Activists Charged with Providing Material Support for Terrorism Ahead of NATO Summit

[EFerrari]

By: Kevin Gosztola Saturday May 19, 2012 2:29 am

UPDATE – 3:19 AM ET The three activists that remained in jail have now been charged with “possession of incendiary or explosive device, conspiracy to commit terrorism & providing material support for terrorism,” according to the National Lawyers Guild attorney Sarah Gelsomino who is representing the activists arrested and disappeared in a night raid on Wednesday in Bridgeport, Chicago. (h/t @OccupyChicago)

As noted previously, the three activists remaining — Bryan Church, Jarred Chase, Brent Betterly — appear in the video posted of police threatening violence during the NATO summit. It now seems clear that police are charging them in retaliation for posting the video.

Gelsomino stated to the press that the charges were very upsetting. She called them “nebulous” and “trumped up” charges. She added that the NLG has not spoken to anyone involved in the investigation. An officer told them that each of these three men have been charged tonight.

“Charging these people who are here to peacefully protest against NATO for terrorism when in reality the police have been terrorizing activists in Chicago is completely outrageous,” she declared.

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/05/19/three-activists-arrested-in-night-raid-still-in-jail-ahead-of-nato-summit/

[HiPointDem]

1. kick for visibility

[sabrina 1]

2. And people wondered what all these laws they've been passing were for.

The threat of the people rising up finally against the corrupt, criminal Wall Street cartels, is not going to be tolerated.

Two cases against OWS protesters were dismissed this week because the police LIED blatantly, under oath, knowing full well they were lying since their own video proved it.

It really is at a point where outside help is needed to protect US citizens from their own government.

And people laughed when we predicted that protesters would be charged with terrorism. I blame every single person who supported, or apologized for, the passage of unconstitutional laws. They are as complicit as the sadistic, brutal creators of this 'new world order' we are living under.

Until there is a united front, at least on the Democratic side against these draconian laws, things are just going to get worse.

I hope there will be a campaign against these arrests and trumped up charges. And to think there are still those who think this government would not do this to Americans. And they call us naive.

Shame on Democrats, shame on Rahm Emmanuel for his participation in this egregious violation of the Constitution.

[dougolat]

3. "if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists" at work.

Ignoring, of course, that the tally of death and destruction is very lopsided.

[malaise]

4. These days I laugh when I see Western governments attacking

other governments for detaining protesters

[lets take the horse]

38. Instead of laughing

think before you vote. Think before you voice support for the very ones doing such a thing!

[limpyhobbler]

5. This country is starting to suck.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-nato-chicago-arrests-0519-20120519,0,3262928.story

Police release some of 9 arrested in Bridgeport
No charges against those who've been let go

...

Police found books in the apartment that included one with selected writings by Karl Marx. The resident said police handcuffed him and his roommate, ignored their complaints the cuffs were too tight, repeatedly called them communists and used anti-gay slurs.

[EFerrari]

6. When I went to sleep last night, three were still locked up. n/t-

[limpyhobbler]

7. Yes I think they have a bond hearing at noon today.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nato-chicago-bridgeport-arrests-terrorism-plot-152137045.html

UPDATE: Chicago Police Superintendant Garry McCarthy and Cook County State's Attorne Anita Alvarez will hold a press conference after the 12 p.m. bond hearing for the three suspects.

Three protesters arrested Wednesday night at an apartment in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood have been charged with terrorism conspiracy stemming from allegations they planned to make Molotov cocktails, police said.

Brian Church, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Jared Chase, 24, of Keene, N.H.; and Brent Vincent Betterly, 24, of Oakland Park, Mass., were being held on charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism, possession of an explosive or incendiary device and providing material support, Chicago police Lt. Kenneth Stoppa told the Associated Press early Saturday.

He said they would face a bond hearing later Saturday morning.

NLG attorneys will be representing the 3 defendants in their criminal cases and will be at their bond hearing tomorrow (today) at 12pm at 2600 South California Ave.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/occupy-chicago-press-relations/national-lawyers-guild-decries-terrorism-charges-against-occupy-activists-protes/355584254504742

[TBF]

18. Starting? nt

[limpyhobbler]

43. Starting to suck more I guess? nt

[TBF]

44. Yes it's pretty chilling for those who resist in any serious way. nt

[limpyhobbler]

46. Hmmm. Yeah maybe the repression is getting worse because people are actually starting to resist.

[TBF]

50. It is very disconcerting.

Even the Animal Liberation Front is now considered a "terrorist organization".

