From the Committee to Stop FBI Repression

On Friday, May 6, the U.S. government froze the bank accounts of Hatem Abudayyeh and his wife, Naima. This unwarranted attack on a leading member of the Palestinian community in Chicago is the latest escalation of the repression of anti-war and Palestinian community organizers by the FBI, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Hatem Abudayyeh is one of 23 activists from Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois subpoenaed to a federal grand jury in Chicago, and his home was raided by the FBI in September of last year. Neither Hatem Abudayyeh nor Naima Abudayyeh have been charged with any crime.

By Nick Mottern

Within weeks and possibly days, President Obama is likely to sign into law a bill that will bring unmanned aerial vehicles - drones - into US general airspace, crisscrossing the country in company with passenger planes and other human-carrying aircraft.

The story of how planes without on-board pilots will gain entry into our crowded airspace, where birds are life threatening, possibly within the next three years, is one involving campaign contributions, jobs and fear. As we will see, safety appears not to be the top priority.

By Lt. Col. Barry Wingard

Long ago, individuals from around the world came to America to escape kings and monarchs that had the power to treat people with utter distain, sending their children to wars on a whim, and imprisoning people without charge or judicial review, sometimes for life.  For many, the behavior of these rulers became so intolerable that abandoning one’s home, friends, and family became preferable to continued suffering in lands where individual libery counted for nothing.

A two-year secret federal investigation of the U.S. anti-war movement has been conducted by the Obama administration, apparently with a federal grand jury in Chicago hearing evidence from Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, looking into “possible links between U.S. anti-war groups and foreign terrorist organizations,” according to the Chicago Tribune.  Fitzgerald issued subpoenas beginning in September 2010, delivered via FBI raids to their homes, for activists to appear before the grand jury.  With all the records sealed by court order, it is impossible to know about the scope and intent of the probe.  23 anti-war activists have now been targeted by the FBI, many through September raids that confiscated a wide range of personal material.  Activists who have been summoned to testify before grand juries have righteously refused.

We cannot allow these repressive attacks to deter us from righteously opposing and resisting the crimes of our government. We must have courage.  The movement as a whole must unite in support of targeted activists and refuse to cooperate with these repressive police operations. If you, as an activist with World Can't Wait, are contacted by government agents, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (866) 973-4463. Our efforts are completely protected under the Constitution, and efforts to intimidate us aren't legitimate.

More Info

Debra Sweet: Why I Oppose a Grand Jury Investigation of Anti-War Activists

Lynne Stewart: Subpoenas

Download Flier: Bush, Now Obama: “Anti-War Protests are a Form of Terrorism”

Know Your Rights!

The Rising Wave of Repression Against Documenting Dissent and Police Misconduct

Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7pm
In CHICAGO at Tom Robinson Gallery (2416 North Avenue)

Forum with Gregory Koger, Chris Drew and their attorneys Jed Stone and Mark Weinberg. Both Gregory and Chris have been arrested for recording public acts of political dissent.

By Lynne Stewart

The following statement is from Lynne Stewart, the People's Lawyer currently imprisoned at Carswell Federal Prison.

By Debra Sweet

A contradiction to ponder:

1. A three-year investigation by the Department of Justice into the CIA operatives who carried out waterboarding, filmed the acts on 2 men, and then destroyed the tapes, ended this past November – with the government deciding not to prosecute anyone. Jason Leopold, in Special Prosecutor Declines to File Criminal Charges Over Destruction of CIA Torture Tapes wrote:It is widely believed that the videotapes were destroyed to cover up torture. It is also believed that the tapes were destroyed because Democratic members of Congress who were briefed about the tapes began asking questions about whether the interrogations were illegal, according to Jane Mayer, author of the book, “The Dark Side” and a reporter for The New Yorker magazine.
2. A two-year secret federal investigation of the U.S. anti-war movement has been conducted by the Obama administration, apparently with a federal grand jury in Chicago hearing evidence from Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, looking into “possible links between U.S. anti-war groups and foreign terrorist organizations,” according to the Chicago Tribune.  Fitzgerald issued subpoenas beginning in September 2010, delivered via FBI raids to their homes, for activists to appear before the grand jury.  With all the records sealed by court order, it is impossible to know about the scope and intent of the probe.

By Malia Wollan and Charlie Savage

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has defended the use of sting operations orchestrated by government informers, telling advocates for the civil rights of American Muslims on Friday night that the tactic is an “essential law enforcement tool in uncovering and preventing terror attacks.”

On Saturday, Muslim community groups said they appreciated Mr. Holder’s effort at outreach, but emphasized their opposition to the tactic he defended. The method involves building cases against Muslims by using undercover agents who suggest violent and nonviolent ways to help the cause of Islam. In recent cases, the suspects are accused of choosing the violent.

By Andy Worthington

On Tuesday, in an extremely troubling ruling in the District Court in Washington D.C., Judge John D. Bates dismissed a lawsuit contesting what is described as President Obama’s “targeted killing” policy, but which is, in fact, a program to assassinate US citizens anywhere in the world, without explanation, and without the involvement of Congress or the judiciary.

The case concerns Anwar al-Awlaqi (aka al-Awlaki or al-Aulaqi), an American citizen living in Yemen, who “was placed on kill lists maintained by the CIA and the US military’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) earlier this year,” as the Center for Constitutional Rights has explained. Al-Awlaki was also labeled as a “specially designated global terrorist” on July 16, even though, behind the rhetoric, doubts have been expressed about his significance, which make it obvious that there are profound problems in allowing the executive branch to have the unfettered power to decide when American citizens should be designated for assassination.

Press Release from Center for Constitutional Rights

CONTACT: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Judge Acknowledges ACLU And CCR Case Raises Important Questions About Legality Of Obama Administration’s Claimed  Authority To Kill Americans Outside Combat Zones

December 7, 2010 WASHINGTON – A federal court today acknowledged the serious issues raised by a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration’s targeted killing policy, but dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiff did not have legal standing to challenge the targeting of his son, and that the case raised “political questions” not subject to court review. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and the American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in August, charging that the administration's asserted authority to execute U.S. citizens outside combat zones who do not pose an imminent threat violates the U.S. Constitution and international law. The judge did not rule on the merits of the case.

From the Committee to Stop FBI Repression: