SPIRIT OF FREEDOM

 

Newsletter of the North American Earth Liberation Prisoner Support Network Winter 2002

 

Welcome to the January 2002/Winter issue of our newsletter, Spirit of Freedom. There have been many changes since the last issue, most notably the US bombing of Afghanistan in the wake of the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. It is hard to determine the exact effects of these actions on the burgeoning Earth liberation and ecological resistance movement but already there have been some initial signs. Wise-users, industry analysts and politicians alike are using this opportunity to attempt to link direct action with terrorism. Inside this issue, you will find many examples of this from congress lackey McInnis’s letter sent to environmental groups urging them to disavow the ELF and ALF to the absurd report by the American Policy Institute suggesting a connection between the Animal Liberation Front and anthrax.

 

Additionally, politicians are all vying to see who could further invite big brother into our lives with the introduction of federal as well as state legislation regarding terrorism. So far, we have seen one activist, already charged with criminal charges related to alleged ELF actions, charged with additional terrorist charges. We must resist the further criminalization of direct action taken by the ELF/ALF as well as countless other individuals. We all know who the real terrorists are: the corporations and the state.

 

On a different note, we want to welcome Standing Deer back to the outside world! He was released from prison on September 4th after spending nearly 25 years locked up. It is only through the hard work of his support people and his perseverance that he finally got out. Also, we want to welcome Jeremiah Rush Bowen out who, if all goes well, will be released from prison by February 7th after serving 2 years for attempted arson in Colorado.

 

Our newsletter will be distributed on a quarterly basis from now on. This decision was made so that we can engage in more direct prisoner support which putting out a bi-monthly newsletter prevented us from doing. We hope to publish a newsletter, which is not only larger but that we will be able to mail out to international contacts. This newsletter will be available for downloading as a .PDF file from our website so people can make their own copies and distribute it amongst their communities. The newsletter is available from http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

 

This is a hard time of year for prisoners being that it is cold in most of the continent and is also the holiday season. Please consider writing to a prisoner or contributing to one’s legal defense.

 

It dawned on us that our network began just over a year ago and we regretted not thanking the people who have helped us so much in the last year in forming our network and keeping it going. Here it goes:

 

Thank you: Green Anarchy magazine collective, Noel, J, Gumby, Jeremiah, Annie, Tom, Bronson, Murray, the EF! Journal Collective, John Zerzan, Rod, Jeff “Free” Luers, Craig “Critter” Marshall, Ernesto, Lauren, the Nuxalk nation, Charles, David, TAO, Megan, Leeanne, Stephanie, Phaedra and R. Thank you especially to all the prisoners listed in this newsletter. Your feedback and critique have been invaluable. Thank you to the original inhabitants of the land that we do this prisoner support work on: the indigenous people of this continent. Finally, thank you to the Earth Liberation Front, Animal Liberation Front and all you countless people out there who decide that it is time to stop talking and time to start acting. May you all be safe!

 

North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network

Box 11331, Eugene, OR 97440 

Email: [email protected]  Web: http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

 

Subscription Information

 

-          Spirit of Freedom is free to all prisoners and always will be.

-          Supporters can get individual copies of Spirit of Freedom for $2 or $9 for a one-year subscription. We also accept stamps as payment for Spirit of Freedom so send any comparable amounts in place of cash.

-          We welcome trades with other prisoner support/anarchist zines. Check with us first before sending any zines.

-          Non tax-deductible donations to the North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network can be made out to “NAELPSN” and sent to our PO Box. If you want a donation to go to a specific prisoner, let us know and we will try to accommodate your request. A donation of $10 or more will get you a year’s subscription to Spirit of Freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURT AND LEGAL UPDATES

 

Santa Cruz 2

 

Matt Whyte and Peter Schnell were arrested in January of last year near Santa Cruz, California when they were found in the possession of milk jugs, fuel and birthday candles. Matt and Peter accepted a plea bargain in federal court on October 15 and pled guilty to “possession of an unregistered firearm.” This charge holds a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. They will be sentenced at the federal court in San Jose, California on January 28. Donations are desperately needed to help offset Matt and Peter’s legal fees and can be sent to Santa Cruz 2 Defense Fund PO Box  583 Eugene, OR 97440; [email protected].

 

Barry Horne

 

On November 6, 2001 animal liberation prisoner Barry Horne died due to liver failure as while on hunger strike. It has been reported that this latest hunger strike was in protest at the Government’s disastrous handling of the foot & mouth crisis in England.

