On Friday, February 13, Victorville's Medium II facility went on lockdown. Media reports indicated that an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated upon detection, but that no injuries were reported. The reports originally claimed that the device was found at the penitentiary at Victorville, but later reports indicated that the incident actually occurred at the Medium II facility. We have just received a letter from Eric detailing his experiences following these incidents. What follows is based on that letter.Hello everyone,On Friday, February 13, Victorville's Medium II facility went on lockdown. Media reports indicated that an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated upon detection, but that no injuries were reported. The reports originally claimed that the device was found at the penitentiary at Victorville, but later reports indicated that the incident actuallyoccurred at the Medium II facility. We have just received a letter from Eric detailing his experiences following these incidents. What follows is based on that letter.At around 1pm on Saturday, the 14th, the prison began blocking out the windows on the cells so that inmates couldn't see into the dayroom. Shortly after the water to the toilet in Eric's cell was turned off. At around 2 pm they pulled the cardboard from Eric's window, revealing squads of cops in full riot gear waiting outside of the cell. Eric and his cellmate were made to strip down to boxers and shower shoes. His cell mate was thrown in the hole, and Eric was escorted to a van. He and twoothers were taken to the hole at the Medium I. Eventually he was escorted into a room where two FBI agents were waiting to question him. They claimed that an IED had minorly harmed a staff member at the Medium II (contrary to media reports which claimed no one was injured) and that they would need to take DNA samples as part of their investigation. Eric denied their request and they threatened to get a court order. At that point he gave them his lawyer's information and they stopped questioning him and escorted him back to the cell. There is a sign taped to the door of the cell saying that he has a "3 man hold" - which apparently means he must be escorted by three guards anytime he leaves the cell.At this point in time we have no way of knowing how long this "investigation" will take. We are also uncertain if Eric can receive visitors during this time. Since he currently has no phone or email access, we must wait for letters to get any updates about his situation. Unfortunately, he also has no access to commissary - so he may not be ableto send letters because he is out of stamps. This is a difficult time for Eric and his loved ones. Please keep Eric in your thoughts and take a minute to write him a letter of support. Information on how to write Eric and his current address can be found on his website: http://news.infoshop.org/www.supporteric.org. Remember that he more than likely cannot write you back right now.
Thank you all for your support.
We'll keep you updated as more news becomes available.
Yours,
SPS
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Solidarity with the AETA 4!
On February 19th and 20th, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Adriana Stumpo, 23; Nathan Pope, 26; Joseph Buddenberg, 25; and Maryam Khajavi, 20 - 4 people it described as "terrorists". Their "terrorism" apparently consisted of writing with chalk on a sidewalk, wearing bandanas while protesting, and distributing flyers about animal research at UCSC. No, seriously.
The background of this farce includes years of expansion of police power under the rhetoric of combating a "terrorism" which has come to focus, not on Al-Qaeda or abortion clinic bombers, but on scapegoats connected to protests against war, the destruction of the earth and animal life, and other affects of modern capitalist civilization. In particular there has also been a heated campaign over the past few years against experimentation on live animals in the University of California system which has seen sabotage as well as demonstrations against vivisectors. (The state response has already seen federal, local and UC police raid the Long Haul Infoshop in Berkeley as well as a private residence in Santa Cruz to steal computers and literature, and the FBI forcibly acquiring DNA samples. And if you think these kinds of powers will be used only against anti-vivisection activists, think again.)
But Nathan, Adriana, Maryam and Joseph are not charged with any destructive acts. They are the first people to be charged under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2007, which basically makes bothering anyone who does anything with animals an act of "terrorism". The lengths to which the U.S government has gone to construct this spectacle are, indeed, spectacular - setting up surveillance cameras in a coffee shop, tracking the legal use of public internet terminals, even DNA testing bandanas while the same government says it doesn’t have the money to help states use DNA testing in death penalty cases, possibly exonerating innocent people on death row! But there is money for DNA testing of activists’ bandanas?!
On the one hand, it is the construction of a bogeyman or public enemy as the justification for expanding police control over every aspect of life. It also recuperates the prestige of police power which has so far been embarassingly unable to bring any suspects or evidence in the cases of the sabotage and arson - presumably causing some unease to the scientists and administrators of UC as well as their partners in the pharmaceutical industry. It was just time to arrest someone, no matter who - more visible activists are simply the easiest to strike at, regardless of their activities, much like the Haymarket martyrs. The fact that Kinko's as well as local business Cafe Pergolesi cooperated extensively with the police in this case shows how the business of cops and courts goes hand in hand with the business of business as usual. We can expect that as the economic depression continues to provoke dissatisfaction with the social order, we can see a mounting number of "terrorists", animal lovers or no, facing crushing punishments for daring to step out of line in any way. Of course, the mainstream press has heavily implied, along with the police, that these 4 people are "guilty until proven innocent" of the other recent acts against animal research in California.
As far as the UC and its patrons in Big Pharma, the media has parroted their claims as well that experimentation on non-human animals is beneficial and necessary for human health. Unasked is the question, what is making us sick anyway? Is poisoning and dissecting defenceless captives of whatever species really a rational and helpful response when the sources of disease come from the structures of modern society itself, like our food system and the lousy choices it offers, our sedentary and/or overstressed lifestyles, the excesses of western medicine itself (for instance, antibiotic resistant germs), and the profusion of chemicals, radiation and the like throughout our water, air, soil and food? Isn't it possible that - coming to the "other hand" - the cops, the bureaucrats, the scientists, they all know that this is a shameful, horrific, and crazy business, but can't possibly admit such a thing. So the specter of violence and cruelty must be projected instead onto those standing up to the ones actually responsible, in order to assuage their lying guilt.
In any event, we are for total solidarity with the accused.
Green Is The New Red has made several excellent posts lately on the subject of this latest manifestation of the witch hunts.
And here is an UPDATE from indybay.org on support and solidarity with the accused.
Joseph and Maryam's next court date is this Thursday at 9:30am in San Jose. If you are in the area please show your support.
http://sticksandstonesscz.blogspot.com
from infoshop.org
The background of this farce includes years of expansion of police power under the rhetoric of combating a "terrorism" which has come to focus, not on Al-Qaeda or abortion clinic bombers, but on scapegoats connected to protests against war, the destruction of the earth and animal life, and other affects of modern capitalist civilization. In particular there has also been a heated campaign over the past few years against experimentation on live animals in the University of California system which has seen sabotage as well as demonstrations against vivisectors. (The state response has already seen federal, local and UC police raid the Long Haul Infoshop in Berkeley as well as a private residence in Santa Cruz to steal computers and literature, and the FBI forcibly acquiring DNA samples. And if you think these kinds of powers will be used only against anti-vivisection activists, think again.)
But Nathan, Adriana, Maryam and Joseph are not charged with any destructive acts. They are the first people to be charged under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2007, which basically makes bothering anyone who does anything with animals an act of "terrorism". The lengths to which the U.S government has gone to construct this spectacle are, indeed, spectacular - setting up surveillance cameras in a coffee shop, tracking the legal use of public internet terminals, even DNA testing bandanas while the same government says it doesn’t have the money to help states use DNA testing in death penalty cases, possibly exonerating innocent people on death row! But there is money for DNA testing of activists’ bandanas?!
On the one hand, it is the construction of a bogeyman or public enemy as the justification for expanding police control over every aspect of life. It also recuperates the prestige of police power which has so far been embarassingly unable to bring any suspects or evidence in the cases of the sabotage and arson - presumably causing some unease to the scientists and administrators of UC as well as their partners in the pharmaceutical industry. It was just time to arrest someone, no matter who - more visible activists are simply the easiest to strike at, regardless of their activities, much like the Haymarket martyrs. The fact that Kinko's as well as local business Cafe Pergolesi cooperated extensively with the police in this case shows how the business of cops and courts goes hand in hand with the business of business as usual. We can expect that as the economic depression continues to provoke dissatisfaction with the social order, we can see a mounting number of "terrorists", animal lovers or no, facing crushing punishments for daring to step out of line in any way. Of course, the mainstream press has heavily implied, along with the police, that these 4 people are "guilty until proven innocent" of the other recent acts against animal research in California.
