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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 Support has been withdrawn for the following co-defendants, after it has come to light that these people have decided to cooperate with the FBI by giving information on other activists,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:
Tre's Legal Update.
From Paul Loney, Tre's attorney... Hi folks, Tre's 5/6/2008 Jury Trial has been reset for 7/8/2008 at 09:00AM before Judge James A. Redden. We needed to set a new trial date because additional time is needed for pretrial investigation and trial preparation. So there is no court appearance for May 6th. The July 8th date is also subject to change.  http://www.trearrow.org
From the open publishing newswire:
FBI escalates its intimidation tactics on Marie Mason supporters We would like to make Marie's friends and close supporters aware that recently individuals who have gone to visit Marie in Michigan have been pulled over for the most minor traffic violations by local law enforcement. A situation that should result in a warning or quick ticket turns into an interrogation of the identity, intent, and associations everyone in the vehicle. We believe this to be another form of harassment and attempt to isolate Marie likely being directed at Marie's friends and supporters from the FBI or some other related alphabet soup gang. If you are planing on visiting Marie it is best to give the vehicle you are traveling in a look over for any violation that could result in a ticket. You should also have the vehicles registration and insurance papers in order. The driver should have a valid drivers license on him or her. This wont stop them from pulling you over but will hopefully make the interaction go smoother.
Thanks to a recent supreme court ruling you are REQUIRED to identify yourself to law enforcement on request. Outside of this we would like to remind everyone that they are under no obligation whatsoever to speak with law enforcement under any circumstances without an attorney present. Additionally, if you do choose to speak to law enforcement, and are found later to have been untruthful in any way, this constitutes basis for criminal prosecution. Its perfectly legal for law enforcement to lie to you but it is a criminal act for you to lie to them. The National Lawyers Guild has established a hotline, 888-NLG-ECOL, for individuals arrested, subpoenaed or questioned for offenses related to environmental or animal activism. We encourage people to call the NLG hot line if you are contacted by law enforcement and would like to consult with an attorney on these matters. Its all about the Struggle,
From the open publishing newswire:
Marie Mason was arrested and charged with ELF activities in Michigan dating back almost a decade. As many of you already know Marie has since been released on an unsecured bond and has been under house arrest for over a month now awaiting trial. While house arrest is no where near as bad as incarceration it still has its own bag of stresses and hardships. We are encouraging folks to continue to send Marie letters of support. House arrest does not have any silly jail rules like what type of ink or paper you use so get creative. Letters, Photos, Art, videos, collages, vegan baked goods and vegan recipes are all welcome. Email letters of support are also welcome and can be sent to
 freemarie@riseup.net and will be forwarded to Marie.
We want to be clear though Marie's needs and isolation in this respect are not as pressing as some of the other Green Scare prisoners who are currently incarcerated. If you are only able to write just one letter, we at Got Your back encourage you to send it to one of the following people below. Briana Waters - www.supportbriana.org Eric McDavid - www.supporteric.org Sadie and Exile - solidaritywithsadieandexile@gmail.com
Tre Arrow - www.trearrow.org Tre has been locked up almost four years awaiting trial, Both Briana and Eric are locked down awaiting sentencing and Sadie and Exile are serving 7+ years for Green Scare related actions. updates are being posted at www.midwestgreenscare.org
From the open publishing newswire:
Dear friends, Sentencing has been re-scheduled for May 1st. When re-scheduling the date, Eric's lawyer attempted to set it for April 24, but was unable to do so because Judge England will be getting married next week. In lieu of wedding gifts, we're asking that folks make a small donation to Eric's commissary fund to help his transition to federal prison. When he moves to a federal facility, his commissary account will move with him. If he has money in his account when he arrives, he will be able to purchase the necessities - including money for phone calls to loved ones, vegan food, and writing material. If you would like to make a donation, you can send a check or money order to "Sacramento Defense Fund" at: SPS, PO Box 163126, Sacramento, CA 95816
Yesterday Eric was moved to a different floor. His new address is: McDavid, Eric x-2972521 7E128 Sacramento County Main Jail 651 "I" St. Sacramento, CA 95814 http://www.supporteric.org
From the open publishing newswire:
As the global community awoke on February 19, 2008 to the news of Fidel Castro's resignation, U.S. politicians, along with Florida's Little Havana, were in celebration of the impending change.
Local author and activist, Craig Rosebraugh, was in Cuba during this historic changing of the guard. Come see his presentation and hear his reflections on the current state of life and politics in this unique Caribbean nation. Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm Flowform 5040 SE Milwaukie (TriMet Bus #70 & 19) This event is a benefit for Marie Mason. http://midwestgreenscare.org/
http://www.craigrosebraugh.com
From the open publishing newswire:
What a long and strange journey this past year has been. I have been riding highs and lows as I have been struggling to regain my freedom and find a balance between my desires for this movement and my own personal happiness. I've made no secret of my often conflicting emotions or my disappointment in radical struggles here in the United States. I have strived to remain true to the ideals in which I believe.
As many of you are aware, I was resentenced on February 28th, after years of fighting for a reduced sentence. In the months preceding my resentencing I was faced with numerous obstacles and forced to make difficult decisions. I wrote a statement acknowledging I was wrong to believe that arson could achieve the change I desired, though I added I was not ashamed of nor did I regret my actions. Judge Billings told me that in his 35 years as an attorney and judge that my statement was the most sincere and passionate he'd ever heard. He told me he was impressed with me... He finished by wishing me the best of luck... I'm still here and I am not quitting. ~ Jeffrey "Free" Luers Jeff Luers # CCCI PO Box 9000 Wilsonville, OR 97070 http://freejeffluers.org
From the open publishing newswire:
Frank Ambrose has apparently agreed to cooperate fairly comprehensively. He plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson but has admitted involvement in many other actions over the course of the last decade and agreed to cooperated fully regarding about 15 actions over that time period. He was arraigned only 20 min. after the other 3 people there were arrested, so draw what conclusions you will from that. His plea agreement (unredacted) will be posted here soon.
Background: People arrested and charged for arson at Michigan State University
From the open publishing newswire:
At approximately 11:38 AM est. long time environmental activist and community organizer Marie Mason was arrested by federal agents. At the same time at a separate location Agents from the FBI, Dept. of Homeland Security and Cincinnati Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant on Marie's home, detaining Marie's 16 year old daughter for close to an hour before releasing her. Agents left with several boxes full of items from Marie's home as well as a computer. Roughly two months ago, Marie and her daughter were detained at gun point in their front lawn after discovering a plainclothes officer from Cincinnati's Police Dept. Intelligence Unit planting a GPS tracker on her car.
This represents the latest in a long and escalating line of harassment by the agents of the state. At the time of writing, she is being transported by Federal Agents to Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is unknown at this time what charges Marie is facing. Comment:The raids appear to be linked to an arson at Michigan State University in 1999 and another arson at a logging site in 2000. Both arsons where claimed at the time by the Earth Liberation Front. Well known American Earth First! activist, Frank Ambrose, (who has been wrongfully accused of ELF actions in the past) told ELP he has been charged on three counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson. Other people listed in the indictment include Marie Mason, Aren Berthwick, Stephanie Sultz, and an "un-named participant known to the grand jury." Photos | update from supporters - repost from infoshop.org | greenisthenewred.com coverage
From the open publishing newswire:
Tacoma, WA - A federal jury was unable to reach a decision on conspiracy and transportation of a destructive device but convicted Briana Waters, a 32-year-old mother and violin teacher and former resident of Olympia of arson. The government charged her with being a lookout in connection with the May, 2001 arson of the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington in Seattle. If convicted on all counts, Waters would have faced a sentence of 35 years. The two informants who testified against her in the case, who admitted to participating in the arson, face between three and seven years. Ms. Waters' sentencing is set for May 30.
