Aug. 2nd-ProLibertad COOKOUT AT HIGHLAND POOLS!

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign
http://www.prolibertadweb.com
ProLibertad@hotmail.com
ProLibertad hotline: 718-601-4751
_______________________________________________________________

Join ProLibertad on our annual Freedom Cook out to HighLands Pool in Ringwood, New Jersey!!

Enjoy the sun, fun and relaxation of

HighLands Pool!! Bring your swimming trunks for the cool and refreshing Chemical-free mountain stream-fed pool!!

We will have DELICOUS BORICUA FOOD, FUN,

MUSIC,DOMINOES, GAMES, SPORTS and RELAXATION!!

Saturday Aug. 2nd, 2008 at 9am!! Get on the Bus!!

Meet at the corner of w179th St. and Broadway at 9am to catch one of our Freedom Vans to HighLand Pools!!

Transportation from NYC ($10), Entrance to HighLand Pools ($5) and Food ($5); all together $20 (Adults) $15 for (Children)

Contact ProLibertad to reserve a seat on our Freedom Bus by calling the ProLibertad hotline: 718-601-4751

Report on NY Puerto Rican grand jury proceedings today

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Fri, June 27, 2008

Report on what happened in court today on the
grand jury subpoenas of Tania Frontera and Christopher Torres:

Tania Frontera and Christopher Torres appeared in
court today with their National Lawyers Guild
attorneys Martin Stolar and Susan Tipograph. Also
in court were National Lawyers Guild attorneys
Alan Levine and Jeffrey Rothman on behalf of the
National Boricua Human Right Network [NBHRN] and
the Comite Pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico on
their Motion to Intervene in the Motion to Quash.

The pleadings in the case had been placed under
seal by the clerk of the court, certainly not at
the request of Tania, Christopher, the NBHRN or the Comite.

Judge Amon set the following schedule:

By Wednesday July 2, the government is to file:
1. Brief re: open/closed courtroom/under seal pleadings;
2. Response to 18 U.S.C. §3504 to affirm or deny
the Witness' claim that the subpoena and the
questions propounded by the grand jury are the
product of illegal surveillance conducted pursuant to Title III;
3. Response to Motion to Intervene.

By Wednesday July 2, the subpoenaed independentistas are to file:
1. Brief re: open/closed courtroom/under seal pleadings.

By Tuesday July 8, the subpoenaed independentistas are to file:
1. Reply to government's response to Motion to Intervene.

On Monday July 28 at 10:30 a.m., the parties are to appear in court.




Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

URGENT CAMPAIGN! BASHIR HAMEED – HELP HIS WIFE VISIT HIM

From:    "ashanti Alston" <nationaljericho@gmail.com>
Date:    Fri, June 27, 2008

June 26, 2008

NATIONAL JERICHO URGENT CAMPAIGN!

Re: BASHIR HAMEED – HELP HIS WIFE VISIT HIM

To all Jericho chapters, allies and friends:

As you probably know, the health situation of political prisoner and former Black Panther Party member Bashir Hameed (s/n James York) is in crisis. As of June 25, Bashir had significant/visible blood in the urine and was told by the prison physician assistant at Comstock that he'd be sent to see a doctor today. Bashir, who had a coronary bypass operation about 18 months ago, has also had blood in his stool and has not received the colonoscopy he was scheduled for. Furthermore, Bashir's niece, Courtney York MD, saw him last week and was quite alarmed by the ongoing denial of adequate medical care for him. Efforts are underway to intensify the campaign for adequate medical treatment and transfer to a prison where he will receive better care. Bashir's wife Florence, who lives in Texas, is now planning to travel to New York in order to be near him. Florence is in need of financial support to make this trip, rent a car and secure a place to stay.

After receiving calls and making calls to several Jericho folks and old-time comrades of Bashir's, we (National Jericho's co-chairs) are asking folks to help Florence Walker (Mrs. Bashir Hameed) by contributing whatever $$ you can to the kitty. We want to lighten as much of her $$ burden as possible. If you can do this with "urgency," as we don't want to take any chances procrastinating around Bashir's condition, folks can send a check to:

FLORENCE WALKER

Note/memo: For Mrs. Bashir Hameed

You can address it to:

Florence Walker
c/o Yasmin Sutton
112-50 Northern Blvd. # 2D
Corona, NY 11368

Yasmin is a long-time comrade of Bashir's from the Corona branch of the Black Panther Party who works closely with Jericho and for Bashir for years. She will be able to deliver checks to Florence immediately due to the fact that Florence will be in New York. Yasmin will also keep a copy and total of all checks sent for records.

Under pressure, we will come through for our Freedom Fighter. We are coming through NOW.

FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS

SUPPORT FLORENCE'S JOURNEY TO COMSTOCK PRISON

A QUICK AND SAFE RECOVERY FOR BASHIR HAMEED

Ashanti Alston & Kazi Toure

Co-chairs, National Jericho Amnesty Movement

THIS FILE IS ALSO ATTACHED. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE KITTY AND SPREAD THIS FAR AND WIDE!

---

NATIONAL_JERICHO_Bashir.doc [~23K]

Peltier Statement for the 2008 Oglala Commemoration

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
June 26, 2008

Greetings my relatives,

I say relatives because you are all my family. I am honored,
greatly honored today that you would listen to my words and come
together in this way so that our future generations' will not forget
what happened here in this land.

You can't imagine how much I miss walking on the bare earth.
Or brushing against a tree branch or hearing birds in the morning
or seeing an antelope or deer cross my path. I have been here in
federal prison for 32 years; if you could imagine being in your own
home stuck in one room for one year without leaving it, multiply
that by 32 and you might have some idea of how imprisonment plays
on your feelings. I really get tired sometimes living here in this
cell, this prison. Yet at times I feel really good because for
some reason I know that there are those out there who have prayed
for me in some way. And it helps me because there are moments when
a peaceful feeling will wash over me in my solitude.

I try to keep up with world events like the war in Iraq, where
those people are going through the same thing our Indian people went
through and over the same things. The US wants their resources and
they have divided those people against each other. Those children
over there and families for generations will still feel the effects
of that onslaught of destruction.

When I look at our own people's situation I see a people who have
not recovered from the destruction put upon them in the past.
Today, the greater society of America doesn't want to accept us
for who we are because we will always stand as a reminder of the
immoral wrongs that they do and have done all over the world, all
in the name of technology and progress. Our people have told them
from the very beginning about the consequences of mistreatment of
individuals and mistreatment of Mother Earth. There are history
books that quote our chief headmen and medicine people cautioning
them about there destruction of the earth and nature.

We know the first concentration camps America ever had held Indian
prisoners. The first biological warfare was used on our people with
poisonous blankets. The first atomic bomb dropped was dropped on
Indian land in Nevada. Today there are abandoned uranium quarries in
Navajo country that cause genetic defects on a lot of their people.
When you look into the past, America has used us Indians as their
social experiment. They tried to destroy us with boarding schools,
relocation, and even the first slavery practice was with American
people. However Indian people would fight or commit suicide than
to become slaves, and so they imported Africans.

Forgive me if I am repeating things you already know, but I just
wanted to bring these things up because these are the reasons behind
the Wounded Knee takeover in 73 happened and the shootout at Oglala
happened. Our people were not just taking a stand against this
government for themselves; they in essence represented Indian people
all across the Americas. Our resistance wasn't to kill anyone;
our resistance was to remain alive while we let the world know what
had been and what was being done to us, the Indigenous people.

I know for a fact from communication all around the world, that we
Indian people inspired many other indigenous people to stand up and
defend themselves because of our actions. I have gotten letters
from all over the world where people said "if the native Americans
can stand up to people like that being in the belly of the beast,
surely we can do likewise in some way."

I recognize that my being here isn't all about me; my continued
imprisonment in essence serves as a warning to others willing
to stand up for their people. The US has violated their own
constitution they violated the treaties we had with them, they
violated all kinds of moralities to bring about my conviction.
The average non Indian American either doesn't know or couldn't
care less. As long as they can keep their high standard of living
our struggles mean nothing to them. Most recently other nations
have raised the issues of America's mistreatment of the people
in the concentration camp in Guantanamo; issues of lack of a fair
trial, issues of physical, mental abuse and of sanctioned torture of
prisoners. I want to also mention that our people were the first to
be tortured by this government and we were the first to be victims
of scalping by the Europeans. The colonizers were paying for our
men, woman and children's scalps.

I may sound angry in what I am saying, but all this goes back to
why we are here today. We must not forget what has happened in
the past but we must also find a way to heal from those things
that have happened and be stronger in the future. We need to heal
our families; we need to heal our family's structures so that what
happened to our people in the past can't happen to us again. For
several generations our children were shipped off to boarding
schools which destroyed their understanding of family and family
responsibilities, and you think of the statistics today facing
this, they don't have to kill us anymore with guns, our children
and adults both are killing themselves.

Again, like I said before we have not healed from the destruction
that was put upon us, I know each one of us can be better than what
we are, it takes effort, it takes getting back to our ceremonies,
it takes getting back to our respect for one another, the earth,
the Creator and our respect for our brothers' and sisters' vision.
It takes men being men and being strong fathers and uncles and
grandfathers and brothers, not just as a matter of birth but as a
matter of responsible behavior. It also takes our women to stand
as the strong mothers they were meant to be and the sisters,
grandmothers and aunties. We need to repair ourselves and not
wait for some grant from the government to tell us or guide us in
our recovery. We need to take that responsibility ourselves and
mend the sacred hoop.

Again I want to say as I have said many times in the past, though
my body is locked into this cell, my heart and soul is with you
today. In closing I would like to acknowledge the loss of our brother
Vernon Belcourt and the great loss of my brother Floyd Westerman, a
tireless advocate for Indigenous rights I'm sure that he as well as
many others, who like him devoted their time and energies to better
the conditions our people face, are here with us today in spirit.
We have no guarantees of the time of our own passing but until that
time or my time I will miss them greatly as I miss you my family. Be
kind to one another, and remember my words; for I have spoken to
you from my heart of hearts. And you will always be in my prayers.

In the spirit of Crazy Horse and every Indian man or person that
stood for their people,

Doksha


Leonard Peltier

Support the Open Letter Campaign to Stop the SF8 Prosecution

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Thu, June 26, 2008

Attached please find a copy of an Open Letter to Attorney General
Jerry Brown, the person who has the power to stop the prosecution of
the SF 8.

The Open Letter references the International Call, initiated by
Desmond Tutu, and I am attaching a copy of the International Call, as
well.  You will also find this on the SF 8 website.

This is what we are asking:

1.   Please ask influential or leaders you may have access to or
other progressive people that you know to sign on to the letter.
2.   Please do NOT send the letter to Jerry Brown.
3.   Please DO send  the names of the people who wish to sign to me to
compile for the committee.  (jsiff@sbcglobal.net)
4.   Please include the name and title or descriptive phrase by which
the person wishes to be identified.

July and August are the critical months for this project.  We want to
be prepared to deliver and publicize the results of this support for
the onset of the Preliminary Hearing in the beginning of September.

Open Letter to Attorney General Jerry Brown:
Drop the Charges Against the SF 8!

I am writing to join with the Nobel Peace Laureates Desmond Tutu and
Mairead Corrigan Maguire, as well as Cynthia McKinney, Danny Glover,
Cindy Sheehan and others in an international call to drop the charges
against the SF 8.

The eight are elders and activists formerly associated with the Black
Panther Party who have devoted their lives to serving their
communities. Four are local to California.   Richard Brown and
Richard O'Neal are from San Francisco and have been known and deeply
respected in social service circles for over 20 years. Hank Jones and
Ray Boudreaux are well known and loved community activists in the Los
Angeles area.

Prosecution of the case against these men is now over 37 years old.
Although this is a California state and not a county prosecution, the
cost of the case, which is in the millions, is being borne by the
City of San Francisco at the precise moment when vital services are
in jeopardy due to lack of funds.

Previous attempts to prosecute these men in the 1970's were dismissed
when it was revealed that so-called "confessions" were the product of
torture by the New Orleans police department.

The SF Board of Supervisors has already gone on record as opposing
torture.  I call on all officials to do so as well, to reject
prosecution based on the results of torture, and to do everything in
your power to re-establish the priority of serving the needs of the
communities of San Francisco and the State of California.

People in the Bay Area have a proud history of defending human rights
and social justice. I urge Attorney General Jerry Brown to drop the
case against the SF 8 now.

_______________________________________________
Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable
to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org

Daniel McGowan moved again

From: "Family + Friends of Daniel McG" <friendsofdanielmcg@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, June 25, 2008

Dear friends,
Daniel has been moved to a county jail in Madison. Please write him at:

Daniel McGowan
Dane County Jail
115 West Doty Street
Madison, WI 53703

We will send out another update as soon as we have one - hopefully tomorrow.

Best,
Family & Friends of Daniel McGowan

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Support Daniel McGowan: http://www.supportdaniel.org
Daniel on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/danielmcgowan

Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
PO Box 106, NY, NY 10156
friendsofdanielmcg@yahoo.com

Donations:checks or money orders can be made out to "Lisa McGowan" and
sent to the above PO Box or online at http://tinyurl.com/8blde

Bashir Hameed Medical Emergency

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Wed, June 25, 2008

Dear Friends & Comrades:

It is really important that we keep the pressure on! I called the
Governor's number today, and they have it on an answering machine. In
addition to leaving a message, I faxed and emailed the governor regarding
Bashir Hameed #82-A-6313.

Let's tie up those fax machines and the mail as well. The letter I emailed
and faxed will be going in the mail tomorrow.

I also called and faxed both Commissioner Brian Fischer and Chief Medical
Officer Dr. Lester Wright. Their letters will be mailed tomorrow as well.

Anne
NYC Jericho

6/22/08

Dear Friends & Comrades;
I received word from Dr. Courtnie York, Bashir Hameed's niece after her
visit with him today. She is extremely concerned and asked our help in
getting Bashir removed from Comstock Prison to the Albany Medical Center.

