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Over 300 protesters, bystanders, media, and medics arrested at RNC
Two minors convicted of contempt, sentenced to 30 days in adult jail
St. Paul, MN -- Two days into the Republican National Convention (RNC),
more than 300 people have been arrested, including at least 120 people for
felonies -- mostly the notoriously vague charge, 'conspiracy to riot.' With
no provocation, police have indiscriminately used rubber bullets,
concussion grenades, and chemical irritants to disperse crowds and
incapacitate protestors. Police appear to be specifically targeting
videographers documenting these police abuses. In response, lawyers have
filed a federal restraining order against such conduct.
By the end of the day today, only 12 people had been arraigned. Many
arrestees are refusing to provide identification, in order to call
attention to what they consider trumped-up charges and to collectively
bargain. 'These tactics are designed to protect the most vulnerable people
in jail, and take a page from the history of labor solidarity,' said Rick
Kelley of Coldsnap Legal Collective, an activist-based legal collective
supporting the arrestees. 'Based on the vagueness of their charges and the
program of police intimidation currently underway, these individuals
understand how they will fare if they don't stick together.' The court has
been imposing the maximum bail of $2,000 for misdemeanor defendants.
In an unusual court decision, Ramsey County Judge Paulette K. Flynn today
convicted two minors of criminal contempt for refusing to provide their
identity. The two minors were then sentenced to 30 days in an adult jail
facility. 'This decision undermines one of the most fundamental human
rights concepts in the justice system, to protect the rights and safety of
children,' said Jordan Kushner, Mass Defense Committee Chair of the
National Lawyers Guild's Minnesota chapter, and an attorney for one of the
minors. 'This shows the willingness of the courts to go to any length,
including sacrificing the most important due process rights, to answer to
the political pressure to persecute activists.'
Many arrestees are also being denied medical attention. One arrestee with
hemophilia and another with asthma are being denied their prescription
medication. An arrestee with a broken finger is being refused medical care,
as is a person who has been coughing up blood. An anemic woman reported to
Coldsnap today that she passed out for 20 to 30 minutes due to iron
deficiency and was told that she could not receive iron because it was a
prescription medication, and because she refused to identify herself. Iron
is in fact an over-the-counter supplement. The same anemic woman reported
seeing a Sheriff knock another woman to the ground and drag her out of the
room by her hair. 'Just because people have been jailed does not mean their
health should be put in jeopardy,' said Kelley. "This is a matter of
compassion and basic human rights."
Under Minnesota law, detainees must be released after 36 hours if the court
fails to review and affirm probable cause for their charges. This 36-hour
period will expire at noon on Wednesday.
