Twin Cities Indymedia | Movement Media for Minneapolis-St. Paul

Last week, 100-200 protesters demonstrated outside Senator Amy Klobuchar's Minneapolis office, despite near blizzard-like conditions, then went inside and occupied her office until Klobuchar returned to meet with them. After 20 minutes, Klobuchar stated she would not speak out to criticize Israel's continued attack, nor call for a cease fire, and left.

On January 2nd, a larger crowd of hundreds gathered at the Islamic Cultural Community Center in Northeast Minneapolis for an afternoon rally. Today, January 5, a Muslim student-organized rally will take place at the State Capitol, at 1pm, followed by a press conference at 3pm and a candlelight vigil beginning around 4:15.

Today is the third day of an intense Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip. In addition to destroying bulidings of the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli army has bombed schools, mosques, universities and other targets, with the death toll being overwhelmingly civilian. By midday Monday (Twin Cities time), the Palestine News Network was reporting a death toll of 345 with at least 1,450 injured, many still in overflowing Gaza hospitals that are lacking supplies due to the Israeli blockade. The prolonged attack has prompted protests and renewed calls for an Israeli boycott worldwide; the U.S. and U.K. stand alone in the world in their support for Israel.

Locally, the progressive Jewish community is mobilizing in opposition to the siege. A joint demonstration has been called for Tuesday outside Amy Klobuchar's office on Washington Avenue near downtown Minneapolis. In a press release (copied below), organizers say they expect hundreds to attend, adding, "As Jews in the Twin Cities, we stand with the world majority in the call to immediately end Israel's current and devastating aggression in Gaza, for Israel to be held accountable for it's actions, and for our fellow Minnesotans and specifically Jews to join us."

News: IMC-US coverage of protests | Electronic Intifada coverage | A Massacre in Palestine - Responses and Developments by Cyprus Indymedia | Israel Indymedia | Palestinian News Network | Intl. Middle East Media Center

Here's a compendium of reports from the RNC 8's scheduling hearing this past Wednesday. With the new felony charges, the 8 face a maximum penalty of 12 and a half years in prison. Their next court date is a motion hearing on January 26.

[TCIMC note 12/17: The report didn't come out, but we haven't seen it's absence reported in the mainstream media yet. The buzz at Ramsey County Courthouse on Wednesday was that the report would not be released until after the holidays, in January. RNC '08 Report is still cataloging people's submissions to the commission.]

[TCIMC note 12/14 5PM: We have heard a rumor the Heffelfinger/Luger RNC Public Safety Review Commission may fail to release their report on Monday, Dec. 15 as mandated. Plz send more RNC-related materials into TC Indymedia & RNC '08 Report.]

Just a few days after the RNC dust settled, it was announced that the City of St. Paul hired former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger and former assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Luger to review police plans and how they were carried out during the Republican National Convention.

What became immediately clear was that the independent review would not be a fact-finding mission to explore allegations of police wrongdoing or violations of people's rights but a look at the City's security plan, how it was implemented, and whether it reflected what Heffelfinger described as "best practices" (Star Tribune, September 9th, 2008).

Lawyers for the RNC 8 reportedly received a letter today from the Ramsey County Attorney's office amending the complaint against them. The new complaint reportedly lists the charges as follows:

Count 1 - conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism (the original charge)
Count 2 - conspiracy to riot in the second degree (without terrorism enhancement)
Count 3 - conspiracy to damage property in furtherance of terrorism
Count 4 - conspiracy to damage property (without terrorism enhancement)

The timing of the additional charges from Ramsey County is unique, coming on the heels of a successful court solidarity action on Friday and upcoming call-in days to Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. Ramsey County prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft also recently sent a letter threatening more charges to the lawyer for Dave Mahoney.

Check back to TC Indymedia for updates.

No jail for Joe! Joe Robinson was sentenced this morning on felony first degree property damage stemming from slashed delegate bus tires during the RNC. The judge rejected nearly all the prosecutor's wishes, sentencing Robinson instead to three years probation, a $100 fine and 100 hours of community service in an organization of his choice. The standing-room only courtroom was packed with about 50 friends and supporters, who all stood when Robinson's name was called. Judge Salvador Rosas - soon to become the judge for the RNC 8 - mentioned the action favorably before delivering the sentence, calling it "Gandhi-like."

Related: Statement in Robinson's Behalf | Prosecutor: Dave Mahoney's Finger-Point "Most Serious RNC Case I Have" | RNC Letter-Writing Saturday

Today, members of the Twin Cities branch of the IWW handed out leaflets to workers and passersby in front of the US Trust Building in Minneapolis. US Trust was recently bought our by Bank of America and now functions as their "Private Wealth Management Division." They got positive reactions from every single person who took a leaflet. A few of the people they talked to were being laid off themselves. Workers in this country are hungry for change, and increasingly ready for a fight.

Quincy Smith was a former DJ with KMOJ Radio in North Minneapolis, and died shortly after being tased by Minneapolis police during a confrontation on Knox Avenue on the north side. He is at least the 20th person killed by police in Minnesota this year.

The initial corporate news report is below. If you have information about Quincy Smith or this incident, please submit it to TC Indymedia.

From Fight Back News Service: Minnesota Protest Demands a 'People’s Bailout'
By staff

St. Paul, MN - While state officials announced a record $5.2 billion dollar budget deficit at the State Capitol here, Dec. 4 , about 25 members of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout were outside the room chanting, “Hey politicians, here’s the fix! Tax the rich! Tax the rich!”