Andrew Darst

from The Rag Blog: http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/james-retherford-brandon-darby-te...

UPDATE 5:30PM: Single arrestee has been bailed out; he was arrested for "disorderly conduct" by Minneapolis Police.  Besides the one arrest, RNC 8 solidarity events this weekend were called a success and were well-attended!  Large police presence included St. Paul Police in Minneapolis plus general confusion, taxpayer money waste and tired old tactics on the part of the boys in blue. Look for a full feature with photos and video on TCIMC in the coming days.

Notes from RNC8 Solidarity Day: Nigel Parry letter to Police Chief Dolan, Flagstaff AZ anarcho-pillowfight=Teh Awesom!! Philly forms RNC8 Support Committee! Coleen Rowley: Thousands Who Petition Susan Gaertner Include "Minnesota 8" Draft Resisters Much love!

BREAKING 2:45PM: Police still around Walker Church, St. Paul leg of tour called off. Coldsnap has arranged bail and the arrestee will be out in a few hours. Feature story coming up.

BREAKING 1:35PM Sat 3/28: Many police vehicles around Walker Church.

BREAKING 12:30 PM Sat 3/28: At least one arrest on Tour De Fletcher ride. People expecting to continue to Walker Church around 1 PM. Details sketchy. Updates here & to twitter.com/tcimc as available.

Friends of the RNC 8 has called for a National Day of Solidarity with the RNC 8 on March 28, when events will be taking place nationwide. Locally, on Friday afternoon, supporters will deliver a first batch of petitions to drop the charges to Susan Gaertner's office in downtown St. Paul. On Saturday, a bike ride is planned to leave from Powderhorn Park in the morning to visit the sites of Sheriff Bob Fletcher's pre-emptive raids last August. The "tour de Fletcher" will include a stop for lunch and conclude at the site of the anti-RNC convergence center in St. Paul.

More News: Dave Mahoney trial set for June 1 | St. Paul wastes scarce resources for $50 fine | Two more RNC defendants acquitted; reduced charges for third | David McKay found guilty--court report from 3/17 | Macalester dorm raided in February in hunt for RNC evidence | Duluth Central Labor Body passes resolution for the RNC 8 | RNC '08 Report (read more below)

Breaking news from the Hennepin County Courthouse: Andrew "Panda" Darst, also known as CRI2 on various RNC-related court filings, waived his right to a trial last week, after he assaulted various people in mid-January 2009, and picked up several charges. [CORRECTION 4:30PM: Darst did not assault his wife - though this kind of idea was going around earlier]

Originally printed in Revolution Newspaper:
http://revcom.us/a/158online/RNC-pt-2-en.html

Read Part 1 here

Part 2: Informants and Undercover Agents: The Government’s Strategy To Disrupt, Set Up and Attack Opposition To The Republican National Convention

by Leslie Rose

This just in: on Friday afternoon, St. Paul City Attorney John Choi dropped 323 charges stemming from the mass arrests on September 4 at the RNC, according to the Pioneer Press. However, another story indicates Choi may be forwarding 2 cases to Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner for felony charges.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, FBI informant and RNC Welcoming Committee infiltrator Andrew Clark Darst (aka "Panda") had a hearing in Hennepin County District Court on felony burglary and assault charges. Darst's hearing was postponed until March 16, the same day as the re-trial of David McKay is set to begin. Considering the hung jury in the first McKay trial, the revelations about Darst's violent behavior, and pending civil litigation actions from CRASS, the state - and particularly the FBI, when they aren't "spying" on anarchists in Powderhorn Park - seems to be on the defensive.

RNC 8: Luce Guillen-Givins and Jordan Kushner discuss the RNC 8 case on Democracy Now! (VIDEO, AUDIO, TRANSCRIPT) | FBI Informant Andrew Darst Faces Break-in Charges | RNC 8 Legal Update and next court dates

Dustin Matchett is first RNC Arrestee Sentenced to Jail: Letter from Dustin | Support Blog | Benefit Show for Dustin Friday

Civil Litigation: Betsy Raasch-Gilman Sues Sheriff Bob Fletcher | City of St. Paul settles Mick Kelly suit | CRASS Civil Litigation Workshop Sunday | Notice of Claim Mardi Gras Action Tuesday | Why STP City Attorney John Choi is a Danger to Public Safety by Nigel Parry

FBI informant faces break-in charges
By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune
Feb 17, 2009

An undercover FBI informant in a high-profile criminal case in Ramsey County against eight members of an anarchist group faces charges himself for assault and burglary.