Authorities seize weapons, devices to disrupt RNC in raids last night, this morning

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: Pioneer Press

Weapons and devices to disable buses - among other items - were found in searches in the Twin Cities last night and today by Ramsey County sheriff's deputies. Authorities said the items came from "key members of the RNC Welcoming Committee," a self-described anarchist group. Five people have been arrested and four properties have been searched, according to the sheriff's office. At 8 a.m. today, the sheriff's office executed search warrants at three Minneapolis homes - 2301 23rd Ave. S., 3500 Harriet Ave. and 3240 17th Ave. S. They were assisted by the FBI, Minneapolis police and the Hennepin County sheriff's office.

"The 'Welcoming Committee' is a criminal enterprise made up of 35 anarchists who are intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention," said Sheriff Bob Fletcher in a statement. "These acts include tactics to blockade and disable delegate buses, breaching venue security and injuring police officers. They have recruited assistance in their criminal conspiracy from other anarchists groups throughout the country. Through their plans and actions they have exhibited a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others."

The statement said the items found in the searches included: materials to creating "sleeping dragons" (PVC pipe, chicken wire, duct tape), which is when protesters lock themselves together large amounts of urine, including three to five gallon buckets of urine
wrist rockets a machete, hatchet and several throwing knives, a gas mask and filter, empty glass bottles,r ags, flammable liquids, homemade caltrops (devises used to disable buses in roads), metal pipes, axes, bolt cutters, sledge hammers, repelling equipment, Kryptonite locks (THATS RIGHT KRYPTONITE!!!!!!!!), empty plastic buckets cut and made into shields, material for protective padding, an Army helmet. The five people being held at the Hennepin County jail are under arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to riot, conspiracy to commit civil disorder and conspiracy to damage property. Arrested at the 17th Avenue home were Monica Rachel Bicking, 23, Erin Chase Trimmer, 23, and Garrett Scott Fitzgerald, 25, Nestor said. Nathanel David Secor, 26,was arrested at the 23rd Avenue South home. Erik Charles Oseland, 21, was arrested an undisclosed location, the sheriff's office said.





Read more: http://www.twincities.com/ci_10339642?source=email

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KRYPTONITE!!!!!!!! You have to fuckin kidding me!!!

[Truth2Tell]

1. And the uncritical transcription

of the fascist version of events in the mainstream media begins. Every good German has their role to play.

[ManiacJoe]

2. Kryptonite is a brand name.

http://www.kryptonitelock.com

[Lithos]

3. Kryptonite

Are a brand of bicycle locks. They obviously are going to try and claim they would be used to lock things down to fences and the like.

My thought is how many of these items are in reality dual use items and that they made the list appear more ominous than it should be. Bicycle locks are one such thing as many protesters could also be bicycle riders and thus having legitimate need for locks.

L-

[rayofreason]

4. And urine.

Urine is pretty common too. I always have some on hand.

[Lithos]

6. The amount will prove interesting here

Being serious here (ie, avoiding the human urine thing), I actually do keep urine on hand, though not in the purported volume I've heard. I have a bottle of repellent containing predator urine which helps keep away possums when they get a bit out of hand.

Also, some people do use human urine in gardening, though I wouldn't recommend it.

L-

[Grinchie]

30. Did you know that Urine is Ammonium Nitrate that is a great fertilizer?

God forgive Monsanto if that tiny little fact of Human Biology gets out.

[Lithos]

36. Yes, I know it is

And it is usually watered down as fertilizer. However, you have to be careful as the kidneys also wash out pretty much everything else as well.

L-

[nilram]

34. I'm fresh out, myself -nt

[Wizard777]

27. Yeah, McCain thinks he's Superman.

What will change with McCain

1) The deficit. Going up!
2) The national debt. Going up!
3) Casualties in Iraq. Going up!
4) All volunteer military. Institute a Draft and Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran. Up in flames!
5) Soldiers on another tour of duty. Going Away!