As far as the UC and its patrons in Big Pharma, the media has parroted their claims as well that experimentation on non-human animals is beneficial and necessary for human health. Unasked is the question, what is making us sick anyway? Is poisoning and dissecting defenceless captives of whatever species really a rational and helpful response when the sources of disease come from the structures of modern society itself, like our food system and the lousy choices it offers, our sedentary and/or overstressed lifestyles, the excesses of western medicine itself (for instance, antibiotic resistant germs), and the profusion of chemicals, radiation and the like throughout our water, air, soil and food? Isn't it possible that - coming to the "other hand" - the cops, the bureaucrats, the scientists, they all know that this is a shameful, horrific, and crazy business, but can't possibly admit such a thing. So the specter of violence and cruelty must be projected instead onto those standing up to the ones actually responsible, in order to assuage their lying guilt.
In any event, we are for total solidarity with the accused.
Green Is The New Red has made several excellent posts lately on the subject of this latest manifestation of the witch hunts.
And here is an UPDATE from indybay.org on support and solidarity with the accused.
Joseph and Maryam's next court date is this Thursday at 9:30am in San Jose. If you are in the area please show your support.
http://sticksandstonesscz.blogspot.com
from infoshop.org
Monday, February 23, 2009
Pennsylvania: Jailing Kids For Cash
At a friend's sleepover more than a year ago, 14-year-old Phillip Swartley pocketed change from unlocked vehicles in the neighborhood to buy chips and soft drinks. The cops caught him.
There was no need for an attorney, said Phillip's mother, Amy Swartley, who thought at most, the judge would slap her son with a fine or community service.
But she was shocked to find her eighth-grader handcuffed and shackled in the courtroom and sentenced to a youth detention center. Then, he was shipped to a boarding school for troubled teens for nine months.
"Yes, my son made a mistake, but I didn't think he was going to be taken away from me," said Swartley, a 41-year-old single mother raising two boys in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
CNN does not usually identify minors accused of crimes. But Swartley and others agreed to be named to bring public attention to the issue.
As scandals from Wall Street to Washington roil the public trust, the justice system in Luzerne County, in the heart of Pennsylvania's struggling coal country, has also fallen prey to corruption. The county has been rocked by a kickback scandal involving two elected judges who essentially jailed kids for cash. Many of the children had appeared before judges without a lawyer.
The nonprofit Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia said Phillip is one of at least 5,000 children over the past five years who appeared before former Luzerne County President Judge Mark Ciavarella.
Ciavarella pleaded guilty earlier this month to federal criminal charges of fraud and other tax charges, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Former Luzerne County Senior Judge Michael Conahan also pleaded guilty to the same charges. The two secretly received more than $2.6 million, prosecutors said.
The judges have been disbarred and have resigned from their elected positions. They agreed to serve 87 months in prison under their plea deals. Ciavarella and Conahan did not return calls, and their attorneys told CNN that they have no comment.
Ciavarella, 58, along with Conahan, 56, corruptly and fraudulently "created the potential for an increased number of juvenile offenders to be sent to juvenile detention facilities," federal court documents alleged. Children would be placed in private detention centers, under contract with the court, to increase the head count. In exchange, the two judges would receive kickbacks.
The Juvenile Law Center said it plans to file a class-action lawsuit this week representing what they say are victims of corruption. Juvenile Law Center attorneys cite a few examples of harsh penalties Judge Ciavarella meted out for relatively petty offenses:
Ciavarvella sent 15-year-old Hillary Transue to a wilderness camp for mocking an assistant principal on a MySpace page.
He whisked 13-year-old Shane Bly, who was accused of trespassing in a vacant building, from his parents and confined him in a boot camp for two weekends.
He sentenced Kurt Kruger, 17, to detention and five months of boot camp for helping a friend steal DVDs from Wal-Mart.
Several other lawsuits on behalf of the juveniles who have appeared in Ciavarella's courtroom have emerged.
This article was taken from cnn.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/23/pennsylvania.corrupt.judges/index.html?eref=rss_us
There was no need for an attorney, said Phillip's mother, Amy Swartley, who thought at most, the judge would slap her son with a fine or community service.
But she was shocked to find her eighth-grader handcuffed and shackled in the courtroom and sentenced to a youth detention center. Then, he was shipped to a boarding school for troubled teens for nine months.
"Yes, my son made a mistake, but I didn't think he was going to be taken away from me," said Swartley, a 41-year-old single mother raising two boys in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
CNN does not usually identify minors accused of crimes. But Swartley and others agreed to be named to bring public attention to the issue.
As scandals from Wall Street to Washington roil the public trust, the justice system in Luzerne County, in the heart of Pennsylvania's struggling coal country, has also fallen prey to corruption. The county has been rocked by a kickback scandal involving two elected judges who essentially jailed kids for cash. Many of the children had appeared before judges without a lawyer.
The nonprofit Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia said Phillip is one of at least 5,000 children over the past five years who appeared before former Luzerne County President Judge Mark Ciavarella.
Ciavarella pleaded guilty earlier this month to federal criminal charges of fraud and other tax charges, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Former Luzerne County Senior Judge Michael Conahan also pleaded guilty to the same charges. The two secretly received more than $2.6 million, prosecutors said.
The judges have been disbarred and have resigned from their elected positions. They agreed to serve 87 months in prison under their plea deals. Ciavarella and Conahan did not return calls, and their attorneys told CNN that they have no comment.
Ciavarella, 58, along with Conahan, 56, corruptly and fraudulently "created the potential for an increased number of juvenile offenders to be sent to juvenile detention facilities," federal court documents alleged. Children would be placed in private detention centers, under contract with the court, to increase the head count. In exchange, the two judges would receive kickbacks.
The Juvenile Law Center said it plans to file a class-action lawsuit this week representing what they say are victims of corruption. Juvenile Law Center attorneys cite a few examples of harsh penalties Judge Ciavarella meted out for relatively petty offenses:
Ciavarvella sent 15-year-old Hillary Transue to a wilderness camp for mocking an assistant principal on a MySpace page.
He whisked 13-year-old Shane Bly, who was accused of trespassing in a vacant building, from his parents and confined him in a boot camp for two weekends.
He sentenced Kurt Kruger, 17, to detention and five months of boot camp for helping a friend steal DVDs from Wal-Mart.
Several other lawsuits on behalf of the juveniles who have appeared in Ciavarella's courtroom have emerged.
This article was taken from cnn.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/23/pennsylvania.corrupt.judges/index.html?eref=rss_us
Greece: Vassilis Paleokostas Escapes From Prison, Again
Greece's most notorious criminal escaped Sunday by helicopter from one of the country's top-security jails for the second time in less than three years, prompting a string of top officials to resign. In a scene not out of place in a Hollywood movie, Vassilis Paleocostas and his Albanian accomplice Alket Rizai escaped on a rope ladder which had been lowered by a helicopter to a prison in Korydallos, near Athens, where both men had been moved after their earlier break-out, according to police.ATHENS (AFP) — Greece's most notorious criminal escaped Sunday by helicopter from one of the country's top-security jails for the second time in less than three years, prompting a string of top officials to resign.In a scene not out of place in a Hollywood movie, Vassilis Paleocostas and his Albanian accomplice Alket Rizai escaped on a rope ladder which had been lowered by a helicopter to a prison in Korydallos, near Athens, where both men had been moved after their earlier break-out, according to police.The 43-year-old Paleocostas and Rizai, 32, were then lowered to two getaway cars, a pilot -- who claimed to have been abducted and coerced into taking part in the daring escape plot -- told police.Bewildered Greeks scratched their heads and wondered how the pair not only pulled off the brazen and noisy escape under the noses of prison guards once, but twice.Amid the outcry, the country's enraged justice minister stormed off to the jail to the north of the capital, demanding that heads roll.Paleocostas -- who had been serving time for bank robbery and kidnap -- and convicted murderer Rizai both caused red faces among prison bosses back in June 2006 when they were also airlifted to freedom by helicopter.Although Rizai was caught later that year and Paleocostas was picked up in 2008, the experience seems nonetheless to have given the two jailbirds a sweet taste of freedom and the pluck to attempt the exact same escape a second time.A skill for daring prison breaks -- but perhaps not for staying free -- appears to run in Paleocostas' family.It was his brother Nicos who helped the two break free the first time round after escaping from the facility himself, only to be recaptured in September 2006.With two notorious criminals on the loose and a public relations nightmare on his hands, Justic Minister Nicos Dendias demanded Sunday that an investigation into the incident be launched.The minister told local media that he had travelled to the jail in Korydallos, to the north of Athens, where he forced a number of officials to resign.Among the casualties following Dendias' visit were two high-level officials from Greece's justice ministry and several senior figures in the prison service, including the jail's director and the inspector for Greece's penitentiary system.The helicopter used in Sunday's jail break was later found abandoned in the Kapandriti region, to the north of Athens.
