After organizing against the Republican National Convention for over a year, the Grand Rapids group ACTIVATE has spent the last several days in the Twin Cities actively disrupting the convention.  On Monday, the first day of the convention, the actions against the RNC greatly overshadowed the theatrics of the convention itself, demonstrating that the resistance has been successful so far.

ACTIVATE is now calling on people to contact officials in Minneapolis to demand rights for prisoners arrested during the Republican National Convention immediately. According to the group Cold Snap Legal Collective over 300 people have been arrested as of Wednesday, many receiving felony charges. Many prisoners have not been able to meet with lawyers, guards have beaten several prisoners, some have been denied medical attention, and others have been put in 23-hour lock down. In addition, trans-gendered prisoners’ rights are not being taken into consideration. It is important that as many people as possible contact the following officials and ask that they meet the demands listed below.

* St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (651.266.8510)

* Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher (651.266.9333)

* County Chief Judge Gearin (651.266.8266)

* Head of Ramsey County Jail Captain Ryan O’Neal (651.266.9350) (main #) extension 1

And demand the following:

* Immediate medical attention as needed for ALL arrestees;

* That the prisoners who haven’t given their names (Jane, John, and Jesse Does) have access to group meetings with a lawyer;

* Ensure trans folks have access to phones, attorneys, and are held in their gender group of choice;

* Dismissal of all charges; and

* Release of all minors.