[limpyhobbler]

51. True.

I don't know anything about that group particularly, or what they did to get on the list.

But I have read that under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2006 even many non-violent forms of protest can be classified as terrorism.

[arely staircase]

41. commie fags? jeez so its 40 years ago all of a sudden? nt

[suffragette]

8. Chilling

K&R

[EFerrari]

9. Even though we've been on this slope for a long time

it's hard to take in.

[suffragette]

21. That it is

I used to have a History instructor who had us focus on how history would cycle back - never an exact cycle, but important to note the similarities.

Interesting in this case how the police are citing 1968, at a point when we're still in the Spring, or early days of what could be a global expression of a summer of discontent with the directions so many nations have been on politically, especially that nexus between the financiers and security profiteers setting so much state policy - directly or indirectly.

[EFerrari]

22. I don't understand why Chicago was chosen for NATO.

Occupy Chicago is one of the most militant groups. The PTB could have chosen a number of different cities. All I can think is that this is important to Obama/Rahm/others politically ahead of our election?

[suffragette]

24. I don't get it either

Unless Rahm's feeling the need to assert a Daley-like authority - maybe because of union resistance there,too?

[EFerrari]

26. Well, Obama comes out of Chicago, so there might be considerations

from his direction, too. I don't mean to "blame" him but, this year he might want to remind his organization there that he remembers them. I just hope, if that is so, it doesn't blow up in his face.

[suffragette]

27. Good points and I share your hope

Just found and read a Guardian article with an interesting perspective on Rahm's possible motives:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/rahm-emanuel-chicago-battle-nato

[lets take the horse]

36. Why in bloody hell would you NOT blame him?

This is a set-up. As I said, it's a ghost town down here today. I will be back tomorrow for the main event but I am scared. Haymarket was the same deal.

[msanthrope]

74. How, precisely, does one 'set up' a defendant who of their own free will, goes and purchases gas,

takes it to an apartment, and then, makes 4 Molotov's that are later confiscated???

The court documents do not indicate a set up--they indicate monumental stupidity and ill intent on the part of the defendants...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/natosummit/chi-nato-arrests-proffer-20120519-pdf,0,852022.htmlpage

[arely staircase]

48. i think that is right - it is the president's home town and i don't think protests were even part of

im sure they figured there would be huge protests anywhere.

[lets take the horse]

31. Because it's an Illuminati thang, dear.

It's no coincidink. No such animal.

[EFerrari]

35. Welcome to DU.

[lets take the horse]

37. Enough of the cliches and 'bot-like responses.

Heed my words. This is no disco.

[EFerrari]

39. You're not my beautiful wife.

[arely staircase]

11. which is its very point

to chill dissent.

[EFerrari]

13. Yes. n/t

[suffragette]

19. Exactly, it's to preempt dissent

Chilling action and chilling effect.

[coalition_unwilling]

10. This is what a police state looks like - n/t

[Zalatix]

12. Thank God a Federal judge struck down indefinite detention. n/t

[Dawson Leery]

15. It is obvious as to why McCain and Graham placed the amendment.

[EFerrari]

23. Could you say more about this -- I don't think I know what you mean. n/t

[Dawson Leery]

66. John McCain (Mythical Maverick) is quite the authoritarian.

On matters of war, he is a right wing SOB.

[Fumesucker]

14. The irony gets stronger all the time..

[EFerrari]

16. Last night I read on Twitter that one cop was recounting to another cop

what happened that year in a deliberate effort to be overheard by the protesters they were processing and to intimidate them.

[me b zola]

17. Remember the threads here about the NDAA?

Last edited Sat May 19, 2012, 05:11 PM - Edit history (1)

We were assured that if you weren't a terrorist that you had nothing to worry about. Those of us who opposed the NDAA knew better.

We live in interesting times.

[EFerrari]

20. Yup. And also remember how anyone who is subjected to a loss of civil liberties

is marginalized by people who defend the status quo at any cost (to other people)?

Time to wake up and smell the fascism.

