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02/07/2004 Archived Entry: "What. The. Fuck??"
What. The. Fuck??
This case will have huge implications for any of us who have taken part in any anti-war activities in the past 2 years. Chilling.
In what may be the first subpoena of its kind in decades, a federal judge has ordered a university to turn over records about a gathering of anti-war activists.In addition to the subpoena of Drake University, subpoenas were served this past week on four of the activists who attended a Nov. 15 forum at the school, ordering them to appear before a grand jury Tuesday, the protesters said.
Federal prosecutors refuse to comment on the subpoenas.
In addition to records about who attended the forum, the subpoena orders the university to divulge all records relating to the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, a New York-based legal activist organization that sponsored the forum.
The group, once targeted for alleged ties to communism in the 1950s, announced Friday it will ask a federal court to quash the subpoena on Monday.
"The law is clear that the use of the grand jury to investigate protected political activities or to intimidate protesters exceeds its authority," guild President Michael Ayers said in a statement.
Representatives of the Lawyer's Guild and the American Civil Liberties Union said they had not heard of such a subpoena being served on any U.S. university in decades.
Those served subpoenas include the leader of the Catholic Peace Ministry, the former coordinator of the Iowa Peace Network, a member of the Catholic Worker House, and an anti-war activist who visited Iraq in 2002.
They say the subpoenas are intended to stifle dissent.
Replies: 5 people speak up
Two of the anti-war groups were Catholic. Those goddamn Papits, taking their marching orders from Il Papa in Rome! And wasn't John "Surrender Monkey" Paul II opposed to our righteous crusade in Iraq?
Why do Catholics hate America?
Posted by Metropolitan99 @ 02/07/2004 03:00 PM NY
The version from the DesMoinesRegister has a few more details.
Gotta do some more digging to see who the US Attorney in DM is, and what his political connections are. I do SO hope that this is indeed brought under the provisions of the "Patriot Act"!
"...The U.S. attorney's office in Des Moines convinced a judge Thursday to issue an order under seal - described by peace-movement sources as a gag order - to prohibit Drake employees from talking about the document search...
Meanwhile, members of the Iowa congressional delegation and legal experts expressed concern about the appearance that the government is investigating activists involved in peaceful opposition to war.
"I don't like the smell of it," said Sen. Tom Harkin, adding that he did not know details of the investigation. "It reminds me too much of Vietnam when war protesters were rounded up, when grand juries were convened to investigate people who were protesting the war."
The Nov. 15 conference was called "Stop the Occupation! Bring the Iowa Guard Home!"
Organizers widely advertised their intention to hold the conference and then demonstrate the following day outside the Iowa National Guard headquarters in Johnston.
A flier was sent to the Des Moines Police Department and media outlets. A Des Moines television station shot video footage.
On Friday, the Iowa Civil Liberties Union entered the case and plans to represent one of those subpoenaed...
Officials with the civil liberties group wonder whether the investigation is being conducted under the Patriot Act, controversial legislation designed to expand the government's ability to pursue domestic terrorists.
"Michael Greenberger, director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security at the University of Maryland, tracks counter- terrorism efforts nationwide.
"Without knowing the details," Greenberger said, "these facts tend to evidence exactly the kinds of things that people are worried about with regard to the Patriot Act and other prosecutorial excesses. It seems like people are being challenged for their free-speech rights."
"Other members of Iowa's congressional delegation want to know more.
Rep. Leonard Boswell, a Des Moines Democrat and member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he understands the need for secrecy when dealing with matters of national security.
"However, I am increasingly concerned about Attorney General John Ashcroft's disregard for explaining the actions of the Justice Department to the public," Boswell said.
Officials with the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C., said they would return a telephone call Friday, but failed to do so.
Rep. Steve King, a Republican from Kiron, said it appeared the government was using significant resources to investigate a relatively minor protest.
"It definitely has my attention, and I will be asking questions," King said."
Posted by Xan @ 02/07/2004 03:10 PM NY
"We must realize that today's Establishment is the new George III. Whether it will continue to adhere to his tactics, we do not know. If it does, the redress, honored in tradition, is also revolution"
William O. Douglas
Associate Justice (Deceased), USSC
Posted by Andre @ 02/07/2004 03:59 PM NY
It's just one spine-chiller after another, isn't it?
Thank god we're being protected from peacenicks and Tommy Chong, eh? Don't you sleep so much better at night?
Posted by Avedon @ 02/08/2004 12:14 PM NY
This is a test, how the public reacts to the test determines the next action of the Administration. If they can get away with it, they'll keep poking at that line, like a pig pokes at a fence constantly to see if it's there, and if there are any holes. Which means that in order to stop actions like this in the future, we need to raise a big stink, a ruckus, a brouhaha, a little outrage.
"What's all the hubbub, Bub?"
- Bugs Bunny
Posted by Stentor @ 02/08/2004 06:26 PM NY