She is concerned because he is having chest pains, shortness of breath and
has a fluid buildup in his stomach. Also his legs and feet are swollen. She
is very concerned because he has not had a check up this year by the doctor
who did his open heart surgery.

We suggest you call, fax and write:
Gov. David Paterson: Phone 518-474-8390; fax 518-474-1513
David A. Paterson, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224
or you can e-mail him at http://161.11.121.121/govemail

Dr. Lester Wright: Phone 518-457-8126; fax 518-457-7252
Commissioner Brian Fischer: Phone 518-457-8134; fax 518-457-7252

You can write to both of them at:

NYS Dept. of Correctional Services
Building 2
1220 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12226-2050

As you know, we have had an ongoing campaign to get Bashir the health care
he needs as well as a transfer out of Comstock, which has become
increasingly dangerous for Bashir's health. PLEASE take the time to call
for our brother and comrade. If you have time please let us know what
response you received.

You can also write to Bashir. We are sure he would appreciate it.

Bashir Hameed #82-A-6313,
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
Box 51, Comstock, NY 12821

In Struggle Paulette NYC Jericho nycjericho@riseup.net


If you have friends who believe in social justice please ask them to place a
call as well.

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

ABCF Solidarity Stmt for 10/10 March

ABCF Solidarity Stmt for 10/10 March

REPOST AND FORWARD FAR AND WIDE

The Anarchist Black Cross Federation supports the call for a March on
the United Nations for Freedom for Political Prisoners and Prisoners
of War. The march marks the 10th Anniversary of the Jericho Movement
for Political Prisoners and will take place on October 10th 2008. We
stand in solidarity with the October 10th Coalition.

ABCF members and supporters from all over North America will march on
the UN on October 10th. We will be promoting and organizing toward
this march in our respective communities. We urge all anarchists,
social justice activists, and everyone with any affinity for
Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War to do the same and join us
in the streets of New York City.

In Solidarity for Freedom,
ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS FEDERATION

October 10th March information-
http://www.thejerichomovement.com/
nycjericho@riseup.net • 718-853-0893

Anarchist Black Cross Federation
http://www.abcf.net/

Leonard Peltier Medical Alert: A Call to Action

From:    "contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info"
Date:    Thu, June 26, 2008

Urgent!  Leonard needs a diabetes test kit now!

You may recall that Leonard suffers from diabetes.  To date,
his diabetes has been managed by diet but this is difficult to do
when the prison won't give Leonard a test kit by which to monitor
his blood glucose level.  Two weeks ago, I wrote to the warden at
Lewisburg asking that Leonard be given a diabetes test kit. I even
offered to purchase an approved kit if the prison cannot provide one.
I haven't received a response from the warden.

Yesterday, Leonard called--later than the norm. He's suffering
with a severe headache and other symptoms and is in a bad way.
When he was finally able to get tested at the prison infirmary, his
blood sugar measured 300. The highest blood glucose reading should
be less than 180 mg/dL (and that only one to two hours after eating).

We have to see to it that Leonard gets a diabetes test kit so that
he can control his diabetes.  All supporters are urgently requested
to contact:

Warden
USP Lewisburg
US Penitentiary
2400 Robert F. Miller Drive
Lewisburg, PA  17837
Phone:  570-523-1251
Fax:  570-522-7745
E-mail: LEW/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Also contact:

D. Scott Dodrill, Regional Director
Northeast Regional Office
US Custom House
2nd & Chesnut Street
Philadephia, PA  19106
Phone: 215-521-7301
E-mail: NERO/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Harley G. Lappin, Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street., NW
Washington, DC 20534
Telephone: 202-307-3198

Be respectful, but firm.  The situation is life threatening.  After
many years of high blood sugar, Leonard is at serious risk for kidney
failure and the need for dialysis, blood vessel damage in the eyes
that can lead to blindness, and nerve damage in the feet that could
lead to the need for amputation. Supporters should also remember
that Leonard already suffers from a heart condition. Heart disease
is, in fact, the number one cause of death in people with diabetes.

Leonard needs our help.  Act now.  Write or fax a letter.  Make a
call. Send an e-mail.  Keep doing it until Leonard gets a diabetes
test kit.

Thank you.


Betty Ann Peltier Solano
Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND  58106
Phone: 701/235-2206
E-mail: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Web: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

LA Event: Chip Fitzgerald Event! Please Support

The Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross Federation is asking for all allies and supporters of political prisoners in the Southern California region to join us at a public tribute for Romaine Chip Fitzgerald this Saturday. Chip was a southern California Panther before being set up on trumped-up charges and has a good chance of seeing freedom in the next coming months. Please come out in support of this brother.

In Solidarity,

LA ABCF

FREE CHIP EVENT:

A public tribute to Chip will be at noon, on June 28th, 2008, in Los Angeles, at4343 Leimert Boulevard.

Hosted by Dominique DiPrima of KJLH, there will be labor leadersalong with former Black Panthers, including Elaine Brown and David Hilliard.

come out out and support our dear brother who we would like to welcome back to our community.

The Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald has been formed to advocate to the Board for Chip's parole, encouraging people to sign its online petition at www.freechip. org to urge the Board to release Chip back into his community as he has served more time than his sentence prescribed.

please sign!
www.freechip. org

Today, Chip is the longest held Black Panther Party political prisoner in the United States, now housed at Centinela State Prison, near the California-Mexico border. His upcoming parole hearing is one of the most anticipated dates for manycommunity leaders, students, and supporters around the world, allwaiting to see if the California Board of Parole Hearings will employjustice in this hearing, particularly in consideration of the era andclimate of Chip's arrest, conviction and sentencing in late 1969.

WHEN: noon, June 28th, 2008
WHERE: 4343 Leimert Blvd LA, Ca

Fri June 27th: Support PRican Grand Jury Resisters

Greetings Member of the Hostos Grand Jury Resistance
Campaign:


The legal team for TANIA and CHRISTOPHER have informed us
that "there is a hearing on Christopher and Tania's motion
to quash the subpoena(s) on Friday, June 27th, at 2:00p.m.
before Judge Carol B. Amon in the Eastern District of New
York (Brooklyn Federal Court).

The Motion to Quash is a proceedure where both sides are
given the opportunity to agrue for and against the issue
of appearing before the grand jury. The judge can deny
their motions and hold both companeros with "civil
comtempt". Both Chris and Tania are using constitutional,
international and historical grounds for
"Non-collaboration".

We will need people inside the courtroom as well as
outside the court room.

--
resistgrandjury@gmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/resistgrandjury/

Solidarity actions for; Paola Gori, Jeff Luers & Sean Kirtley

infoshop News June 22, 2008

Italy, Mexico, Spain & UK

Communiques reported to Bite Back Magazine: 15th - 19th June:

anonymous reports:

30th May - h 21.00 - Mountains of Emilia Region, Italy.

We set on fire a hunting tower placed in a wood populated by boars.

We have destroyed it with two liters of gasoline ignited by a
retardant primer.

- A.L.F. -

Night of 5th June - Emilia Region, Italy.

A small chicken farm was visited again (see the communique of last month).

We have liberated one cock (the only male present) and slashed the
tires of the car of the farmer.

- A.L.F. -

These actions are dedicated to Paola. She is a vegan, animal rights
activist, prisoner in 'Le Sughere' Italian jail.

Please write* and support her.

Also, please support the victims of state repression in Italy and Austria.

Freedom for all!

Liberta 'per tutti!"

received anonymously (translation):

"On the night of June 14 (International day in support of the earth
liberation warrior Jeffrey Luers and all radical environmental
prisoners), the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front
got together and went to the doors of one of the many companies
guilty in the domination, destruction and extermination of the earth
and its living beings.

Various slogans were painted such as 'No More Vivisection,' 'ALF,'
'No HLS,' 'Support Jeffrey,' 'Murderers' and others which attacked
the company Unilever which shares property with DHL (an HLS
supporter). Now as one passed through these modern-day extermination
camps, one can read the slogans of the FLA and FLT on most of its
walls.

Compañero Jeffrey we know about your situation and it gives us great
pleasure to know that soon you'll be out here on the front line
fighting again like you've done before. We hope that those bars and
life in prison leave you with even more strength to continue.

To all those radical environmentalist prisoners, an embrace from Mexico.

For Animal Liberation!

For Earth Liberation!

For Human Liberation!

Direct Action!


FLA & FLT"



excerpt from anonymous report:


"In support of Jeffrey Luers and the struggle for animal liberation


During the early hours of June 14, the locks of every fur shop in the
Bilbao city center were glued, in support of this prisoner and many
others, and in general of the struggle for animal liberation."



reported anonymously:


"Activists in the North West decided to 'pimp' a hunt scums ride.


The car was easy to find as it had both the pro-hunt 'Felix Says'
sticker and a BASC (Shooting) sticker in the rear window. The BASC
sticker sealed the car's fate, the Judge in the Sean Kirtley case was
into shooting and a member of BASC. The car had paint stripper
applied, spray paint over the windows, windscreen wipers wrecked and
one wing mirror smashed. Looked really pretty once we'd finsihed.


If the owner wants compensation then they should write to Judge Ross
and NETCU. It's the criminalisation of legal protest that has caused
this.


ALF"

ENDORSE THE FREE THE CUBAN 5 MONTH!

from: freethecubanfive@hotmail.com June 21, 2008

To organizations and Individuals who believe in the Freedom of the Cuban 5,

In 2006, Ricardo Alarcon, President of the Cuban National Assembly, declared the period of time between September 12-October 8 to be a time to raise awareness around the Cuban 5. Here in NYC The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 extends this time to October 12; in order for it to be a full month of events and to include a commemoration of the assassination of Ernest “Che” Guevara. We refer to this period of time as the “Free the Cuban 5 Month!”

September 12^th is the tenth anniversary of the arrest of the Cuban 5 and the Project wants to create a calendar full of events throughout the city, nationally and internationally! Motivated by the negative and unjust decision of the 11^th Circuit Appeals, the Project feels it is time to double our efforts to educate about the case of the Cuban 5 and to garner more support on their behalf.

The Project would like to organize Cuban 5 events in NYC communities that have not had them before. We want to broaden this movement and build Solidarity for the Cuban 5 in as many communities as possible.

The Project is asking organizations and individuals to organize forums, letter writing nights, film screenings, conversations, or fund-raisers for the Cuban 5. The Project will help by providing speakers, films, literature and promotion!

If you are interested in endorsing the Free the Cuban 5 Month AND ORGANIZING AN EVENT, please email us at freethecuban5@gmail.com

So far this is the Calendar events:

• Sat. September 13-All out to Washington DC! 10^th anniversary of the arrest of the Cuban 5! Demonstration for the Cuban 5! More information will be published soon!
• Friday October 10- 10^th Anniversary Jericho March in NYC for all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War in New York City!! Check the Jericho Website: www.jerichony.org

Initial Endorsers: The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5, The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign, Frente Socialista-Comite de Nueva York

For more information on FREE THE CUBAN 5 MONTH consult The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 website: www.freethecuban5.com

American Hunt Sab convictions upheld

Animal rights activists' convictions upheld

by Jim Lockwood/The Star-Ledger
Friday June 20, 2008, 3:49 PM

The state Appellate Division has upheld municipal convictions against
animal-rights activists who interfered with hunters during New Jersey's
2005 bear hunt.

In a decision released today, the Appellate Division affirmed prior
rulings in Vernon Municipal Court and Superior Court in Newton that the
activists, Angela Metler, Albert Kazemian and Janet Piszar, had harassed
hunters, one of whom was an undercover police officer, by encircling
them and hooting and hollering to keep bears away.

The appeal argued their conduct did not constitute physical interference
with hunting and was free speech; that a defense of entrapment was
improperly barred in municipal court; and that the officer and hunters
should not have been viewed by the court as credible witnesses due to
their pro-hunting views. A three-judge appellate panel affirmed the
convictions.

The incident occurred in Wawayanda State Park in Vernon on Dec. 7, 2005,
when an undercover state park police officer was in the woods with two
hunters. There, they encountered five activists; Metler, Kazemian,
Piszar and Theresa Fritzges, and another unidentified woman who got away.

The activists were found guilty in Vernon Municipal Court in 2006 of
disorderly-persons offenses.

They appealed to Superior Court, where in March 2007 a judge upheld the
convictions but merged various violations and cut fines and penalties in
half: to $1,360 each for Metler and Kazemian, and to $455 each for
Piszar and Fritzges. Metler, who had prior similar offenses, also was
sentenced in Vernon court to 40 days in jail, but that was reduced in
Superior Court to two days in jail and eight days in the Sheriff's Labor
Assistance Program.

Metler, Kazemian and Piszar then appealed to the appellate division,
while Fritzges did not. The appellate ruling upholds the Superior Court
sentences. The defendants or their attorney could not be reached for
comment.

Two Greenpeace activists arrested in Japan

ELP Information Bulletin (20th of June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that the Japanese police have arrested two Greenpeace activists for exposing a
whale meat scandal involving the government-sponsored whaling programme.

The two activists, Junichi Sato, 31, and Toru Suzuki, 41, are being investigated for allegedly stealing a box of whale meat which they presented as evidence.

Learn more information check out:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/activists-arrested-200608

+++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Please write letters of reference for Tre

From:    tre@riseup.net
Date:    Fri, June 20, 2008

A blessed greeting to you all! Thank you for your continued love and
support. It truly makes a difference in my life and gives me strength to
persevere. What is extremely important and needed at this time are letters
reflecting my nature and character which we will submit to the judge. Here
are some guidelines and suggestions of things to include:

    * Address the letter to the Honorable James A. Redden
    * Include who you are, your relation to me, how long you've know me, and
      your occupation and/or standing in the community. Please don't discuss
      any details regarding this case.
    * Include things we've done or shared together and qualities in me
      you've witnessed.
    * Please type or write your letter on stationary or letterhead if
      possible.
    * Please use tree-free or 100% post consumer, processed chlorine-free
      paper if possible.
    * Be sure to sign your letter and send to my lawyer Paul, not the judge,
      so he can submit them all as one document.

