The Aftermath: Reports from Coldsnap Legal Collective and the RNC Welcoming Committee

Morning Update 9/2 from the RNC Welcoming Committee:

Day one is behind us and the idea of business as usual during the RNC has been shattered.

Monday night a Spokescouncil met and from that gathering the suggestion was made to take time today to reflect, to sleep, and to eat well so that energy is high when folks take to the streets again. We can’t forget though that Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher and the St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman are holding many of our friends hostage.

Coldsnap is working round the clock on the monumental task of jail support and folks have actions planned in solidarity with our imprisoned friends. In addition to your own acts of solidarity, Coldsnap also needs more volunteers to answer their hotline and people to donate legal funds.

Today the Convergence Space will re-open at 10 AM anarchist time and people can hold meetings or gather there as needed. If the National Guard still has the Smith Street bridge closed off, ya’ll can check out some of the other fine bridges in the Twin Cities and take the opportunity to ride along the Mississippi and enjoy. Lunch will be served as scheduled at 1 PM.

After checking out the other events going on around twin cities today we welcome folks to extend their solidarity with the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign - the March For Our Lives - which begins at 4 PM in Mears Park in St Paul. More information can be found here:
http://www.economichumanrights.org

PS. Someone passed on the rumor that the Comms team will be back up and running tomorrow. Hope you’re ready to be twittered.

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Update from Coldsnap Legal on the morning of September 2:

On the first day of the Republican National Convention, the people were out in the streets expressing their resistance and frustration with the imperialist capitalist system. The Coldsnap Legal Collective is an autonomous collective whose purpose is to educate, empower, and support the radical community. We have developed a network of legal support and solidarity for the RNC arrestees and are committed to providing support to everyone throughout the anti-RNC actions. On the first day of RNC action, hundreds were arrested as they publicly expressed their dissent, many of whom were the victims of extensive police brutality. Many people were cited and released on the streets, though scores of people have been brought to and held at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center. Some arrestees within the jail are currently engaging in non-cooperation strategies, including refusing to give their names and identifying information to the jail officials. The arrestees from the weekend raids continue to be held.

Thusfar, 61 people have been released from jail, and more are expected to be released throughout the day. We have set up a round-the-clock jail vigil outside the Ramsey County jail, where we are greeting released arrestees and providing legal, medical, and material support. There are a handful of individuals within the jail who are being denied medical attention. Coldsnap is asking for people to call the jail at 651.266.9350 or the St. Paul Mayor’s office at 651.266.8510 and demand that all arrestees receive proper treatment and access to medical services. Additionally, we demand that all protesters are immediately released and that all charges are dropped. We have scheduled two upcoming arrestee meetings to provide information and legal support for our community. Check our website at www.coldsnaplegal.org for details. Coldsnap needs volunteers both in the legal office and at the jail vigil. If you are available to help out, call the legal hotline at 651.356.8635 or show up at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center at Lafayette and Grove, St. Paul.