 

The UK ELP used to list Barry simply as “serving 18 years for various anti-vivisection arsons and attempted arsons.” Barry was arrested while planting incendiary devices inside an animal abusers store in Bristol. Once caught, the police charged Barry with arsons against the Boots company on the Isle of Wight that had gone previously unsolved. He was found guilty of attempted arson in Bristol and arson on the Isle of Wight. While in jail, Barry, started a hunger strike to get the then newly elected Labour Government to honor their manifesto commitments to holding a Royal Commission into the use of animals in experiments. This hunger strike was only called off when the Government gave assurances that they would look at the issue of vivisection. They reneged on these assurances and Barry restarted his hunger strike. It is unclear why his second hunger strike came to an end, but it is believed the Government had offered him some sort of negotiation. Again they lied. Barry then carried out a series of other hunger strikes, the last one proving fatal. A memorial service was held shortly after his death by hundreds of animal liberation activists.

 

 

 

Mumia Abu-Jamal

 

A federal judge overturned the death sentence of former Black Panther and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal on Tuesday, ordering a new sentencing hearing. Ruling on a defense petition for a new trial in the 20-year-old case, U.S. District Judge Yohn let stand Abu-Jamal’s first-degree murder conviction for the 1981 shooting of white Philadelphia pig Daniel Faulkner. But in a 272-page opinion issued a little over a week after the 20th anniversary of the murder, Yohn gave state prosecutors 180 days to conduct a new sentencing hearing, citing errors in the death-penalty phase of the 1982 trial. Philadelphia DA Abraham said her office would act to stay Yohn’s ruling by lodging an appeal with the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. Yohn concluded that the instructions and verdict sheet used at Abu-Jamal’s trial 19 years ago may have confused jurors in the penalty phase and led them to avoid consideration of mitigating circumstances in deciding on a sentence.

 

Connor Cash

 

Connor Cash  is now facing charges of “aiding terrorists” in addition to the other charges that he has for his alleged involvement in ELF actions in Long Island, NYC. The government is claiming that the additional charges have nothing to do with the World Trade Center attacks. More information can be obtained by contacting: Connor Cash Support Committee c/o Long Island Animal Defense League (ADL) PO Box 1117, Huntington, NY 11743 (631) 340-4708 [email protected].

 

Golf Course Vandals

 

In early November the three Omaha men who were each charged with numerous counts of criminal mischief after vandalizing golf courses entered a diversion program and will have to pay $1,883.34 to the three courses that they vandalized. They were charged with four counts of criminal mischief in connection with the four incidents in which the initials “ELF” were painted throughout the course and the grounds were dug up. After their arrest, the men told the cops that they committed the vandalism to protest the use of land for golf courses and the use of chemicals on the land.

 

 

Mark Sands

 

Mark Sands admitted in federal court that he torched luxury homes under construction near mountain preserves in various areas of Arizona. Mark pleaded guilty to eight counts of extortion affecting interstate commerce and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. He faces 15 to 20 years in prison. He came under scrutiny in April after a surveillance camera caught him wearing a hat and gloves, writing “C.S.P.,” the arsonist’s acronym for Coalition to Save the Preserves, with a red maker at a construction site near his home. He was indicted on June on 22 counts of arson and extortion. The indictment linked him to eight fires that were set between April 9, 2000 and Jan. 18, 2001.Mark will be sentenced by Bolton on Feb. 11.

 

Robert Middaugh

 

Last month, Robert Middaugh was sentenced to three years in a California State Penitentiary, charged with assaulting a police officer during the Mayday protest in Long Beach this year. In court, the prosecutor threw everything they could towards him charging him with assault on a police officer, refusal to comply with a police officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, and riot. In addition, Middaugh was on probation relating to his kidnap and arrest by LAPD.  Middaugh was looking at 16-17 years in prison, plus another strike against him. He is awaiting transfer but his current address can be gotten from Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross PO BOX 3671 Anaheim, Ca 92803-3671. [email protected]

 

Jon Batchelor

 

On January 2, Seattle animal rights activist Jon Batchelor was taken back into custody at a hearing on extradition to Virginia on felony charges of aggravated assault on an officer and escape which stem from the Animal Rights 2001 conference The state of Virginia now has ten days to go ahead with the extradition procedure which could come at anytime.

 

Monetary donations for his legal defense can be sent to: Jon Batchelor Defense c/o Mutual Aid Legal Fund, POB 95616, Seattle, WA. 98145-2616.

 

Free out of the hole

 

Jeffrey “Free” Luers is now out of the hole and is residing at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon. Write him at: Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Also, an interview with Free is printed in the Samhain 2001 issue of the Earth First! Journal available from PO Box 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702, (520) 620-6900 [email protected].

 

Free has also asked that people write the Governor of Oregon urging him to commute his sentence. Letters can be sent to: Governor John Kitzhaber, Governor of Oregon, State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 9730-4047.

 

 
UK LEGAL UPDATES

 

Neil Bartlett

 

Last month, Neil Bartlett pled guilty to bomb hoaxing Glaxo, SmithKline, Shell, Exxon, Mobile, Novartis, Morgan Stanley and Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council. He pled not guilty regarding two other bomb hoaxes and they were dropped. Neil explained that he targeted Glaxo SmithKline, Shell, Novartis and Morgan Stanley because of their "support for vivisection" and because they "do business with Huntingdon Life Sciences". Sentencing has been adjourned until the February 1 Neil's lawyer is warning him to expect between 4-6 years. Please send these letters to Neil Bartlett FW7083, HMP Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1EA England.

 

Lee Himlin

 

Lee was released in September after serving time for monkeywrenching at the Nine Ladies Quarry site in the UK!

 

Paul Robinson

 

Paul recently lost his appeal of his conviction for violent rioting at the Gothenberg G8 demonstrations in June. He will be appealing to the Supreme Court, but it will take time to do this. Paul remains in good spirits, undefeated, still fighting and with not a ounce of regret. Paul has been moved to a prison in Karlskoga - Paul Robinson KVA Karlskoga Box 7 69121 Karlskoga, Sweden.

 

 

 

 

Trash

 

On Halloween, British eco-activist “Trash” was caught allegedly trashing quarrying equipment at the Nine Ladies quarry site. Judging by past sentencing for ecotage at this protest site, Trash is guaranteed a prison sentence if found guilty. His supporters are asking that everyone sends him letters of support straight away to help keep his spirits strong. Trash, c/o Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Camp, Lees Cross, Lees Road, Stanton Lees, Nr Matlock, Derbyshire, England.

 

CANADIAN LEGAL UPDATES

 

Wiebo Ludwig

 

Returned home to Hythe, Alberta last week after serving 19 months in jail for bombing and sabotaging oil-drilling operations. Ludwig is fighting petroleum companies that have contaminated large sections of Alberta with sour-gas emissions, causing hundreds of miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects. The Ludwig’s’ statement condemned authorities who “choose to ignore our concerns, vilified a peaceful people and ultimately, unjustly incarcerated our spokesman in an attempt to shut us up.” They added: “Be assured that this ordeal has not succeeded in destroying or silencing us but has rather strengthened our unity and resolve.”

 

Vaughn Barnet

 

Vaughn, who was serving time for his part in the Anti-FTAA protests in Quebec City last year, has been released from prison

 

Any information on earth/animal liberation and indigenous political prisoners in Canada would be well appreciated as we are trying to extend our network more effectively into the northern part of this continent.

 

STANDING DEER RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER ALMOST 25 YEARS!

 

A letter from Anna Standing Deer, support person for Standing Deer

 

Greetings!

Standing Deer, who was released exactly one week before the bombing of the WTC, would like to thank you all for your unswerving support for him, not only in times of crisis, but throughout his 25 years of incarceration during the rare moments that they weren’t trying to kill him. He would greatly appreciate it if some of you would write him sometimes, as he wishes to acknowledge his appreciation personally, and come to know for himself the many people who placed a safety net beneath him so that he is here today alive and free. He is still in a state of bliss and has not quite shaken off the golden dust of freedom yet!! He is also busy trying to become acclimated to life out here. It is not always easy, as you very well know to re-adjust oneself after 25 years behind bars, but Standing Deer is a strong, valiant warrior, so that his efforts to re-adjust to the outside world are strong and valiant and to be admired.

 

You can contact Standing Deer by writing: Standing Deer Wilson, 977 Bunker Hill Rd. #113, Houston, TX 77024.

 

Standing Deer is doing his utmost to answer all letters received, as he is no longer hassled in terms of letter-writing, as he was in prison. So, please take the time to address him and introduce yourselves personally. If you are already known to him, drop him a line or two so that he can get back to you and thank you also for your ongoing friendship and dedication. It was exactly, one week after Standing Deer was released, a large number of our political prisoners were herded into “isolation” due to the bombing of the WTC although it was known by the prison authorities system that these individuals has absolutely nothing to do with that act!!

 

The Creator chose to look out for this man called Standing Deer, by releasing him the week earlier, at a time when none of us could foresee the future of a week later, BUT at a time that the penal system would know that Standing Deer was too busy just trying to find his way out of the front door of a house once again let alone contemplate anything that he would not have contemplated under ANY circumstances. Yet, I postulate that if his release date had been 9-11, Standing Deer would still be somebody’s prisoner rather than our “merry” person to have fun with and celebrate life with. Yes, the Creator looked after him.

 

So, here he is with us and I think it’s time to play (smile)— BUT also to keep working for the release of Leonard, Mumia and ALL political prisoners and POW’s. We have one warrior free to make happy. Let’s go for ten more warrior men and women!!

 

May there be many more blessings, Anna Standing Deer

 

Mishap is an critical, intelligent zine from Eugene. You can get a copy  (I believe, free to prisoners) from POB 5841, Eugene, OR 97405. Issue #12  contains an excellent series of articles on getting zines to prisoners and the pitfalls that the author has experienced in sending zines into prisons.

 

 
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO WRITE IN YOUR APPEAL BY R & T

 

-Dear fascist underling maggot:

-Dear FUM!
-Obviously, the ten page limit on photoccopies exists because the mail censors aren’t smart enough to read something longer.

 

I’ve identified some other ways that zines “create a danger of violence or physical harm to another human being:

-can be rolled up and used as a swatter.

-paper cuts!

-possible use as a projectile-paper airplanes can poke out eyes!

-prisoner can fashion a “shiv” with so many pages

-utilizing origami, prisoner could fashion a realistic looking gun and spark a riot or escape.

-use of symbols reminds prisoners of the fundamental alienation of language and reification brought on by civilization and domestication thus further alienating said prisoner, making them depressed, so all symbols and language should be banned.

-Bad jokes can give a person an upset stomach

 

-Dear Fascist Scum: you have obviously rejected my zine because of its uncompromising truth and revolutionary nature! It is so well written, that it would become the spark that ignites the revolution! So militancy and insurrectionary is the zine that it is the final push that knocks down the lies of government, wakes up the duped populace and ushers in the golden age of anarchy! You reject it because you fear it! Wake up dupe!

-There must be some mistake! I sent in a lovely pamphlet by the great Rev. Billy Graham, not this satanic anarchist magazine!

 

-Curse words, lots of curse words

 

MCINNIS  GEARS UP FOR THE ELF

 

Congress lackey McInnis from Colorado has set his sights on the Earth Liberation Front, no doubt due to pressure from big business at home affected by ELF and direct action (Vail Inc. is in McInnis’s district). McInnis, like many other opportunistic politicians, are seeking to make direct action here on the continent akin to what they define as terrorism abroad. Acknowledging that al-Queda and the ELF are radically different groups, McInnis sums it up as “terrorism is terrorism”.

 

Some of McInnis’s thoughts on direct action:

 

The point has come when we need to strip away the Robin Hood mystique from this terrorism in our country”

 

“The threat posed by special interest extremism — most notably the extreme fringes of the animal rights and environmental movements — is also emerging as a significant concern for law enforcement”

 

In addition to his increased public relations, McInnis has sent letters to many environmental and animal rights groups in the US asking them to disavow the tactics of the ELF and ALF. Many see a scary comparison between McInnis’s letter and the tactics of Joe McCarthy and the House on Un-American Affairs committee in the 1950’s . Is this the new Green Scare?

 

 

The text of McInnis’s Green Scare letter follows:

 

 October 30, 2001

 

As our Nation begins the recovery and healing process following the tragedy of September 11, we believe it is critical for Americans of every background and political stripe to disavow terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No matter its shape, source or motivation, Americans simply cannot tolerate, either overtly or through silence, the use of violence and terror as an instrument of promoting social and political change.

 

With this understanding, we are calling on you and your organization to publicly disavow the actions of eco-terrorist organizations like Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF). Eco-terrorist cells like these have exacted a substantial financial and personal toll on scores of individuals and enterprises in all corners of the United States. In the dark of night and under the cover of anonymity, environmental radicals have firebombed government offices, research centers, schools, homes, and businesses. In so doing, they have sent a ripple of fear through all the many communities in their destructive path. While the attacks of eco-vigilantes have not yet reached the magnitude of what America experienced over the last several weeks, their tactics are no less deplorable, their methods of pursuing political change no less appalling, and their use of fear and terror no less repugnant.

 

In February, then FBI Director Louis Freeh identified radical eco-terrorist organizations like ELF and ALF as one of America’s leading domestic terrorism threats. The FBI’s announcement came on the heels of a January 1st ELF communiqué proclaiming, “This year, 2001, we hope to see an escalation in tactics against capitalism and industry.” In the time since, ELF has made good on its threat to ratchet up the violence in 2001, using incendiary devices to, amongst other things, level the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture, torch an entire fleet of trucks owned by a private timber company, and burn the Oregon Offices of Superior Lumber Company. Alarmingly, ALF arsonists struck a biomedical lab in New Mexico just nine days after the horrors of September 11, destroying property estimated at $1 million. This year’s attacks, together costing local businesses and taxpayers upwards of $5 million, are in addition to the over $40 million in damage that ELF and ALF have inflicted since their inception. Even during this hour of national crisis, ELF and ALF continue to terrorize Americans in pursuit of their militant agenda.

 

We trust that you will join us in publicly condemning this source of domestic violence. Your statement would send a profound and powerful message to these organizations: Americans of every background and political persuasion repudiate the use of terror in every form, including environmental terrorism.

 

 Thank you in advance for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to receiving a timely response to this letter.

Sincerely,

James V. Hansen

Scott McInnis

Chairman

House Subcommittee on House Resources

Committee Forests and Forest Health

 

An excellent reply to this letter was sent by the environmental law firm, Wildlaw:

 

Dear Congressman McInnis:

 

I am in receipt of your letter of October 30, 2001, which you sent to numerous environmental organizations “calling on you and your organization to publicly disavow the actions of eco-terrorist organizations.” On behalf of WildLaw, the nations foremost (and best looking) non-profit environmental law firm, I am pleased to extend our thanks to you for your courageous stand and to set forth our strong condemnation of “environmental terrorism.”

 

We have long fought against those secretive multi-national organizations that have sponsored “environmental terrorism” in America. Throughout our great land, these groups are poisoning our air, our water and our food supply. Children have been hurt. People have been killed. Landowners have had their property and profits taken from them. Rivers have had all their fish and other life killed, being rendered so unfit that no one is allowed to swim or fish in them. Law-abiding corporations have been damaged by these outlaws who do not follow the laws of the United States. Often, these “eco-terrorist” organizations are state sponsored. Indeed, here in Alabama, the State itself defends every group that citizens have tried to stop from committing these acts of “environmental terror.”

 

These international organizations have cells in many countries and in many places here in the United States. Most of them have active and heavily-financed operatives right there in Washington, DC. These groups often do not recognize the rule of law. In their fundamentalist view of the world, they claim that they have more rights than US citizens, and they threaten that people must do their bidding or suffer great consequences. They target innocent citizens and even politicians who do not agree with them and their goals, and they use their vast resources to destroy the lives of those who dare question them. Therefore, knowing that these international organizations have the ability to take even you out of office, I must applaud your heroic effort against these groups by calling them “environmental terrorists” and looking for the support of the environmental community.

 

As part of our work against terrorism, I also wish to report two acts of extremely costly and illegal sabotage that should be investigated as soon as possible. One involves the destruction of corporate property in Massachusetts. In complete defiance of law and international treaty, a number of disguised men boarded several ships at night and destroyed the goods on board, causing a great deal of pollution. I do not know their identities other than the ringleader who used the name “Sam A.” Also, in Rhode Island, a ship by the name of Gaspee was destroyed by arson by saboteurs who took the law into their own hands, contrary to everything you wrote in your fine letter. Please pass this information along to Attorney General Ashcroft and the FBI so that they can look into these illegal acts. Thank you. It is completely un-American to terrorize the environment.

 

 Sincerely,

 Ray Vaughan, Executive Director

Wildlaw

 

CRAIG ROSEBRAUGH SUBPOENAED TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECO-TERRORISM

 

Craig Rosebraugh, a spokesperson for the North American Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) from 1997-2001, received a subpoena to testify at a Congressional Subcommittee meeting on Eco-terrorism. The subpoena demands Rosebraugh to appear before the Congressional Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health on February 12, 2002 in Washington, DC. At a Congressional meeting on October 3, 2001, Rep. Scott McInnis (CO) successfully argued for Rosebraugh to be subpoenaed for the February 2002 meeting. McInnis, chairperson of the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, is seeking information from Rosebraugh on the ELF. Rosebraugh states he will not cooperate with the “attempts by Congress to stop the work of the brave, heroic individuals in the E.L.F. who are trying to end the destruction of life Rosebraugh says he thinks the work of the E.L.F. is important and crucial in trying to demonstrate that life is more important than profits. “The legal forms of objection and attempts at changes in environmental policy since the 1960s have not worked. Our environment is more polluted and destroyed now than ever before. More actions, like those of the E.L.F., are needed to stop the destruction of life caused by greedy, corrupt corporations and politicians.” In light of the events on September 11, my country has told me that I should not cooperate with terrorists. I therefore am refusing to cooperate with members of Congress who are some of the most extreme terrorists in history. A national protest will be held in Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2002.  For those that can’t make it, consider organizing local support protests in front of U.S. federal buildings in your city!  For more information on the February 12, 2002 National Day of Action against State Repression, POB 40091, Portland, Oregon 97240, 503.972.6764, [email protected] http://www.protectcivilliberties.com

 

 

GRAND JURY ALERT FOR EUGENE

 

Recently, forest activists from Portland and Eugene have been receiving subpoenas to appear in front of a Grand Jury in Eugene.(This has since been postponed to a later date). Included in the list of activists is Mary “Moss” Fanelli, who had been very active in the Eagle Creek forest defense campaign. Donations can be made out to the ‘Autumn Legal Defense Fund’ and mailed to the Resource Conservation Federal Credit Union at 1910 SE 11th, Portland, OR 97214.

