Dozens protest FBI Raids in Chicago
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- About 100 people marched outside the FBI's Chicago headquarters to protest recent raids at the homes of anti-war activists in Chicago and Minneapolis. Demonstrators walked back and forth on the sidewalk outside the building chanting and holding signs.
"The message is simple. End the FBI harassment of our communities of our social justice organizations. There is no wrongdoing whatsoever," said Doug Michelle with the group Students for a Democratic Society.
"I'm here because I'm very concerned about our government's targeting peace activists I know personally who are good people and care deeply about human rights," said activist Jennifer Bing.
The FBI executed several search warrants Friday. One of them was at the home of Joe Iosbaker and his wife, Stephanie Weiner. Iosbaker told the crowd the government raids are an attempt to intimidate them and silence the peace movement. "We'll continue our efforts until all the people living under U.S. bombs have peace with justice."
Iosbaker told the crowd FBI agents had gone through everything in their home, including their music collection and their sons' school notebooks. He said the agents also found more than 20 boxes containing family papers and mementos dating back decades.
Another target was the home of Palestinian American anti-war activist Hatem Abudayyeh.
A similar protest took place in Minneapolis. Court records suggest agents were searching for ties between anti-war activists and terrorists groups in the Middle East and Colombia. Many of the people who were searched say they have nothing to do with terrorism.
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