FBI Seeking Out Informants in Twin Cities

May 15th, 2008 | by Crash the Conventions |

Green Scare

The MidwestGreenScare blog is reporting that the FBI approached someone in the Twin Cities, offering to pay him or her to attend vegan potlucks and report on them to the FBI. Presumably the Twin Cities police and FBI believe that vegan potlucks are good opportunities for young folks to meet each other and plan political actions. They are. There’s nothing wrong with that. Potlucks are a great community builders.Anyway, the fellow refused to cooperate and immediately called the National Lawyers’ Guild to represent him or her. Good thinking!

Here’s a quote from the kid:

So after twenty minutes of bewildering suckups, they ask me if I’m in. They say there’s compensation if I assist in someone’s arrest. I say “ummmmmmm I’ll pass.” She says, “That was the fastest anyone has ever rejected me,” and then tried for ten more minutes to get me to change my mind before saying, “Really: think about it. We could really use you.” Then she gave me a business card. On the back she wrote me her cell phone number. I said “you have very legible handwriting,” and they both had themselves a hearty laugh. “Call if you change your mind. Don’t tell any of your friends about this and don’t show anyone this card.” We said our goodbyes and I haven’t heard from either of them since.”

Here’s the info from the business cards:

University of Minnesota Police
Twin Cities Campus
Erik Swanson
Police Sergeant, Investigations
Joint Terrorism Task Force
UMPD
511 Washington Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Internet: www.umn.edu/police
E-mail: swans078@umn.edu
Office : 612-624-9560
Cell : 612-290-4688
Fax : 612-626-0534

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Maureen E. Mazzola
Special Agent
111 Washington Ave. South
Suite 1100
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Telephone: 612-376-3200
Fax: 612-376-3444
Cell: 612-490-7447 (very legibly on the back)

When it comes to political organizing, it is never a good idea to cooperate with police or FBI agents. Even the most innocuous-seeming details can help government agents harrass and repress activists. You always have a right to talk to an attorney and remain silent. You are never required to talk about any of your political organizing.

If you’re in the Twin Cities and need legal support, you can always call the Cold Snap Legal Collective hotline: 651-356-8635.

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