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Green Scare
Updated 6/14/07 Updates: According to the Dept of Justice at their January 20th press conference, these arrests & subpoenas are part of a nation-wide effort to target activists in the US under new domestic terrorism legislation, although in reality, the word "terrorism" is not mentioned once in the 83-page indictment. Many of those who were arrested have cooperated with authorities to lessen their prison terms. One activist has died in jail. All of the remaining non-cooperating activists have pled guilty, and all except the activist turned informant, Jacob Ferguson, are now facing long sentences with possible terrorism enhancements added on. The charges are in relation to a string of actions which took place between 1997 and 2001, actions that were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. [Initial Report | Jeff Luers' March 2006 Dispatch] Police Informants gave information about some of the people taken into custody during this sweep, most notably, Jake the Snake. Ferguson's informing work to the FBI has been made publicly available, in the form of the actual arrest and search warrant request submitted December 7th, 2005. Dec 22, 2005 one of the originally indicted activists was found dead in his cell. The authorities claim it was a suicide. Bill Rodgers, 40, was a long-time community activist from Arizona where he ran the 'Catalyst Infoshop' bookstore out of his home. For more information or to see how you can support Bill's life work see: www.supportbill.org. [FSRN Audio Interview about Bill with his friend and supporter] On March 2, the Bush administration dealt yet another blow to the First Amendment, as the SHAC 7 were found guilty of multiple federal felonies for advocating the closure of the notorious animal-testing lab Huntington Life Sciences by running a website educating people about animal abuses, publishing a newsletter, speaking at events, and publicizing protests. Now, six activists face years in federal prison. All six are currently under house arrest while awaiting sentencing in September; The SHAC7 Support Committee and attorneys are planning to appeal. Support has been withdrawn for the following co-defendants, after it has come to light that these people have decided to cooperate with the FBI by giving information on other activists, in exchange for the possibility of reduced sentences: Stan Meyerhoff, Kevin Tubbs, Lauren Weiner, Chelsea Dawn Gerlach, Suzanne Savoie, Kendall Tankersley, Darren Thurston, and Zachary Jensen. Jennifer Kolar of Seattle has also been giving information leading to the arrest of at least one of these activists. Lacey Phillabaum is also providing testimony against others.
From the open publishing newswire:
On Thursday, July 1 Green Scare prisoner Marie Mason was placed in solitary confinement. All supporters are encouraged to write her and keep her spirits up. Her cell is very small and windowless, and since then she has only been allowed to stand outside (in a small cage) for under an hour - in total. She cannot send email and can only make one phone call a week. She has also lost access to the vegan food she was buying from the commissary, and so she has an extremely limited diet. She has been told that she has been "re-classified", although exactly what this means is unclear. They may be preparing to transfer her. Mason can still send and receive letters. (However, she asks that supporters do not send pictures at this time.). All supporters are encouraged to write her and keep her spirits up. Marie Mason is serving almost 22 years for two acts of environmentally-motivated property destruction in which no one was harmed. This is the longest current sentence of any of the Green Scare prisoners. (The Green Scare is the name given to the recent prosecution of eco-saboteurs and animal liberation activists, in which the government has labeled them as "terrorists" and sought huge sentences.) Mason was turned in by her then-husband, Frank Ambrose, who had secretly spied on activists for years and then filed for divorce the day she was arrested. Mason eventually plead guilty to 14 actions; 13 were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and one by the Animal Liberation Front. At her sentencing, the judge said she had "violated the marketplace of ideas" and gave her an even longer sentence than the prosecution had asked for (15-20 years). Marie Mason Support Event Sat July 17th in Portland
From the open publishing newswire:
FBI agents and law enforcement from multiple agencies have raided a well-known activist group house in Salt Lake City, Utah, today in connection with an investigation of Animal Liberation Front crimes in Iowa.
From Will Potter at greenisthenewred.com link to davenportgrandjury.wordpress.com
From the open publishing newswire:
Civil Liberties Defense Center's FREE Film Nights
2nd Thursday of each month @ 7 pm @ WestTown Community Center @ 275 W. 8th (next to WOW Hall) Monthly civil rights films this month: Black Panthers Mumia Katrina For more information, go to  http://www.cldc.org.
From the open publishing newswire:
'One struggle, one fight' - it can be an elusive concept. Please join
this panel of speakers as they talk about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, the Green Scare, COINTELPRO and how they relate to each other. The aim of this panel is to explore how movements struggling for fundamental change can persevere over the long term in the face of state repression. This will be a benefit for the AETA 4, four activists in the Bay Area being prosecuted as "terrorists" for their beliefs. All money raised will go to their legal defense fund. In addition, this event will hopefully plant the seeds of solidarity and cross-pollination between movements. -Friday, Feb 19 @ 5pm Reed College-3203 SE Woodstock Boulevard Eliot 314 -Saturday, Feb 20th @6pm Red and Black Cafe 400 Se 12th Ave Speakers: Lauren Regan (Civil Liberties Defense Center), Nadia Winsted (grand jury resistor), Claude Marks (Freedom Archives, former political prisoner), Jeffrey Luers (former political prisoner, environmental activist), and Walidah Imarisha (historian, hip-hop artist). http://cldc.org
http://AETA4.org
http://freedomarchives.org
From the open publishing newswire:
Hey All,
As many of you know Marie has been having problems receiving Vegan meals since entering in the Federal system almost a year ago. We recently received a phone call from Marie during which she asked that friends and supporters write the new warden at Waseca and politely request she be given consistent and nutritionally adequate vegan meals. The hope is that with the help of outside support the new Warden will be more understanding of her situation then his previous counterpart. A sample letter is included below. In the Struggle, Got Your Back Collective
From the open publishing newswire:
Steve Murphy has plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson. Today [1/11/10] court documents were filed in which Steve Murphy plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson. The charge carries the Terrorism Enhancement. Steve is now facing 5 years in prison. The documents filed today mention an unindicted co-conspirator.