Send your letter to:

Paul Loney
3430 S.E. Belmont
Suite 101
Portland, Oregon 97214

Have your letters to Paul by July 15, 2008, please and thank you.

I wish you all a glorious summer solstice.

Namaste,
Tre

Briana Waters Sentenced

author: Olycivlib        e-mail: olycivlib@riseup.net

Ms. Waters was sentenced today in Tacoma, WA.

Briana Waters was sentenced to six years in prison and three years
probation. She did receive the terrorism enhancement. The judge
recommended her to Dublin. Judge denied appeal bond and also the ability
to self surrender.

Judge Burgess commented on the over 250 letters he received on Briana's
behalf. Neil Fox, Ms. Waters' attorney, argued that the average of both
Washington and Oregon cases was one and a half years per arson. Mr. Fox
argued for five years with serving one and half suspending three and a
half. The prosecution argued for ten years.

Briana Waters spoke eloquently today on her behalf. There were a dozen
supporters for Briana Waters in the court room.

Summer Solstice-Energy Circle for Tre Arrow

From:    tre@riseup.net
Date:    Thu, June 19, 2008

We will be gathering at the top of Mt. Tabor to celebrate the Summer Solstice
and to send positive energy to Tre and Mother Earth. Heal yourself, heal the
earth, and heal Tre.

WHAT: Summer Solstice-Energy Circle for Tre

WHEN: June 20th, Friday @ 5:30PM

WHERE: Top of Mt.Tabor

WHY: This has been a really long road for Tre and he could really use our
love, light, and healing energy. Tre is aware this is happening and he will be
receiving the energy at 5:45pm. If you cannot make it to Mt. Tabor, please
still send him positive energy at 5:45pm wherever you are.

Summer officially begins wuth the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 20 at
4:59pm. Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to
stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it
seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in
June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in
December.

The Summer Solstice represent a new beginning. It is time for purification, and renewal of the self. A time to release the sadness, fears, and pains from
your life. It is time to celebrate the joy, warmth, and laughter of summer. A time
for purification and renewed energy. A time to celebrate the fullness of life
and the power of the sun. A time to heal mother earth, heal yourself, and
heal
Tre.

*NAMASTE*

~Blessed Be~

SF 8 Judge halts return of Jalil & Herman for parole hearings

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Wed, June 18, 2008

SF 8 Judge stops return of Jalil & Herman for parole hearings

For now, SF 8 Judge Philip Moscone halted the transfer of Herman Bell
and Jalil Muntaqim to New York for their parole hearings. By throwing
procedural obstacles at the court, prosecutors were able to delay the
transfer arguing that there were no guarantees under the existent
agreement between the Governors of New York and California to effect
a transfer back of both men for the scheduled preliminary hearing in
September.

This vindictive and mean-spirited smoke screen was strongly
challenged by defense attorneys who had previously worked out an
agreement with the prosecutors and which was signed the judge. Strong
arguments were made to guarantee Herman and Jalil's right to "pursue
their liberty interests" and have parole hearings. Both have served
over 30 years in prison as model prisoners. Both were targeted
originally by COINTELPRO as members of the Black Panther Party.

Judge Moscone ruled to stay his original order without prejudice and
will consider signing another order if an amended arrangement can be
agreed to by defense and prosecution attorneys which assures their
timely return. Both Herman and Jalil have signed waivers agreeing to
not contest their expeditious return to California.

New York Attorney Bob Boyle argued in a declaration to the SF Court
that if the men remain in California, "they would be denied their
parole hearing for years." In a subsequent interview, he also said
"The state waited 35 years to bring these spurious criminal charges.
Now these charges are being used to deny these men parole hearings to
which they are entitled. Whatever concerns the government has can be
overcome by a simple modification of the extradition order. All
Herman and Jalil are asking for is an opportunity to attend their hearings."

_______________________________________________
Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable
to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org

Waters gets 6 years for UW firebombing

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER

TACOMA -- The 32-year-old violin teacher convicted of taking part in the firebombing of the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture seven years ago was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison Thursday.

Briana Waters was one of five people accused of setting the devastating May 2001 fire, but the only suspect to go to trial.

She was found guilty in March of two counts of arson. Two others pleaded guilty and testified against her for reduced sentences. Her former boyfriend, Justin Solondz, is a fugitive. And the fourth killed himself in jail.

The attack -- by the radical Earth Liberation Front against a lab that they wrongly believed was conducting genetic engineering experiments -- was part of a six-year rampage that began in 1996 and immolated a Colorado ski resort, science labs, government animal facilities and sport utility vehicles. No one was hurt in the UW fire, but the building and valuable research inside was destroyed. It cost $6.2 million to rebuild.

A key to Thursday's sentencing hearing in Tacoma was whether actions of Waters, who acted as a lookout and provided logistics support to her ELF compatriots, rose to the level of terrorism. U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess found that they did.

Federal prosecutors Andrew Friedman and Mark Bartlett asserted during a 3 1/2-week trial that Waters participated in planning, provided a car to the bombers and allowed Solondz to build firebombs in the garage of the Olympia home she rented.

All these factors, along with the intent of the ELF conspirators to intimidate the government to change its policies and actions, justify adding a "terrorism enhancement" in figuring her sentence, the prosecutors said. Although they could have asked for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, they asked for 10 years.

"Terrorism is the antithesis of America," Bartlett told the court. "It is the polar opposite of how democracy works in a free and open society. Terrorists attempt to impose their elitist views .... As a result, terrorists are treated more harshly by the law, and they should be."

But Waters' attorney, Neil Fox, questioned the government's use of the term "terrorist." And he asked the court to sentence his client to no more than 18 months behind bars.

"The court should be cognizant of the misuse of the term 'terrorism.' The term clearly has been manipulated by those seeking to advance their own political agendas," Fox said in a filing with the court. "It is the scare word of the day, and the consequences of the expansion of the use of the term to brand defendants can lead to grave injustice."

Fox argued that Waters should not be subjected to the terrorism enhancement, which could add decades to her sentence, because the jury had not found her guilty of conspiring with the other four defendants in the case. Waters "was not part of the broader ELF/ALF conspiracy," Fox said in court filings.

And he claimed his client, who continues to maintain her innocence, had no motivation or intent to intimidate anyone in the alleged arson attack. "There is no evidence that she chose the target or that she even knew about or cared about" the botanical research taking place there.

The government scoffed at that contention, while acknowledging that her actions didn't rise to the level of flying a plane into the side of New York City's World Trade Center.

"Although Waters' crime is substantively different from, say, the attacks of September 11, 2001 -- a fact that is recognized in the United States' recommendation of a sentence far below" what could have been asked for, it's clear that it still meets the definition of terrorism, prosecutors said in court filings.

Most of 10 ELF/ALF defendants sentenced recently in Oregon received the terrorism enhancement in sentencing, the government argued.

And prosecutors cited an anonymous ELF communiqué of responsibility issued by the defendants after the firebombing as proof of a terroristic intent to intimidate or retaliate against the government.

"As long as universities continue to pursue this reckless 'science' they run the risk of suffering severe losses. Our message remains clear: We are determined to stop genetic engineering." It was signed "ELF"

"The arson was a terrible crime," prosecutors said. "Waters and her co-conspirators burned a large university building devoted to botanical research and teaching. In doing so, they created a huge fire that easily could have injured or killed either students (who often worked and slept in the building overnight) or responding firefighters."

To drive home the point, prosecutors submitted a statement from a professor identified only as DR.

"Graduate students lost their work and had to postpone job offers and additional educational opportunities. This violent act devastated us and we, as individuals, will never fully recover. They took years away from us and changed how we look at our fellow human beings."

DR began having panic attacks after the firebombing and ultimately moved because her address had been listed in the phone book.

P-I reporter Paul Shukovsky can be reached at 206-448-8072 or paulshukovsky@seattlepi.com.

Violin teacher sentenced to six years in prison for UW arson

Briana Waters, a California woman convicted in March of assisting in the 2001 arson that destroyed the University of Washington's Urban Horticulture Center, was sentenced this morning to six years in prison.

By Mike Carter and Nancy Bartley

Seattle Times staff reporters

Related

• Archive | Woman found guilty of arson in 2001 University of Washington fire
• Archive | UW arson suspect takes stand to deny role in 2001 incident
• Archive | Earth Liberation Front members plead guilty in 2001 firebombing
• Archive | Is ecosabotage terrorism?
• Timeline | Blazes linked to radical environmental groups

TACOMA — Briana Waters, a California woman convicted in March of assisting in the 2001 arson that destroyed the University of Washington's Urban Horticulture Center, was sentenced this morning to six years in prison.

The defense had sought five years with three years suspended.

The government had sought 10 years behind bars.

At the sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Waters' attorney, Neil Fox, asked the judge to look at his client "not as a representative of the Earth Liberation Front, but as a person. Sometimes ... we get anesthetized to the human cost of incarceration."

Fox also argued that Waters is a mother of a 3-year-old and that it would be a hardship to be away from her child.

In his address to the court, Mark Bartlett, first assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle, said Waters' sense of arrogance and entitlement in the case "would almost be comical if it wasn't so serious."

Before the sentence was read, Waters spoke to the court.

"I believe I am a valuable and contributing member of society," she said. "I don't want to be a martyr to any cause. My cause is to take care of my family."

When she spoke of her daughter, she burst into tears.

Federal prosecutors sought the 10-year sentence under a "terrorism enhancement" because they claimed the arson met the legal definition of a violent act "calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion," according to a court filing.

Defense attorney Fox has argued against the terrorism enhancement. He had asked that a five-year mandatory minimum sentence be partially suspended and proposed 18 months in prison for Waters' part in the arson.

Fox noted that his client was not convicted of being part of an Earth Liberation Front conspiracy — a charge that prosecutors sought unsuccessfully to prove, and claimed that the UW arson was not an act of terrorism.

Waters, a violin teacher, maintained her innocence during her Tacoma trial.

She is one of five people alleged to have participated in the UW arson, which prosecutors say caused more than $6 million in damages to the university. She was convicted of two counts of arson, but not of other charges that included the use of a destructive device in a crime of violence, which carried a 30-year mandatory minimum sentence.

This was the first trial for any of the 18 men and women indicted on charges of involvement in the militant Pacific Northwest underground group that between 1996 and 2001 claimed it carried out more than a dozen acts of arson and sabotage against targets deemed a threat to the environment or animals. The attacks caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. Targets included a slaughterhouse, timber-company headquarters and a ski lodge at Vail, Colo.

Twelve other people have reached plea agreements, and, according to court documents, their sentences are expected to range from probation to 13 years in prison.

Those reaching plea agreements included two women — Jennifer Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum — who assisted in the UW arson, and were key witnesses for the prosecution at Waters' trial.

Information from Seattle Times archives is included in this report.

KIRO-TV Reports: Briana Waters Sentenced to Six Years

ELP Information Bulletin (19th of June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just received this breaking news.....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008006678_apwaecoterrortrial1stldwritethru.html

6-year sentence for ecoterror arson at U. of Washington
The woman convicted in an ecoterror attack at the University of Washington has been sentenced to six years in prison.

TACOMA, Wash. -The woman convicted in an ecoterror attack at the University of Washington has been sentenced to six years in prison.

KIRO-TV reports that Briana Waters asked for mercy because she has a 3-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year sentence. Her lawyer asked for no more than a year-and-a-half.

Waters was taken into custody after Thursday's sentencing in federal court in Tacoma. She had been convicted March 6 of arson, and her lawyer is working on an appeal.

The 32-year-old from Berkeley, Calif., was an Evergreen State College student who acted as a lookout in 2001 when others set fire to the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. The Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility because it believed, mistakenly, a researcher was genetically modifying poplar trees.

++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network

BM Box 2407

London

WC1N 3XX

England

www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Word from Eric McDavid Support

ELP Information Bulletin (19th of June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has received the following e-mail from Eric McDavid's support campaign. As everyone is aware, Eric is an American vegan eco-activist who is serving just under 20 years for THINKING about maybe, in the future, carrying out an ELF action.....

From: sacprisonersupport@riseup.net
To:

Dear friends,

Yesterday we finally heard from Eric. He is settling in at Victorville,
and adjusting to his new surroundings. He applied for a job assignment at
the library and is waiting for the paperwork to be processed. In the
meantime, he's playing softball (they put him in left field, which kept
him busy), guitar, and readjusting to the feeling of stepping foot outside
without shackles on. After 2 1/2 years of not feeling the earth and grass
beneath his feet, he is excited to be experiencing these new sensations
(apparently there are also many huge crows in the area, and Eric has been
enjoying their presence as well). He is hopeful that soon he will also
have access to email. The prison seemed prepared for his dietary needs,
and he has been receiving vegan food since his arrival.

For some unknown reason, his commissary account has not followed him to
Victorville (it's possible that this is because all prisoner's commissary
accounts are processed through an office in Des Moines, which is currently
experiencing massive flooding). If you would like to donate to Eric's
commissary account, you can do so through Western Union. For information
on how to deposit funds, visit:

http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/money.jsp#Quick_Collect

You will need Eric's name and registration number (16209-097). Please
read the instructions carefully, as there are a number of specific steps
you need to take when calling or making payments online.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Yours,
SPS

www.supporteric.org

Updates on repression & revolt in Japan

Here are two updates about the situation in Japan, the first is
about the case of Tabi Rounin, and the second is about the wave of
repression against anti-g8 activity and the riots which erupted in
Osaka after a day-worker was brutally beaten. (This riots happened
the same day a preliminary G8 meeting was taking place in Osaka.)

----------------------------------------------

Update from ABC Osaka about anarchist Tabi Rounin

from the ABC:

We Denounce the Arrest of Squatter Activist and Comrade Tabi Rounin!

