Letter writing to the Judge for Daniel McGowan update!

We have heard from the lawyers that they have received a lot of 
letters to the Judge on Daniel's behalf. Please, if you have not 
written one, please consider helping out Green Scare defendant Daniel
 McGowan by writing a letter to the Judge concerning his sentence.

You may ask, why me? I dont know Daniel. Well, you may not but its 
still important to write one. Chances are you know about the case or 
about Daniel from the numerous myspace bulletin posts or website. 
There is plenty to write about even if you never met Daniel but you 
do have strong feelings and opinions about activists being labeled as
 'terrorists' when their actions did not harm anyone. Or maybe you 
have read a lot about Daniel's work with political prisoners, against
 domestic violence, counter recruitment, really really free markets 
etc and feel affinity for him as a person.

We are asking for you to write a one page, polite and sincere letter 
to help him out. Do not underestimate the power of community support.
 Our goal is to bring Daniel home as soon as possible and for him to
 return to a life of advocacy and activism as well as being a
valuable  member of his community.

thank you,
family and friends of daniel mcgowan


Guidelines for Letters to Judge Aiken in Support of Daniel McGowan

Daniel McGowan will be sentenced by Judge Ann Aiken probably sometime
 in the Spring. Daniel’s lawyers will submit a detailed memorandum 
prior to sentencing, along with letters from family members, friends,
 colleagues, and other supporters. Please refer to these guidelines
if  you are writing a letter to Judge Aiken on Daniel’s behalf. Send
it  to his lawyers at the address below.

Examples of Things to Write About – Choose Only What is Right for You

* How you met Daniel and how you know him (through school, work, 
mutual friends, prisoner support work, etc.); how long you have known
 Daniel.
* What you know about Daniel’s character, his reputation in the 
community; personal experiences you have had with him that illustrate
 important aspects of his character.
* What you know about Daniel’s relationship with his family, his 
wife, and his close friends – the people who will be his personal 
support when he is in prison and when he is released. Describe for 
the judge how these people will assist him through these difficult 
times.
* How you personally will be able to help Daniel get back to a normal
 life when he is released from prison, whether it is through helping
 him to pursue his education, remain employed, or establish a home.
* Examples, from your personal knowledge, of what Daniel has done in 
his life to help others, whether it is through activist work, 
charitable work, work for non-profit organizations, or personally 
helping you or someone you know with something. Specific examples of 
Daniel’s contributions to charitable, community, and non-profit 
organizations are helpful.
* Examples, from your personal knowledge, of how Daniel demonstrates 
what he believes in, whether it is by arranging Really, Really Free 
Markets, collecting electronic gear to recycle, or volunteering for 
causes he supports.
* The Judge may consider whether Daniel is likely to commit another 
crime. If you have specific reasons to share with the Judge to 
demonstrate why you believe that Daniel is unlikely to commit another
 crime, please explain those in your letter.
* The Judge may consider whether Daniel has shown that, after the 
crimes were committed, his conduct demonstrated rehabilitation. If 
you have specific examples of his conduct, between July of 2001 and 
December 2005 that you feel the Judge should know about that show 
Daniel has engaged in significant rehabilitation from the time he 
committed the crimes, please explain those in your letter.
* The Judge may consider whether to sentence Daniel as a “terrorist” 
under certain provisions of federal law and sentencing guidelines. 
While this is largely a technical legal issue that the lawyers will 
write about, you may wish to write to the Judge about how Daniel’s 
case compares to other crimes and incidents that you are personally 
aware of that either have or have not been treated as “terrorist” 
incidents.

There may be other things you may wish to say to the judge as well. 
Our suggestions are just that – suggestions. Please make sure you 
write in a polite, respectful manner to the Judge.

What Not to Write About
Some topics are simply not helpful subjects of discussion in a letter
 to the Court related to sentencing. We ask that you not justify or 
rationalize the incidents. We ask that you not compare Daniel to 
others who have entered pleas and who are also facing sentencing or 
to those who have not been arrested or are fugitives.

Address Your Letter To:
Judge Ann Aiken
U.S. District Court
Eugene, Oregon

MAIL YOUR LETTER TO:
Andrea Crabtree
Schroeter Goldmark & Bender
810 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98104
Please, do NOT mail your letter to Judge Aiken. After you have signed
 the letter, MAIL IT TO THE LAWYERS' office. They will deliver all
of  the correspondence to the Judge at one time, along with other 
sentencing materials.

DEADLINE:Please get letters to the lawyers no later than February 15,  2007.

Questions? Email friendsofdanielmcg@Yahoo.com or call/e-mail Amanda 
Lee at (206) 622-8000 or lee@sgb-law.com