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Politics : GOPwinger Lies/Distortions/Omissions/Perversions of Truth -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Skywatcher who wrote (730)	2/7/2004 4:13:08 PM
From: Skywatcher	Respond to of 173976

Subject: FBI Task Force on Terrorism subpoenas DM peace workers Friends, This isn't specifically about immigration (yet), but shows the horrible power of the Patriot Act, which DOES affect immigrants and us all. Several peace activists in Des Moines (Brian Terrell of Catholic Peace Ministry, Patti McKee, formerly of Iowa Peace Network, and Elton Davis of the Des Moines Catholic Worker) have been subpoenaed by the Joint Task Force on Terrorism to testify before a Grand Jury. While no charges are known, it appears obvious that the Task Force is investigating the activists because of their role in an anti-war non-violent demonstration held outside Camp Dodge (near Des Moines) a few months ago. That an anti-war demonstration is equated with an act of terrorism is outrageous, but not impossible under the Patriot Act. For those of you in the Des Moines area, we will be holding a rally to support these activists on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 12:15 noon US Courthouse Rm: 024, 123 E. Walnut St. in Des Moines. Please join us if you can. Please see message from Brian Terrell below for more information. Ann Naffier AFSC - Des Moines FROM BRIAN: Friends, Yesterday, February 3, Detective Jeff Warford of the Polk County Sheriff's Office-FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force came to Catholic Peace Ministy's office here in Des Moines with a supoena for me to testify before a Federal Grand Jury next Tuesday, February 10. Mr. Warford also served papers on Elton Davis at the Catholic Worker House and Patti McKee, who was coordinator of Iowa Peace Network until last month. The Grand Jury process is shrouded in secrecy. We do not know who or what the object of this investigation may be, beyond "possible violations of federal criminal law in the Southern District of Iowa." The proceeding will be behind closed doors. We may not have an attorney present. We have the right to plead the fifth amendment, refusing the answer questions that might incriminate us. The government, then, can offer us immunity from prosecution, in which case we will obliged to answer under threat of contempt of court and could be imprisoned for the length of the Grand Jury session, 18 months, should we continue to refuse to answer. This immunity would be limited to our own testimony and anything any of us say could be used against the others. Whatever is going on, this is definately an escalation on the part of the government's war on dissent and clamp down on civil liberties. The fact that anything that we three and the peacemaking communities we represent could possibly attract the notice of a "Terrorism Task Force" is reprehensable. Please spread the word, express concerns you have with Federal and Polk County authorities. Keep us in mind and prayer. -- Brian Terrell Executive Director Catholic Peace Ministry 4211 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312 (515)255-8114 CC