Some Clarifications On the RNC, Anarchism & Protest From the Brother of WC Organizer Kidnapped by Police
"Saturday morning my sister, Monica Bicking, and her boyfriend, Eryn Trimmer, were arrested in Minneapolis. Monica was released on Sunday, but Eryn and others are still in custody, and the police will try to keep them detained as long as possible."
"...I’d like to use this as an opportunity to explain my understanding of the role of protest, what’s going on at the RNC specifically, and what an "anarchist" really is. At the moment I can’t do a lot to help Eryn and Monica directly, but at least I can talk about her personally instead of another story about a named but otherwise anonymous "protester"."
http://blog.ianbicking.org/2008/09/02/on-the-rnc-monica-bicking-eryn-tri...
Comments
RE: RNC Police Raids
If you haven't read "The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot," by Naomi Wolf, get a copy today. She outlines 10 signs of a closing society, which are:
1) Invoke an external and internal threat, which includes hyping a real threat (9/11)
2) Establish secret prisons (Guantanamo)
3) Develop a paramilitary force (Blackwater)
4) Surveil ordinary citizens (warrantless wiretapping)
5) Infiltrate citizens' groups (FBI infiltrator Gary Thomas)
6) Arbitrarily detain and release citizens (BINGO!)
7) Target key individuals (Michael Moore...)
8) Restrict the press (Amy Goodman)
9) Cast criticism as "espionage" and dissent as "treason"
10) Subvert the rule of law (Alberto Gonzales)
The book is a must read. She thoroughly spells out how each of these 10 signs are in place in America today; my short summary doesn't give her book justice. Wolf can also be found on YouTube giving speeches about this topic. Incidentally, Amy Goodman interviewed Naomi about this book in November, and look at what happened to her at the RNC.