Terrorism charges lodged against protesters at GOP convention

Prosecutors in Ramsey County, Minn., have formally charged eight alleged leaders of the RNC Welcoming Committee -- one of the groups organizing protests at the GOP convention in St. Paul -- with terrorism-related charges, The Times' P.J. Huffstutter reports.

Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald and Max Spector, face up to 7 1/2 years in prison under the terrorism enhancement charge, which allows for a 50% increase in the maximum penalty they could face.

It appears to be the first time criminal charges have been filed under the 2002 Minnesota version of the federal Patriot Act.

The RNC Welcoming Committee is a self-described anarchist group that has worked for months planning disruptions at the convention. Police blamed the group for sparking violence during Monday's antiwar protest in St. Paul. Although most of the estimated 10,000 people at the march were peaceful, police say a splinter group of about 200 people harassed delegates, smashed windows and started at least one fire.

Police have arrested nearly 300 people during the confrontations this week, according to the Associated Press. Huffstutter reported on the protests for the blog Tuesday. And this morning, we told the story of journalist Amy Goodman's arrest at Monday's march.

-- Kate Linthicum

good!! that what you get for being stupid! i dont see the sence in stirring shyt up

not good....this whole terrorism thing has gotten way out of hand...the government is taking so much away from us and people are ok with it....i agree that things got out of control..but to label people as terrorists?...c'mon...

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Originally Posted by straydoglogic

not good....this whole terrorism thing has gotten way out of hand...the government is taking so much away from us and people are ok with it....i agree that things got out of control..but to label people as terrorists?...c'mon...

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well i can agree that the term can be used too often, but i dont know that, in this case, i wouldnt say that it apllied! a group got togther and planned to insite riots, fires and all this bullshyt...if not terrorism, what is it? terrorist's dont HAVE to be foriegn bro....in my opinion, the term may fit the deed.

Looks as though stupidy is starting to carry a heftier penalty

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Originally Posted by deepsouth

Looks as though stupidy is starting to carry a heftier penalty

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thats what im saying....

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Originally Posted by straydoglogic

thats what im saying....

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lol...i'm not exactly sure he means that the same way you do, but that was good!

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Originally Posted by straydoglogic

not good....this whole terrorism thing has gotten way out of hand...the government is taking so much away from us and people are ok with it....i agree that things got out of control..but to label people as terrorists?...c'mon...

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IF THE USA LETS UP JUST A LITTLE WE CAN GET ATTACKED AGAIN. ALWAYS BE ON TOP OF SHIT

it was americas foreign policy that got us attacked in the first place..we pissed off the wrong people..remember bin laden used to work for us?

Just more legislation like "hate crimes" to broaden the scope of government that eventually takes more and more of our freedoms away.

and high 5 to you mr klash....