Cops Raid the RNC Protests! (already)

By Sonia Silbert, Co-coordinator, Washington Peace Center

I've never had a gun pulled on me, and I wasn't expecting that to happen last night, days ahead of the planned protests against the RNC in Minnesota.  But last night the St Paul police department raided the convergence space, guns drawn, bashed down doors and detained everyone in there for hours. 

I was at the convergence space with probably about 40 other people.  I was sitting in the corner working on a training I'm supposed to put on today when cops burst in, guns pointing to the  ground, and demanded everyone lie down on the ground.  We demanded to see a warrent and speak to a lawyer - neither of which happened the whole time we were held.  We were all hand-cuffed and searched.  The cops went upstairs and broke down some locked doors and detained anyone they found up there as well.  

The spirit downstairs was good - everyone was scared but also happy that we were all together and tried quickly to work out some solidarity techniques.   They were basically taking all our info, searching our bags and releasing us one by one.   They claimed they were searching for "things that would be used" at the RNC, but I never figured out what they were actually looking for.  Later, someone outside was shown the search warrent, though no one was given a copy as they are legally required to do, and apparently they were looking for things that could be made into weapons - such as jars for molotov cocktails. 

We were in a big group downstairs and were worried about people being alone upstairs - we also didn't like people being released one-by-one without any way to check on the folks being left behind.  Some folks agreed not to give their names and info until we were assured about the people upstairs and were released as a group so that anyone they might target wasn't left alone in there.

I was finally released after about 3 hours of being handcuffed.  They searched my belongings and took my photo, writing down info about my tatoo.  I asked the last cop who was searching my bag if we were going to be allowed back into the building, and he said no that they were closing the building.  He claimed there was  a fire code violation and a fire door was blocked so it would be closed down.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but usually if there's a fire code violation the fire department issues a ticket - the cops don't show up with guns drawn and detain everyone in the building for hours.  

When I was released there were over 100 people waiting outside cheering, offering hugs and water, plus legal representatives to take statements and press to give interviews to.  A great way to be welcomed!

This morning (Sat), three activist houses were raided - 2 houses of organizers of the RNC Welcoming Committee, 1 house of Food Not Bombs folk.   We have four confirmed arrests and believe more will follow. The identities of the four arrestees are known, and we understand that they are being charged with conspiracy to riot, and other conspiracy charges.

We had two days of trainings and meetings planned for today and tomorrow in that space and we are scrambling to find community space to continue with these important events.  The cops did this very strategically to disrupt the weekend that was going to build and strengthen the actions this week as well as the movement as a whole.

Dont' worry though - we won't let that happen.  We've found parks to do our trainings and meetings in - there's a press conference going on right now and then a mass meeting in an hour.  Check back here for more details as the days unfold!

Click here for NY Times article re raid.