At this time, there is no reason to believe that Steve is cooperating, and he still needs your support. More information will be posted as it becomes available. Steve's support site is: supportsteve.org
From the open publishing newswire:
Today I had my first appearance before the federal grand jury in Davenport, Iowa. I was represented by a federal public defender (although he could not be present in the grand jury with me). After reading a brief statement expressing that I would not testify, I was released with a subpoena to reappear before the grand jury again on the 17th of November at 9:00 A.M. It is likely that at this time I will be held in contempt of court for continuing to remain silent, and could face jail time up to the length of the grand jury (it convenes for 12 months total, which leaves 11 remaining after my November appearance). We are still looking into legal questions regarding how long they could hold me.
Oct 13 press release: "Twin Cities Anarchist Subpoenaed to Federal Grand Jury in Iowa"
From the open publishing newswire:
Final "Free" Free Benefit (we hope)
Support Political Prisoner Jeff Luers during his tansition out of prison after 9.5 years Vegan Benefit Dinner at the Morning Glory Cafe (450 Willamette St., Eugene) Saturday November 7th, 2009 6:30-10:00pm (Seatings at 6:30pm and 8pm only) Reservations Required! Four-course gourmet vegan dinner plus beverage and live flamenco guitar music!
From the open publishing newswire:
Hello friends, We are incredibly relieved to finally be able to tell you that the opening brief for Eric's appeal was filed on September 17. This is only the first step in a very long process, but after over a year's worth of delays, it was a welcome development. The government's response to Eric's brief is due on October 15 - although it is quite possible there will be more delays. We will post the opening brief on Eric's website soon. We also want everyone to know that after a recalculation of his points (what the BOP uses to determine in what security level prison to place someone), Eric realized he qualifies for a low-security facility. He has put in a request to be moved and is awaiting a response. We will let you all know as soon as we hear anything.
Eric's birthday is on October 7. It would be great if everyone could send him a quick note of support to remind him we haven't forgotten about him. You can send cards and letters to: Eric McDavid 16209-097 FCI Victorville, Medium II Federal Correctional Institution Adelanto, CA 92301
From the open publishing newswire:
Environmental activist Justin Solondz has been apprehended in China and has been taken into custody. Justin was named as one of the Green Scare defendants in the University of Washington Genetic Engineering Research arson and was named as a codefendant of Briana Waters, who refused to cooperate, went to trial and was sentenced to 6 years in prison. Justin has been listed as a fugitive by the FBI since the UW indictment was issued several years ago. It is unclear at this time whether Justin will be extradited back to the U.S, and/or when such a transfer would occur. Stay tuned for more updates as they become known.
From the open publishing newswire:
Tre arrived in Portland Monday afternoon. Some folks met him at the airport bringing spring water, yummy food, coconut dates of course, and flowers. Lots of hugs and love before he rode a bike with friends to the halfway house he is staying at.
From the open publishing newswire:
This June marks the 9th and final year that Jeff Free Luers will spend in prison. Jeff was originally sentenced to 23 years for setting fire to 3 SUV's at Romania Chevrolet to bring attention to global warming. Since then Jeff has won his appeal and was resentenced to 10 years. Jeff will be released this December 2009.
Events for the June 2009 Day of Solidarity with Jeff Free Luers are listed below. Celebrate our victory of helping to bring Jeff home! Donations for Jeff's release and education fund are greatly needed. http://freejeffluers.org/donate.html
A wish list for specific items is now available here: http://freejeffluers.org/assets/pdfs/WISH_LIST.pdf
http://freejeffluers.org
From the open publishing newswire:
Three amazing PDX benefits are planned for 6 activists charged under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA). Your support is needed. [BACKGROUND:] -CALIFORNIA 4 Arrests: On February 19th and 20th, four animal rights activists from California were arrested on charges for their alleged involvement in "terrorist" activity relating to a long running campaign against University of California research facilities. Illuminating yet another dark chapter in what has been termed the "Green Scare," their case represents a sustained FBI mission to criminalize political dissent. Protesting, chalking slogans, and producing leaflets are among the "terrorist" activity of which these activists are being accused. Each of their charges hold 5 year penalties. -UTAH - 2 Arrests: On Thursday March 5th the witch hunt expanded when two Utah activists were also arrested under AETA...[who] are being accused for their alleged participation raid of a South Jordan, UT mink farm in August, and the alleged attempted raid of a second mink farm in October. SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY: Strong community fundraising and support are need to help pay for the enormous legal bills of all of the AETA defendants. Three great benefits are planned for the next week and the AETA defendants need your help. Come out and show your solidarity!
aeta4.org |
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