McCain thinks he's Superman. His change is Up, up, up, up, and Away! It easily fits in a phone booth too.

[RavensChick]

48. That's exactly why

Obama has to win to stop this old ass Clark Kent from slithering into the White House!

[EFerrari]

5. POST YOUR COMMENT. NO REG REQUIRED. n/t

[madrchsod]

7. so how many are fbi/hls agents?

there`s at least one or two in this group...

[zeemike]

19. Stupid Anarchist

They should know that they will be infiltrated by the FBI.
And in fact the undercover agents would encourage so they could be eliminated.

[zonmoy]

24. better question is are there any real anarchists in the group

or was this all a scheme to make the left look like terrorists from a cell of agents provocateurs.

[valerief]

8. Well, there is a Krypton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krypton

But, yes, they're lying. To, ahem, protect America. "See? You need us to protect you. See what the Democrat Party is doing to us?"

[Demeter]

9. Disable Buses?

I didn't know the experiments in mind-reading, precognition and clairvoyance had progressed this far!

[Grinchie]

32. For those that are wondering..

The caltrop is the symbol of the US Army's III Corps, which is based at Fort Hood, Texas. III Corps traces its lineage to the days of horse cavalry, which used the caltrop as an area denial weapon. Fort Hood is the only installation in the US Army that has declared the caltrop to be a weapon prohibited in the barracks.

Iron caltrops were used as early as 331 BC at Gaugamela according to Quintus Curtius (IV.13.36). They were known to the Romans as tribulus or sometimes as Murex ferreus, the latter meaning 'jagged iron'.

The late Roman writer Vegetius, referring in his work De Re Militari to scythed chariots, wrote:

The armed chariots used in war by Antiochus and Mithridates at first terrified the Romans, but they afterwards made a jest of them. As a chariot of this sort does not always meet with plain and level ground, the least obstruction stops it. And if one of the horses be either killed or wounded, it falls into the enemy's hands. The Roman soldiers rendered them useless chiefly by the following contrivance: at the instant the engagement began, they strewed the field of battle with caltrops, and the horses that drew the chariots, running full speed on them, were infallibly destroyed. A caltrop is a device composed of four spikes or points arranged so that in whatever manner it is thrown on the ground, it rests on three and presents the fourth upright.<2>

The linked to the fall of the Roman Emire is especially intriguing here.

A Caltrop is also known as a Tetrahedron for you Chemistry enthusiasts. Methane and Ammonium also form a tetrahedron atomically. Perhaps these guys were students studying plant biology and biomass conversion to methane.

[jdadd]

41. We called them Jack Rocks

These home made devices were plentiful during the AK steel lock out in my hometown...

[fascisthunter]

10. Pretty Pathetic... send this to KO and See f He'd be Willing to Expose This

This is a disgusting abuse of power by Republicans.....

[RavensChick]

20. Pathetic is an understatement.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but the last time I checked there is something known as free speech, right? Who knows if the popo planted the weapons in order to frame the protesters who I believe would hold demonstrations in a nonviolent manner?

I guess I'm living in a dream world. At least once Barack becomes President he can get a competent AG to put an end to this nonsense and clean up the law enforecement community nationwide! It's a stretch but the last 8 years have been a nightmare for all of us law-abiding citizens, and the criminals have been having a ball bringing chaos and fear in every community.

Hell to the yeah, Keith should know about this!!!!!!

[Grinchie]

33. What Weapons?

Those things are found in 98 percent of the homes in America, even more so if the occupant is a Baby Boomer.

Oily rags.. OMG.

[RavensChick]

47. That's what the assumption was when

the warrant was issued according to the article. In any event, I have quite a few of those items now but I had plenty back at my old house in DC before I moved. If the convention was held in 2006 I would've been a target too.

No matter how you slice it, the cops went WAY overboard on this one!

[goodhue]

11. more info here . . .