[lets take the horse]

29. Um...did we mean NDAA?

[me b zola]

45. lol, indeed

Thanks for the heads up, i'll edit

[bhikkhu]

57. This has nothing to do with the NDAA

...they're being held under the Patriot Act provisions against material support of terrorism. The particular statute was upheld by the supreme court back in 2010, well before the NDAA came along.

In any case, they are being held under civil criminal law and not by the military. The NDAA only deals with military law and military custody.

[me b zola]

67. They were charged as terrorists

The NDAA has said that anyone SUSPECTED of terrorism can be held indefinitely, completely outside of their constitutional rights. People on this board repeatedly told us not to worry, that only a terrorist had anything to worry about. This is my point. Anyone can be called a terrorist if it suits the purpose of TPTB.

[bhikkhu]

75. The Patriot Act is the one that matters here

...the NDAA has nothing to do with it. Its the difference between civil criminal law and military law - two very separate entities.

[bhikkhu]

25. What about the explosives?

Its hard to determine whether they were simply "activists", targeted because of a video they put on the internet, or whether they were planning something destructive. What about the explosives or incendiaries? That doesn't sound trumped up, but then again they may have just had some lighter fluid by the barbecue or something...

[lets take the horse]

30. What about them LYING THRU THEIR TEETH?

So you just believe whatever you're told? I don't even think most of the roadside bombs were from Iraq or Afghanistan but CIA/Mossad!

[bhikkhu]

40. They seem to be the central issue that is skirted around

...but I imagine the facts will take some time to come out.

[randome]

59. Do you believe everything you read?

That's why people are asking questions in this thread.

[me b zola]

47. The authorities have said that the beer making equipment that the protesters had

was intended to make Molotov cocktails. Ridiculous. As I posted in another thread, that means that they can accuse me of having a terrorist sling shot because I wear a scrunchy hair tie.

[bhikkhu]

53. That's very plausible

...and of course Molotov cocktails can be made from about anything, and common household stuff can be used to make explosives - so I think the prosecutors would have to prove intent, primarily?

[msanthrope]

71. The 'beer-making' meme is a defense strategy that I debunked in this thread--

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014125050

Funny how evidence bi-locates, isn't it?

The court proffer details the actual Molotov's confiscated after a no-knock warrant was served pursuant to survelliance of the defendants purchasing gas in a container, and taking it back to the apartment in question.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/natosummit/chi-nato-arrests-proffer-20120519-pdf,0,852022.htmlpage

[msanthrope]

70. Kindly cite that? Can you provide an actual quote from the 'authorities' that indicates that

beer-making equipment was taken into evidence????

[Fire Walk With Me]

34. Agents provocateur, same as Cleveland:

Luke Rudkowski ?@Lukewearechange
Was just at the #nato3 terrorism hearings defense says an undercover cop helped provide explosives and instigated call for violence

[Puregonzo1188]

42. They're being charged undo the NDAA. So all of those DUers who told use we were over reacting to the

NDAA ought to start back peddling right now.

[Zalatix]

49. Especially since a Federal judge threw out a part of the NDAA that many said doesn't exist!

[Puregonzo1188]

52. Yeah, I noticed that. Someone needs to tell the judge!

[bhikkhu]

58. They're being held under Patriot Act provisions

under civil criminal law. The NDAA only addresses military law and military detention - a whole different ball game.

[Zalatix]

60. Ah yes, the USAPATRIOT Act, another abomination of a law.

Didn't Bernie Sanders vote against that, IIRC? (Er, against renewing it, I mean)

[bhikkhu]

54. They're in military detention?

I don't think so. Do you know what the NDAA is?

[randome]

55. It's evil. That's all that matters.

[Robb]

56. Forget it, he's rolling.

[frazzled]

61. They're being charged under Illinois law, not NDAA

Read the damned documents:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/natosummit/chi-nato-arrests-proffer-20120519-pdf,0,852022.htmlpage

Defendants Brian Jared Chase, and Brent Betterly ("defendants&quot are each
initially charged by way of criminal complaint for preliminary examination with the felony
offenses Of: Material Support for Terrorism, in violation of 720 ILCS (a special
class felony punishable by 9 to 40 years in prison); (2) Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism, in
violation of 720 ILCS and 5/3-2 (a class one felony punishable by 4 to 15 years in
prison); and (3) Possession of Explosives or Explosive or Incendiary Devices, in violation of 720
ILCS 5/20-2 (a special class one felony punishable by 4 to 30 years in prison).

