Eric McDavid - Two Years and Counting

Sun, 13 Jan 2008
From: sacprisonersupport@riseup.net

Dear friends,

Two years ago today our friend, our loved one, our comrade was snatched
away from us by the state. They charged him with “conspiracy” (thought
crime in the most literal sense) and threw him in total separation
(isolation) – where he has remained ever since. Since his arrest, Eric
has not had any physical contact with his loved ones. For two years we
have been forced to communicate through pen and paper, through telephone
wires, through thick plexiglass windows, with only our words and the light
in our eyes to offer comfort. But even the cold, lifeless mediums we have
been forced to utilize cannot repress or dampen the love we feel in our
hearts, the joy and the pain all mixed up in our tears, or the courage and
strength that we draw from each other every day. There are still some
things they can’t take away.

Since his arrest, Eric has endured so much more than the “normal” grief
associated with being ripped from one’s community and loved ones, stripped
of all one’s freedoms, and thrown in a cage. He has endured the agonizing
pain of betrayal, first as he discovered someone he loved and trusted was
actually a government informant, and then later as two people he loved
dearly also turned into collaborators with the state. He has endured two
years of isolation, deprived of the essential humyn connections derived
from the beauty of touch. He has endured two separate struggles to secure
access to food he can eat, remaining true to the compassionate principles
that drive not only his veganism, but the ways in which he lives all
aspects of his life. Both times he underwent grueling two- week hunger
strikes, and both times he was victorious against the seemingly endless
power of the state and his captors. He has endured two separate bouts of
pericarditis – a painful heart condition most likely caused by his total
lack of nutrition – and the subsequent complete lack of medical care from
the jail. He has endured two years of a concerted effort by the
government to vilify and criminalize him, his lifestyle, and all he holds
dear. This extended so far beyond the bounds of “government misconduct” –
the outright lies and misinformation – that even the jury which ultimately
convicted him saw through much of it, and commented to the press
afterwards that they were ashamed of the FBI, and described their conduct
as “scary.” And he endured a trial which, by all rational and legal
standards, was fraught with blatantly unjust and erroneous legal rulings.

Now he faces 20 years in prison for a crime that was never committed- for
falling prey to government intrusion, infiltration, and entrapment. The
government is doing everything in its power to slap the label of
“terrorist” on Eric – a label which is not only patently false and
insulting to those who have experienced real terrorism (often at the hands
of the state), but which also carries with it a great weight. The weight
of social implications, and the much more concrete weight of time. If the
government is successful in applying the terrorism enhancement to Eric’s
sentencing, it could turn what could otherwise be a 5 year sentence, into
a 20 year sentence.

Eric’s sentencing is currently set for February 21st. But this will not
be the end of his struggle. Eric will be appealing his conviction – and
we can honestly say that we feel he has a strong case (for more
information on why, read the alert dated 10/04/07 at
http://www.supporteric.org/updates.htm – particularly the section on the
verdict. You can also read Eric's motion for a new trial at:
http://www.supporteric.org/motion.pdf). However, regardless of the
appeal, Eric will be spending much more time in jail and prison. The
appeals process can take a very long time, and after his sentencing he
will be moved to a federal facility. While we can hope that he is sent to
a facility near his friends and family, we have absolutely no guarantee of
that. The prospect of Eric being sent even further from us is not an easy
one to accept. It will be a difficult time for everyone, and we will need
all of you to keep supporting Eric and sending him all of your energy and
love.

And, of course, appeals will cost money. A lot of money. As soon as
sentencing is over we will need at least $35,000 for Eric’s legal defense.
We need help from all of you to cover these fees. We cannot stress this
enough. Eric has consistently remained true to his principles and
maintained his integrity throughout this ordeal. In choosing to fight the
charges against him he incurred the complete and total wrath of the state.
If we are to remain true to our principles, raising money for Eric’s
defense is the least that we can do. Please start planning your next
fundraisers now! We are more than happy to help in any way we can – just
let us know what you need. Together we can make this happen – Eric’s
freedom is hanging in the balance.

If you would like to make a direct donation to Eric's appeal fund, you can
donate through PayPal at:
http://www.supporteric.org/howtohelp.htm#Fundraising

or you can send a check or money order made out to Sacramento Defense Fund
to:

SPS
PO Box 163126
Sacramento, CA 95816

If the check/money order is not made out to Sacramento Defense Fund, we
will not be able to deposit it.

Hearings Moved

Just a reminder, the motion for a new trial/acquittal will now be heard on
January 24. The sentencing hearing has been moved AGAIN – it is now on
calendar for February 21st. Please consider coming to Eric’s sentencing
to show your support.

Also – remember to write your letter to the judge, urging the lowest
possible sentence for Eric. Information and suggestions on what to write
can be found at: http://www.supporteric.org/updates.htm in the alert
dated 1/08/08.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Yours,

SPS

www.supporteric.org