Yesterday was a National Day of Action against the FBI repression in response to the recent raids on peace activists in Minneapolis and Chicago. In total, 23 peace activists were subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury. No arrests were made and no charges have bee pressed.
The original fourteen activists invoked their rights under the 5th amendment to not incriminate themselves. In November, three of the activists were re-subpoenaed under a new grand jury term.
The three have been offered immunity from prosecution for their testimony. If they refuse to testify, they face a civil contempt charge and prison for the rest of the term of the grand jury, or eighteen months.
Last night, local groups joined others in cities across the country and organized a vigil in downtown Portland in solidarity with those who are being subpoenaed. KBOO's Isobel Sharlay spoke with several people at the demonstration, starting with Megan Hise, from the Portland Central American Solidarity Committee.
- KBOO