For more information:indymedia.nll
This article was taken from www.infoshop.org
For more information:indymedia.nll
This article was taken from www.infoshop.org
Saturday, February 21, 2009
California: Four Activists Arrested By FBI
SAN FRANCISCO -- Four animal rights activists suspected of terrorizing University of California researchers in Berkeley and Santa Cruz have been arrested by the FBI and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, authorities announced Friday.According to a complaint filed in federal court in San Francisco on Thursday, Adriana Stumpo, 23, of Long Beach, Nathan Pope, 26, of Oceanside, Joseph Buddenberg, 25, of Berkeley and Maryam Khajavi, 20, of Pinole allegedly used force, violence, or threats to interfere with the operation of the University of California in violation of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.A joint press release issued by the FBI and the Santa Cruz Police Department details three separate operations that brought the four suspects into custody on Thursday and Friday. Pope and Stumpo were arrested Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina by the FBI and members of the Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force as they returned to the United States from Costa Rica. The two appeared in federal court in Charlotte Friday morning, and will be extradited to California to face charges.Members of the San Francisco Joint Terrorism Task Force, police officers with the University of California Berkeley, and FBI agents arrested Buddenberg at the Alameda County Courthouse Friday morning. Khajavi was arrested separately Friday morning in Oakland. Both appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Nandor J. Vadas in federal court in San Francisco after their respective arrests.The arrests stem from a series of threatening incidents beginning in October 2007:On October 21 in 2007, a small group of approximately twenty protesters, including Buddenberg, Pope, and Stumpo, demonstrated outside a University of California Berkeley professor’s personal residence in El Cerrito, California. The group, some wearing bandanas to hide their faces, trespassed on his front yard, chanted slogans, and accused him of being a murderer because of his use of animals in research. The professor told police the demonstration left him feeling frightened, harassed and intimidated by the activists.Just over two months later, on Sunday, January 27, 2008, a group of approximately eleven individuals, including Mr. Buddenberg, Mr. Pope, Ms. Stumpo, and Ms. Khajavi, demonstrated outside the private residences of several University of California Berkeley researchers over the course of the day. At each home, the activists -- dressed generally in all black clothing and wearing bandanas to hide their faces -- marched, chanted, and chalked defamatory comments on the public sidewalks in front of the residences. One of the researchers informed authorities he had been previously harassed and the incident had caused him to fear for his health and safety.Approximately one month later on February 24, 2008, five to six individuals including Pope, Stumpo, and Khajavi, attempted to forcibly enter the private home of a University of California researcher in Santa Cruz. When her husband opened the door, a struggle ensued and he was hit by an object. As the individuals fled, one yelled “we’re gonna get you.” The UC Santa Cruz faculty member conducts biomedical research on breast cancer and neurological diseases. The professor and her husband both told the FBI they were terrified by the incident.The final incident centered on threatening flyers that were found in late July at a Santa Cruz café. The stack of flyers titled "Murderers and torturers alive & well in Santa Cruz July 2008 edition" was found at the Café Pergolesi. The flyer listed the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of several University of California researchers and stated “animal abusers everywhere beware we know where you live we know where you work we will never back down until you end your abuse.” The investigation connected Buddenberg, Pope, and Stumpo to the production and distribution of the fliers.Distribution of the fliers preceded two firebomb attacks outside researchers’ Santa Cruz homes, both of which are still under investigation by the FBI. Each defendant is facing charges under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act and could face up to five years in prison if convicted."With so many legal options to make their voices heard and to effect policy change, it is inexcusable and cowardly for these people to resort to terrorizing the families of those with whom they do not agree," said FBI special agent Charlene B. Thornton from his San Francisco office. "The FBI intends to pursue those involved in this sort of extremist activity to the full extent of the law.""This sends a strong message that our community won’t tolerate this type of senseless violence. You have absolutely no right to attack a family in the sanctity of their home," said Santa Cruz Police Department Chief of Police Howard Skerry. "We are proud of the collaboration with our law enforcement partners on this case and look forward to those involved being held fully accountable for their actions.""We are very grateful for the efforts of federal law enforcement officials whose persistence has led to these arrests," said Mickey Aluffi, police chief at UC Santa Cruz. "The Santa Cruz Police Department has also worked tirelessly on the cases involving our researchers, and we are very appreciative of that office's commitment and support."
From:http://www.ktvu.com/news/18762536/detail.html & www.infoshop.org
From:http://www.ktvu.com/news/18762536/detail.html & www.infoshop.org
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Pandas Can Be Scary...
Andrew C. Darst, 30, who spied on anarchists planning disruptions at the Republican National Convention in September, attended a Hennepin County District Court hearing on Tuesday for a Jan. 11 incident in Minnetrista in which he allegedly broke into a house and struck two men. He is charged with two felony counts of first- and second-degree burglary as well as fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
The hearing was postponed until March 16 because he had obtained a new lawyer.
Darst was a member of the RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist group that organized disruptive protests outside the convention. Eight of its members face charges in Ramsey County District Court for criminal conspiracy to commit riot.
The hearing was postponed until March 16 because he had obtained a new lawyer.
Darst was a member of the RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist group that organized disruptive protests outside the convention. Eight of its members face charges in Ramsey County District Court for criminal conspiracy to commit riot.
The Ramsey County attorney's office, which is prosecuting the case against the anarchists, declined to talk about Darst. Nestor said, "It is my impression that the government believes he is an important witness."
Darst was involved in the Welcoming Committee's "action faction," which discussed plans for street disruptions, other group members have said. He had more access to internal plans than three undercover operatives for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Darst declined to comment. FBI Agent E.K. Wilson said it is FBI policy "not to comment on informant matters." In court papers, Darst's attorney, Patrick Flanagan, stated that Darst will plead not guilty in the Minnetrista case, claiming self-defense. Flanagan declined to discuss the case or Darst's involvement with the FBI.
Tom Foley, a former Ramsey County attorney, said in an interview that "potentially" such an incident could "undermine his [Darst's] credibility as a witness" at the trial of the anarchist group. "I am certain the defense will want to bring it in and the prosecution will want to keep it out," he said. If Darst testifies that he was law-abiding and did not encourage violence, the defense might use the Minnetrista incident to show "his propensity for violence," said Foley.
The RNC Eight case is assigned to Ramsey District Judge Teresa Warner. Paul Gustafson, a Ramsey County attorney spokesman, said it appears the earliest any of the eight will go to trial is September.
According to court documents, Minnetrista police were dispatched to a home on the 800 block of County Road 19 at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 11. They found the door of the home had been ripped off its hinges.
A woman told police she was Darst's wife and that she had had an argument with him earlier that night. She went to a party at the home where she got "really drunk," she said. She told police that Darst came to the house, broke down the door, yelled at everyone and knocked one man to the floor.
Police said the man had a cut over his left eye that Darst inflicted. Another man said Darst hit him on the head. Darst "appeared to be full of rage and anger," the police report stated. Another female said Darst pushed her down several times. Darst had a blood-alcohol level of 0.035, well below the DWI impairment limit of 0.08.
The police report said Darst admitted going to the house because "he wasn't comfortable with the people his wife was with there." There is a mug shot of Darst on file at the Hennepin County jail, and though such photos are generally available to the public, a clerk said they were not releasing Darst's photo on instructions from the FBI.
Darst was listed as a potential prosecution witness but never testified in the federal court trial of David G. McKay of Austin, Texas, charged with making Molotov cocktails during the RNC, said Jeff DeGree, McKay's attorney. Earlier this month a mistrial was declared after a Minneapolis jury could not agree on a verdict in McKay's trial.
Reports of undercover operatives for the Ramsey County sheriff indicate that Darst attended various Welcoming Committee meetings. One report, from March 16, 2008, says he urged the committee to block four activists from attending meetings "because he knew one of them had a history of working with cops."
Darst's nickname in the Welcoming Committee was Andy Panda, or Panda. Celia Kutz, 27, a committee member said, "He seemed to be a nice guy and really sensitive."
"He was a person who tried to be involved in as many things as possible," said Andy Fahlstrom, 27, another committee member. He said Darst created "sector maps" for the Welcoming Committee. The maps broke St. Paul into sectors where various groups were to carry out disruptions and confrontations during the RNC.