On the morning of June 5th, the squatter liberation activist Tabi
Rounin was arrested via warrant claiming that he was a member of
the "Black Helmets, a violent ultra-left group" and charged with
"falsifying address registration" (the 'crime' of registering his
driver's license at his parent's house), which led to his residence
being searched three times and 21 items being taken by the police
including his PC, cell phone, work resume, texts related to social
movements and flyers. Tabi was taken to Nara prefecture's Koriyama
police station and slapped with a 10 day extension of custody the
next day. Special detectives in Nara prefecture assigned to the
'ultra-left' and Osaka city public order police came to investigate.

We only feel contempt for the idiocy and greed for budget money
which motivates the public order police in their incessant tailing
and eavesdropping over the past six months.

Their focus was absolutely on the movement against the G8 summit,
foreign guests, Tabi Rounin's relationship with social and
solidarity movements, and of course the naked aim of economically
bankrupting Tabi Rounin, who had a job interview the next day. The
material seized in the search of his apartment verifies all this.

Thanks to all those who supported Tabi, we were able to win his
freedom on June 13th.. Allow us to thank you for your efforts and
support.

However the twists and turns continue here.

Hearing the story of a worker who was brutally beaten in the
investigation room of the Nishinari police department in
Kamagasaki, hundreds of day laborers and squatting/homeless workers
gathered for several days in response to the call of the Kamagasaki
labor union in front of the Nishinari police station and begun an
autonomous, physical struggle with many arrests in the late nights
after the labor unions leave.

One of our number who went to visit an arrestee in jail was stopped
by police and questioned, leading to our Free Worker offices here
in Osaka to be watched by public order police. Just yesterday, June
18th, our offices were searched in relation to another G8 arrestee
although no items were taken. We are preparing for second and third
waves of repression against our members.

Please keep a focus on the events here as they transpire.

June 17th, 2008

Anarchist Black Cross
Osaka-shi Kita-ku Nakazakicho 3-3-1-401
Jiyuu Roudousha Rengou Tsuke
Post office bank account (Yuubin Furikae Kouza) 00200-5-38572
Name (Meigi) S-16 Kokushoku Kyuuenkai
Mail : abc-j@sanpal.co.jp

---------------------------

In the Shadow of G8: Repression and Revolt in Japan

Over the past week and a half, an unprecedented political crackdown
has been enacted in advance of a series of economic summits around
the country. Despite this, the brave workers of Kamagasaki stood up
against the stiff security environment in riots against the brutal
beating of a day laborer over the past five days. The twin
situations of repression and revolt deserve to be examined in more
detail.

Repression

In the run-up to the series of summits, over 40 people were
arrested in pre-emptive sweeps of broad left and anarchist groups.

On May 29th, 38 people were arrested at Hosei University in Tokyo
at a political assembly against the G8. These large-scale arrests
were carried out by over 100 public security agents after the
students staged after a march across campus protesting the
summits.1 All of the arrestees are still jailed, and among them are
apparently some leadership of the Chuukaku-ha Leninist
organization, one of the largest organizations of its kind in Japan.

On June 4th, Tabi Rounin, an active anarchist from the Kansai
region, was arrested on accusation of having his address registered
at a location other than where he was living. When arrested, his
computer, cell phone, political flyers and more was taken from him;
these items were used when detectives interrogated him, asking him
about his relationship to internationals possibly arriving for the
G8, as well as his activity around Osaka. He would be the first
obviously political arrest masked as routine police work.

On June 12th, an activist from the Kamagasaki Patrol (an Osaka
squatter and anti-capitalist group), was arrested for allegedly
defrauding lifestyle assistance payments. This person has been
constantly followed by plainclothes police and even helicopters
during demonstrations. Clearly, his arrest was planned with the
idea of keeping him away from the major anti-summit mobilizations
and he will be held without bail for the maximum of 23 until the
summit is over. The office of an anarchist organization called the
Free Worker was raided in order to look for 'evidence' in this
comrade's case.

The same day the Rakunan union in Kyoto was raided, with police
officers searching their offices and arresting two of their members
on suspicion of fraudulent unemployment insurance receipt. One of
these two arrested are accused of funneling money received from
unemployment insurance to the Asian Wide Campaign, which was
organizing against the economic summits. In the meantime, Osaka
city mobilized thousands of police with the pretext of preventing
terrorism against the summit, setting up inspection points and
monitoring all around the city. But the strengthened state high on
its own power inevitably deployed it in violence, and turned the
day laborers of southern Osaka against it in riot.

Revolt

Kamagasaki is a traditionally day laborer neighborhood that has
experienced over thirty riots since the early 1960s. The last riot
in Kamagasaki was sparked in 1990 by police brutality and the
exposure of connections between the police and Yakuza gangs.

The causes this time were not much different. A man was arrested in
a shopping arcade near Kamagasaki and taken to the Nishinari police
station where he was punched repeatedly in the face by four
detectives one after another. Then he was kicked and hung upside
down by rope to be beaten some more.

He was released the next day and went to show his friends the
wounds from the beatings and the rope. This brought over 200
workers to surround the police station and demand that the police
chief come out and apologize. Later people also started demanding
that the four detectives be fired. Met with steel shields and a
barricaded police station, the crowd began to riot, throwing stones
and bottles into the police station. Scraps with the riot police
resulted in some of their shields and equipment being temporarily
seized. The riot stopped around midnight with the riot police being
backed into the police station. The next day they brought over 35
police buses and riot vehicles into the Naniwa police station with
the intention of using these against the rioters.

During the riot, the police surveilled rioters from the top of the
police station, from plainclothes positions and from a helicopter.
Riot police with steel shields were deployed all around the
neighborhood in strategic places to charge in when the action
kicked off. The workers organizations which by the second day were
maintaining the protest had chosen a good time to do so because the
police department proved unwilling to unleash the direct, brutal
charges seen in the 1990 riot due to the international spotlight
focused on them. On Saturday a police infiltrator was found in the
crowd, pushed up against a fence and smashed in the head with a
metal bar.

The riot has lasted since the 13th and every night there is a
resumption of hostility between the day laborers and the cops.
Workers so far refuse anything less than the fulfillment of their
demands in light of the police brutality incident. Despite the call
from more 'moderate' NGOs to 'stop the violence' there has been no
let-up in hostility towards the police, although the real level of
violent confrontation is not as strong as the weekend of the 13th-
15th. The riot has been characterized by the participation of young
people as well as the older day laborers in confrontation with the
police. As the guarantors of everyday exploitation under capitalism
who have to assertively maintain the constant dispossession of the
urban working class, the police have many enemies. This they are
finding out every night.

Over the past couple of days there have been points where more than
500 people have gathered and rioted around the neighborhood. Police
have responded mainly by defending the Nishinari police station,
their home base, while getting back up from the local Naniwa police
station, which has a riot countermeasure practicing lot, and holds
tens of anti-riot vehicles. Despite this mighty arsenal, the police
were perhaps surprised when they deployed their tear gas cannon on
the first day only to be met with cries of joy and laughter. The
use of force no longer has any spell of intimidation, it is simply
expected.

Still, the combined brutality of the police and their riot vehicles
has netted over 40 arrests (including of many young people), many
injuries and even blinded one worker with a direct shot of tear gas
water to his right eye.

The struggle here is inevitably limited by the particular
situations of day laborers, who are dispatched to their job sites
and have no direct access to the means of production that standard
wage workers would. This prevents them from for instance calling
political strikes against police brutality, and hitting powerful
interests in the city where they really hurt. As workers deprived
of these means to struggle, the day laborers will always have the
riot as a method not only of collective defense but for also
forcing concessions from the city in the form of expanding welfare
access, creating jobs, backing off of eviction campaigns etc. While
these are more or less important gains strictly in terms of
survival, it is important to explore the possibilities of spreading
the antagonism of the Kamagasaki workers to the larger population
of exploited people in order to imagine doing away with this power
structure once and for all.

It is unclear exactly where the situation is headed, but we can
know for sure that the real repression in Kamagasaki will arrive
after the summits have ended and the focus is off of the Japanese
government. Then we will see the raids, the arrests and the
scapegoating of particular individuals for the righteous outburst
of class violence that these riots are. Instead of quietly
accepting their fates as people to be trampled upon, the
participants have directly attacked the wardens of wage labor who
guarantee the violence of everyday slum life.

Overall, the ongoing repression against those involved in
organizing against the G8 summit as well as Kamagasaki should not
convince anyone that the ruling class here is once again afraid of
the working class. In repressing certain left groups organizing
against the economic summits, the Japanese government is more
interested in preventing a movement from emerging that starts to
question capital at the macro level, than actually attacking an
existing one. On the other hand in Kamagasaki, the state tries to
deny the possibility of antagonism in a major metropole and the
visibility of this revolt, for fear of it spreading. This is why
most news reports have blacked out the ongoing riots in Kamagasaki.
The concreteness and universality of the Kamagasaki revolt truly
threatens to expand beyond the borders of police violence. Visitors
to Kamagasaki from near and far have over the past five days
participated and found their own struggle in riots fought by total
strangers. The ruling class fears and knows that it cannot control
this horizontal sympathy and the real practice of revolt that
accompanies it.

Prisoner threatened with lynching, PADOC ignores white supremacist hate crime

From:    "FedUp!" <hrcfedup@gmail.com>
Date:    Tue, June 17, 2008

*Distribute this far and wide and take action please*

On January 10, 2007 at SCI Fayette, *Correctional Officers
Friend *and *Collings* came to the cell door of Michael
Edwards #CM8086 in an effort to intimidate the prisoner into
dropping a lawsuit.  When Mr. Edwards refused *C/O Friend*
*pulled three photographs of lynched black people from his
pocket and threw them in the prisoner's cell.*  This took
place in the presence of *Sgt. Ruvo*.

HRC/Fed Up! has copies of these photographs in our possession.  *And so do
you if you open the attached file.  *We also have documented proof that this
incident has been brought to the attention of the highest ranking officials
in the PA DOC, including Secretary of Corrections Jeffrey Beard.

On May 28, 2008 * Lt. Lesure* threatened Michael Edwards with transfer
unless he signed a two-page affidavit dropping the prisoner's grievances
against *C/Os Friend and Collings*, along with related grievances.  After
his cell was searched twice in twenty minutes and property—including legal
documents—were confiscated, Mr. Edwards still refused to sign the affidavit
and was promptly placed on a van to SCI Camp Hill without a prior 802
hearing.  **

On route to SCI Camp Hill *C/O Collings #2* (twin brother of the former)
stated to the prisoner, "Last chance.  You see how easy it would be to kill
you?  Drop the complaints."

Upon arrival at Camp Hill *mental health staff member Edward
Kalsky*threatened Edwards with indefinite SMU confinement unless he
signed and
dated aforementioned affidavit.

On May 29 Mr. Edwards appeared before the PRC, and *unit manager C. Chambers
* was handed a two-page affidavit from *Dept. Supt. Kazor*, who *both
claimed that the document was authorized by "Central Office."*  The prisoner
was told that if he signed and dated the affidavit he would be transferred
to any prison of his choosing and placed in general population.  Mr. Edwards
refused to sign.

Currently, the prisoner still is housed in the SMU without his personal
property, access to cleaning supplies, paperwork, and law library; without
control over his cell lighting, which is on 24 hours a day, and he has been
denied yard.  On May 29 *Sgt. Houser* also pressured Mr. Edwards to sign the
affidavit, and between 5/28/08 and 6/11/08 *Edward Kalsky* and *counselor
Phil Baker* have attempted to do the same.

*Hands off Michael Edwards!***

Michael Edwards continues to live under the threat of murder by white
supremacist prison personnel.  *Do not let this happen!*

*Contact SCI Camp Hill (717-737-4531),* ask for the Superintendent or Deputy
Superintendent's office, and demand *hands off Michael Edwards!*  Let the
prison know that we will not tolerate any harm being visited upon Mr.
Edwards, and that Deputy Superintendent Kazor and Superintendent Pavlovich
are personally responsible for the safety and health of Mr. Edwards and all
prisoners in their custody.

*No more hate crimes!  Fire all known white supremacists in the PA DOC!** *

This incident runs deeper than Michael Edwards and cuts to the very core of
how the prison-industrial complex serves to enforce a white supremacist
power structure.  Let's make a move together and target prison guards who
engage in overt white supremacist terrorism for immediate termination of
their employment.

*Contact SCI Fayette (724-364-2200)* and demand that *C/O Collings #1
& #2*along with
*C/O Friend* be fired immediately for the incident of January 10, 2007.

*Why does Jeffy look the other way?  Is his money that good?*

* *
*Contact Secretary Beard (call **717-737-4531** and ask to be connected to
Sec. Beard's office) *and ask why he has refused to acknowledge this
incident, fire the personnel involved, and open an investigation into
racist/white supremacist abuse inside PA prisons.  *Refusal to meet these
modest and just demands will be understood as proof that Secretary Jeffrey
Beard supports the sowing of racial terror inside the PA **DOC*.

*Stay in touch with one another . . .*

Please let others know about this incident, when you called and how that
went, and encourage others to do so.  Also, it is important that everybody
who can drop a line or two of support to Michael Edwards at the following
address:


Michael Edwards #CM8086

SCI Camp Hill

P.O. Box 200

Camp Hill, PA 170001-0200

--
Human Rights Coalition - FedUp! Chapter
5125 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-361-3022 xt.4 hrcfedup@gmail.com
www.thomasmertoncenter.org/fedup/

New Dispatch from Andy Stepanian

Tue, June 17, 2008

[Forward Widely]

Dear Friends,

In my daily routine I take notice to when my feet
touch terrain other than pavement.  I've become
accustomed to pavement as I walk on it everyday
circling within the prison's walls sweeping up trash
and listening to my radio.  There is much to be said
about institutionalization; about how it can bring out
the worst in people, or radically exemplify how we as
humans are creatures of habit.  Anytime something is
out of the ordinary routine it becomes more pronounced
due to confinement.  Things that when observed outside
of prison would seem quite ordinary take on
extraordinary wealth when they appear.  Feeling my
feet touch grass, even with the insulation of
sneakers, becomes profound when I spend most of my
time in a sea of pavement, razor wires, and steel
bars.  I've become hyper-sensitized not only to the
feel, but the noise of sneakers sliding against grass,
the colors and types of grass, and things suspended
amidst the blades.  I have developed a keen eye for
candy wrappers in the grass, even the clear ones( a
skill worthless in itself); but in developing that
keen eye i can't help notice the small wonders below
my feet; lady bugs, lavender buds, or windblown
evidence of an outside world.  if you ever read any
writings of mine from within prison you may find a
reoccurring theme of how wondrous our world is, how
confinement and deprivation of experience has made me
grow fonder of life, more ready to go out and fight
for it, and want to experience the most of it.  Until
now i have only given you words, today i hope to give
you more.

