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News :: Peace |
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DesMoines IA antiwar protestor subpoenas update |
Current rating: 0 |
by Emily B posted by Tom K
(No verified email address) |
10 Feb 2004
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The grand jury is also seeking documents and information from Drake, though a legal activist group is asking a federal judge to throw out the subpoena.
Secondly, they have postponed the testimony times from Tomorrow to some time next month. Apparently there was no comment made as to why. Also, the rally will go on as scheduled - Noon at the Federal Courthouse in Des
Moines. |
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two things have taken place tonight. The U.S. Attorney's Office
has issued the following statement according to an article posted on
www.theiowachannel.com:
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And Monday evening, U.S. Attorney Stephen O'Meara provided the first
official details of what the investigation is about. O'Meara said reports
that the case is being investigated as an "antiterrorism" matter that
involves the United States Patriot Act are "not accurate."
The grand jury issued subpoenas to at least four Iowans: Wendy Vasquez,
Elton Davis, Patti McKee and Brian Terrell.
The activists had been scheduled to appear Tuesday, but the government
pushed it back until next month. Reasons for the delay were not given.
The grand jury is also seeking documents and information from Drake, though
a legal activist group is asking a federal judge to throw out the subpoena.
The federal government issued the subpoena last week because it wants
records of an antiwar forum that took place Nov. 15 at Drake (pictured,
below left) and of a war protest the next day at Camp Dodge (pictured, above
left). Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested some of the protesters.
In a statement released Monday evening, U.S. Attorney Stephen O'Meara in Des
Moines said:
"The narrow purpose and scope of that inquiry is to determine whether there
were any violations of federal law, or prior agreements to violate federal
law, regarding unlawful entry into military property -- and specifically to
include whether there were any violations as a result of an attempt to enter
within the fenced, secure perimeter at Camp Dodge."
O'Meara said the investigation "does not relate to the rally held at STARC
Armory on Nov. 16." He confirmed his office is investigating an event that
occured at Camp Dodge at or about the same time as the peace rally at STARC
Armory.
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Secondly, they have postponed the testimony times from Tomorrow to some time
next month. Apparently there was no comment made as to why. Also, the
rally will go on as scheduled - Noon at the Federal Courthouse in Des
Moines.
Other last minute thoughts:
-Given the US Attorney's statement, one does have to question why the Drake
subpoena still stands in terms of needing membership information about the
Lawyers Guild
-According to The news broadcast tonight, the US Attorney *never* makes a
comment about a grand jury subpeona....but due to the number of calls to his
office, he had to make a statement.
-A sincere and big thank you to all who called today; K. City folks are
awesome!
-We still need to watch this one. I will continue to email you about
updates.
Thanks,
Emily B |
See also:
http://miva.dmregister.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?duffy/showcartoon.mv+356
http://www.theiowachannel.com/education/2833197/detail.html
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