Trump’s FBI Raided Ohio Organizing Collaborative June 11th

Ask Your Congresspersons to Denounce These FBI Raids*

Senator Patty Murray: 202-224-2621 / 206-553-5545

Senator Maria Cantwell: 202-224-3441 / 206-220-6400

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: 202-225-3106 / 206-674-0040

FBI agents raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a grassroots group that does voter registration work, said Prentiss Haney, a board member of the group. Agents seized computers and phones, he said, and also showed up at homes of people affiliated with the group throughout the state and interviewed them.

“This raid is a full-on coordinated assault weaponizing the Justice Department and DHS against people who are fighting for working-class voters and Black voters to make sure they have access to the ballot,” Haney said in an interview. …

“This appears to be an outrageous fishing expedition, an attempt to intimidate people working for democracy in our communities and country. It is an egregious abuse of law enforcement for political ends, and it fits a pattern of federal inquiries targeting voting infrastructure ahead of the midterm elections,” said Michael Waldman, the president of the Brennan Center for Justice, a think tank.

The Guardian‍

MVP friends,

You might have seen this in the news … yesterday, the FBI raided our partners in Ohio, seizing laptops and even showing up at staffers’ homes.

We’re talking about organizers who are working day in and day out to defend our freedom to vote — and to make sure the will of the people prevails in Ohio.

We’ve been texting and calling with them over the past 24 hours, and now, at their request, we’ve set up a democracy defense fund to support their work to fight back.

Check out the Ohio Democracy Defense Fund here: movement.vote/ohio

In solidarity,

Billy Wimsatt, MVP Executive Director
(On behalf of the MVP team)

p.s. - Obviously, this is a big deal … and it’s much, much bigger than any one org or state. This is the moment to show this administration we can’t be bullied into silence.

Movement Voter Project‍

*Draft email to Senator / Representative:

Subject: Please oppose FBI raids and intimidation of voting rights organizations

Dear Senator / Representative [Last Name],

I am a Washington constituent writing to urge you to speak out against FBI raids on, and intimidation of, voting rights and pro-democracy organizations, like the raids reported in Ohio this past week.

Organizations that register voters and support civic participation are essential to a healthy democracy. Using law enforcement tactics like raids, seizures of phones and laptops, and home visits to target civic groups risks chilling lawful organizing, discouraging volunteers, and undermining public trust.

I respectfully ask that you:

  • Publicly condemn the use of raids and intimidation against voting rights organizations and their staff.

  • Request immediate transparency from the Department of Justice and the FBI about the legal basis, scope, and oversight of these actions, including what was seized and why.

  • Press for safeguards to ensure federal law enforcement is not used to harass or silence civic participation, especially ahead of elections.

Please let me know your position and what steps you will take.

Sincerely,

James Little

Seattle, Washington 98105 ‍

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