Center for Constitutional Rights Statement on FBI Raids

Thousands of people gathered in nearly 40 cities across the country this week in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) raids on peaceful anti-war and international solidarity activists in Chicago and Minnesota. The growing threat to the right to dissent has been demonstrated in the U.S. government’s efforts to silence speech, and criminalize and target peaceful movements. These efforts are becoming more aggressive, emboldened further by the Supreme Court’s increasingly conservative decisions, for instance regarding material support in the form of humanitarian aid to so-called terrorist organizations. Fortunately, opposition to this blatant repression of our basic civil rights is mounting daily.

As you know, the Center has worked to protect the Constitutional right to dissent for social movements in the United States. Join us and take a stand against the silencing of dissent by participating in a national call-in day on Monday, October 4, 2010, and organize an event in your communities on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 to make your voice heard.

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY OF ACTION: MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2010
Call Attorney General Eric Holder at (202) 353-1555 and tell him to:

· Stop the grand jury subpoenas;
· Return all of the materials seized in the raid to their owners; and
· End the harassment of anti-war and international solidarity activists.

ORGANIZE AN ACTION IN YOUR COMMUNITY: OCTOBER 5, 2010
Act in solidarity with activists called before the Grand Jury and organize your community to:

· Take action at local federal buildings and FBI offices.
· For information on what actions will be taking place in your area, visit www.stopfbi.net.

Additionally, make sure you know your rights-and what to do if you are contacted or harassed by the FBI. Download a copy of “If An Agent Knocks,” CCR’s guide for activists, at www.ccrjustice.org/ifanagentknocks or email us at [email protected].