Jan 13, 2011
There are major new developments in the case of the peace activists
targeted by FBI raids last September. Lawyers for the activists in
Minnesota and St. Paul have learned a government agent infiltrated their
group and conducted extensive spying. Going by the name "Karen
Sullivan," the agent began attending organizing meetings of the Twin
Cities Anti-War Committee in the lead-up to the Republican National
Convention. Sullivan then took an active role in the group, chairing
meetings, handling bookkeeping, and communicating with dozens of other
organizations. Anti-War Committee activist Jess Sundin spoke to Democracy Now! on Wednesday.
Jess Sundin:
"Karen came to weekly meetings. We're all volunteers, and so we make
decisions together at those meetings, and she participated in those
discussions, sometimes even chairing the meetings. Karen had a key to
our office, a key which she later used-or the FBI used-to raid the
office on September 24th and let themselves in. And she also at times
assisted with our bookkeeping and had full access to our financial
records, our membership lists and everything else we're involved in."
Sullivan
even accompanied two activists when they tried to visit the Occupied
Territories in 2009. But upon landing in Israel, Israeli agents were
already aware of their trip and refused to grant them entry. The
activists' attorneys have also learned prosecutors are focusing on a
small donation the two activists wanted to give to their host in the
Occupied Territories, the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees. The
group is not listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and is a registered
NGO with the Palestinian Authority. Sullivan left the Twin Cities last
fall, shortly before the raids of September 24th.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
There are major new developments in the case of the peace activists
targeted by FBI raids last September. Lawyers for the activists in
Minnesota and St. Paul have learned a government agent infiltrated their
group and conducted extensive spying. Going by the name "Karen
Sullivan," the agent began attending organizing meetings of the Twin
Cities Anti-War Committee in the lead-up to the Republican National
Convention. Sullivan then took an active role in the group, chairing
meetings, handling bookkeeping, and communicating with dozens of other
organizations. Anti-War Committee activist Jess Sundin spoke to Democracy Now! on Wednesday.
Jess Sundin:
"Karen came to weekly meetings. We're all volunteers, and so we make
decisions together at those meetings, and she participated in those
discussions, sometimes even chairing the meetings. Karen had a key to
our office, a key which she later used-or the FBI used-to raid the
office on September 24th and let themselves in. And she also at times
assisted with our bookkeeping and had full access to our financial
records, our membership lists and everything else we're involved in."
Sullivan
even accompanied two activists when they tried to visit the Occupied
Territories in 2009. But upon landing in Israel, Israeli agents were
already aware of their trip and refused to grant them entry. The
activists' attorneys have also learned prosecutors are focusing on a
small donation the two activists wanted to give to their host in the
Occupied Territories, the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees. The
group is not listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and is a registered
NGO with the Palestinian Authority. Sullivan left the Twin Cities last
fall, shortly before the raids of September 24th.
There are major new developments in the case of the peace activists
targeted by FBI raids last September. Lawyers for the activists in
Minnesota and St. Paul have learned a government agent infiltrated their
group and conducted extensive spying. Going by the name "Karen
Sullivan," the agent began attending organizing meetings of the Twin
Cities Anti-War Committee in the lead-up to the Republican National
Convention. Sullivan then took an active role in the group, chairing
meetings, handling bookkeeping, and communicating with dozens of other
organizations. Anti-War Committee activist Jess Sundin spoke to Democracy Now! on Wednesday.
Jess Sundin:
"Karen came to weekly meetings. We're all volunteers, and so we make
decisions together at those meetings, and she participated in those
discussions, sometimes even chairing the meetings. Karen had a key to
our office, a key which she later used-or the FBI used-to raid the
office on September 24th and let themselves in. And she also at times
assisted with our bookkeeping and had full access to our financial
records, our membership lists and everything else we're involved in."
Sullivan
even accompanied two activists when they tried to visit the Occupied
Territories in 2009. But upon landing in Israel, Israeli agents were
already aware of their trip and refused to grant them entry. The
activists' attorneys have also learned prosecutors are focusing on a
small donation the two activists wanted to give to their host in the
Occupied Territories, the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees. The
group is not listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and is a registered
NGO with the Palestinian Authority. Sullivan left the Twin Cities last
fall, shortly before the raids of September 24th.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.