MPR has pretty detailed story here including photos of Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher proudly displaying haul . . .
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/30/more_raids/

Twin Cities Indymedia is full of info . . .
http://twincities.indymedia.org/

Also see Minnesota Independent . . .
http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/

The Uptake . . .
http://theuptake.org/

Salon's Glenn Greenwald . . .
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

[Doug.Goodall]

12. I did not see anything illegal on that list

In fact, I either presently own most of that stuff, or have previously owned.

What got the FBI's attention, the Army Helmet? or maybe it was the wrist rockets (aka Whamo! sling shots.)

[slackmaster]

45. Possession of empty glass containers plus flammable liquids = constructive intent

To manufacture a destructive device (Molotov cocktail).

We're talking about a federal government that has prosecuted someone for possessing a shoestring, calling it a "machinegun conversion kit".

If they really want to bust someone, they can claim just about anything based on just about anything.

[Matariki]

52. self-delete.

posted in wrong place. oops

[goodhue]

13. some videos here . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x178227

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x178233

[avaistheone1]

14. So what? This list of stuff is in most homes who do DIY repairs

Plastic pipe is used for plumbing repairs and landscaping. Metal pipe is used for the same.
Paint, duct tape, plastic buckets!!!!!!!! Who are the police kidding.

Maybe the police should shut down Home Depot or Lowes instead. That's where this stuff comes from.

This is a pure abuse of police power and harassment.

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goodhue]

15. indeed

Bob Fletcher is totally out of control. Unfortunately, no one here in the Twin Cities can reign him in.

[coalition_unwilling]

38. Nothing like a multi-million $

lawsuit to shake some sense into the taxpayers of Ramsey County.

[EFerrari]

16. I have gas masks, here, too, for our emergency kit.

I guess that could be incriminating, too. :shrug:

[avaistheone1]

18. I'm ashamed to say I haven't put together our emergency kit.

I was going to pickup a respirator to use during home improvement projects because I was recently diagnosed with asthma. I guess having that might make me look like a criminal too.

Judging from this police action, America is racing to the bottom faster than I thought.

[judasdisney]

17. Karl Rove found his office had been bugged in 1972

False Flags aren't real. Conspiracies don't exist.

[Better Believe It]

21. And What Is The Response Of The Minnesota Democratic Party & Leaders To This Outrage?

K&R

[Robbien]

22. The same as usual, none

The Democratic party usually shuns its base. Usually they are spending most of their time in closed door meetings with Chamber of Commerce types and are just too darn busy to pay much attention to what is happening to working stiffs.

[Grinchie]

35. Thats what I was thinking.. Where is Obama a Biden?

[slackmaster]

46. About the same as their response to the hunter who got arrested in the Grand Hyatt lobby in Denver

For having firearms in a locked case.

Don't get trampled by the rush of party leaders amassing to demand justice.

[Piewhacket]

23. Oh Horseshit,

don't forget to bring the horseyshit.

Or you could just bring

Sheriff Bob Fletcher

"The 'Welcoming Committee' is a criminal enterprise made up of 35 anarchists who are intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention," said Sheriff Bob Fletcher in a statement. "These acts include tactics to blockade and disable delegate buses, breaching venue security and injuring police officers. They have recruited assistance in their criminal conspiracy from other anarchists groups throughout the country. Through their plans and actions they have exhibited a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others."

Criminal conspiracy to commit criminal acts? Oh pullllese.
Why not arrest the RNC? Or the Sheriff, for that matter. Got a longer and more serious list for both.
Its not washing, Fletcher. You better have something serious stuff to show a judge, including some real probable cause,
and it better be genuine (not planted - or anonymous source).
Can you do all that? Cuz what we're hearing from you right now is a crock of....

[RavensChick]

49. Major league, mondo, ginormous

SHIT!!!!!

I finished it for you. Hope you don't mind.