Darst was involved in the Welcoming Committee's "action faction," which discussed plans for street disruptions, other group members have said. He had more access to internal plans than three undercover operatives for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Darst declined to comment. FBI Agent E.K. Wilson said it is FBI policy "not to comment on informant matters." In court papers, Darst's attorney, Patrick Flanagan, stated that Darst will plead not guilty in the Minnetrista case, claiming self-defense. Flanagan declined to discuss the case or Darst's involvement with the FBI.
Tom Foley, a former Ramsey County attorney, said in an interview that "potentially" such an incident could "undermine his [Darst's] credibility as a witness" at the trial of the anarchist group. "I am certain the defense will want to bring it in and the prosecution will want to keep it out," he said. If Darst testifies that he was law-abiding and did not encourage violence, the defense might use the Minnetrista incident to show "his propensity for violence," said Foley.
The RNC Eight case is assigned to Ramsey District Judge Teresa Warner. Paul Gustafson, a Ramsey County attorney spokesman, said it appears the earliest any of the eight will go to trial is September.
According to court documents, Minnetrista police were dispatched to a home on the 800 block of County Road 19 at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 11. They found the door of the home had been ripped off its hinges.
A woman told police she was Darst's wife and that she had had an argument with him earlier that night. She went to a party at the home where she got "really drunk," she said. She told police that Darst came to the house, broke down the door, yelled at everyone and knocked one man to the floor.
Police said the man had a cut over his left eye that Darst inflicted. Another man said Darst hit him on the head. Darst "appeared to be full of rage and anger," the police report stated. Another female said Darst pushed her down several times. Darst had a blood-alcohol level of 0.035, well below the DWI impairment limit of 0.08.
The police report said Darst admitted going to the house because "he wasn't comfortable with the people his wife was with there." There is a mug shot of Darst on file at the Hennepin County jail, and though such photos are generally available to the public, a clerk said they were not releasing Darst's photo on instructions from the FBI.
Darst was listed as a potential prosecution witness but never testified in the federal court trial of David G. McKay of Austin, Texas, charged with making Molotov cocktails during the RNC, said Jeff DeGree, McKay's attorney. Earlier this month a mistrial was declared after a Minneapolis jury could not agree on a verdict in McKay's trial.
Reports of undercover operatives for the Ramsey County sheriff indicate that Darst attended various Welcoming Committee meetings. One report, from March 16, 2008, says he urged the committee to block four activists from attending meetings "because he knew one of them had a history of working with cops."
Darst's nickname in the Welcoming Committee was Andy Panda, or Panda. Celia Kutz, 27, a committee member said, "He seemed to be a nice guy and really sensitive."
"He was a person who tried to be involved in as many things as possible," said Andy Fahlstrom, 27, another committee member. He said Darst created "sector maps" for the Welcoming Committee. The maps broke St. Paul into sectors where various groups were to carry out disruptions and confrontations during the RNC.
This article was taken from startribune.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
Eric McDavid Update
Last month marked the 3rd year that Eric has spent behind bars. His arrest and imprisonment were a direct result of government infiltration and entrapment - Eric has spent the last three years of his life in a cage for what amounts to thought crime. Those years have been full of challenges and struggle, but Eric has met all of them with the utmost courage and integrity.Most recently, Eric has been enduring lockdowns at the prison, the loss of phone and internet access, and a move. On December 23, a "riot" broke out at Victorville, sending 6 inmates to the hospital and forcing 17 to be treated at the prison for injuries ranging from stab wounds to blunt trauma. We waited for two weeks to hear from Eric - not knowing whether or not he was ok. On January 5 he was finally able to call and let us know he was ok. Victorville remains on lockdown, but they were easing up on restrictions and he was able to receive visitors two weeks ago (although that has changed yet again...).During the lockdown it became difficult for Eric to get vegan food. Normally this is not a problem for him - chowhall has plenty of vegan options, and he can supplement this with items from the commissary to round out his diet. But during the lockdown, prisoners only had access to the food brought to them in their cells. This greatly limited Eric's diet. Fortunately, after trying various avenues for redress, the food situation improved and Eric is now (last we heard) receiving enough food.However, as part of the attempt to get vegan food, an "illegal" (according to the prison) phone call was made. As punishment for trying to get himself food, Eric's phone and email access was turned off for 60 days. Other than letters and face to face visits, which are difficult and costly for friends and family (and as a result, they don't happen very often), phones and email are Eric's main lifeline outside the prison.Unfortunately, this is not the only thing... Over the weekend, an incident at one of the facilities at Victorville (it is unclear which facility) caused both the Medium I and the Medium II facilities to go on lockdown, which means visitation has been canceled until further notice. After discovering this, we checked to make sure that Eric was still at the Medium II facility and found that he has, in fact, been moved to the Medium I at Victorville. This is difficult news for a variety of reasons.We are left wondering why Eric was moved in the first place, but also it means that Eric's life has been uprooted and scrambled once again. It is doubtful that he got to take much - if anything - from his previous cell with him. It's possible he lost letters, addresses, pictures, etc. Eric now has to start all over in a new environment, which can be extremely complicated and stressful when that environment is a federal prison.We will keep you updated on this situation as we find out more.The appeals process has been delayed multiple times. Eric's opening brief is now due March 5. He has multiple strong arguments on appeal, and we look forward to getting the process moving. If all goes well, everything could be filed for review by the appeals court sometime this summer.Thank you all for your continued support. Eric has been receiving your letters and they have definitely helped him through these winter months - especially during these lockdowns when he has not been able to have contact with his loved ones.Please remember that Eric has been moved - which means he has a new address:
Eric McDavid
16209-097
FCI Victorville Medium I
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 5300
Adelanto, CA 92301
We'll keep you updated as things moved forward with the appeals.
Yours,
SPS
Eric McDavid
16209-097
FCI Victorville Medium I
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 5300
Adelanto, CA 92301
We'll keep you updated as things moved forward with the appeals.
Yours,
SPS
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Got Your Back Collective statement on Marie Mason's sentence
It is with a heavy heart that we send you this update. As many of you have heard by now, Marie was sentenced on Thursday. The government was asking for a sentence of 20 years – an outlandish amount of time for actions that amounted to property destruction. This is longer than the average sentence imposed for people convicted of the most heinous of crimes such as rape and murder. Dear friends and supporters ~It is with a heavy heart that we send you this update. As many of you have heard by now, Marie was sentenced on Thursday. The government was asking for a sentence of 20 years – an outlandish amount of time for actions that amounted to property destruction. This is longer than the average sentence imposed for people convicted of the most heinous of crimes such as rape and murder. Had Marie received a sentence of 20 years, it would have been insulting and outrageous. The judge, in a typical display of the kind of farcical reality this system is capable of, went beyond what the government was recommending and gave Marie 21 years and 10 months.This is now the longest sentence for any environmental prisoner we know of in the US. It seems the government is constantly trying to up the ante – to strike fear into the hearts of those who would struggle for the earth and her creatures. Their tactics include caging the most caring, compassionate people – the very people who have put themselves on the line so that all of us can have clean rivers to play in, wild forests to explore, and other creatures to commune with.Marie's respect for life and her struggle to always act in the most compassionate way possible are exemplified by all of the choices she has made throughout this ordeal. Marie has always been one to stand up for what she knows is right - even before her arrest – and even when it was obvious that the consequences of staying on her feet could be painful and devastating to her personally and those she cared the most for.The government tried to bring her to her knees – but she's still standing, feet firmly planted.We need to recognize that this is an incredibly difficult time for Marie and her loved ones. As a movement it is our responsibility to lessen the brunt of this burden to Marie and her Family. Some of that burden will be and is currently, monetary – there are still massive legal fees to be paid, and it is imperative that we help Marie maintain contact with her family and friends by helping with travel costs and collect phone calls. Marie is a committed Vegan and it is crucial to her health and well being that her commissary maintains a financial amount that she will need to purchase the food items she requires to survive. These are every prisoner's life-line while inside the walls.Because of this, we are appealing to you - the extended community of all of those who support Marie and the struggle she is waging. Donations in any amount are so greatly appreciated and will go a long way to help us in dealing with the above mentioned legal fees and support costs we are now facing.Raising funds is only one aspect of Marie's support. We understand that not everyone is capable to contribute financially. Marie has told us numerous times she appreciates and cherishes letters from friends and supporters. If you haven't already please consider writing Marie or one of the numerous Political Prisoners held within the states confines.For more details on how to write Marie, donate, or learn more on other ways to help please visit www.freemarie.org.There are other ways to support Marie as well. You show respect for Marie and all of our prisoners when you carry on and continue the work they believed so strongly in. Marie has dedicated much of her life to working for the earth and the creatures we share this planet with. We must not lose sight of this struggle. We must not lose sight of ourselves, our integrity, and the bonds that we share.Detailed court reports are forthcoming. We simply need time to process all that has happened to a most beloved friend. Be safe, never give up hope and stand strong in the face of fear. We are in this together, We are in this to win.Its all about the Struggle,Got Your Back Collective
A Breakdown On The RNC Arrestees
This was taken from rnc08arrestees.wordpress.com
In addition to hundreds of misdemeanor charges, the 2008 RNC has resulted in felony charges against almost two dozen individuals- 13 not including the “RNC 8,” who are all being charged in the same case and have a support site here: http://RNC8.org. This is the breakdown of the other 13:
David Mahoney- who originally faced two charges and was then dropped to one- is now facing three counts of second degree assault, and three of making terroristic threats. His next court date is February 10, 9AM.. For more info on his case, go to: http://helpdavemahoney.blogspot.com
1 person plead guilty to criminal damage to property and was sentenced to three years probation on December 12. Upon successful completion of their sentence, the felony will be reduced to a gross misdemeanor.
