At some point you would think the city of St. Paul would rein this kind of stuff in because they may be facing a big fat bill at the end of this road.

Actually, there was an article in today’s St Paul Pioneer Press noting that St. Paul required the RNC Host Committee to

buy insurance covering up to $10 million in damages and unlimited legal costs for law enforcement officials accused of brutality, violating civil rights and other misconduct.

Here’s the link: http://www.twincities.com/ci_10371695…..cities.com

His number is the 651-266-9350 number given above.

The jail numbers should be used for courteous request for:

- humane treatment of all prisoners
- immediate access to medical care for all who require it
- access to legal counsel for all detainees (even those who have not given names)

The elected officials’ numbers – especially the DA’s – should be used to promise that “just following orders” didn’t work in Nuremberg, and won’t work in Minneapolis: they were sworn to uphold the law, not to collaborate in torture.

Susan Gaertner is Ramsey County Attorney prosecutes all felonies. She is Democrat & interested in running for Governor. Call her to talk about your concerns (612) 978-8625 or (651) 266-3222 RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us

Ramsey County Jail Phone: (651) 292-3698 or (651) 266-9350
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (651) 266-8510
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher (651) 266-9333
County Chief Judge Gearin (651) 266-8266)

Ask politely that RNC protesters & community members in Jail be allowed visitors as is standard at other times.

(from: Northstar Health Collective)

I spoke with the Coldsnap Legal Collective a short while ago — they requested this message get out to the public:

RNC arrestees in Ramsey Co. Jail need your help!
Please call the following offices:

* St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (651.266.8510)
* Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher (651.266.9333)
* County Chief Judge Gearin (651.266.8266)

And demand the following:

* Immediate medical attention as needed for ALL arrestees;
* That the prisoners who haven’t given their names (Jane, John, and Jesse Does) have access to group meetings with a lawyer;
* Dismissal of all charges; and
* Release of all minors.

Their website reports two minors deliberately sent to adult jail for thirty days for the “crime” of refusing to identify themselves.

Judge Paulette Flynn could use some phone calls, too.

By the end of the day today, only 12 people had been arraigned. Many arrestees are refusing to provide identification, in order to call attention to what they consider trumped-up charges and to collectively bargain. “These tactics are designed to protect the most vulnerable people in jail, and take a page from the history of labor solidarity,” said Rick Kelley of Coldsnap Legal Collective, an activist-based legal collective supporting the arrestees. “Based on the vagueness of their charges and the program of police intimidation currently underway, these individuals understand how they will fare if they don’t stick together.” The court has been imposing the maximum bail of $2,000 for misdemeanor defendants.

In an unusual court decision, Ramsey County Judge Paulette K. Flynn today convicted two minors of criminal contempt for refusing to provide their identity. The two minors were then sentenced to 30 days in an adult jail facility. “This decision undermines one of the most fundamental human rights concepts in the justice system, to protect the rights and safety of children,” said Jordan Kushner, Mass Defense Committee Chair of the National Lawyers Guild’s Minnesota chapter, and an attorney for one of the minors. “This shows the willingness of the courts to go to any length, including sacrificing the most important due process rights, to answer to the political pressure to persecute activists.”

- engage in a phone/fax campaign urging the House and Senate Judiciary (or other) Committees to hold hearings on the police actions in Minneapolis and Denver. Since Federal agencies were involved in this, I would think they would have oversight.

- a similar phone/fax campaign urging Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors to do the same.

- bring in people from across the political system. I would think we could get support out of folks like Bob Barr and the Libertarian Party and even the Ron Paul folks (kind of like StrangeBedfellows).

- create a one-stop-shopping archive of people’s pictures/videos from the conventions, which document the full scope of the police’s misdeeds.

Jane/Christy???