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Raids on Organizers' Office and Activist's Home: The FBI Still Hates Protestors On February 2, 2000, the FBI raided the Liberation Collective's office, located in downtown Portland. At the same time, members of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms [BATF], and the U.S. Forest Service raided the home of former Liberation Collective member Craig Rosebraugh. Rosebraugh was also given a subpoena to appear before a Grand Jury. The Liberation Collective is an activist organization with experience working on a wide variety of issues including animal rights. Their office, also known as the Center for Revolution, doubles as a retail space for radical literature, fake-leather boots, and punk rock records. No one was present when the feds raided at 8 am, and rather than wait nicely to be let in they decided to destroy the padlock securing the space. Once inside, they took phone lists, pictures, merchandise, video and audio tapes, and material on youth liberation. They also copied information from the office's computer.
Federal agents weren't so nice to Rosebraugh. They entered his house at 8 am, and detained him and his three roommates in their living room for six hours while they searched the rest of the house. Officially the search was done to gather evidence on the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front actions. In the past, Rosebraugh has received a number of anonymous messages from the ELF and ALF, and distributed them to nation-wide media. (The ELF has claimed responsibility for the destruction of the Tule Elk Lodge in Vail, Colorado, causing $12 million in damages. Authorities have yet to find a suspect.) However, the search itself was more extensive -- and destructive -- than the official reasons seem to justify. The feds seized three computers (two of which belong to Rosebraugh's housemates), telephone directories, media contact lists, books, cameras, and a mailing list of close to 5,000 people. They also made a point of destroying or defacing a number of his personal effects, some of which were of obvious sentimental value. At the time of the search, Rosebraugh was issued a subpoena to testify before a Grand Jury in Portland. On February 18, he received further notice that he is himself an official target of the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury is supposedly investigating the Vail arson, but it seems its real purpose is political rather than legal: to harass and spy on activists and suppress their attempts at organizing.
The Grand Jury is unlike any other American legal institution, except perhaps the House UnAmerican Activities Committee of the 1950's. Witnesses called to testify before the Grand Jury do not retain their usual Fifth Amendment rights, such as the right to legal counsel or the right to remain silent during questioning. If they choose not to cooperate with the investigation, they can be held in contempt of court, and imprisoned for up to eighteen months without trial or bail. Historically, Grand Juries have been used against anti-war activists and feminist organizers, as well as members of organizations such as the Communist Party and the American Indian Movement. Despite the attempts to silence and divide the activist community, people are supporting Craig Rosebraugh. On February 22, a forum was held to discuss how Grand Juries work and how to beat them. Demonstrations in solidarity with Rosebraugh occurred around the country on February 29, the day of his scheduled appearance. Rosebraugh appeared as ordered, but refused to testify. He was then released, but was ordered to appear again to show cause for his refusal. Approximately 70 people rallied outside the courthouse during Rosebraugh's appearance. Police surveillance of the rally was obvious, including the open use of still and video cameras. And the mounted patrol made the usual nuisance of themselves. One woman was taken into custody and released without charges; one man was arrested for allegedly stepping off the sidewalk one hour prior to the arrest. He was charged with disorderly conduct. We will keep you posted as to the continuing pressures from various law enforcement agencies.
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April, 2000
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Portland Copwatch Portland Copwatch is a grassroots, volunteer organization promoting police accountability through citizen action.
People's Police Report
#20 Table of Contents
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