These are leaves that have blown over the prison walls
and onto the sidewalks and grass beneath my feet.
Like other breaks from prison normalcy these leaves
that blew over the tops of the walls and past the
razor wire from the forest at the compounds edge swell
  with extraordinary worth.  Imagine that prison is a
sensory deprivation environment; a quarantine of sorts
where those who are deemed socially ill are removed
from society and denied movement, enrichment, and
experience.  If life is to be seen as nothing more
than a series of experiences, then some may argue that
prison can be a removal from the living.  Jack Abbot
once said, "[prison] is like death because it denies
you experience."  If this statement is true then I can
only relate to it in the sense that my removal from
life has allowed me to look at it like a spectator
looks at a painting, artwork, or better yet like mass
theater: a participatory art to which we all play a
role.  I picked one of these leaves up in my hand and
looked at it closely.  Each vein, each stipple, each
stem, each dot where stomata once exchanged oxygen for
carbon dioxide; there were only so many things I could
see with my eyes, but countless more I could see in
"my mind's eye."  Feelings, unanswered mysteries, and
brilliance are wrapped up in a brittle little piece of
Carolina Beech foliage.

The brilliance that something so delicate, so often
seen as infinitesimal (if seen at all) could play the
essential role of breathing life into a tree that
stands tall and strong, of acting as an interface
between the tree and the sun digesting it's complex
radiation, and coupling it with lucid carbon and water
to make sugars and energy for the tree to grow, for
fruit to swell and fall to the ground or into
children's hands, or for the sap that a young grrl
pours on her pancakes as she laughs with her parents
over breakfast conversation.  What could have been
crushed under the feet of the next passer-by instead
wiggled in the breeze while resting in my hands.  It
was a a promissory note that miracles happen.
"Kites", as prisoners call them, are notes that make
it out of segregation to the prisons general populous
or pass from one institution to another.  This leaf
was a kite flown in from life to the land of the dead,
it read:

I am a small miracle.
I made a tree that people climbed,
Where a raccoon took nest,
Where birds perched on limbs sang out countless
Symphonies.
I am a small miracle.
What are you?

I held the leaf with the tenderness of a parent first
holding their newborn child.  I wondered if  I had
ever "met" a miracle before.  How many times have I
heard these words, "we can get (such and such) done,
but it's gonna take a small miracle"?  Well here was
the small miracle ready to be cashed in, in exchange
for success in another project long since abandoned
and viewed as hopeless...

Ask yourself, do I believe in miracles?  Then bend
your hand back and see the silhouette of the veins
running under the skin of your wrists.  You are a
woven series of structures and chemicals, automated,
living, and interactive.  You are art, perhaps the
most beautiful painting ever made.  Our societies are
like theater, a participatory art to which we each are
involved; each individually beautiful woven chemical
portrait singing a chorus like a family of birds on
the branch of a beech tree.  You are a miracle.  You
wield incredible power to build and heal, to breathe
life, like leaves, into starving structures.  Your
letters to me are like those leaves blown over the
prison walls the way they put hope in my hands.  They
are silhouettes in ink and loose leaf of your
miraculous selves.

Where my present life is a sea of asphalt, razor
wires, and electric fencing robbing me of my senses,
your life is inundated by a neon billboard wonderland
constantly distracting your senses with messages like;
"you are not thin enough", "note rich enough",
"nothing without this product", "anything but a
miracle"...  Liberation of self happens when one
shakes loose of those distractions, to see that you
are beautiful if your own shape, money does not make
you rich, commodities don't define you, and that
without rebut you are a miracle.  When you look at
yourself as a miracle, miracles begin to happen around
you.  The projects you once set aside for the
eventuality of one day encountering a small miracle
become reality.  I say this because at some point in
my life I set out to do what some would consider
impossible.  The SHAC-USA case showed us that
corporate America was devastated by the notion that a
handful of bright eyes people could use the same
constitutionally protected resources awarded to all of
us and derail their agendas.  They viewed it as
impossible and were shocked when it happened.  Many of
SHAC's supporters thought it impossible, or at best
would require a small miracle, but miracles do happen.
  For a mink pleading for someone to lift up the
opening to his fur farm cage, for an egg laying hen in
a battery farm, for a Beagle in a vivisection lab
sitting in her own congealed blood and vomit, the
person who opens the cage and introduces them to
freedom is a living, breathing, walking miracle.

As I reflect from prison I realize that this was just
the tip of the iceberg.  Inspiration is contagious.
So as I sit and write and press leaves on paper I make
attempts to re-route this process, to breathe life
back out past these walls and into your hands, to show
you *I'm not dead...I don't even have the wind knocked
out of me*, to fly a kite of my own...  Let it read: I
believe in miracles, because I see one in you.  There
is no mountain too high or valley too low.  There is
nothing that you cannot do.

Love and Liberation,

Andy

Write to Andy at:

Andrew Lloyd Stepanian #26399-050
FCI Butner Medium II
PO Box 1500
Butner, NC 27509

Calling for Bashir Hameed

Subject: [abc-friends] Calling for Bashir Hameed
Date:    Tue, June 17, 2008

Thanks to everybody who called the Governor's office for POW Bashir
Hameed today! We're told a staffer said she received "quite a few
calls"!

If you forgot to call, or even if you remembered, KEEP CALLING.
There's no reason to quit until Hameed's family and core supporters
let us know that he has received adequate medical care or that he has
been transferred back to Sullivan!

For Freedom,
NYC ABCF

——————————

May 20, 2008/ From Iyaluua Ferguson:

Bashir Hameed (York) 82A6313 called Sunday very concerned about the fact
that the administration at the prison he is now in [Great Meadow
Correctional Facility] is continuing its policy of ignoring his health
needs, despite the support you have demonstrated in this matter.
Obviously
the authorities mean to exterminate Bashir through neglect if we
allow it.

We cannot allow this to happen! We have to increase our support by our
letters and phone calls. Bashir is asking us to write and call Governor
Paterson to give orders to his Corrections Commissioner Brian Fischer to
transfer Bashir to Sullivan Corectional Facility immediately, where
he was
before and where his health and medical problems were handled much more
humanely and professionally by the medical staff.

We are looking now to the Governor to save our brother. If anything
happens to Bashir, the blame will rest in the Governor's hands.

David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

518-474-8390

Ominous ruling by Nebraska Supreme Court against Black Panther in COINTELPRO case

June 15, 2008 Opednews

by Michael Richardson   

Ed Poindexter

The Nebraska Supreme Court denied a pro se parole
bid by Ed Poindexter in a decision many expected
was a foregone conclusion.  However, in denying a
request for parole eligibility the state high
court signaled the difficulty Poindexter faces
later this year when his request for a new trial
is argued by Lincoln attorney Robert Bartle.

Poindexter was convicted in 1971 for the bombing
murder of an Omaha policeman, Larry Minard, in a
controversial trial marred by conflicting police
testimony, withheld evidence, and tainted
assistance by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.  Poindexter and co-defendant Mondo
we Langa (formerly David Rice) both deny any
involvement in the crime and were both targets of
FBI director J. Edgar Hoover under the infamous
Operation COINTELPRO which targeted the Black
Panthers for "no holds barred" treatment.

Poindexter's request for a new trial comes after
sophisticated vocal analysis by voice analyst Tom
Owen in 2006 revealed that the confessed bomber,
15 year-old Duane Peak, did not make the
emergency call that lured Minard to his
death.  Peak implicated Poindexter and Mondo we
Langa making his credibility critical…and leaving an unknown caller at large.

Retired Omaha detective Robert Pheffer also
contradicted his own trial testimony about
finding dynamite that was allegedly used in the
fatal bomb in a dramatic and emotion-charged
hearing in Douglas County District Court last year before Judge Russell
Bowie.

At the time of the trial Omaha was gripped by
racial tension.  Former Nebraska governor Frank
Morrison was Poindexter's court-appointed public
defender.  Morrison described Omaha in a 2003 deposition.

"There was tremendous racial feeling.  North
Omaha was one of the hottest spots in the whole
United States for racial violence.  In fact, when
in 1966 we had to call out the National Guard,
they set fire to North Omaha and we had to bring
in the National Guard and take over to preserve
order.  There was terrible racial feeling….I
don't have words to describe it, but there was
terrible discrimination and hatred of African-Americans, terrible."

The "terrible racial feeling" Morrison described
was fueled in part by COINTELPRO dirty tricks
initiated by the FBI to disrupt the Black
Panthers.  Both Ed Pointdexter and Mondo we Langa
had been secret targets of Hoover's clandestine
operation but the compromised role of the FBI was
unknown by Omaha police who were assisted by the
federal agents in the search for Minard's killers
and unknown by jurors who convicted Poindexter
unaware of Hoover's secret directives against the Black Panthers.

The FBI, in cooperation with Omaha Assistant
Chief of Police Glenn Gates, kept the recording
of the emergency call from defense attorneys
while the jurors who decided the fate of the two
Black Panther leaders never heard the voice of
the anonymous caller. A secret COINTELPRO memo
obtained after the 1971 trial under the Freedom
of Information Act revealed that release of the
emergency tape recording would be "prejudicial to
the police murder trial" case against Poindexter and Langa.

The jurors also never knew that Peak, the
confessed bomber, brokered a deal where he served
33 months of juvenile detention and then walked
free in exchange for his testimony against
Poindexter and Langa.  Nor did the jurors know
that Raleigh House, the supplier of the dynamite,
would never be formally charged and only spent
one night in jail before being released on his
own signature because the police wanted to claim
Langa supplied the dynamite.  In fact, Omaha
Police Captain Murdock Platner did indeed make
such a claim in sworn testimony to a
Congressional committee contradicting actual
trial testimony about the dynamite.

Details about the compromised FBI role in the
case did not come until years after the trial and
only judges, not jurors, have since been told
about the withheld evidence, conflicting and
contradictory police testimony, about the deal
with Peak, and about the voice analysis that
contradicts the story of the state's chief
murderous witness against Poindexter.

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that
Poindexter's bid for parole must fail because the
Board of Pardons has not commuted his life
sentence to a term of years thus depriving the
Board of Parole the ability to grant a parole
request.  In responding to Poindexter's arguments
that numerous other prisoners serving life
sentences have been released on parole after
serving less time than he has the court said that
a commutation of sentence was a "discretionary
state privilege" and that even if "granted
generously in the past" Poindexter had no legal
entitlement to similar consideration.

While the expected ruling against parole for
Poindexter does not presage the outcome of his
pending new trial request some of the language in
the decision does suggest that attorney Robert
Bartle will have his work cut out for him during
oral arguments scheduled for this fall.

In the ten-page decision there were three
references to the underlying crime, the murder of
Larry Minard.  In the opening summary of the
decision the Nebraska Supreme Court properly
noted, "In 1971, a jury convicted Edward Poindexter of first degree murder."

However, two later references were less neutral
and potentially betray a bias of the court to the
prosecution case.  The court discussed sentencing
statutes, "in 1970 when Poindexter committed his
offense."  In the conclusion of the decision the
court repeated the bias and used the statement
"when Poindexter committed his crime" to describe the killing of Minard.

Nebraska newspapers, which have not reported on
the COINTELPRO manipulation of the case against
Poindexter, brandished headlines about Cop-Killer
Poindexter Denied Parole following the language of the court decision.

Meanwhile, Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa
remain imprisoned at the maximum security
Nebraska State Penitentiary serving life
sentences while three of Minard's killers, Duane
Peak, the confessed bomber; Raleigh House, the
supplier of the dynamite; and the unknown emergency line caller walk free.

Last week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, federal
Magistrate Christine Nolan recommended that Black
Panther Albert Woodfox, serving a life sentence
at Angola State Prison, should be granted a new
trial.  U.S. District Judge James Brady has yet
to rule on Nolan's recommendation.  The new trial
recommendation followed a state court denial of a
new trial request last month for co-defendant
Herman Wallace.  Wallace and Woodfox were held in
solitary confinement for 36 years and only
recently have been moved to regular maximum
security cells.  The two men, leaders in a prison
chapter of the Black Panthers, were convicted for
the murder of a prison guard during a riot at the
prison in 1972 on the testimony of another
prisoner released in exchange for testimony against the Panthers.

In Nebraska, a decision on Poindexter's request
for a new trial is expected later this year.

  Permission granted to reprint

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

Hearing on Jalil and Herman still scheduled for Wed, June 18, 9:30

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Mon, June 16, 2008

On May 22, 2008, Judge Philip Moscone signed an order allowing Herman
Bell and Jalil Muntaqim to return to New York state for their parole
hearings. They will be transported by federal marshals. All parties
agreed that the move would be temporary. Herman and Jalil waived
their rights to fight extradition back to California. They are
expected to be back in San Francisco for the beginning of the
Preliminary Hearing in the San Francisco 8 case, currently scheduled
for September 8.

HOWEVER, THE PROSECUTION IS NOW CHALLENGING THIS AGREEMENT

Arguments will be heard in court on Wednesday, June 18 at 9:30 am
850 Bryant Street, San Francisco

Meanwhile, the first of several conditional examinations of
prosecution witnesses has been postponed. The witness scheduled was
Gus Coreris who is a former SF homicide inspector and was one of the
first people at the scene at the Ingleside police station in 1971. It
is expected that the postponement is until the latter part of August
when 4 other witnesses will also take the stand.
_______________________________________________
Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable
to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org

Letter from Paola Gori (Il Silvestre prisoner)

ELP Information Bulletin (17th of June 2008)

Dear friends

The following letter from Il Silvestre prisoner, Paola Gori, has been published on Indymedia. ELP thought people might be interested in this letter.