Without any physical evidence linking Ms. Waters directly to the arson, the government built its case on the testimony of the two informants, and a number of pieces of circumstantial evidence. The defense argued that the informants falsely accused Waters in order to avoid 35-year prison sentences themselves, and that their testimony was demonstrably false. "The government's case was primarily based on character assassination and guilt by association," said civil rights attorney Ben Rosenfeld, a member of the Board of Directors of the Civil Liberties Defense Center. "Evidence of other people's writings never should never have been allowed to be used against her."
From the open publishing newswire:
On February 23rd, Peter Young, an animal liberation activist and former Green Scare prisoner, spoke at the Louden Nelson Center in Santa Cruz before a screening of "Behind the Mask" at a benefit for the SHAC 7. Peter grew up in Los Gatos, California and moved to the state of Washington at the age of nine. He went to college at the University of Washington where he became involved in animal rights activism. In 1997, Peter and a friend liberated over 8,000 mink and foxes from various fur farms in a two-week road trip across three midwestern states. In 1998, indictments were handed down for his arrest and of accomplice, Justin Samuel. After nearly 7 years on the run, Peter was captured in San Jose in 2005 and served almost two years in prison until his release in early 2007.
From the open publishing newswire:
Judge Hubel scheduled Arrow's trial for May 6th. Arrow is to be held as a flight risk and potential danger pending the trial. Arrow is currently being held in Multnomah County. Because of security concerns it is not yet known where he will be moved to. Tre faces fourteen counts with the charges of arson and conspiracy alone possibly resulting in life sentences. Greeted by press outside the courthouse after the arraignment, (attorney) Loney stated that Tre felt that the time was right to return to Oregon to set the record. "His spirit is great," said Loney. "We are very happy that U.S. marshals will meet his raw vegan diet. He is a strong, centered and spiritual individual. This is what has carried him through." Also speaking to press was Tre's sister Shawna Scarpetti. "Over the past four years we've had the time to discuss about how unjust and unfair what he is facing is. He absolutely believes that his attorneys will secure his freedom."
From the open publishing newswire:
Tre Arrow will be given a warm "welcome back" to Portland by his many friends, family and supporters. Tre is a grassroots activist, known foremost for his environmental protection work in the forests of Northern Oregon. Following several years of peaceful activism by Tre, the U.S. Government labeled him an "eco-terrorist" and charged him with multiple counts of arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and possession of destructive devices (i.e. incendiaries). Tre has been a prisoner for four years in Canada fighting extradition to the U.S., fearing that he would not be given a fair trial in light of the "eco-terrorist" label. Tre is awaiting trial in Portland, Oregon, vigorously fighting his criminal charges. Tre states, "As winter holds the land in its grasp, the bare hardwoods stand strong and beckon the spirit of Spring. Likewise, as my life enters a new season, my strength and life force are flowing through my veins and invigorating my body, mind, and spirit for the upcoming challenges. The time has come to prepare for trial in Portland. I am returning from Canada ready to assist my lawyers in this process." Tre has consistently denied any guilt and always asserted that he is innocent of all charges. Tre states, "I have maintained my innocence from the onset of this ordeal. My legal team presented my plea for asylum in Canada based on the political persecution I am facing. But, it is abundantly clear that the Canadian Government is complicit in the atrocities and injustices perpetrated by the US government. My faith in the Canadian authorities to act with a conscience in a fair and objective manner has not been realized. The time has come to prove my innocence once and for all."
From the open publishing newswire:
The Defense starts for Briana Waters trial on Monday, February 25, at 9am. Federal Court House, 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA. The Defense for Briana Waters will start on February 26 and is expected to last a week. There is a little left on the cross examination of Agent Halla and then the prosecution will rest. Now we can hear Briana's Defense! Court begins at 9am on Monday, February 26 at 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA. There is housing available for people who come and need a place to stay. Now is the time to show our support. This is a call to come support Briana Waters this week! This will be a critical week, and probably the last, and there needs to be as much support as possible in the court room. |
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