Support of Due Process for Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists

WHEREAS, on Friday, September 24, 2010, the FBI coordinated national actions when it raided six homes in Chicago and two in Minneapolis^[1]; and questioned activists in Michigan and Durham, North Carolina^[2]; and

WHEREAS, in September 2010, the FBI subpoenaed 14 activists in Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota to testify before a federal grand jury^[3]; and  

WHEREAS, these activists were involved in many groups, including the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization^[4]; and

WHEREAS, these activists and many others came together to organize the 2008 anti-war marches during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul^[5]; and

WHEREAS, in December, 2010, nine Palestine Solidarity activists in Chicago were also subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury^[6]; and

WHEREAS, the subpoenas claim that the grand jury is investigating violations of the 1996 law on the issue of "material support" of designated foreign terrorist organizations^[7]; and

WHEREAS, the FBI confiscated computers, cell phones, CDs, files, papers^[8], address books, family calendars, and personal letters^[9]; and

WHEREAS, these raids and intimidations across the country, including in Durham, North Carolina, against activists who oppose U.S. foreign policy are a threat to our freedoms and are unconstitutional;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Democratic Party of North Carolina call on President Barack Obama, U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder,  and the Senate and House Judiciary Committees to stop the FBI Campaign of repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists, halt the current grand jury proceedings against anti-war activists, and return all confiscated materials.