Please note: Paola can read English as well as Italian, so please send her a letter of support today.

> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401070.html

Letter from Paola Gori in prison, Italian Eco-Anarchist

They have not let at least a month pass from the last acquittal... and a
new process, the same arguments, the same references, the same attempt
is already ready to paralyze. Stupid guards continue spying and
listening on me. What a pity they do not have a breadcrumb of brain..
because if they had it, by force of listening they would understand, by
the minimum to at least realize they are servants of a system in which
they themselves are meat to the slaughter house. But probably if a
servant is born, he remains a servant and although it seems stupid it is
made voluntarily if it is created to have a little power.

In any case if one tries not to be a passive spectator of a devastated
world but actor of a radical change the repression is not a surprise,
but something that sooner or later arrives. At the moment the conflict
exists and is concrete, it is in our hand to be next to those rebels in
front of the authentic enemy of everyone and each of us, the State,
_expression of Capital, the devastation, the exploitation... in a word,
dominion.

What I am living now and that other comrades have lived and are living,
it is an attack on our struggle and ourselves, and that is why it must
be a stimulus to intensify the fight.

The tortures inflicted to millions of animals are not acceptable,
prisoners in deposits, slaughter houses and laboratories, the continuous
and incessant domestication of Nature and the Earth is not acceptable,
it is not acceptable the exploitation of the towns, neither the security
measures of Capital, nor bombs against defenseless populations. It is
necessary to act and not to pause.

Until the total liberation

For the anti-speciesism.

Paola

Prison of Livorno (Italia) 2/06/2008

Paola Gori
Via delle Macchie 9
57124 Livorno
Italy


+++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Forum addresses police training in New York

Families who have called New York City police for help during a psychiatric crisis say the 14 hours worth of training is not enough training to handle the complex emergency. Last week's release of a report from New York State with recommendations for treatment and diversion programs was heralded by advocates. Since 1988, when the police in Memphis, Tenn., designed what is now considered a model program in crisis intervention, cities nationwide have implemented similar programs. Often they work with family advocates, mental health professionals, and people with a mental illness who have been through the system. Too often cities do not respond until after a crisis, usually the death of a mentally ill suspect.

While crisis intervention teams share similar goals, unique programs have emerged to address issues specific to local communities and to train personnel. In Oklahoma City, according to information posted on the CIT webpage, conducts annual trainings to maintain a staff of at least 100 at any time. In Los Angeles, 20 percent of the force is trained. Houston boasts that it is the largest force in the nation with "829 CIT officers in patrol and 260 CIT trained officers in non-patrol assignments." Starting in 2007, all cadets received 40 hours of training, up from the previous 16, and about one-quarter of the force will be trained. New York State recently issued a report

In New York City, Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) brought together relatives and experts in the prisons and courts on June 4 to discuss diverting people with a mental illness into treatment rather than jail. On the panel at the RIPPD conference were:

Panelist Maria Angelina Ortiz addresses an audience at the open forum to discus pre-booking jail diversion programs in New York City, sponsored by RIPPD, June 4, 2008.

Ortiz, a parent, discusses a first-time experience calling 911 when her son had a psychiatric emergency needing hospitalization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOWqYe3ouY

Award winning journalist Mary Beth Pfeiffer described writing stories about the intersection of people with mental illness with the police for the Poughkeepsie Journal. She recounted one of them, about young person whose life changed four days after her 16th birthday when the law required the police treat her as an adult rather than a child despite the illness all knew she had. Her story is repeated in her book, Crazy in America: The Hidden Tragedy of our Criminalized Mentally Ill."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=471VA1xP-os

The death of her brother David following a call to police propelled Jean Griffin to become an advocate for training police in techniques for helping, and subduing when necessary, people with a psychiatric illness. She discussed her responses to learning from an autopsy report showing 18 taser burns with nine broken facial bones. The police who responded to the 911-call were neighbors, friends, and classmates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4XN6Q5xb60

Marquez Claxton, a retired detective from the New York City Police Department, describes the need to train officers to work with people who have a mental illness. Currently, Claxton says, they are brushed with the label, "EDPs," which stands for "emotionally disturbed persons" They are trained to believe these will be the most dangerous calls they will have, anticipating they will be hurt or killed. Claxton is a member of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6lRxEpZ4fI

Don Kamin, Ph.D., spoke at the New York City forum, Implementing Pre-Booking Jail Diversion Programs (sponsored by RIPPD), drawing on 20 years of experience including research indicating less violence, fewer arrests, reduced stigma, and partnerships in communities as a result of police diversion programs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exlpiBfrVkE

Panelist Terence McCormick, MSW, founder of CARES, addressed an open forum about pre-booking police diversion in New York City sponsored by RIPPD on June 4, 2008. McCormick now provides technical assistance for training officials in diversion strategies. He formerly directed founded Community Forensic Services for the New York State Office of Mental Health.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-zl9Sn5jME


--
Carlos Sabater
RIPPD Member

6/20-Support the FMPR Dance in Harlem

UTUADO 17 - FMPR Dance!

Friday, June 20, 2008 - 7pm

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

521 w 126 St.

#1 Train to 125 Street

Between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave. Manhattan

$10 Donation, Includes Dinner

No One Turned Away For Lack of Funds

Salsa/Reguetón/Merengue/R&B With DJ Carlito

Raffle/Cash Bar/Auction/Crafts & More!

Info: (718) 601-4901 (646) 750-2704 (718) 601-4751

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO UTUADO 17 CAMPAIGN

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2kxcd/fmprsupportcommitteenewyork/id8.html

http://www.fmprlucha.org/

Message from Martin Balluch - Austrian prisoner

---

ELP Information Bulletin (15th of June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has been sent a copy of the following open letter, to the international animal rights movement, from Dr Martin Balluch. Martin is one of the Austrian animal rights prisoners who have been wrongfully arrested and accused of crimes they have not committed.

Please circulate & reproduce this open letter.

+++++++

My message to the international animal rights movement

On Wednesday 21^st May, my life was to change drastically. We had prepared a new campaign on a constitutional change for animals, which would have gone for a vote in Parliament at the beginning of July. The campaign was to be launched the very next day. For this campaign we had managed to unify just about the whole movement in Austria to pull on the same string. As many of you, who know me, will have expected, this is one of my primary aims, to unify the movement for double strength.

But the campaign was not to be. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, police launched the most violent attack ever in Austrian history against a social justice movement and against NGOs. Hundreds of armed police officers smashed in the doors of 21 different homes, of 6 different NGO offices and of our warehouse of demo material. 25 people were arrested and questioned by police. 10 people were put on remand since, one of them me.

In order to “catch” me, police not only broke into my home, but also in the home of two of my brothers and my girlfriend’s.

Black clad, masked up officers stormed through the broken down door and run, guns drawn, to our beds. They pointed their guns at my head and pulled me out of my bed naked. My brother was pushed onto the wall and had the gun put into his neck.

One of the 10 people police intended to put on remand was not at home. So they phoned him, and guess what? Trustingly, he went to the police station suspecting nothing evil. Till today, 19 days later, he is still rotting in a cell, not knowing why. Incidentally, he is campaigns director of the well known animal welfare group “Four Paws”, which has offices in 6 different countries.

After police had arrested us, they searched all our homes, including those of my brothers, who are not involved in the animal rights movement. Police mainly took computers, but also brochures, books, videos and mobile phones.

You would be forgiven to think that this massive police operation was the state reaction to a high level of animal rights related criminal activity. But instead, fact is that ALF activity in Austria is on a much much smaller scale than in all other countries with a big animal rights movement.

You would also be forgiven to think that police must have had information that dangerous ALF-attacks were about to happen, or that they would discover firebombs or terrorist material. But again, you could not be more wrong. They had no such information, they did not even look for such material. They were only interested in computers, books and videos, i.e. in stuff that says something about the attitude of those people they had arrested. This is what this case is about: the attitude of people, no specific crimes.

If the police had any evidence against any of the arrestees regarding crimes they supposedly here committed, they would have said so by now. But the arrest order says something else. We all were arrested for “forming a large criminal organisation with a hierarchical structure like a company”. And the crimes this organisation under the name ALF supposedly has committed, is EVERY SINGLE animal rights related crime that ever happened in Austria! This sounds like a joke, but it is not. Every single animal rights related crime ever, every lock glued, every tyre punctured, every window broken and so forth, but also – believe it or not – every run-in, every home demo and every undercover investigation without criminal aspect, to every topic imaginable, from vivisection to fur, factory farming, circus, the lot, is supposed to have been done by our criminal organisation.

You would expect that if police and the State Prosecution suspect you of such heinous crimes, they would come to you after your arrest and question you. But wrong again. Ever since I have been put on remand in a cell, I have never been asked by anyone any question related to this case. My solicitor has demanded to see the police evidence, and so for we have seen some 2500 pages. And in all those pages, some animal rights related crimes of the last 2 years are forensically analysed, even a bite lock that was put on a door was investigated for DNA traces. And no evidence against any of the 10 arrestees was found. Also, police has listened to our phones, had us under surveillance, put cameras pointing at our front doors, have put V-men into our groups and have read all our emails. For 2 years! And still, they have found no evidence. So they started the huge police operation, desperate for something to use to charge us of anything, and be it tax fraud.

My arrest and remand is “justified” as follows. There is some albeit comparatively little, animal rights related criminal activity. Hence, there must be a big, hierarchical organisation run like a company, which is responsible for it. Further, since I have been active in the movement for decades, since I have international contacts and since I am influential in the movement and have run many campaigns, I must be the head of this organisation. Full stop. That is it. That is the evidence. Can you believe it? I can’t, but for all I can see, it seems to be reality.

How is it possible that I am sitting on remand for such a ludicrous “suspicion”? Good question. For 2 weeks I was given no reason why I was arrested. Then I could see the “evidence” and was put before a judge last Friday 6^th June. The prosecutor read out the list of all animal rights related crimes and non-criminal actions in the last 11 years, which took a while. Then he said I am suspected to lead a criminal organisation, which is responsible for all of them. Then my solicitor said that there is no evidence. Then I wanted to give a statement, but the judge did not allow me to do so. She just handed me a prepared verdict, which said that I have to remain on remand for another 4 weeks, then she will consider my case again. And that she did with all 10 arrestees, including the campaigns director of Four Paws International.

So, what is behind all this? I think behind all this is the most fundamental attack on animal rights movement ever in the history of our movement worldwide. Let me explain. About 11 years ago, we embarked on a new type of campaigning in Austria. We used the classic grass roots campaign tactic with media work and civil disobedience actions for legal reforms. And we were very successful indeed. First, we banned fur farms, then wild animal circuses, then battery cages and vivisection on apes, and at last rabbit cage farming. Theses successes caused a lot of concern for powerful groups in society. After the hen battery cage ban was achieved in 2004, we started to feel an increasing amount of police repression. The anti-terrorist police department started to watch us and slander us by releasing statements how the suspect us of criminal activity. Also, police restricted our rights to protest ever more. Then the Minister of the Interior publicly called us a violent group. We tried to sue him for it, but he turned out to be immune to law suits as a minister. But he admitted in Parliament when questioned that his accusation was based on wrong assumptions. We publicly called him a liar, but, revealingly he did not react.

Or so we thought. At about the same time a special police squat was formed and started a major surveillance operation on us, i.e. on a number of different animal rights groups, NGOs and individuals. The rest you know already.

Since, after years of intensive surveillance, police could find no evidence of any criminal act, they had to come up with suspicion of an offence that does not need concrete evidence. For that they used a recently introduced law against terrorist groups and the mafia. This law says it is illegal to form a big (i.e. more than 10 people) organisation, which is hierarchical and run similarly to a company, which aims to influence politics or economy, and which was for that aim at least also and at least occasionally, criminal acts. Since we do run campaigns to influence politics and economy, and since there is some sort of animal rights related criminal activity, even if not related to us, on a very low level and of no serious kind but still, the State Prosecution is using the law now – for the first time in history against an NGO. And don’t forget: some of those “crimes” recounted by the State Prosecution include flyposting, run-ins, blockades and undercover investigations inside factory farms. This is a very worrying development. Police is using an anti-terrorist law against legitimate and non-criminal political campaigning. Amnesty International has voiced concern. A Green Party MP has visited me in prison and the Greens have put critical questions to the minister of the interior in Parliament. But he refused to comment. Instead, the state prosecutor released a statement to media that we are suspected of committing arson and “gas attacks”, in order to slander us.

This is a political trial, a full scale attack on legal and legitimate reformist law campaigns, which were successful. Please protest against those criminals, who are behind this attack on us, and who are probably high up in government.

I support this protest as much as I can. Immediately after my arrest, I went on hunger strike. Apart from before my court hearing in order to be able to attend, I have not eaten since. I am on my 19^th day today. I have been in prison hospital for the last week, have blurred vision and fell unconscious once already. I have been told that soon they will start force-feeding me.

I need your help. I count on you. Thanks for all the support you have given us already. Please trust that there really is no evidence whatever of criminal activity against me. There is none now, and there never will be any.

DDr. Martin Balluch
Association Against Animal Factories
From prison hospital in Vienna, Austria
Monday, 9^th June 2008

+++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Puerto Rican Independistas resist NY Grand Jury - Update

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Sat, June 14, 2008

English translation follows Spanish (3 articles)

Citan artista caso independentistas
Por: Melissa Correa Velázquez
El Vocero
11 junio 2008
http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114035

En momentos en que ofrecía una presentación ante
el Comité de Descolonización, la artista gráfica
Tania Frontera Bosch fue citada a comparecer este
próximo viernes ante un Gran Jurado en Nueva York
en relación a una pesquisa contra los independentistas.

