Forget 1968, its 1984.

The Republican National Convention hasn't even started yet in Minneapolis, but the police are all ready cracking down.

Three members of NYC's Glass Bead Collective got the shake down in true fascist style.

Local protesters stifled
Group hassled by Minnesota cops in advance of GOP convention
by amy zimmer / metro new york

AUG 27, 2008

Just after a group of New Yorkers were released by Chinese authorities, other locals were detained by authorities in a different setting: Three members of the Glass Bead Collective were in Minneapolis prepping a few days before filming protests during the Republican National Convention.

After being held early yesterday morning for an hour, their camera equipment, computers, notes and even someone’s backpack of clothes were seized, according to Vladimir Teichberg. His video group helped air the YouTube clip of a Critical Mass bicyclist last month getting shoved off his bike by a cop.

"They took our tools of the trade." Teichberg said by phone from
Minneapolis, where he has been since Thursday to “get a feel” for the city and meet with groups planning actions. “We’re interested in people coming to protest, … what they’re trying to say and how they’re trying to say it, and to what extent they will be allowed to say it.”

According to a Minneapolis Police Department report, the trio trespassed and committed a “homeland security offense.” They were observed walking out of a railroad yard, the report states.

But Teichberg said he, Olivia Katz and Anita Brathwaite had come off a bus around 2 a.m. when cop cars surrounded them.

“At first they told us they were looking for people breaking into cars,” Teichberg said. “They started searching us. … They questioned us: Why are we here, what is our allegiance, who do we support for president?” … I said, This is crazy, like ‘1984.’”

They were not arrested.

Article here.