Daniel McGowan's Green Scare Update

http://supportdaniel.org/blog/?p=32

by Daniel on April 14th, 2008

There have been many updates since my last dispatch regarding the
various legal cases that comprise the Green Scare against
environmental and animal rights activists in the U.S. Please show
support for these people as they are all in a tough situation— either
recently indicted and fighting their charges, convicted by a jury
(which gives the illusion of fairness) or facing sentencing and on
the way to prison. The support I received (and continue to receive)
made all the difference in my outlook and helped me face the case
with eyes open and head held high. My apologies for the length of
this update but I think it’s important to look beyond the urgent e-
mails and remember, we’re talking about people here— not just names
and potential sentences.

*In February 2008, Earth First! activist Marie Mason found a GPS
tracking device on her car and when she removed it, plain clothes
police sprang out with guns drawn. They called her 16 year old
daughter by name even questioning why her routine changed (indicating
some level of surveillance). Weeks after this incident, Marie was
arrested and indicted on charges related to two acts of property
destruction (arson) claimed by the Earth Liberation Front in 1999.
While I have not read anything about 2 of the other defendants (or a
fifth person “known to the grand jury”), it appears that Marie’s ex,
Frank Ambrose, has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the
investigation. I remember Frank’s name from years ago when he was
charged with spiking trees (an action meant to deter trees from being
cut, not to harm loggers) in Indiana. I have no clue whether the
indictment is true or not but I feel strongly that we support Marie
as she is from our movement and has worked on environmental campaigns
for years (most recently, on the campaign to stop the I-69 NAFTA
superhighway). Also, like my case in Oregon, prosecutors in Michigan
have trotted out the “terrorism” word to scare people and inflame
public opinion against Marie. Although the fires in question were
intended to destroy property and not harm people (based on a reading
of the communiqué and a solid analysis of the arrest at
greenisthenewred.com), the government is using the ‘T-word’ to tie
the case to the nationwide anti-terrorism hoopla. Marie is currently
out on bail and on house arrest and can surely use your support. To
get involved contact Friends of Marie Mason, Post Office Box 19065,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, freemarie at riseup dot net, or
midwestgreenscare.org.

* Filmmaker, violin instructor and mother (of a three year old girl)
Briana Waters was convicted by a jury of two counts of arson related
to the May 2001 ELF arson of a genetic researcher’s office at the
University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture. The trial saw
two cooperating witnesses testify against Briana and many names were
dropped by both witnesses. Despite the fact that both witnesses’
potential sentence was based on the quality of their testimony
against Briana, the jury believed them and found her guilty of two
counts of arson (but not the destructive device count which carried a
30 year mandatory minimum). She faces 5-10 years for each count of
arson and is awaiting her May 28th sentencing at FDC-Sea-Tac (having
lost her detention hearing due to unsubstantiated allegations made by
another informant). Being separated from family is the worst part of
prison and I’m sure she can use the support. You can find her address
and ways to donate at supportbriana.org, PDX IMC, or through the CLDC.

*Environmentalist Tre Arrow was recently extradited from Canada to
the U.S. following a years long battle for refugee status. Tre has
vigorously maintained his innocence despite three cooperating
witnesses’ claims that he was involved in two arsons in 2001 (it
should be noted that all three of these people did not name Tre until
being questioned for hours and they all received 41 month sentences
for 2 arsons— quite a low sentence). He has a large and lively
support group and I expect the trial will be interesting and
revealing of the U.S. government’s myopia with these prosecutions.
His website has a list of needs and his current prison address at
trearrow.org.

* Long time activist Rod Coronado recently pleaded to charges in San
Diego, California regarding a speech he gave in which he answered
questions about his past actions. Although the jury hung in his
trial, the prosecution, vindictively, threatened to re-file charges
or indict him on new, similar charges related to another speech he
made in Washington D.C. Rod received a sentence of 1 year, 1 day and
with good time should be out in ten months. This is third trip to
federal prison and from his statements, it is clear he wants to put
this behind him. I first got involved in prisoner support in 1997
writing and fundraising for a legal fund Rod set up and have nothing
but respect for him and his contributions to the movement. If you can
get your hands on his old prison zines (Strong Hearts 1-4 available
from inourhearts@gmail.com) do so, or better yet, get his prison
fundraiser Flaming Arrows for $10 from IEF Press Post Office Box
0372, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 or AK Press. supportrod.org

* Eric McDavid’s sentencing has been postponed over five times— the
latest is now set for May 8th. Eric faces up to 20 years on one count
of conspiracy related to an incident that never happened (but was
pushed and promoted by a 19 year old hired by the FBI to monitor
anarchists). Eric’s case is a perfect example of the U.S.
government’s obsession with the anarchist movement and their
concoction of a conspiracy that did not exist prior to their
employee’s involvement. Without a doubt, Eric will need help funding
his appeal. See supporteric.org to help out.

* Finally, my codefendant and friend, Jonathan Paul, not only has a
new website but is writing monthly dispatches. I’m sure he’d love to
hear from people and appreciate news from the movement. You can also
email his support crew at friendsofjonathanpaul at yahoo dot com to
see if he needs any books or magazines. Because he is housed in
Phoenix, Arizona— far from his home in Oregon, donations for his wife
to visit him are appreciated.
supportjonathan.org