Así lo informó a EL VOCERO Michael González Cruz,
de la Mesa de Solidaridad, quien notificó además
que un puertorriqueño residente en la Isla fue
citado a comparecer este viernes a esa misma
sesión del Gran Jurado, pero declinó revelar su
nombre siguiendo recomendaciones del abogado del citado.

Este es el primer puertorriqueño residente en la
Isla que es citado a comparecer ante el Gran
Jurado de Nueva York. Otros citados en el pasado
como Elliot Monteverde, Christopher Torres y
Julio Pabón residen en Estados Unidos. González
Cruz adelantó que esta persona no colaborará con las autoridades federales.

González Cruz indicó que agentes del Negociado
Federal de Investigaciones (FBI), se comunicaron
con el abogado de Frontera Bosch para que
compareciera el próximo viernes al tribunal de Brooklyn.

González Cruz señaló que si Frontera Bosch se
niega a colaborar con las autoridades federales
enfrenta un desacato civil y encarcelamiento
mientras dure el Gran Jurado.

Frontera Bosch ha afirmado anteriormente a EL
VOCERO que no colaborará con las autoridades.

El líder independentista anticipó que si la joven
y otros independentistas son encarcelados, la
Mesa de Solidaridad convocará una manifestación
frente al Tribunal Federal en Hato Rey.

Destacó que en la Ciudad de los Rascacielos el
Hostos 1-11 Grand Jury Resistance Coalition
tendrá una protesta frente al tribunal de Brooklyn.
****************************************
Artist subpoenaed in independentista case
By: Melissa Correa Velázquez
El Vocero
June 11, 2008
http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114035

Just as she offered a presentation at the
Decolonization Committee, graphic artist Tania
Frontera Bosch was subpoenaed to appear this
Friday at a Grand Jury in New York in relation to
an investigation against independentistas.

This was reported to EL VOCERO by Michael
González Cruz, of the Table of Solidarity, who
also reported that a Puerto Rican residing on the
Island was subpoenaed to appear this Friday to
the same Grand Jury, but he refused to reveal his
name, following the recommendation of the person’s attorney.

This is the first Puerto Rican who resides on the
Island to be subpoenaed to appear before the New
York Grand Jury. Others subpoenaed in the past,
such as Elliot Monteverde, Christopher Torres and
Julio Pabón, reside in the United States.
González Cruz set forth that this person will not
collaborate with federal authorities.

González Cruz indicated that agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
communicated with Frontera Bosch’s attorney about
her appearance next Friday in court in Brooklyn.

González Cruz stated that if Frontera Bosch
refuses to collaborate with federal authorities,
she will face civil contempt and jail for the duration of the Grand Jury.

Frontera Bosch has previously affirmed to EL
VOCERO that she will not collaborate with authorities.

The independentista leader anticipated that if
Frontera and other independentistas are jailed,
the Table of Solidarity will convene a
demonstration in front of the Federal court in Hato Rey.

He pointed out that in the City of Skyscrapers,
Hostos 1-11Grand Jury Resistance Coalition will
have a protest in front of the Brooklyn court.

******************************************************************************
Citada otra vez ante gran jurado
Tania Frontera asegura que tampoco comparecerá a esta segunda citación.
Por José A. Delgado / jdelgado@elnuevodía.com
11 junio 2008
http://www.elnuevodia.com/XStatic/endi/template/content.aspx?se=nota&id=416751

Nueva York - Tania Frontera, una de las jóvenes
independentistas boricuas de Nueva York que ha
estado emplazada por la fiscalía federal, fue
citada nuevamente para este viernes, denunció la
campaña Coalición Hostosiana de Resistencia al Gran Jurado.

La nueva citación en contra de Frontera había
quedado en el aire hace algunos meses, después de
que sectores boricuas de la ciudad neoyorquina y
grupos independentistas denunciaran su situación
como una cacería de brujas del gobierno federal.

Pero, Elliot Monteverde, graduado de derecho y
natural de Mayagüez que había sido citado también
recientemente ante el gran jurado, anunció en la
sesión del lunes del Comité de Descolonización de
las Naciones Unidas en torno al caso político de
Puerto Rico que las autoridades federales han
renovado la solicitud para que Frontera, una
artista gráfica, declare ante el organismo federal.

Elliot Monteverde, aquí en una protesta en el
2001, denunció ante las Naciones Unidas la nueva citación de Tania Frontera.

"Reconocemos que nuestro posible encarcelamiento
coercitivo es una amenaza que procura, en lo
individual, amedrentarnos para que claudiquemos,
y en lo colectivo, sembrar terror entre los
independentistas y activistas de todas las
vertientes para que se aparten de la causa justa
de la independencia o cualquier otra lucha de
reivindicación contra el gobierno de Estados
Unidos", indicó Monteverde, quien declaró ante la ONU junto a Frontera.

El 11 y el 31 de enero pasado, la orden de
comparecencia ante un gran jurado federal en
Brooklyn emitida en contra de Frontera quedó
aplazada indefinidamente. Entonces, la citación
incluía, además de Frontera, al trabajador social
Christopher Torres, quien también forma parte de
la coalición, y al cineasta Julio Pabón.

El propio Monteverde fue citado en mayo ante el
gran jurado, pero su comparecencia quedó también aplazada.

Frontera, Torres y Monteverde -quien ha residido
últimamente en Texas- estuvieron activos en el
movimiento en contra de las antiguas maniobras
militares estadounidense en la isla de Vieques,
que generaron intensa oposición en Puerto Rico y
sectores boricuas de Estados Unidos.

Monteverde fue uno de siete activistas que en
mayo de 2000 realizaron un acto de desobediencia
civil cuando entraron al terreno del Yankee
Stadium durante un partido entre Nueva York y Baltimore.

"Es un orgullo certificar ante este organismo de
la ONU que Tania, Christopher y este servidor
seremos fieles a la tradición de no colaboración.
Somos independentistas y se nos persigue por
defender un ideal", indicó Monteverde en su
ponencia ante el Comité de Descolonización.
**************************************
Subpoenaed again to grand jury
Tania Frontera assures that she won’t appear for the second subpoena either
By José A. Delgado / jdelgado@elnuevodía.com
June 11, 2008
http://www.elnuevodia.com/XStatic/endi/template/content.aspx?se=nota&id=416751

New York - Tania Frontera, one of the young
Puerto Rican independentistas of New York who has
been subpoenaed by the federal prosecutor, was
subpoenaed again for this Friday, denounced the
coalition Hostos Grand Jury Resistance Campaign.

Frontera’s subpoena had been left up in the air
for several months, after Puerto Rican sectors of
New York City and independentista groups
denounced her situation as a federal government witchhunt.

But Elliot Monteverde, a law school graduate from
Mayagüez had also been recently subpoenaed to the
grand jury, announced on Monday, at the United
Nations Decolonization Committee session on the
political case of Puerto Rico, that federal
authorities had renewed the subpoena on Frontera,
a graphic artist, to testify at the federal grand jury.

Elliot Monteverde, here at a protest in 2001,
denounced before the United Nations the new subpoena on Tania Frontera.

"We recognize that our possible coercive
incarceration is a threat that seeks,
individually, to intimidate us give up our
principles, and in the collective, to sow terror
among independentistas and activists of all
stripes to distance themselves from the just
cause of independence or any other struggle for
vindication against the United States
government," stated Monteverde, who testified with Frontera at the U.N.

Last January 11 and 31, Frontera’s Brooklyn
federal grand jury subpoena was indefinitely
postponed. Then, in addition to Frontera, the
subpoena included social worker Christopher
Torres, who was also part of the coalition, and filmmaker Julio Pabón.

Monteverde himself was subpoenaed in May to the
grand jury, but his appearance was also postponed.

Frontera, Torres and Monteverde­ who has lately
been living in Texas­ were active in the movement
against the former U.S. military operations on
the island of Vieques, which generated intense
opposition in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican communities in the United States.

Monteverde was one of seven activists who in May
of 2000 committed an act of civil disobedience
when they entered Yankee Stadium during a game between New York and
Baltimore.

"It is an honor to certify before this organism
of the U.N. that Tania, Christopher and this
humble servant will be true to the tradition of
non collaboration. We are independentistas, and
they are persecuting us for defending an ideal,"
Monteverde stated in his presentation to the Decolonization Committee.
******************************************************************************
Citan activista a Gran Jurado
Por: Melissa Correa Velázquez
EL VOCERO
12 junio 2008
<http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114056>http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114056


El activista de derechos civiles José Díaz es la
quinta persona citada por el Gran Jurado en Nueva
York este próximo viernes con relación a la
investigación que llevan a cabo las autoridades
federales en ese estado sobre actividades de
independentistas, informó Michael González de la Mesa de Solidaridad.

Díaz, quien reside en la Isla, fue citado junto a
Tania Frontera, Julio Pabón y Christopher Torres,
quienes viven en Nueva York, y a Elliot Monteverde, residente en Texas.
Mientras, la coalición "Grand Jury Resistance
Campaign" convocó a una protesta frente al
Tribunal de Brooklyn en repudio a las citaciones,
las cuales han calificado como "represivas" contra los puertorriqueños.

Los citados han expresado anteriormente que no
colaborarán con las autoridades federales.
************************************
Activist subpoenaed to Grand Jury
By: Melissa Correa Velázquez
EL VOCERO
June 12, 2008
<http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114056>http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Locales&n=114056

Civil rights activist José Díaz is the fifth
person subpoenaed by the Grand Jury in New York
next Friday related to the investigation the
federal authorities are carrying out in that
state into the activities of independentistas,
reported Michael González of the Table of Solidarity.

Díaz, who resides on the Island, was cited with
Tania Frontera, Julio Pabón and Christopher
Torres, who live in New York, and Elliot
Monteverde, a resident of Texas.

Meanwhile, the coalition “Grand Jury Resistance
Campaign” convened a protest in front of the
Brooklyn court, repudiating the subpoenas, which
they have called “repressive” of the Puerto Ricans.

Those subpoenaed have previously expressed that
they will not collaborate with federal authorities.





Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

This Weekend - support ecoprisoners for Jeff Luers's 8th anniversary

From:    info@freejeffluers.org
Date:    Sat, June 14, 2008

Dear Friends,
This weekend please participate in the Day of Solidarity with Jeffrey Free Luers and All Eco-Prisoners, marking the 8th anniversary of the imprisonment of Jeff. There are many other prisoners that need support as well including -
but certainly not limited to - Briana Waters, Daniel McGowan, Eric McDavid, and
green scare indictee Marie Mason. (please check out greenscare.org)

Events are listed below.

If you are local in Eugene, Oregon please join us on Sunday, June 15th for a
benefit for Jeff at the Apocalypse on Broadway, 2100 W. Broadway #1, in
Eugene.


The show starts at 7pm, with local bands:
Madame Flod
THE BLAIR ST. MUGWUMPS
Le Petite Mort

$5 cover, all ages welcome.
For more info on this event, please email breakthechains02@yahoo.com

Other events are taking place in cities across the US including:

Portland, OR: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/06/376566.shtml

San Francisco, CA: Eco-Prisoner Support Night, Tuesday June 17 at 8pm, 1884
Market Street - Letter writing materials and refreshments provided.

Brooklyn, NY: http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2008/06/97873.html

as well as events all over the world including Spain and the UK.

If there is not an event in your city, please organize one and tell us about
it.

Each June for the past 8 years, a Day of Solidarity has been held to garner
support for Jeff and other eco-prisoners. Throughout the years, support for
Jeff has been widespread and the solidarity has been appreciated more than
words could ever express.

In February 2008, after winning his appeal, Jeff finally received a reduced
sentence and will now be released by December 2009; almost 13 years earlier
than his original sentence would have allowed.

So, this June there are reasons to celebrate. But there is still a lot to
accomplish. One of the most difficult aspects of prison is reintegrating back
into a "normal" life. Jeff has plans to take classes, while maintaining a job
and will be facing many living expenses, as well as dealing with the
emotional
reintegration.

June 14, 2008 will mark the kickoff to a campaign to raise money to help Jeff
with his education and living expenses upon his release. We hope this day
also
helps bring attention to the many eco-prisoners still facing time behind bars
and repression by the state.

We urge everyone around the world and across the U.S. to hold a solidarity
event on this day for eco-prisoners. Large or small, from protest actions to
letter writing parties, it is all worthwhile and helpful.

For information on past solidarity events or ideas, go to
http://freejeffluers.org/howtohelp.html and for information on other
eco-prisoners check out http://greenscare.org/ or
http://spiritoffreedom.org.uk/

Donations to Jeff can be made through various options available here:
http://freejeffluers.org/donate.html

Thank you for your support!

In Solidarity
-Friends of Jeffrey Free Luers

http://www.freejeffluers.org
info@freejeffluers.org

Anarchist Birthday Brigade List for June

June

LUIS MEDINA
#58734-004
Box 26030
Beaumont TX 77720-6035
U.S.P. Beaumont
June 9 1963

SEKOU ODINGA
#05228-054 / P.O. Box 8500 ADX
Florence, CO 81226-8500
June 14, 1944

DELBERT ORR AFRICA
AM4985 / Drawer K
Dallas, PA 18612 / SCI Dallas
June 21, 1951

ABDUL MAJID
83A0483 / Follies Road, Drawer B
Green Haven Correctional Facility
Stormville, NY 12582-0010
June 25, 1949

THOMAS MANNING
10373-016
MCFP Springfield
PO Box 4000
Springfield, MO 65801
June 28, 1946

Angola 3 - Herman Wallace put in "the dungeon"

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Fri, June 13, 2008

'Angola 3' member reportedly in solitary holding cell
http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=8486525


Associated Press - June 13, 2008 9:24 AM ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An inmate who only recently
was moved into a dormitory after 36 years in
solitary confinement at the Louisiana State
Penitentiary reportedly is now in a cell that inmates call "the dungeon."