This has nothing to do with NDAA, according to the submitted documents

[socialist_n_TN]

62. No, but it looks a HELL of a lot like retaliation.......

for the Utube outing of the fascist cops by this group.

[randome]

63. You really think anyone gives a shit about some stupid UTube video?

Even if they did, the cops putting themselves in the limelight like this just make themselves readily identifiable. Whereas before, they were nameless nobodies.

[socialist_n_TN]

65. Why yes, I DO think that cops think like this...........

In fact I KNOW cops think like this. They HATE to be exposed and if exposed they counterattack with all they have. As far as the limelight goes, they don't give a fuck about that either. They KNOW they won't get in any shit because they people they illegally arrested were dirty hippies.

Just because of the potential retaliation factor, I think this charge is bullshit.

[EFerrari]

68. Like the one that lost the cops case against Occupiers last week

in New York because it showed they were lying their corrupt asses off?

Yeah, they care.

[sabrina 1]

78. Lol, are you serious? It's clear you have not followed events since last September.

NYPD have stated what they think of Utube which was the reason why some of their favorite brutal cops finally got at least, a slap on the wrist.

The cops hate Utube and videos and cameras so much they tried to get a law passed making it illegal to film them in action. That failed last week. I'm sure they will try again.

And last week, it was video that got the first two OWS cases thrown out of court.

So to answer your question, YES, they hate the fact that they are being filmed and their crimes no longer hidden from the public.

Those three men filmed them threatening violence 'we are going to crack some skulls' and put it on Utube. Tim Pool's video was used in court to prove the cops were LYING, and had made false arrests. All within the past week or so.

Those are the men now charged with 'terrorism'.

Utube, video, cameras are the enemies of the cops and YES, they care a great deal about them. So it is in no way beyond belief that they would seek retaliation for being exposed threatening violence themselves.

From the very beginning, especially after members of the NYPD were heard to say how much 'they feared Utube' filming the cops has been the best weapon the protesters have and is viewed by the cops as a real threat to them.

[msanthrope]

72. How, precisely, did CPD make one of the defendants purchase gas in a container, carry it to the

apartment in question, and then make 4 Molotov's prior to the no-knock being served???

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/natosummit/chi-nato-arrests-proffer-20120519-pdf,0,852022.htmlpage

I mean, that's some super-duper mind-blowing retaliation.....

[Marr]

64. They've been doing this sort of thing for ages. The privileged are catered to in this country,

law be damned. I remember a group who was arrested some years back around an economic summit for having 'the makings for a bomb'. Turned out they had a bottle of vodka somewhere and a normal supply of household washcloths.

[sad sally]

69. Suppose the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act will be reintroduced?

[EFerrari]

73. Only if they need more hype. As it is, the urban armies don't seem to care much

what laws are on the books, do they?

My streamer friend whose digs were raided last night says the bomb making equipment was beer making equipment. Sounds about right, doesn't it?

[sad sally]

76. Did you see this article today?

Chicago police accused of planting evidence in ‘Molotov cocktail’ plot

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/20/chicago-police-accused-of-planting-evidence-in-molotov-cocktail-plot/

[EFerrari]

77. Yep.

I'm a little worried about a couple of local people, activists, streamers, who were raided and cuffed yesterday. Won't be easy until they're back, to tell you the truth.

[sad sally]

79. This bs about the President not being aware of the arrests is the height of government double-talk.

from Lynn Sweet's reporting: Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said he was not overly concerned over the arrests of three suspects over an alleged "terrorism plot."

Rhodes said he was not aware that Obama knew anything about the arrests and said "protests and security disruptions" are common at summits.

"We're very confident in the ability of Chicago, together with the United States government, to have a very successful event over the course of the next two days. If these more serious allegations are true, then I think it was effective work in making sure that they couldn't pose any additional threat to public security. But I'll have to wait -- what additional information comes out before getting into the specifics of this case."

To me this says the government knows the so-called charges are bogus since they're not "overly concerned," just like last week with the CIA informant set up to be a foiled underware bomber was no threat. The stage is being set to scare citizens into accepting another rip at liberty.