Thread by @UR_Ninja

NEW: Charges against an Illinois man facing federal felonies from this summer’s uprising in #Minneapolis showcase the tactics, techniques & procedures applied by the US govt against some of the more enthusiastic participants in the George Floyd rebellion. unicornriot.ninja/2020/feds-leve…

The case against 28-year-old Matthew Rupert’s, one of at least 21 federal cases in the Twin Cities this summer, revolves around videos and messages he allegedly posted to his Facebook page, obtained by prosecutors via a search and seizure warrant served to the tech giant.

In St. Paul on Sept 30, Rupert pled not guilty to three federal felonies: civil disorder, riot, and abetting and abetting arson.

Motions were heard, evidence was submitted, and a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) specialist in the FBI testified in the criminal motion hearing.

Videos posted to Rupert’s Facebook are the basis of the government’s claims.

What appears to be Rupert’s voice is heard on a two-hour-long video telling people to throw some “bombs” at the police as he seems to hand out fireworks to people while on the streets of Minneapolis.

The civil disorder and riot felony charges stem from Rupert’s alleged participation in the unrest in #Minneapolis on May 29, the day after a police precinct was abandoned and set on fire by crowds of angry protesters.

Watch the night the precinct burned:

The arson charge is from a Sprint Store on Nicollet & Lake St. that Rupert is accused of “maliciously” damaging.

According to the indictment, Rupert said in his live video posted to Facebook that he “lit it on fire.”

[screenshot from live stream during night of alleged crime]

“He never even flicked a lighter and they are trying to give him 11 years!” — Andrea, Matthew Rupert’s fiance

Story: unicornriot.ninja/2020/feds-leve…

This summer, U.S. Attorney General William Barr pushed federal prosecutors to bring charges against those suspected of inciting violence or damaging property.

In response, federal investigators from the ATF & FBI swarmed cities across the US & federally charged over 300 people.

Rupert faces decades in prison for his charges.

Civil disorder carries a five year prison sentence and up to $250,000 fine.

Rupert's defense atty, Jordan Kushner says of civil disorder:

“The statute can be used to chill free speech, especially in times such of mass unrest.”

The charge of 'civil disorder' was adopted into law during Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration in response to the unrest sweeping the US in the late ’60s.

The vaguely written civil disorder charge has been used this year during the clampdown on protests for #GeorgeFloyd.

Fed prosecutors leveled civil disorder charges against Indigenous water protectors involved in resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline during 2016 & 2017.

These charges are generally understood as part of a prosecutorial strategy to coerce defendants into guilty pleas.

Defense Attorney Jordan Kushner said the civil disorder charge was a sweeping one that “could be used to prosecute for a felony any participant in a large protest or any aggressive or vocal protest in response to the murder of George Floyd, or any other issue of public concern.“

"..A person yelling loudly at a police officer (such as Mr. Rupert allegedly yelling “F — 12”) or participating in a large demonstration that incidentally interferes with a police officer or firefighter trying to respond to a call could be guilty of the felony of Civil Disorder.”