1 person, Dustin Matchett-Morales of Santa Cruz, plead guilty to first degree damage to property and was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment on February 5th, and taken directly into custody at the Ramsey County Workhouse. With 4 days credit from his initial arrest and the guideline of serving 2/3 of one’s sentence in the workhouse, he is scheduled to be released after 36 days, on March 12 at 7AM. For more information, including an address to write to (do it!), visit his support site.
1 person- Matt DePalma- has taken a plea agreement in federal court, admitting to unlawful possession of destructive devices, a federal crime; he remains in custody and will probably be sentenced in early 2009. Matt DePalma’s Plea Agreement
2 people, Bradley Crowder and David McKay, remain in custody on federal charges. Bradley Crowder plead guilty on January 8. His plea agreement can be seen here. David McKay is scheduled to begin trial on January 26 in Courtroom 15E, U.S. Courthouse, 300 S Fourth St, MINNEAPOLIS. The 6 people previously subpoenaed to a related grand jury have all had their subpoenas withdrawn. For more info, see the Grand Jury page. Update: Crowder was charged on January 16 with an additional felony charge of aiding and abetting assault in the second degree.
2 other people, Christina Vana and Karen Meissner, were given the same charge as Crowder and turned themselves in to St Paul Police on January 18. They were released on bond later that day and are in need of a lot of funds. Visit their support site.
1 person is charged with fist degree damage to property and has a court date on February 10 at 1:30PM.
1 person with the same charge is on trial call.
1 person is charged with obstructing legal process and has court on January 30th at 1:15PM.
1 person is charged with aiding and abetting first degree damage to property and is on trial call now.
1 person is facing two separate cases for a total of six charges. The first includes conspiracy to commit first degree damage to property, aiding and abetting first degree damage to property, and riot in the third degree. The second includes aiding and abetting obstructing legal process, aiding and abetting fourth degree assault on a police officer - demonstrable bodily harm, and escape from custody. They are on trial call.
All court appearances are at the Ramsey County Courthouse at 315 W. Kellogg Blvd in St Paul.
It is a common law enforcement practice to create trumped up charges in the wake of a massive police action like what occurred at the 2008 RNC. The point is to distract from the real issues- e.g., lack of police accountability, and especially the institutionalized prioritization of corporate interests over human life and the lack of government accountability to the people- and to justify the use of taxpayer money ($50 million in federal security grants, this time) to crush popular dissent.
Individuals with felony charges are facing protracted and expensive legal battles, and the possibility of years in prison. In order to fight their charges and win, they need our support.
What You Can Do:
1. Donate to Christina and Karen’s legal fund:
2. Write Matt DePalma, still in custody, at:
Matt DePalma
Sherburne County Jail13880 Highway 1013880 Business Center DriveElk River, MN 55330-4601
For tips on writing prisoners, click here.For Sherburne County Jail writing guidelines, click here.
3. Seek out folks you know facing felonies and see what they need from you.
4. Spread the word about what really happened at the RNC; educate yourself and your community about resisting State repression (click here for a guide); counter State and corporate propaganda.
5. Watch this website for updates on arrestee support actions.
If you are facing RNC-related felonies and need info or support, or if you want to support those who are, email rnc08felonies@riseup.net.
In addition to hundreds of misdemeanor charges, the 2008 RNC has resulted in felony charges against almost two dozen individuals- 13 not including the “RNC 8,” who are all being charged in the same case and have a support site here: http://RNC8.org. This is the breakdown of the other 13:
David Mahoney- who originally faced two charges and was then dropped to one- is now facing three counts of second degree assault, and three of making terroristic threats. His next court date is February 10, 9AM.. For more info on his case, go to: http://helpdavemahoney.blogspot.com
1 person plead guilty to criminal damage to property and was sentenced to three years probation on December 12. Upon successful completion of their sentence, the felony will be reduced to a gross misdemeanor.
1 person, Dustin Matchett-Morales of Santa Cruz, plead guilty to first degree damage to property and was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment on February 5th, and taken directly into custody at the Ramsey County Workhouse. With 4 days credit from his initial arrest and the guideline of serving 2/3 of one’s sentence in the workhouse, he is scheduled to be released after 36 days, on March 12 at 7AM. For more information, including an address to write to (do it!), visit his support site.
1 person- Matt DePalma- has taken a plea agreement in federal court, admitting to unlawful possession of destructive devices, a federal crime; he remains in custody and will probably be sentenced in early 2009. Matt DePalma’s Plea Agreement
2 people, Bradley Crowder and David McKay, remain in custody on federal charges. Bradley Crowder plead guilty on January 8. His plea agreement can be seen here. David McKay is scheduled to begin trial on January 26 in Courtroom 15E, U.S. Courthouse, 300 S Fourth St, MINNEAPOLIS. The 6 people previously subpoenaed to a related grand jury have all had their subpoenas withdrawn. For more info, see the Grand Jury page. Update: Crowder was charged on January 16 with an additional felony charge of aiding and abetting assault in the second degree.
2 other people, Christina Vana and Karen Meissner, were given the same charge as Crowder and turned themselves in to St Paul Police on January 18. They were released on bond later that day and are in need of a lot of funds. Visit their support site.
1 person is charged with fist degree damage to property and has a court date on February 10 at 1:30PM.
1 person with the same charge is on trial call.
1 person is charged with obstructing legal process and has court on January 30th at 1:15PM.
1 person is charged with aiding and abetting first degree damage to property and is on trial call now.
1 person is facing two separate cases for a total of six charges. The first includes conspiracy to commit first degree damage to property, aiding and abetting first degree damage to property, and riot in the third degree. The second includes aiding and abetting obstructing legal process, aiding and abetting fourth degree assault on a police officer - demonstrable bodily harm, and escape from custody. They are on trial call.
All court appearances are at the Ramsey County Courthouse at 315 W. Kellogg Blvd in St Paul.
It is a common law enforcement practice to create trumped up charges in the wake of a massive police action like what occurred at the 2008 RNC. The point is to distract from the real issues- e.g., lack of police accountability, and especially the institutionalized prioritization of corporate interests over human life and the lack of government accountability to the people- and to justify the use of taxpayer money ($50 million in federal security grants, this time) to crush popular dissent.
Individuals with felony charges are facing protracted and expensive legal battles, and the possibility of years in prison. In order to fight their charges and win, they need our support.
What You Can Do:
1. Donate to Christina and Karen’s legal fund:
2. Write Matt DePalma, still in custody, at:
Matt DePalma
Sherburne County Jail13880 Highway 1013880 Business Center DriveElk River, MN 55330-4601
For tips on writing prisoners, click here.For Sherburne County Jail writing guidelines, click here.
3. Seek out folks you know facing felonies and see what they need from you.
4. Spread the word about what really happened at the RNC; educate yourself and your community about resisting State repression (click here for a guide); counter State and corporate propaganda.
