More 'backfire' or greenscare subpoenas, Aug 20

Wong's account may be found here:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2007/08/363764.shtml

In the case of the person subpoenaed in Chicago, Brandon, it was made clear that the grand jury is investigating “acts of arson and vandalism that happened a several years ago in Minnesota state.” Brandon's account may be found here:
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/79085/index.php

Neither of the two people receiving subpoenas today have been charged with any crime.

In both instances, Ian Wallace was named as cooperating with the investigation.

Grand Juries are secret government investigative bodies that strip witnesses of their basic constitutional rights. Once you have been subpoenaed to a Grand Jury, you lose the right to remain silent, the right to hear evidence presented against you, and even the right to an attorney in the Grand Jury room. A Grand Jury can jail you without convicting you of a crime or giving you a proper trial!

Please keep your eyes open for further updates in the coming days, and be ready to assist in whatever ways these individuals request. It is vital that we support those subpoenaed by what appear to be politically-driven grand juries. In the meantime, please be careful about public speculation concerning this grand jury investigation.
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At approximately 8:45 a.m. on Monday, August 20th, 2007, two law enforcement officials woke me by knocking on my apartment front door in Seattle, Washington. I opened the door and one of them referred to me as “Tony”, the nickname commonly used to refer to me by people I know. This person nearest to my doorstep, I would later discover after asking him for his business card, was Erik Swanson, Police Sergeant, Investigations, Joint Terrorism Task Force, University of Minnesota Police, Twin Cities Campus. He said he wanted to come inside and talk with me about some things. I asked them if they had a warrant. Officer Swanson said “no”. I told them no comment and began to shut my door. Officer Swanson then told me he first needed give me some documents. He asked again if they could come inside. I told them “no”. He gave me a federal “Subpoena To Testify Before Grand Jury” on September 6, 2007 at 9 a.m. at the “308 U.S. Courthouse” in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


After he gave me the subpoena he showed me a couple color copy photos of some type of vehicle or machine. The photos were dark and unclear and I couldn’t really tell what exactly he was trying to show me or why. Then Officer Swanson told me that I knew what he was showing me and if I cooperate it’ll be better for me. He mentioned an Ian Wallet or Wallice who Officer Swanson said had been cooperating with them somehow (again, they did not say pertaining to what). He told me they had also been speaking to one Kevin Tubbs and one Stanilsas Meyerhoff and said both had been talking to them-- again, about what they did not say and did not explain why any of this is relevant to me. The entire time they never actually told me what they were investigating or why I was being called to testify. Throughout the brief interaction I repeated “no comment” whenever appropriate.


another one
20.Aug.2007
Brandon

Hi all.

I was also issued a subpoena to attend the Grand Jury in Minneapolis.
The date is set for September the 6th. I was supposed to meet a woman about subletting an apartment this morning, but instead was greeted by two agents from the F.B.I. who proceeded to question me about my involvement in an arson & an act of sabotage that happened several years ago in Minnesota. The were unspecific about the dates or places where these actions occured. I refused to answer any questions, or to help with the investigation in any way. They let me know that a man named Ian Wallace has been cooperating with them for the past several months regarding these events and possibly others. They told me that Ian claims that I (and another person) planned these actions and traveled to Minnesota to take part in them. I was NOT issued an arrest warrant and have not been charged with anything....only a subpoena. This all happened this morning (monday) around 11:00am.

So far I'm only aware of Anthony and my subpoena regarding this matter. The NLG and the People's Law Office have been very helpful and supportive. I'm now waiting to see if the lawyer I want will be appointed to me or if I'll have to pay $$$.

We'll keep you updated I'm sure!


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Seattle, Washington: Minnesota Grand Jury Subpoena Delivered to Two
Authored by: clo@cv on Monday, August 20 2007 @ 09:49 PM PDT
from the TCEPSC:
It has just been made public that two people have been ordered to appear (subpoenaed) before a MN Grand Jury on Sept 6, in regards to Midwest ALF/ELF activity. They are, Anthony Wong and Brandon. More info here. It appears that neither is cooperating. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of snitch Ian Wallace, who is known to be cooperating with federal authorities.

Grand juries are the first step in sending down indictments- you are not allowed to have a lawyer present inside the room at a grand jury, and can be kept in jail for months at a time for refusing to testify.

If you know ANYONE who has been subpoenaed, or have heard anything about the situation, please share that information. There is nothing to be gained by keeping quiet, and a lot of people's safety, comfort and freedom are on the line.

If you are approached by authorities, know that you DO NOT have to say anything, and that there are people and lawyers ready to support you. Even the most seemingly-innocuous statements can have negative effects and answering questions only opens you up to further harassment.

We will be planning a support rally of some sort in regards to the grand jury, so please watch our website for new information. In the meantime, please contact us at fightthegreenscare (a) riseup.net with questions and information, and especially if you need legal support.

Solidarity,

the Twin Cities Eco-Prisoner Support Committee