 

ANTI TERRORISM LEGISLATION

 

First anti-terrorism bills are introduced (Washington)

 

The predicted rush of state anti-terrorism legislation began before noon yesterday with the filing of two Senate bills. Seattle Democrat Ken Jacobsen’s proposals would strengthen state laws against terrorist acts by increasing sentencing options and expanding the length of time those crimes can be prosecuted. They are the first state anti-terrorism bills filed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, but Jacobsen said they were direct response to firebomb attacks on University of Washington research labs in May. “We need to be as serious about punishing these crimes as the groups are about committing them,” Jacobsen said. “The state’s laws need to be updated to reflect the dangerous new era we’re living in.” The still-unsolved UW arson caused about $3 million in structural damage to Merrill Hall at the school’s Center for Urban Horticulture. Arsonists used incendiary devises on timers to light the blaze. The Earth Liberation Front, an environmental extremist group, took credit for the attacks.

 

Highlights of the anti-terrorism bill approved by Congress

-Increases penalties for committing terrorism.

-Increases penalties for harboring or funding terrorist/terrorist organizations.

-Makes terrorism a reason for federal officials to get a wiretapping order.

-Allows federal officials to get a wiretapping order that would follow a suspect to any phone the person uses.

- Allows federal officials to get nationwide search warrants for terrorism investigations, including for both e-mail and physical searches.

-Allows the attorney general to detain foreigners suspected of terrorism.

-The attorney general then has to start deportation proceedings, during which the foreigner must stay in federal custody, or charge the person with a crime. If neither is done within seven days, the foreigner must be released.

-Enhances data sharing between the FBI, the State Department, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and foreign

- Makes committing an act of terrorism against a mass transit system a federal crime.

- Makes illegal the possession of substances that can be used as biological or chemical weapons for any purpose besides a “peaceful” purpose.

 - Includes legislation that would fight international money laundering in an effort to thwart the financing of terrorism and protect the U.S. banking system from illicit money.

- Gives the president authority to restrict exports of agricultural products, medicine or medical devices to Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban militia and areas controlled by the group.

 - Authorizes nationwide search warrants for computer information in terrorism investigations, including billing records.

 - Increases the number of federal agents working on America’s borders.

 - Adds a Dec. 31, 2005, expiration date for new wiretapping and surveillance powers.

 - Adds a provision that allows people to sue if the government leaks information gained through the new wiretapping and surveillance powers.

 - Allows federal officials to seize voice mail records if a judge issues a warrant.

 - Bars entry to the United States for prospective immigrants involved in money laundering crimes.

 - Includes $36.8 million to put in place before the end of the year a database program to track the approximately 600,000 foreign students at U.S. colleges.

- Requires the FBI to allow a judge to monitor its use of its Carnivore e-mail tracking system.

 

PRISONER ADDRESS LIST

 

Ecological Defense/Earth Liberation/Ecodefense

 

Jeremiah Rush Bowen. #108016, DCC, 1140 East 10 Road, Delta, CO 81416. .Serving two years for the arson of a townhouse in Boulder, Colorado in the summer of 2000. Anticipated release date is February 7th, 2002

 

Jeffrey “Free” Luers. #13797671, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310.

Sentenced to 22.5 years for 13 charges relating the arson of Joe Romania Chevrolet and the attempted arson of Tyree Oil in Eugene, Oregon

(June 2000).

 

Craig “Critter” Marshall, #13797662, SRCI, 777 Stanton Boulevard, Ontario, OR 97914. Serving a five and a half year sentence for conspiracy to commit arson and possession of unlawful devices in relation to the Romania Chevrolet and Tyree Oil cases.

 

Ted Kaczynski #04475-046, US Pen-Admin Max Facility, PO Box 8500, Florence Colorado 81226. Serving multiple life sentences for a 17 year long mail bombing campaign against industrialists.

 

Helen Woodson, 03231-045 FMC Carswell, POB 27137 Admin Max Unit, Fort Worth, TX 76127. Serving 27 years for a multiple of charges including robbing a bank and then setting the money on fire, the Silo Pruning Hooks disarmament action and for sending bullets to CEO’s.