5. Watch this website for updates on arrestee support actions.
If you are facing RNC-related felonies and need info or support, or if you want to support those who are, email rnc08felonies@riseup.net.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Letter from Greek anarchist Ilias Nikolau, from Amfissa prison
Letter from Greek anarchist Ilias Nikolau, from Amfissa prison.In the night of January 13th 2009, an incendiary device, composed of gas canisters and gasoline, exploded in the entrance of the commissariat of Evomos (region of Thessalonica), and damaged the windows in the facade and the ventilation system. Shortly after, the police arrested the 26 year old anarchist Ilias Nikolau, who does not live far from there. Ilias was, together with Dimitra Sirianou and Kostakis Halazas, subject of an arrest warrant for over a year, concerning the same case as Vaggelis Botzatzis (on the accusation of several arsons). Vaggelis was released on conditions on October 13th 2008. On November 14th, during the agitations with the hunger strike in Greek prisons, the 3 others went to the commissariat of Thessalonica, accompanied by some hundred comrades. The day after, the judge decided to let them await their trial in freedom. Currently Ilias is accused for "explosion" (felon), "production" and "accomplishment" (misdemeanours). Ilias does not acknowledge the accusations, nor admits "having been caught red handed". The police raided his parent's house, the place where he works, and stormed the house of his grandmother out of the city. Ilias was brought to the prison of Amfissa, this is a letter he wrote:In the morning of January 13th I was arrested in the west of Thessalonica, on the accusation of an explosion that took place at the commissariat of the municipal police. This happened a year after, an incredible accusation was created against me and three of my comrades in November 2007. That accusation put one of us in prison, and made three others escape. The witch hunt has started. We have lived through a considerably warm December and a situation that shows the lack of social peace clearly. Social peace only lives in the imagination of those that cannot understand that reality is characterized by a permanent civil war. With a revolutionary side that rebels against this democratic monstrosity. Rage replaced fear and instead of approval, negation appeared. The month of December, as a sign for times to come, made a very clear devision between those that feed the Power, maintain and defend it, and those that fight it. Now is not the time to look back in nostalgia to the ashes that the insurrection left on its path. We have to understand and express the signs of the present and the future. The signs that already exist, and those to come. The signs of a relentless social war. If we want that moments of negation, revolt and dignity are lived, we have to arm our hands and our desires, determined and organized. I resist against those who think that manifestations and pacifist protest will make a difference, because they're already dead. They drag their corpses along the streets, in the unions and in the luxurious offices of their bosses. I take place on the side of those who are led by dignity and I join with those who feel the unchangeable will to disrupt and to destroy this enormous cemetery. The prison is an added step to a rebel. A step towards imprisonment. To all those who think that they have overcome me, that they have overcome us... For me and my comrades it works just the other way around! Because as long as there are prisoners of war, we will continue to struggle.I send warm and rebellious greetings to my comrades and to revolutionaries everywhere. Freedom for all prisoners of the revolt. Freedom for Yiannis Dimitrakis, Polis Georgiadis and Yiorgous Voutsi-Vogiatzis and all the hostages of democracy.Ilias Nikolau, Amfissa prison, 19th January 2009
Marie's Statement to the Court
Your Honor,
I understand the serious nature of the offenses to which I have pleadguilty. I accept responsibility for my actions. At the time, I fearedthere were dire and immediate threats to both human and non-human livesand that the health and safety of human communities, as well as theecological integrity of the Earth, were in jeopardy. I care deeply about my fellow human being and the other living creatureswith whom we share this planet. I felt responsible to take extremeaction in the hope that it would save lives and halt deadly practicesthat directly threatened living beings and contributed to the degradationof the environment. I thought that what I was doing would shine a lighton these dangerous policies so that an informed public dialogue wouldensue and policies would be changed. In all of my actions, I was present at the moment that property damagewas done or a fire was set. I believed that this way I could ensure thatno living creature would inadvertently wander into the site and beendangered. At the time, I felt that it was possible to anticipate andavoid any potential threat to life by taking precautions and by beingvigilant at each event. This was not possible, despite my efforts. In particular, the arson at MSU ended up greatly exceeding the scope ofmy intent, so much so that I almost became the first casualty in thesetypes of offenses. Even so, other than this one instance of danger to myself, I remainedblinded to the risks that others were exposed to during that action. Much later, even years later, I became aware of how other people who cameto the scene after I left were frightened and confused. I also found outthat students and employees were greatly inconvenienced and lost personalproperty, that they felt that there might be a continued threat to them. As I understand it now, firefighters entered the building and were alsoin danger from the fire and the subsequent water damage to the building. I never anticipated or intended that anyone would have been endangeredand am truly sorry that anyone’s life was put in danger. For more than twenty years, I participated in every legal avenue open tome as a private citizen to educate and persuade government officials andcorporate representatives to reconsider policies. I have alsoparticipated in civil disobedience in the style taught by Martin LutherKing, Jr. and Mahatman Gandhi, whose non-violent teachings I embraced. Given my commitment to non-violence, it was only under an extreme set ofcircumstances that I rationalized my actions and put people in danger. Ibelieved that I was taking risks to prevent a greater harm to livingbeings. I never intended to cause danger of harm to any living thing, andby that standard I failed. I want to explain that the more I learned of the consequences ofdeforestation and genetic engineering, the more desperate I felt. I amnot opposed to conducting research in the interests of expandingknowledge and bringing improvements to health and well being when it isconducted in a responsible and humane way. But genetic engineeringresearch is often conducted in open-air situations that releasecontaminated pollen into the environment with devastating effects, as inthe case of the terminator seed plants. Communities should have theright to choose or refuse the risks that come with GMO’s. What I wasmore and more aware of in my research and in my dealings with indigenousactivists’ work around the globe is that the use of GMO’s forced oncommunities by collusion between banks, companies and governments wascausing starvation, debt and environmental damage through contact withthese GMO’s. I felt so much grief for this needless suffering, theseneedless deaths. The threat posed to all of us by global warming - for which all of theworld’s forests act as a buffer against - is direct and dramatic. Theincrease in catastrophic storms that caused so much death and destructionin New Orleans and in many parts of Asia are attributable to the erraticwarming of the planet. Forests sequester carbon and cool the planet. Aswe lose them, we lose the time we need to find new and more sustainableways of fulfilling our energy needs before global climate crisis isunavoidable. But despite my despair, I have never felt entitled to cause physical harmin order to protect life. I have always taken to heart the Buddhistspiritual principle to take no action that would bring physical harm toany living being. Although there were some risks associated with myactions that were unintentional and unanticipated, I had convinced myselfthey could be eliminated. In retrospect, I see that this was notpossible, and I regret it. I acknowledge that greater harm could havehappened and that it is very fortunate that no one was physically hurt,and that there was psychological damage done. I acknowledge those risksand knowing what I know now, I would not have taken the same actions. My actions were individual acts of conscience and I take soleresponsibility for them. The property damage was intended to be symbolicand theatrical in nature, not dangerous or threatening to any individual. I hope to protect my community and the Earth, to respond in defense ofthe living systems of animals, land and water. I tried to preserve thenatural world from destruction because it is all of our home, because itshealth is necessary for all of use to live well. I have failed to bring about the changes that I sought and caused harmwhere I intended none. I am saddened and sorry for that. My hope isthat the next generation that inherits this Earth and the responsibilityfor stewardship will succeed in finding better methods of bringing aboutthe volution of our society, a transformation that will benefit all thosewho share this beautiful Earth. Though I have been wrong and misguided in my actions to defend mycommunity and this Earth from harm, I hope to be able to dedicate what’sleft of my life to service in better ways. I hope to volunteer at a burncenter in my community, as some of my past actions risked injuries ofthat nature. I have some first aid training from my work experience, aswell as training for home health care that might be helpful. I also hope to be able to contribute to community garden programs, bothworking with at-risk youth and providing food to distribution programs. These gardens have also been pressed into service to provide herbs tofree herbal palliative health care. I have had experience as a volunteerbefore with these kinds of groups and would be happy to contribute again. I want to state that I am genuinely sorry to those who have feltpersonally frightened by my actions. I was unable to see this as aconsequence of my actions before, probably as I was so overwhelmed withmy own grief and fear that I couldn’t empathize with other’s perceptions. I meant to inspire thought and compassion, not fear. I also acknowledge that my actions endangered lives and I am deeplyregretful for that. It was never my intention to cause physical harm andcertainly not serious injury. I was wrong to believe it could always beavoided. I am and will always be grateful that my actions did not resultin death or injury. But I do understand now that the risk was there. Lastly, I feel that I need to apologize for the expense and sufferingthat my actions have caused my family, especially my children. I love myfamily very much and this has been so hard on them. They have beenloving and generous in their support for me. I hope that you will take all of this into consideration as you make yourdecision, your Honor.
