Activists Speak Out Against FBI Raids

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 27, 2010 4:30PM

The anti-war activists whose home the FBI raided on Friday held a rally over the weekend to denounce the bureau's actions. On Friday, the FBI conducted raids on eight addresses in Minneapolis and Chicago, including the home of Joseph Iosbaker and his wife Stephanie Weiner of Logan Square. The warrants executed suggest the FBI is looking for connections between anti-war activists and groups in Colombia and the Middle East. An FBI spokesperson stated that the raids were “predicated on criminal violations, not First Amendment protected activities.”

Iosbaker and Weiner, along with many other activists called the FBI's actions an attempt to bully peace activists. Isobaker said “These raids, searches and grand jury investigations are nothing more than an attempt to intimidate us and to intimidate the anti-war movement” and added that he and his wife had done nothing wrong. The two have been long time anti-war activists and outspoken critics of U.S. Policies in Israel and Colombia.

Agents took more than 30 boxes of items, including papers dating back to the 70's, cell phones, postcards from old girlfriends and drawings the couple's children made. Their attorney, Melinda Power said “These are people committed to social justice. That is not a crime in this country.” Though no arrests have been made, Iosbaker and Weiner were served with a summons to testify before a grand jury on October 5th. Activists have planned protests today and tomorrow in front of the FBI's offices.