RNC 8
Encyclopedia
The RNC 8 are eight activists with the RNC Welcoming Committee
arrested and charged under Minnesota
terrorism
law
with "Conspiracy
to riot
in furtherance of terrorism."
On August 30, 2008, two days before the Republican National Convention
was held, the Ramsey County
Sheriff's Department raided three homes and arrested five activists, Monica Bicking, Garrett Fitzgerald, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, and Eryn Trimmer. Later that day, Luce Guillen-Givins was arrested leaving a public meeting at a park. The remaining two activists, Rob Czernik and Max Specktor, were arrested on September 1, the first day of the protests surrounding the RNC convention.
The eight activists were originally charged under the Minnesota version of the USA PATRIOT Act
with "conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism." On April 8, 2009, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner announced that the terrorism charges, which carried enhanced penalties, would be dropped. The eight co-defendants were charged with two felony counts: conspiracy to riot and conspiracy to commit property damage.
Police alleged the eight planned to kidnap RNC delegates, assault officers and raid the Xcel Energy Center
. The Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild has criticized the prosecution for relying too heavily on informants rather than physical evidence.
On August 27, 2010, Erik Oseland accepted a plea deal with prosecutors. In court, he pleaded guilty and will serve 90 days in a county workhouse and pay a $100 fine on the condition that he will not be compelled to testify against the remaining seven members of the RNC 8 when they go to trial in October 2010.
On September 16, 2010, Ramsey County prosecutors dismissed felony charges against three defendants — Monica Bicking, Luce Guillen-Givins and Eryn Trimmer. The four remaining defendants are awaiting trial and plea deal negotiations are ongoing.
RNC Welcoming Committee
The RNC Welcoming Committee was an anarchist group based in Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota that coordinated and facilitated discussion for the protests against the 2008 Republican National Convention...
arrested and charged under Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
with "Conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
to riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
in furtherance of terrorism."
On August 30, 2008, two days before the Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008...
was held, the Ramsey County
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849. As of 2010, the population was 508,640. Its county seat is St. Paul, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey , the first governor of the Minnesota Territory...
Sheriff's Department raided three homes and arrested five activists, Monica Bicking, Garrett Fitzgerald, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, and Eryn Trimmer. Later that day, Luce Guillen-Givins was arrested leaving a public meeting at a park. The remaining two activists, Rob Czernik and Max Specktor, were arrested on September 1, the first day of the protests surrounding the RNC convention.
The eight activists were originally charged under the Minnesota version of the USA PATRIOT Act
USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of the U.S. Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001...
with "conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism." On April 8, 2009, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner announced that the terrorism charges, which carried enhanced penalties, would be dropped. The eight co-defendants were charged with two felony counts: conspiracy to riot and conspiracy to commit property damage.
Police alleged the eight planned to kidnap RNC delegates, assault officers and raid the Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center
The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the...
. The Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild has criticized the prosecution for relying too heavily on informants rather than physical evidence.
On August 27, 2010, Erik Oseland accepted a plea deal with prosecutors. In court, he pleaded guilty and will serve 90 days in a county workhouse and pay a $100 fine on the condition that he will not be compelled to testify against the remaining seven members of the RNC 8 when they go to trial in October 2010.
On September 16, 2010, Ramsey County prosecutors dismissed felony charges against three defendants — Monica Bicking, Luce Guillen-Givins and Eryn Trimmer. The four remaining defendants are awaiting trial and plea deal negotiations are ongoing.