 

Marco Camenish, Viale dei Tigli, 14 13900, Biella, Italy. Serving 12 years for a number of eco-bombings in Italy. Marco can read French, German, Spanish & Italian.

 

Inaki Garcia Koch, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 - Iruez -Pamplona, Navarra (Espana), Spain. Serving just under five years for cutting cables on the construction site of the controversial Itoiz dam.

 

Silvano Pellissero, Com. Mastrolierto, Via Ferrerinoli no2, Sanponso, 10080 Torino, Italy. Italian anarchist Serving 6 years for sabotaging a rail line construction site in the Northern Italian Alps. Silvano can read Spanish, Italian and French but not English.

 

Indigenous

 

 Eric Wildcat Hall, #BL-5355, Unit I/A 10745 Route 18 Albion, PA 16475-0002 Serving 35-75 years for helping ship arms to Central American resisters.

 

 Leonard Peltier #89637-132, PO Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66048. An American Indian Movement (AIM) activist, serving two life sentences for the alleged murder of two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Siege in the 1970’s and for escaping from a prison in California. [Ed-For more information about this dedicated individual and his case, see "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthieson and Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sundance written by Leonard himself. Available from Left Bank Books, 92 Pike St - Box B, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 322-2868   [email protected]]

 

Animal Liberation

 

Neil Bartlett, FW7083, HMP Lewes, Brighton Rd, East Sussex, BN7 1EA, England. Recently pled guilty to bomb hoaxing Glaxo, SmithKline, Shell, Exxon, Mobile, Novartis, Morgan Stanley and Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council. Will be sentenced on February 1.

 

Dave Blenkinsop, EM7899 HMP Birmingham Winson Green Rd Birmingham B18 4AS, England. Serving three years for causing “grievous bodily harm” to Brian Cass of Huntington Life Sciences an additional 18 months for liberating 600 guinea pigs from a lab.

 

Mel Broughton DJ8216, HMP The Mount, Molyneaux Avenue, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 0NZ, England. Serving 4 years for conspiracy to cause explosions.

 

Geert Waegemans, Begijnestraat 42 2000 Antwerp, Belgium. Serving two years for an attempted arson against a Judge’s car, two arsons against McDonalds and two arsons against the meat industry. The police have filed additional charges against him saying that he burnt a chicken truck in Lint (5/99), set fire to a meat truck in Kontich (7/99) and in Antwerp (July 99) and attempted to set fire to a furrier in January 2000

 

 Rae Newlands GN6613, HMP Holloway, Parkhurst Rd, London, N7 ONU, England. On remand accused of arson, bomb hoaxes, criminal damage, harassment and conspiracy relating to anti-bloodsports and anti-HLS activity.

 

SHAC 3

Three individuals charged with inciting a public nuisance by printing the UK Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty newsletter, They have all been sentenced to one year but are expected out sooner than that.

 

Heather Avery, HMP and YOI, Highpoint, Stradis Hall, New Market, Suffolk, CB8 9YG, England.

 

Natasha Dellamaigne, HMP and YOI, Highpoint, Stradis Hall, New Market, Suffolk, CB8 9YG, England.

 

Greg Avery, HMP Belmarsh, Weston Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0EB, England.

 

 

JUNE 18TH/G8

 

 Robert Thaxton #12112716, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. Rob threw a rock at a cop in self-defense at the 1999 Eugene J18 RTS and received a severe seven year sentence as part of a “mandatory minimum” sentence.

 

 Paul Robinson, Goteburg Remand Centre (Haktet), Goteburg Polis Headquaters, (Polis Huset), Box 429, 40126 Goteburg, Sweden. One-year imprisonment for rioting at the G8 meeting in Gothenberg, Sweden.

 

 MOVE

 

 MOVE, an eco-revolutionary group, was consistently persecuted by the Philadelphia police during the ’70s culminating in the police firebombing of their commune in 1985. The ‘Move 9’ were framed for the murder of a cop and sentenced to the maximum prison sentence of 100 years each. In ’98 Merle Africa died in very suspicious circumstances in prison.

 

The pamphlet “25 years on the MOVE” is an comprehensive account of this story and is available for $5 from the MOVE address in the prisoner support group directory. Please consider enclosing more to aid the MOVE defense.

 

Although some of the prisoners are listed together, you must write each MOVE member separately:

 

Debbie Simms Africa (006307)

Janet Holloway Africa (006308)

Janine Philips Africa (006309)

are at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238

 

 Michael Davis Africa (AM4973)

 Charles Simms Africa (AM4975)

 are at: SCI Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426-0244,

 

 Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974) SCI Camp Hill, PA 17011-0200

 

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and

Delbert Orr Africa(AM4985) are at: SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612.

