Conference to confront FBI attacks on anti-war and solidarity activist's constitutionally guaranteed rights of free speech and freedom of assembly

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011

UNC LAW SCHOOL, CHAPEL HILL, NC

A conference organized to address the recent FBI raids on anti-war and international solidarity activist’s homes and workplaces will take place on Saturday, February 19th from 9:45am till 5:00pm at the UNC Law School on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided for a suggested $5 donation. Childcare will be available free of charge.

The conference is the southern regional event in response to the September 24, 2010 FBI raids on activist’s homes in Minneapolis and Chicago, and the office of the Twin Cities Anti War Committee. To date, a total of 23 activists have received summons to appear before a Grand Jury run by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. There will be several speakers and panels over the course of the day. Scheduled panels include ‘History of FBI and Political Repression Against People’s Movements’ and ‘Grand Juries, Material Support of Terrorism, the Legal and Political Context.’

“This important regional conference, like the ones being held in New York, Chicago, and Oakland, will bring many activists together to say ‘no’ to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s campaign of intimidation and repression against the antiwar and Palestine solidarity movements,” said Kosta Harlan a local activist visited by the FBI in September. “Everyone concerned about the attacks on our democratic rights should attend.”

The conference main sponsor is The Triangle Committee to Stop FBI Repression. Co-sponsors include ACLU of North Carolina; Asheville Committee to Stop FBI Re­pression; Asheville SDS; Atlanta International Action Center; Blackwater Watch; Charles M. Jones Peace and Justice Committee of the Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist; Durham Bill of Rights Defense Committee; Durham County Libertarian Party; Eisenhower Chapter of Veterans for Peace; Green Party of the United States; Internationalist Books; Israeli Coalition Against House Demolition (ICAHD-USA); Jews for a Just Peace; Libertarian Party of North Carolina; Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation; National Lawyers Guild at UNC Chapel Hill; NC Stop Torture Now; North Carolina Peace Action; Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee; Ra­leigh F.I.S.T.; Raleigh Fruitcakes; Southern Anti-Racism Network; Tuscaloosa SDS; UE Local 150; UNC Chapel Hill SDS; US Human Rights Network; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – Triangle Branch.

More information is available here: http://www.stopfbi.net/conference/north-carolina