Big brother is alive and well - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

savas · #1 02-10-2004, 01:41 PM

It will be interesting to see how this turns out...
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An Antiwar Forum in Iowa Brings Federal Subpoenas
By MONICA DAVEY

Published: February 10, 2004

DES MOINES, Feb. 9 — To hear the antiwar protesters describe it, their forum at a local university last fall was like so many others they had held over the years. They talked about the nonviolent philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they said, and how best to convey their feelings about Iraq into acts of civil disobedience.

But last week, subpoenas began arriving seeking details about the forum's sponsor — its leadership list, its annual reports, its office location — and the event itself. On Monday, lawyers for the sponsor, the Drake University chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, went to court in an effort to block the federal prosecutors' demands.

Those who attended the forum, at least four of whom said they had received subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury on Tuesday, said that they did not know what to make of the inquiry and that they feared it was intended to quash protest.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/10/national/10PROT.html?th

Botnst · #2 02-10-2004, 01:50 PM

damfoolstoopiddumfukthotpolice.

Somebody needs to "out" the folks behind this assault on freedom of assembly. You know, the Constitutional right to get together and discuss whatever.

B

mikemover · #3 02-11-2004, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ilvanakis
They talked about the nonviolent philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they said, and how best to convey their feelings about Iraq into acts of civil disobedience.

The last part of that might be what got the interest of the feds....

Inciting large groups of people to commit illegal acts--"civil disobedience" is a polite and PC activist term for "breaking the law"--is usually frowned upon, you know!

Mike

kerry · #4 02-11-2004, 11:16 AM

I read that piece yesterday and it raised the same red flags in my mind.

Although I guess Mike is right. As libertarians we should be supporting the imposition of federal police power on individuals who follow the thinking of such anti-american radicals as Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Paine.

savas · #5 02-11-2004, 04:19 PM

Looks like it's over

U.S. officials drop activist subpoenas
Judge lifts Drake gag order in probe of anti-war protest
By JEFF ECKHOFF and MARK SIEBERT

02/11/2004
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Federal authorities retreated Tuesday in their investigation of an Iowa anti-war demonstration, withdrawing grand jury subpoenas delivered last week to four peace activists and Drake University.
http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/23504845.html

Botnst · #6 02-11-2004, 07:41 PM

Wonder which part of, "...or the right of the people peaceably to assemble..." the prosecutor didn't understand?

Now somebody needs to force him to write on the blackboard the following in every local civics class in every high school in his district and ask the kids what it means. Maybe they can help him to understand his duty and responsibility.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "

Botnst

mikemover · #7 02-12-2004, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kerry edwards
I read that piece yesterday and it raised the same red flags in my mind.

Although I guess Mike is right. As libertarians we should be supporting the imposition of federal police power on individuals who follow the thinking of such anti-american radicals as Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Paine.

Quote:

Originally posted by w126
I heard Bernie Sanders talking about it the other day, scary.

Never, ever squash dissent. If that occurred here at the UW Madison campus, riots would result.

It's not dissent or protest that I'm talking about. I protest and voice my dissent here and in many other places on a very regular basis. There can be dissent and protest without intentional, pre-meditated breaking of laws.

Calling it something polite like "civil disobedience" does not make it any less illegal. What I was saying is this: If you choose to go that route, then be prepared to pay the price. If you have such conviction for your cause that you're willing to break the law, then at least have the balls to accept the penalties afterwards.

I have no sympathy for someone who publicly advocates and incites people to protest by committing illegal acts, and then whines about being under investigation for it.

Mike

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