Political Witchhunts 1
Channel: Shon Meck
Date: 2012-11-20

First panel of the "Political Witchhunts: Then and Now" discussion at the Black Coffee Co-op in Nov 17, 2012. The first panel focuses on the history of political repression in the Pacific Northwest, while the second looks at contemporary waves of repression and strategies for resistance.

Full description:
One year ago, Occupy camps across the country were brutally raided in an attempt to put an end to the latest challenge to the status quo. In the year since, Seattle alone has witnessed militaristic raids on homes, police surveillance and harassment of activists, and the incarceration of a number of young activists simply for refusing to testify. Nationally, felony conspiracy trials are underway in a number of cities for events the FBI openly admits were its own making. While such waves of repression have failed to put an end to dissent and resistance, younger activists are still often at a loss how to respond.

This latest wave of political repression is not the first of its kind in living memory; whether the Red Scare of the 1950s, the COINTELPRO attack on Black Power and antiwar movements of the 60s and 70s, or the ongoing racist internment policies for Arabs and Muslims, movements and groups have been responding to state repression of political expression and identity for a very long time. Yet veteran activists have sometimes found themselves disconnected from current movements, unable to share the lessons of the past.

Come hear scholars and activists discuss what they learned from their experiences with repression and response. Come hear from those involved in defense campaigns for those currently targeted and find out how you can help. Open space discussion and workshops to follow.

Confirmed panelists:
Kit Bakke -- Former member SDS/Weather Underground; Author, "Dot to Dot"
Mark Cook -- former political prisoner and member, George Jackson Brigade
Jenny Esquivel -- Sacramento Prisoner Support
Kris Hermes -- Grand Jury Resistance Project
Mark Jenkins -- Professor of Drama, UW Seattle; Author, "All Powers Necessary and Convenient"
Ron Johnson -- former Lieutenant, Black Panther Party, Seattle
Tabatha Millican - Committee Against Political Repression, Portland
Lauren Regan -- Civil Liberties Defense Center
Jeff Siddiqui -- American Muslims of Puget Sound

Endorsed by Committee Against Political Repression, the Civil Liberties Defense Center, and the Rosenberg Fund for Children.