I understand the serious nature of the offenses to which I have pleadguilty. I accept responsibility for my actions. At the time, I fearedthere were dire and immediate threats to both human and non-human livesand that the health and safety of human communities, as well as theecological integrity of the Earth, were in jeopardy. I care deeply about my fellow human being and the other living creatureswith whom we share this planet. I felt responsible to take extremeaction in the hope that it would save lives and halt deadly practicesthat directly threatened living beings and contributed to the degradationof the environment. I thought that what I was doing would shine a lighton these dangerous policies so that an informed public dialogue wouldensue and policies would be changed. In all of my actions, I was present at the moment that property damagewas done or a fire was set. I believed that this way I could ensure thatno living creature would inadvertently wander into the site and beendangered. At the time, I felt that it was possible to anticipate andavoid any potential threat to life by taking precautions and by beingvigilant at each event. This was not possible, despite my efforts. In particular, the arson at MSU ended up greatly exceeding the scope ofmy intent, so much so that I almost became the first casualty in thesetypes of offenses. Even so, other than this one instance of danger to myself, I remainedblinded to the risks that others were exposed to during that action. Much later, even years later, I became aware of how other people who cameto the scene after I left were frightened and confused. I also found outthat students and employees were greatly inconvenienced and lost personalproperty, that they felt that there might be a continued threat to them. As I understand it now, firefighters entered the building and were alsoin danger from the fire and the subsequent water damage to the building. I never anticipated or intended that anyone would have been endangeredand am truly sorry that anyone’s life was put in danger. For more than twenty years, I participated in every legal avenue open tome as a private citizen to educate and persuade government officials andcorporate representatives to reconsider policies. I have alsoparticipated in civil disobedience in the style taught by Martin LutherKing, Jr. and Mahatman Gandhi, whose non-violent teachings I embraced. Given my commitment to non-violence, it was only under an extreme set ofcircumstances that I rationalized my actions and put people in danger. Ibelieved that I was taking risks to prevent a greater harm to livingbeings. I never intended to cause danger of harm to any living thing, andby that standard I failed. I want to explain that the more I learned of the consequences ofdeforestation and genetic engineering, the more desperate I felt. I amnot opposed to conducting research in the interests of expandingknowledge and bringing improvements to health and well being when it isconducted in a responsible and humane way. But genetic engineeringresearch is often conducted in open-air situations that releasecontaminated pollen into the environment with devastating effects, as inthe case of the terminator seed plants. Communities should have theright to choose or refuse the risks that come with GMO’s. What I wasmore and more aware of in my research and in my dealings with indigenousactivists’ work around the globe is that the use of GMO’s forced oncommunities by collusion between banks, companies and governments wascausing starvation, debt and environmental damage through contact withthese GMO’s. I felt so much grief for this needless suffering, theseneedless deaths. The threat posed to all of us by global warming - for which all of theworld’s forests act as a buffer against - is direct and dramatic. Theincrease in catastrophic storms that caused so much death and destructionin New Orleans and in many parts of Asia are attributable to the erraticwarming of the planet. Forests sequester carbon and cool the planet. Aswe lose them, we lose the time we need to find new and more sustainableways of fulfilling our energy needs before global climate crisis isunavoidable. But despite my despair, I have never felt entitled to cause physical harmin order to protect life. I have always taken to heart the Buddhistspiritual principle to take no action that would bring physical harm toany living being. Although there were some risks associated with myactions that were unintentional and unanticipated, I had convinced myselfthey could be eliminated. In retrospect, I see that this was notpossible, and I regret it. I acknowledge that greater harm could havehappened and that it is very fortunate that no one was physically hurt,and that there was psychological damage done. I acknowledge those risksand knowing what I know now, I would not have taken the same actions. My actions were individual acts of conscience and I take soleresponsibility for them. The property damage was intended to be symbolicand theatrical in nature, not dangerous or threatening to any individual. I hope to protect my community and the Earth, to respond in defense ofthe living systems of animals, land and water. I tried to preserve thenatural world from destruction because it is all of our home, because itshealth is necessary for all of use to live well. I have failed to bring about the changes that I sought and caused harmwhere I intended none. I am saddened and sorry for that. My hope isthat the next generation that inherits this Earth and the responsibilityfor stewardship will succeed in finding better methods of bringing aboutthe volution of our society, a transformation that will benefit all thosewho share this beautiful Earth. Though I have been wrong and misguided in my actions to defend mycommunity and this Earth from harm, I hope to be able to dedicate what’sleft of my life to service in better ways. I hope to volunteer at a burncenter in my community, as some of my past actions risked injuries ofthat nature. I have some first aid training from my work experience, aswell as training for home health care that might be helpful. I also hope to be able to contribute to community garden programs, bothworking with at-risk youth and providing food to distribution programs. These gardens have also been pressed into service to provide herbs tofree herbal palliative health care. I have had experience as a volunteerbefore with these kinds of groups and would be happy to contribute again. I want to state that I am genuinely sorry to those who have feltpersonally frightened by my actions. I was unable to see this as aconsequence of my actions before, probably as I was so overwhelmed withmy own grief and fear that I couldn’t empathize with other’s perceptions. I meant to inspire thought and compassion, not fear. I also acknowledge that my actions endangered lives and I am deeplyregretful for that. It was never my intention to cause physical harm andcertainly not serious injury. I was wrong to believe it could always beavoided. I am and will always be grateful that my actions did not resultin death or injury. But I do understand now that the risk was there. Lastly, I feel that I need to apologize for the expense and sufferingthat my actions have caused my family, especially my children. I love myfamily very much and this has been so hard on them. They have beenloving and generous in their support for me. I hope that you will take all of this into consideration as you make yourdecision, your Honor.
A little About Marie Mason...
"Promise"
Marie Mason
My face against the mossish bark
Arms outstretched to hold and feel
the heartbeat throb of
Water
Pulsing low below the surface
Even as it runs through my own veins
Your feet thrust deep within the Earth
Your head held high to track the Stars
An existence both of the Prayer and silent Service
Steadfast in years
And the long reach through time
A storied lesson told in rings
I read through fingers
Ancient Oak
Encircled by your children
Now grown tall
The deer pause to witness
This conversation and this promise
Between the Mouse and Lion, as of old,
Because tonight the blue strips
Flutter all around you in a winter breeze
Banners heralding
Disaster
Houses to be built
Destroying
Home.
Marie Mason is a 46 year old mother of two. She is an avid community gardener, a musician, a writer, an Earth First! organizer and a volunteer for a free herbal healthcare collective. She also was an extended care assistant at a small Cincinnati school when she was arrested on March 10, 2008 by federal agents. She has been charged with involvement with a December,1999 arson at a Michigan State University genetics laboratory at Agriculture Hall and a January, 2000 arson of logging equipment in Mesick, Michigan. Both arsons were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front.
The burning of MSU’s Agriculture Hall was a significant act and one that was bound to be targeted for response as part of the Greenscare repression. As former ELF press officer Craig Rosebraugh explains in his memoir, Burning Rage of a Dying Planet, “Not only was the damage quite significant,… but this was the first time arson had been used to further the cause against genetic engineering (GE) in the US. Furthermore, it was the first time the ELF had taken credit for any GE-related action.”
Predictably, the media presented the action as an assault on scientific efforts to relieve famine in the so-called developing world. But, as the ELF communiqué plainly stated, MSU’s research was funded by the US government and corporations like Monsanto, which then use their considerable power to force such crops on desperate nations. These nations often resist the importation of GE crops and seeds, given their significant risks to human health, cultural identity, biological diversity and ecological integrity.
A long-time environmental, animal rights and social justice organizer, Mason had previously experienced government repression when ELF actions occurred in her community. An easy target for the federal agents in their quest to criminalize dissent, Mason was an identifiable and outspoken critic of genetic engineering and destructive forestry practices.
It is important for the government to realize that when they push communities of resistance with Greenscare tactics that communities push back with solidarity and renewed efforts to make the change we want to see. By supporting our political prisoners, we encourage others to take their place in the struggle.
