillen-Givins, ‘This change to the complaint against us is a token gesture meant to placate our supporters and bolster a floundering political prosecution.’” As defendant Eryn Trimmer pointed out, “This move only focuses attention more acutely on the outrageous nature of the two remaining charges, Conspiracy to Commit Riot and Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property.”

Read Part 1: The Case of the RNC 8
Read Part 2: The Case of the RNC 8

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