More FBI dirty tricks on MN human rights defenders

By Deborah Dupré

Amidst widespread Cointelpro rampage on human rights defenders and peace workers this season, in Minneapolis, MN, FBI agents continued their campaign against anti-war activists in the Twin Cities on Oct. 8. Because more people have become self-learned about the suppressed history of Cointelpro, the old "dirty tricks" may not be working for them.

"FBI agents came to my work and wanted to talk to me about activists in the anti-war movement," said Jennie Eisert, an Anti-War Committee member according to Fight Back News.

Eisert shed light on the same tactic Targeted Individuals consistently report: Black operatives or their organized vigilantes sneaking meetings or communications with family and friends to turn them away from the target. This tactic is successful, all too often leaving the target isolated and thus vulnerable for attacks.

Eisert did not fall for the FBI's dirty trick.

"I was called away from my desk and when I refused to talk to them, they tried to turn me against my friends and fellow activists," said Eisert.

"They said that Jess Sundin, Meredith Aby and Mick Kelly had manipulated me and others in the anti-war movement. The only ones trying to manipulate me are these FBI agents."

Fight Back News staff reports that "Sundin, Aby and Kelly were among those who had their homes raided and were served with grand jury subpoenas when the FBI moved against anti-war and international solidarity activists on Sept. 24."

"It is insulting that federal agents would try to make me talk to them by attacking the personal and political relationships that I've had with Jess and the others for more than ten years," Eisert said. "To do this while I'm at work is harassment, plain and simple. These attempts to divide us will not work personally and it will not work in the movement."

Cointelpro has always used tricks to divide and thus dissolve peace groups, as the young human rights defenders are seeing first-hand.

Jess Sundin stated, "The FBI is clearly trying to carry out a smear campaign in order to divide the movement."

"If that's their aim, it's going to blow up in their faces. We are people's neighbors, co-workers and friends . A few lies by FBI agents cannot undo the years that we have invested in our community. Instead, it will make people all the more sure that this investigation is nothing more than a fishing expedition."

Fight Back News reports that "two other individuals in Minneapolis were also targeted by the FBI for visits earlier in the week and that local activists have continued reminding the community that they are not required to speak to FBI agents.

"They added that the FBI has tried using smear campaigns to damage movements in the past."

Fight Back News says that exposing these standard operating tactics to the light of day is the best defense.

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