Marie Mason
My face against the mossish bark
Arms outstretched to hold and feel
the heartbeat throb of
Water
Pulsing low below the surface
Even as it runs through my own veins
Your feet thrust deep within the Earth
Your head held high to track the Stars
An existence both of the Prayer and silent Service
Steadfast in years
And the long reach through time
A storied lesson told in rings
I read through fingers
Ancient Oak
Encircled by your children
Now grown tall
The deer pause to witness
This conversation and this promise
Between the Mouse and Lion, as of old,
Because tonight the blue strips
Flutter all around you in a winter breeze
Banners heralding
Disaster
Houses to be built
Destroying
Home.
Marie Mason is a 46 year old mother of two. She is an avid community gardener, a musician, a writer, an Earth First! organizer and a volunteer for a free herbal healthcare collective. She also was an extended care assistant at a small Cincinnati school when she was arrested on March 10, 2008 by federal agents. She has been charged with involvement with a December,1999 arson at a Michigan State University genetics laboratory at Agriculture Hall and a January, 2000 arson of logging equipment in Mesick, Michigan. Both arsons were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front.
The burning of MSU’s Agriculture Hall was a significant act and one that was bound to be targeted for response as part of the Greenscare repression. As former ELF press officer Craig Rosebraugh explains in his memoir, Burning Rage of a Dying Planet, “Not only was the damage quite significant,… but this was the first time arson had been used to further the cause against genetic engineering (GE) in the US. Furthermore, it was the first time the ELF had taken credit for any GE-related action.”
Predictably, the media presented the action as an assault on scientific efforts to relieve famine in the so-called developing world. But, as the ELF communiqué plainly stated, MSU’s research was funded by the US government and corporations like Monsanto, which then use their considerable power to force such crops on desperate nations. These nations often resist the importation of GE crops and seeds, given their significant risks to human health, cultural identity, biological diversity and ecological integrity.
A long-time environmental, animal rights and social justice organizer, Mason had previously experienced government repression when ELF actions occurred in her community. An easy target for the federal agents in their quest to criminalize dissent, Mason was an identifiable and outspoken critic of genetic engineering and destructive forestry practices.
It is important for the government to realize that when they push communities of resistance with Greenscare tactics that communities push back with solidarity and renewed efforts to make the change we want to see. By supporting our political prisoners, we encourage others to take their place in the struggle.
Hung Jury! David McKay is Free (For Now)
The case of United States vs. David McKay was declared a mistrial Monday afternoon when the jury was unable to reach a verdict. McKay was granted a conditional release, provided $25,000 bail or $2,500 bond can be posted. Unless the charges are dropped, a re-trial will commence on March 16.
After the jury confirmed it was unable to reach a unanimous decision and a mistrial was declared, prosecutor Asst. U.S. Attorney Paulsen requested that jurors not be permitted to talk to media, that McKay be held in custody, and that McKay be retried within 70 days.
Defense attorney Jeff DeGree asked that the judge put together a set of conditions under which McKay would be released, noting that McKay's father had attended the trial and would house McKay, and that he would have employment in Austin with his aunt's firm.
McKay's release was granted on several conditions laid out by Judge Davis: that he not commit crimes nor be arrested; that he reside with his father in Midland, TX until suitable housing elsewhere is approved by pretrial services; that he not threaten through any medium Brandon Darby or any of the other witnesses in the case; that he surrender his passport to pretrial services; that he not leave the state of Texas except to go to and from Minnesota; and that he submit to drug testing and be taken back into custody if he misses a drug test.
Judge Davis then set the date for a re-trial for March 16. The trial may be moved from the federal building in Minneapolis to the federal building in St. Paul, due to anticipated construction.
Earlier in the day, the jury had sent a question to the judge asking for access to the trial transcripts. Specifically, they asked for access to Brandon Darby's testimony regarding the August 31 meeting before the group, without Darby, went to Wal-Mart for the supplies from which the molotov cocktails were allegedly made. They also asked for FBI Special Agent Tim Sellers' testimony about a June 8 email from Darby, in which Darby expressed that he hopes "enough eyes and ears" would be placed on the case so that he can "get away," and that he was profoundly offended" by the Austin Affinity Group.
In response to the question, prosecutor Paulsen asked the court read the transcripts to the jury, but DeGree objected, and the transcripts were not read.
After the jury confirmed it was unable to reach a unanimous decision and a mistrial was declared, prosecutor Asst. U.S. Attorney Paulsen requested that jurors not be permitted to talk to media, that McKay be held in custody, and that McKay be retried within 70 days.
Defense attorney Jeff DeGree asked that the judge put together a set of conditions under which McKay would be released, noting that McKay's father had attended the trial and would house McKay, and that he would have employment in Austin with his aunt's firm.
McKay's release was granted on several conditions laid out by Judge Davis: that he not commit crimes nor be arrested; that he reside with his father in Midland, TX until suitable housing elsewhere is approved by pretrial services; that he not threaten through any medium Brandon Darby or any of the other witnesses in the case; that he surrender his passport to pretrial services; that he not leave the state of Texas except to go to and from Minnesota; and that he submit to drug testing and be taken back into custody if he misses a drug test.
Judge Davis then set the date for a re-trial for March 16. The trial may be moved from the federal building in Minneapolis to the federal building in St. Paul, due to anticipated construction.
Earlier in the day, the jury had sent a question to the judge asking for access to the trial transcripts. Specifically, they asked for access to Brandon Darby's testimony regarding the August 31 meeting before the group, without Darby, went to Wal-Mart for the supplies from which the molotov cocktails were allegedly made. They also asked for FBI Special Agent Tim Sellers' testimony about a June 8 email from Darby, in which Darby expressed that he hopes "enough eyes and ears" would be placed on the case so that he can "get away," and that he was profoundly offended" by the Austin Affinity Group.
In response to the question, prosecutor Paulsen asked the court read the transcripts to the jury, but DeGree objected, and the transcripts were not read.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Environmentalist Sentenced to 21 Years as a “Terrorist”
Feb.5th, 2009 by Will Potter
I’ve written a lot of articles like this, when prison sentences are handeddown to activists who have been labeled “terrorists” for property crimes,and instead of getting easier it just keeps getting harder. It’s gettingharder to write about this rationally, calmly. These cases are gettingworse, folks. The government is growing increasingly aggressive in itsprosecutions, and increasingly transparent in its tactics.Marie Mason, a longtime environmental activist and mother of two, wassentenced this afternoon to 21 years in prison, as a “terrorist,” fornon-violent property crimes in the name of defending the environment. It’sa historic sentence, the longest yet for any of these Green Scare cases.In the lead up to her sentencing, the FBI took their “eco-terrorist”scare-mongering to a new level. Mason’s friends and family were preparedto attend the sentencing hearing and support her at such a terrible momentin her life. So what did the FBI do? Agents had the audacity to warn thepress that “terrorists” might be attending Mason’s sentencing. They saidthey “expect members of the eco-terrorist groups, the Earth LiberationFront and Animal Liberation Front to gather and protest.” This, of course,is a bold-faced lie. Any FBI agents worth their salt knows thatclandestine organizations like the ALF and ELF do not protest: they areillegal, underground groups. This was a calculated scare-mongering movemeant to make normal, everyday people afraid of showing up to a publiccourt proceeding, lest they be labeled as members of the “number onedomestic terrorism threat.”Let me reiterate this: The government made a concerted effort to demonizenot just the defendant, but anyone who supports the defendant by attendinga public court proceeding. Regardless of how you feel about Marie Mason,or the Green Scare more broadly, moves like this are antithetical to anysemblance of a democracy. Intimidating citizens to keep them fromattending a politicized court date is a defining characteristic of anout-and-out police state.If that isn’t enough, let’s look at Mason’s sentence. Twenty-one years forarson that caused about $1 million in damage to genetic-engineeringresearch at Michigan State University and didn’t harm anyone.By comparison, on Monday the FBI put out a press release pattingthemselves on the back for the guilty pleas of four men who assaultedthree African-Americans on the night of President Barack Obama’s electionvictory. [I've written previously about how the FBI is more concernedabout environmental activists than presidential assassination attempts].From the FBI’s news release: Nicoletti drove the group to the Park Hill section of Staten Island, apredominantly African-American neighborhood, where they came upon anAfrican-American teenager and assaulted him. Nicoletti struck theteenager with a metal pipe and Garaventa hit him with a collapsiblepolice baton.The expected sentences for racist, violent attacks meant to punish peoplefor voting for a black man? Between 10 and 12 years. That’s about half ofMarie Mason’s.The government’s press release said that “this successful prosecutionsends a clear message.”What is the message that you think it sends?
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