FBI takes Mpls Green Party candidate's computer/Searches home!

[katinmn]

Zimmerman is a likeable and well-known anti-war, anti-corporate and environmental activist who is also a sitting City of Minneapolis councilmember. He spoke at our 51 Capital March event last December. Looks like the search was politically motivated and it will take some time before the truth emerges. It will by then be too late for Zimmerman's campaign.

This is some scary stuff!

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5604473.html
Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune
September 9, 2005 ZIMM0909

FBI agents searched the home and subpoenaed office records of Minneapolis City Council Member Dean Zimmermann on Thursday, revealing the third known federal probe of City Hall.

"Basically, they shut my guy down financially and politically," said attorney Fred Bruno, who spoke for his client Thursday evening.

Bruno said the agents took computers, personal records and a campaign mailing that was about to be sent. He said he had yet to be provided details about the direction of the probe and declined to disclose further what was taken during the three-hour search.

Lauren Maker, a campaign coordinator for Zimmermann said, "They've taken all our lists. Everything."

more

[no name no slogan]

1. I heard that on the radio this morning

Dean Zimmerman is one of the cleanest, most honest politicians in town. I seriously wonder what it is they're after him for.

This is very bogus, especially this close to an election. Something stinks.

[katinmn]

2. I agree

This has to be a political attack and they are using the Patriot Abuse Act for these illigal searches and seizures.

I hate to see this crap coming.

[bvar22]

3. This is very scary!

:scared:
Is it time to go underground?



Republican GREED has now KILLED more Americans than Al Qaeda!

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[hermetic]

4. We are so screwed

:cry:

[seg4527]

5. i've met the dean

he was involved with our general college protests. a great guy. something definitely stinks about this. from the amount of protests that this guy has attended, i'm sure he could generate a pretty big grassroots response to this if he wanted to go that direction...and i sure hope he does.

[Randomthought]

6. I had a run in with Dean a couple of weeks ago

I know Zimmerman is much loved but I had a very weird experience with him on the corner of 22nd & Garfield about 8:30 one night a couple of weeks ago. He was very abrasive and almost menacing. Frankly,if it had been someone other than Zimmerman I would have called the cops.
I wonder if he hasn't lost the plot of over all those legal bills and the redistricting in general.

[katinmn]

7. Oh really? Did he run over your foot with his bike?

Unless you care to elaborate, I wouldn't go spreading rumors about some "altercation."

[Randomthought]

8. I'm not spreading rumors

The man screamed like a banshee at me because I told him I didn't have time to talk to him. He also reached out as though to grab my arm. I stepped aside and walked away very quickly.
Perhaps he didn't mean to be menacing or threatening but his behavior could certainly be interpreted that way.
I don't know what his problem was but the man I saw that night was out of control. Now if you don't want to believe me that's OK with me.
I'm a middle-aged woman with a white collar job and a good reputation as a Democratic and anti-war activist in my community. and I don't tell lies.

[katinmn]

9. Sorry. That does sound like a different person from the

guy I've spoken with on different occassions as well as his reputation. It also sounds menacing. Sorry that happened to you. Seriously.

I shouldn't have called you on it.

I am saddened by the FBI tactics. This is going to happen more frequently now thanks to the Patriot Abuse Act being extended and MN politics getting further infested by the RW. They could have done this a lot differently if there were improprieties.

[Randomthought]

10. I'm sorry too

I didn't mean to make it sound as though I was defending the FBI. The tactics were an atrocity.
I'm just thinking that the financial pressures may him affected Zimmerman's judgment IF he actually did do anything illegal.