The Criminalization of Dissent
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 00:31.
On September 3, 2008, eight members of the RNC Welcoming Committee - some of the primary organizers of the protests - were formally charged with “Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism”. These eight (the RNC 8) were among those arrested in the pre-convention raids and face up to 7 1/2 years imprisonment each.
None of the defendants have any prior criminal history involving acts of violence. Searches conducted in connection with the raids failed to turn up any physical evidence to support the allegations of organized attacks on law enforcement except common household items like lighters, cleaning fluid, some nails “weaponized urine” (what the hell is “weaponized urine”?) a couple hatchets some other household tools, some pvc pipe and an army helmet. Police claimed that these items were to be used to incite insurrection.
I am familiar with the legal system having been on the receiving end of charges in my youth and spending a fair amount of time in city and county jails. I would say that these felony charges are way disproportionate to the situation.
As a matter of fact, just about all the severe penalties that have come about over the past 30 years are due to the fear our rulers have of the average person. Consider this example of the criminalization of dissent/protest and the awful “War Against Drugs” drug laws.
To be fair, if you charge the RNC 8 with felonies it will be necessary to charge Bush/Cheney & Co. with the same thing - “Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism” – for their role in inciting the populace and the military to action against the sovereign peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq (a more severe charge is entirely possible here).
This insane law must be applied equally, regardless of class or social situation. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. And, in my estimation, Bush/Cheney & Co. are more deserving of the 7½ years jail time for “Inciting the Furtherance of Terrorism” than any RNC protestor.
Submitted by T. Hunnicutt, ‘Show Me the MONEY!’