;-)

[Wizard777]

25. They almost got it right. It's the RNC that is the criminal enterprize!

[RavensChick]

50. They have been forever!

That's why Obama and Biden are gonna put an end to this madness!

[Solly Mack]

26. "under arrest on suspicion of conspiracy "

That's the umbrella charge of bullshit

[avaistheone1]

31. It sure is.

[librechik]

28. Oh. My. God. Those villains were going to kill Superman. n/t

[Grinchie]

29. Oh oh, I saw all that stuff at the Yard Sale I went to this afternoon!

I guess that "old car restoration buff that died" story was front for those damn Anarchists!

I better call the cops!

Wait a minute, I bought that half used up roll of Duct tape and the box of abrasives.. I better not get involved.. I also bought a bunch of old time glass bottles to store water in, especially since the scare of the plastics from China that are laced with Pthalates that leach into your water..

I better destroy the glass bottles because they might break someday, or maybe they might think that they could be used for some nefarious deeds and accuse ME of being capable of thinking about anarchy!

I better call a lawyer..

Wake up America!

[FVZA_Colonel]

37. Just wait till the Repugs start screaming about "Leftist Terrorists!"

It'll happen, I guarantee it.

[superconnected]

39. Ah, for a minute I thought they were going to take on superman

now it looks like a bunch of protesters who got raided illegally by a fascist republican police state again.

[coalition_unwilling]

40. Although I appreciate your efforts

in posting this, I must take issue with the lead. Was it copied directly from the source?

"Weapons" and "devices to disable RNC"??? You have got to be shitting me. Should read "alleged weapons" and "alleged devices."

[goodhue]

42. More on the urine . . .

http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/6325/national-lawyers-guild-in-pre-rnc-raids-urine-was-not-a-weapon

National Lawyers Guild: In pre-RNC raids, urine was not a weapon
By Andy Birkey 8/30/08 10:55 PM

The National Lawyers Guild has released a statement about the items seized in police raids on Saturday targeting the homes of anti-RNC protesters. Of particular note: buckets of urine that Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said were going to be used against police.

Two buckets contain grey water and were being used to flush toilets, to conserve water, in the upstairs bathroom. Both were identified in the inventory as “unidentified liquid.” The third bucket, as shown by inventory sheets, was seized from illegal apartment over a garage in the rear. This apartment has been occupied for several years by a person unconnected to the house occupants or the RNC. No bathroom was in the illegal apartment and urine was collected in a bucket. This was listed as “unidentified yellow liquid” in the inventory sheets.

[Demeter]

44. Unbelieveable

The cops should be arrested for prosecuting in the papers.

Don't they have any procedures in Minnesota about how one goes about upholding the peace and enforcing the law? Or dealing with "evidence" and witness and defendant rights? Is this Nazi Germany?

[Deny and Shred]

43. Once protest is reclassified as terror all sorts of tactics become 'legal'

To paraphrase Alberto, the Constitution, Right of Assembly, Civil Liberties have become quaint.
Once Bush is out, I say use the same legal framework to raid and dismantle the GOP think tanks and paramilitary firms from Project for a New American Century to Blackwater.
Lord knows they pose a much greater actual threat to a secure 'homeland.'

[Matariki]

51. a machete, hatchet and several throwing knives, a gas mask and filter, empty glass bottles, rags

riiiight...

let me guess, they found this all in the garage - because it sounds like lawn tools, cleaning supplies and recyclables.

damned liars.

[Matariki]

53. I knew some people arrested during the late 80's 'satanist' hysteria

Their children's backyard kiddie pool and bouncy seat were reported as 'a baptismal font' and 'restraining device'. Their completely legal fourth of july fireworks and sparklers became 'explosives'. Fortunately they had VERY good lawyers.

[Strelnikov_]

54. "empty plastic buckets cut and made into shields"

Jesus, what a threat.

The cops should have just called in a stike for a 1000 lb. JDAM like they do in IraqNam.

Only way to be sure.