 

 Mumia Abu Jamal (AM8335), SCI Greene, 1040 East R. Furman Highway, Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090.

 

 

 

PRISONER SUPPORT GROUPS

AND USEFUL CONTACTS

 

Santa Cruz 2 Defense Fund. PO Box 583 Eugene, OR 97440. [email protected]

 

Free and Critter Legal Defense Committee, POB 50263, Eugene, OR 97405. [email protected]

http://www.efn.org/~eugpeace/freecritter

 

Connor Cash Support Committee c/o Long Island Animal Defense League (ADL) PO Box 1117, Huntington, NY 11743 (631)340-4708. [email protected] Information about Connor’s case can be found at http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk/connorcash.htm

 

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, POB 583, Lawrence KS 66044 913-842-774. [email protected]  http://www.freepeltier.org

 

Friends of MOVE, POB 19709, Philadelphia, PA 19143. 610-499-0979 [email protected]  http://www.moveorg.net

 

International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia 4601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA (215) 476-8812 http://www.mumia.org

 

Anarchist Prisoner Legal Aid Network (APLAN). Principled support for prisoners and an informative monthly newsletter, We Never Sleep. 818 SW 3rd Avenue, PMB 354, Portland, OR 97204. [email protected]

 

Northwest Political Prisoner Network-puts out the monthly Break the Chains newsletter as well as writings by Rob Thaxton (Rob the Rich and Fuck you Bearden) and other politically conscious prisoners (We are Everywhere)

POB 11331, Eugene, OR 97440.

 

Onward magazine-excellent prisoner support does. PO Box 2671 Gainesville Fl 32602-2671 [email protected] http://www.onwardnewspaper.org

 

 

 

Anarchist Black Cross Network. P.O. Box 667233 Houston, TX 77266-7233 (713) 595-2103, ext. 7585 [email protected]

http:// www.anarchistblackcross.org

 

Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) PO Box 339,Berkeley CA 94701. This group has the most consistently updated list of political prisoners available online at

http://www.prisonactivist.org/pps%2Bpows/index.shtml

 

UK Prisoner Support Groups

 

UK Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network c/o CRC,16 Sholebrooke Avenue, Chapelton, Leeds, LS7 3HB [email protected] http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

 

UK Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network-BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, [email protected]

 

Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group (ALF.SG), BM Box 1160, London, WC1N 3XX.

 

Brighton Anarchist Black Cross, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 2DX. (Part of the ABC Network).

 

CAGE Network, c/o 245 Gladstone Street, Nottingham, NG7 6HX.

 

Prisoner Support Campaign c/o Kebele Kulture Projekt, 14 Robertson Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6JY.

 

Vegan Prisoners Supporters Group (VPSG), PO Box 194, Enfield, Middx, EN13HD. (Primarily supports vegan & vegetarian animal rights prisoners).

 

This article attempting to link the supposed anthrax attacks with the Animal Liberation Front was released shortly after the first letter concerning the Anthrax virus was reported. Wise use policy analyst Tom DeWeese wrote this hit piece:

 

 

 

 

 

The EcoTerrorist Anthrax Connection

By Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Forum

 

While the remains of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and Washington, DC’s Pentagon are “ground zero” for the horrible destruction wrought by foreign terrorists, the nation’s forests, research labs, resorts and housing developments have long been “ground zero” for domestic environmentally driven “ecoterrorists.” There may be diabolical links between the two forces.

 

There is a strong possibility that Animal Liberation Front (ALF) terrorists have come into possession of Anthrax as the result of having invaded laboratories that have been researching the disease. This certainly merits investigation as a source for the Anthrax attacks. The fact that the Anthrax used in the recent U.S. attacks is domestic and not of “weapons grade” indicates the possibility of involvement by a U.S. terrorist group. Using the September 11th attacks as cover, ALF could be using them to shield its own activities. The British government is investigating ALF for possible ties to that country’s outbreak of mad cow disease last year. There is ample reason to suspect that eco-terrorists could have direct ties and are working in concert with foreign terrorists. First, both forces are made up of radical activists who have expressed immense hatred for American industry and its capitalist society. Both operate underground. Both are structured along the same lines, using secret cells, and communication networks. Both are determined to destroy America’s way of life.

 

Let Tom know what you think of this article:

Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Forum at American Policy Center 98 Alexandria Pike (#43), Warrenton, VA 20186 (540) 341-8911 and read more of their pro-industry crap at: http://www.americanpolicy.org

 

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