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Ohio-7 fis;Jht Seditious Conspiracy present indicanent, seditious conspiracy had only been used against the Puerto Rican Independence Movement This is a political prosecution that bears close watching by all progressive and revolutionary people because it is a The Ohio-7 are Raymond Luc Levasseur, Patricia furtber attempt by the government to enforce what it Levasseur, Thomas Manning, Carol Manning, Barbara defines as the only acceptable methods of social and Curzi-Laaman, Jaan Laaman and Richard Williams. All political change that oppressed people can utilize in their are from working class backgrounds and have a long struggle. Secondly, this prosecution is a linnus test to see what level of repression the Movement can be subjected to and pave the way for more prosecutions of those not necessarily associated with clandestine organizations. Under the seditious conspiracy law you can be convicted for conspiring (ie. agreeing) to overthrow or oppose by force the government's authority or to delay the execution ofarry law ofthe u.s. It is conceivable under this law that someone like Brian Willson and friends Tbe Ohio-7: (left to right, Jaan Laaman, Barbara Curzi-Laaman. Carol Manning, Tom Manning, who attempt to disrupt the flow of weapons to Central Pat Levasseur, Raymond Luc Levasseur, behind, Richard Williams) America by blocking u.s. munitions trains could be indicted for seditious conspirhistory of political activism. acy. That time may come if the government is successful In May, 1986 the Ohio 7 were indicted on seditious in its prosecution of the Ohio-7. conspiracy and two counts of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). The government bas charged the seven with being part of two clandestine, revolutionary organizations: the Sam Melville-Jonathon With every serious attempt to advance the struggle for Jackson Unit and/or UnitedFreedom Front. These organihuman rights, political movements in the u.s. have been zations claimed credit for numerous bombings of u.s. subjected to vicious attacks and criminal prosecutions military facilities and corporations from 1976 through which are intended to neutralize organizations and lead1984. These actions were done in support of the Puerto ership. Conspiracy/seditious prosecutions challenge the Rican Independence struggle, the Black Liberation ability and willingness of the movement to defend itself. struggle and in solidarity with liberation movements in We must fight back. The class and national struggles from Southern Mrica and Central America. which the Ohio-7 base their commitment to revolutionary The Ohio-7 's response at their arraignment was to state change cannot be divorced from the trial itself, for these that they are guilty of no crimes and that it is the united are the central political issues under attack. states government that should be on trial for war crimes The Ohio-7 are motivated by their love for oppressed and crimes against humanity. people, a vision of a better world for all our children and a commitment to fight injustice. If there is not common In an historical precedent the government bas for the ground to be had with others based within this very human first time in history used the seditious conspiracy law sentiment, then it can be said that fascism is beginning to against North American revolutionaries. Prior to the eclipse the will of the people to fight for their rights.
The following article was submitted to Breakthrough by Ray Levasseur and edited due to space constraints.
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