I'm back home in Minnesota after the conclusion of the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan, last Saturday. Host to this historic gathering of 15-20,000 social justice strugglers from progressive business owners to anarchists, Detroit was and remains on the front lines of capitalism's crisis. It's a city of contradictions. Thriving community gardens dot otherwise overgrown lots and abandoned buildings; friendly smiles mask neighborhoods plagued by violence and one of the nation's highest rates of police killings.

A grim Iron Triangle of insurance lawyers, a huge $10 million AIG liability policy, and state and local courts have conspired to make a dense coverup "shell" for the illegal police and government official operations during the 2008 Republican National Convention. The City of Minneapolis has settled several cases recently but winning plaintiffs haven't spoken up on the state crimes, indicating they are likely gagged somehow. Revealed here: the disturbing coverup engine itself, the insurance policy between the Twin Cities, the failed AIG corporate crime complex, and the RNC Host Committee (Committee On Arrangements).

Today on Friday April 30th, AC (Raymond Merchant) triumphed over the state's futile attempts to paint him as an armed robber. He was facing three charges--aggravated robbery in the 1st degree, attempted aggravated robbery in the 1st degree, and assault in the 2nd degree as a result of being falsely implicated in a robbery that occurred last October. After only two hours of deliberation, the first hour of which was over lunch, the jury reached a consensus verdict of not guilty on all three counts.

Update: Raymond's trial has been rescheduled to begin with jury selection at 9am Monday, April 26th. Please pass this on to any friends and acquaintances of Ray and mark your calendars to come out and support him then!

Law enforcement's latest move at the Minnesota State Capitol is to try and slide SF3163 / HF3651 through the noise. Quietly introduced as "law enforcement data from other states classification" just days ago by Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St.Paul Attys Office), the short bill would allow state law enforcement authorities to release virtually anything without any oversight to other states, and compartmentalize what they receive from other states under their external data classifications!