Federal repression has come for the Stop Cop City movement wearing the olive drab uniform of the ATF.
In Charleston, South Carolina, one person was arrested and had their home raided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explodives (ATF) on December 31. They were initially charged at the state level with second degree arson for alleged actions related to the Stop Cop City movement.
Those state level charges, however, are set to be dropped in favor of federal ones. In the time since this arrest, the ATF has been conducting a full-scale investigation of the radical scene in Charleston and the surrounding areas. A number of people have been subpoenaed and forced to give interviews [administrative note: no-one is ever forced to give an interview, regardless of circumstance you can, and should, choose silence, currently the words “I am invoking my right to remain silent, I want my lawyer” will end the interview in most cases, if the filth continue to pester you after that, repeat those words and nothing else.] , with several more reporting door knocks and contact cards left at front doors by ATF agents.
This may be a harbinger of things to come in other cities and states. So far, federal repression in Charleston looks like the ATF casting as wide a net as possible in the hopes that something will stick. This communique is being sent out as a word of warning for other cities. In Charleston, the Feds have seen an opportunity and they’re attempting to use it to tie up as many people as possible. In other cities where solidarity actions have taken places, the same thing may happen.
Know your rights if an agent knocks. Have a plan BEFORE the net of repression tightens around you and your town. If you are approached to speak by a federal agent, you can say no. If an agent leaves a phone number, have a lawyer contact the number. Don’t do so yourself.
Crimethinc has an excellent resource for when the police or the Feds knock on your door available here: https://crimethinc.com/posters/when-the-police-knock-on-your-door-your-rights-and-options
The national lawyers guild operates a federal anti repression hotline at +1 (212) 679 2811.
Know your rights. Protect yourself. Stay safe to stay dangerous. We keep us safe.
-A Silent Canary.
Submitted Anonymously Over Email
source: scenes.noblogs.org