That word comes from Emma Mackinnon, a
spokeswoman for attorneys representing Herman
Wallace and two other former Black Panthers known
as the Angola Three because they were kept in
isolation for decades in the state prison at Angola.

Officials at the prison and other state
corrections officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Mackinnon says the other member of the Angola
Three who is still in prison - Albert Woodfox -
called attorneys last night and said guards had
come for Wallace, and said they were moving him
to a holding cell known as the dungeon.

A federal magistrate has recommended overturning
Woodfox's conviction. Wallace has an appeal on similar grounds in state
court.


'Angola 3' member moved to one-man holding cell

6/13/2008, 11:29 a.m. CDT
The Associated Press
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-39/1213363446317710.xml&storylist=louisiana#continue

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ­ An inmate who only recently
was moved into a dormitory after 36 years in
solitary confinement was in a one-man holding
cell Friday, accused of breaking a prison rule.

Warden Cathy Fontenot, a prison spokeswoman, said
she could not say what Herman Wallace allegedly
did because rule violations are not public information.

"It's a minor violation of a phone issue,"
defense attorney Nicholas Trenticosta said ­ the
sort of infraction likely to bring a temporary
loss of privileges if it is found valid.

Wallace will get an administrative hearing within 72 hours, Fontenot said.

Wallace is one of three former Black Panthers
known as the Angola Three because they were kept
in isolation for decades in the Louisiana State
Penitentiary at Angola, 40 miles northwest of Baton Rouge.

One was freed in 2001 after 29 years in solitary
confinement, but Wallace and Albert Woodfox were
in isolation cells from 1972 until this past
March, when they were moved to a maximum-security
dormitory with nine other inmates.

Wallace was moved days after a federal magistrate
recommended overturning Woodfox's conviction for
killing a prison guard. Wallace, who also was
convicted in the stabbing death of guard Brent
Miller on April 17, 1972, has an appeal on similar grounds in state court.

Trenticosta said he and other attorneys met with
Wallace and Woodfox on Thursday to talk about the
non-binding recommendation to U.S. District Judge John Brady.

He said the move to a holding cell is standard
when an inmate is accused of breaking a rule, and
the timing for Wallace appears to be just coincidence.

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

Eugene OR Benefit for Civil Liberties Defense Center

	Civil Liberties Defense Center

		Lauren Regan of the CLDC Speaking Sunday Night at the Apocalypse on Broadway Dear Friends, In just over a week, the Day of Solidarity with Jeffrey Free Luers and All Eco-Prisoners will take place, marking the 8th anniversary of the imprisonment of Jeffrey Free Luers. While we urge everyone around the world to host an event on this day, if you are local in Eugene, Oregon please join us on Sunday, June 15th for a benefit for Jeff at the Apocalypse on Broadway, 2100 W. Broadway #1, in Eugene. The show starts at 7pm, with local bands: Madame Flod THE BLAIR ST. MUGWUMPS Le Petite Mort $5 cover, all ages welcome. For more info on this event, please email breakthechains02@yahoo.com Each June for the past 8 years, a Day of Solidarity has been held to garner support for Jeff and other eco-prisoners. Throughout the years, support for Jeff has been widespread and the solidarity has been appreciated more than words could ever express. In February 2008, after winning his appeal, Jeff finally received a reduced sentence and will now be released by December 2009; almost 13 years earlier than his original sentence would have allowed. So, this June there are reasons to celebrate. But there is still a lot to accomplish. One of the most difficult aspects of prison is reintegrating back into a "normal" life. Jeff has plans to take classes, while maintaining a job and will be facing many living expenses, as well as dealing with the emotional reintegration. June 14, 2008 will mark the kickoff to a campaign to raise money to help Jeff with his education and living expenses upon his release. We hope this day also helps bring attention to the many eco-prisoners still facing time behind bars and repression by the state. We urge everyone around the world and across the U.S. to hold a solidarity event on this day for eco-prisoners. Large or small, from protest actions toletter writing parties, it is all worthwhile and helpful. For information on past solidarity events or ideas, go to http://freejeffluers.org/howtohelp.html and for information on other eco-prisoners check out http://greenscare.org/ or http://spiritoffreedom.org.uk/. Donations to Jeff can be made through various options available here: http://freejeffluers.org/donate.html Thank you for your support! In Solidarity -Friends of Jeffrey Free Luers
		Contact Information "Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." --Justice William O.Douglas "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." --Thomas Jefferson The Civil Liberties Defense Center Lauren C. Regan, Attorney at Law Executive Director 259 East 5th Avenue, Suite 300 A Eugene, Oregon 97401 541.687.9180 phone 541.686.2137 fax Email: lregan@cldc.org WWW.CLDC.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO DONATE TO THE CLDC, PLEASE CONTACT US AT info@cldc.org or donate@cldc.org. Our website is www.cldc.org.

Eric McDavid Moved to FCI Victorville

ELP Information Bulletin (13th of June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that American vegan activist, Eric McDavid, who is serving just under 20 years imprisonment for planning to carry out ELF actions (please note: no actions had been carried out at the time of Eric's arrest) has been moved to FCI Victorville.

Please send your letters of support to:

Eric McDavid 16209-097
FCI VICTORVILLE MEDIUM II
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
PO BOX 5700
ADELANTO, CA 92301
USA

Below is a mailout from Eric's support campaign:


From: sacprisonersupport@riseup.net

Dear friends,

This morning Eric was moved to what should be his final destination -
Victorville, Medium II in southern California. This is a huge relief to
Eric and his loved ones - while he is now housed 6.5 hours from his
family, everyone is relieved that he did not end up across the country.

Please start sending those letters! Eric's new address is:

Eric McDavid 16209-097
FCI VICTORVILLE MEDIUM II
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
PO BOX 5700
ADELANTO, CA 92301

Remember, the prison authorities read all Eric's mail- and he is appealing
his case. If Eric is granted a new trial the government will still try to
use anything and everything against him. Please keep this in mind when
writing him.

We'll send more information about how Eric is doing when we hear from him.

Thanks to you all!

SPS

++++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Bashir Hameed needs YOU to call

Date:    Fri, June 13, 2008

There Will be a 'Call in' on Tuesday June 17th between 10:00 am and 1:00
Pm Eastern Standard time (7-10am pac)

Please Call David Patterson at 518.474.8390 tell the Governor of New York
that our dear brother Bashir Hameed ( J. York #82A6313) is in Great Meadow
Correctional Facility and he is not receiving any health care.  Bashir's
health is getting worse and he has consistently been DENIED any health
care at Great Meadow  Corr. Fac.

He must receive immediate health care or he should be returned to Sullivan
Correctional Facility where he was before and where his health and medical
problems were handled much more humanely and professionally by the medical
staff.

Call on Tuesday the 17th 10-1

David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Veronza Bowers Moved

   Hi Folks
Just a Note to let you know that Veronza was moved this week to USP
Atlanta-- and a request for you to send a post card or friendly fathers' day
card to Veronza at his new diggs USP Atlanta...

VERONZA BOWERS Jr. 35316-136
USP-Atlanta
P.O.Box 150160
ATLANTA, GA 30315

Paulette NYC Jericho

Former Black Panther Faces Parole Hearing After 38

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Thu, June 12, 2008

For Immediate Release

Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald

Contact: Emani Bey or Jenn Laskin

831-238-9250

freechipfitzgerald@yahoo.com /www.freechip.org>freechipfitzgerald@yahoo.com/www.freechip.org


Former Black Panther Faces Parole Hearing After 38 Years!


(Imperial, California, June 12, 2008)

On July 2, 2008, the possibility of freedom awaits Romaine "Chip"
Fitzgerald, who has been in prison over 38 years.  This is the date
of his upcoming parole hearing.  Chip's case epitomizes the
culmination of the dirty tricks and tactics the U.S. government
employed in its effort to destroy the Black Panther Party, of which
he was a member when he was arrested.

            It is well-documented that, in the late 1960s, the FBI
and other policing agencies of the government developed and carried
out a concerted plan to neutralize or wipe out the Black Panther
Party, after FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover issued his infamous
declaration that the Party was the "greatest threat" to the nation's
security.  As a result of the FBI's brutal campaign, many Party
leaders were assassinated, falsely imprisoned, imprisoned under
extraordinary sentences, slandered and demonized, as Party offices
were assaulted and Party programs were undermined.  On January 17,
1969, the Party's Southern California Chapter, of which Chip was a
member, suffered the loss of its main leaders, Alprentice "Bunchy"
Carter and John Huggins, at the hands of FBI-sponsored
assassins.  Prior to that, in August of 1968, Los Angeles police
gunned down Panthers Tommy Lewis, Steve Bartholomew and Robert
Lawrence in a single incident.

            In September 1969, Chip himself was involved in a
shootout with Los Angeles police, and sustained a gunshot wound to
the head.  He survived this attack, only to be arrested later and
charged with assault on police and the murder of a security
guard.  He was convicted and sentenced to death, which was commuted
to life.  That year, 1969, ended with the Chicago police
assassinations of Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark
and a nearly six-hour raid by the LAPD's newly-formed SWAT Team on
the Party's Los Angeles offices.

            Today, Chip is the longest held Black Panther Party
political prisoner in the United States, now housed at Centinela
State Prison, near the California-Mexico border.  His upcoming parole
hearing is one of the most anticipated dates for many community
leaders, students, and supporters around the world, all waiting to
see if the California Board of Parole Hearings will employ justice in
this hearing, particularly in consideration of the era and climate of
Chip's arrest, conviction and sentencing in late 1969.

            The Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald has been formed to
advocate to the Board for Chip's parole, encouraging people to sign
its online petition at <http://www.freechip.org/>www.freechip.org to
urge the Board to release Chip back into his community as he has
served more time than his sentence prescribed, and the State has no
further interest in his continued incarceration.  A public tribute to
Chip is slated for June 28, 2008, in Los Angeles, at noon at
filmmaker Ben Caldwell's Kaos Network, 4343 Leimert Boulevard, where
support messages from elected officials like Rep. Maxine Waters will
be read, and labor leaders like Tryone Freeman, SEIU Local 6434
president, will speak, along with former Black Panthers, including
Elaine Brown and David Hilliard, in a program hosted by Dominique
DiPrima of Stevie Wonder's radio station KJLH.




Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

NYS/NYC Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel Report

Another change has come into effect and much thanx's to all who supported and assisted in bringing about these much needed change.
Carlos Sabater
Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities

FYI – The full report is at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/justice_panel_report/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2008

GOVERNOR PATERSON AND MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Recommendations from State/City Panel Will Improve the Quality and Consistency of Care for Those with the Most Serious Mental
Illnesses and Reduce the Risk of Violence to Themselves or Others

Governor Announces Legislation to Authorize Intensive Case Reviews, as Recommended by the Panel

---

Governor David A. Paterson and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced plans to implement a comprehensive set of recommendations from the joint New York State (NYS)/New York City (NYC) Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel that will improve the quality and consistency of care of individuals with serious mental illnesses. Through examination of cases of violent incidents involving individuals with serious mental illnesses, assessment of the current mental health and justice systems and consultation with national experts in mental health and violence, the Panel indentified many opportunities to improve mental health service delivery and public safety.

The Panel identified four areas where improvements were needed, and recommended specific measures to address these challenges. These challenges include: (1) poor coordination, fragmented oversight and lack of accountability in the mental health system; (2) inconsistencies in quality of care within the mental health treatment system; (3) limited capacity to share information within and between the mental health and criminal and juvenile justice systems; and (4) insufficient training, supports and tools to identify and engage individuals with mental illnesses in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

"This collaborative effort by officials from State and City mental health and criminal justice agencies has resulted in recommendations for real reforms that will help to improve mental health services and enhance public safety," said Governor Paterson. "Taking a hard look at what may have gone wrong in particular cases is a necessary first step toward improving the care and treatment of those with serious mental illnesses – both in the mental health care system and when those persons become involved with the criminal justice system – and the State is prepared to move forward in implementing the Panel's recommendations."

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: "We took a hard look at the facts and made common sense recommendations that will both improve the quality of care for people with the most serious mental illnesses and also improve public safety. While you can't predict every violent incident by implementing these recommendations we strengthen our system and offer a coordinated response to those who need it most."

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Commissioner Michael F. Hogan said: "For many years, violent acts by people with mental illness have been headline news in New York. After careful study, we find that several aspects of the issue are clearer. First, considering the fact that mental illness touches every extended family, these incidents are surprisingly infrequent. Second, in cases we considered, uncoordinated care in a fragmented system was a factor in tragic outcomes. Our mission – and we have accepted it – is to improve care to improve safety. There are no quick fixes or easy solutions, but we will not accept failure."

Linda Gibbs, NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services said: "Our work on the Panel brought together representatives from city and state agencies which, historically, were not at the same table looking at this complicated issue through the same lens. The recommendations are both ambitious and practical and will increase our ability to anticipate problems before they escalate."

NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Commissioner Denise E. O'Donnell said: "The recommendations contained in this report would dramatically improve collaboration between the mental health and criminal justice agencies as they respond to the needs of persons suffering from mental illness. All too often, the criminal justice system is unaware of what transpired in the mental health system, and vice versa. But our goal is the same--to prevent unnecessary acts of violence in our communities by improving the treatment of, and law enforcement response to, persons with serious mental illness."

Highlights of the recommendations described below will transform the way the State and City's mental health, criminal justice and juvenile justice systems work with individuals with the most serious mental illnesses.

Improvements to the Adult Mental Health Treatment System

In NYC, special "Care Monitoring Teams" that will oversee both mental health services offered to high-needs individuals and the providers that offer high-intensity programs will improve both treatment and services. A database will allow the "Care Monitoring Teams" to monitor the care provided to high-need adults with the most serious mental illnesses, giving staff the ability to take action if there is an interruption in service or an escalating need for care. The recommendations of the OMH/NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will be implemented, improving access to care for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Legislation will be proposed authorizing OMH to conduct intensive case reviews of critical incidents involving individuals with mental illnesses, with relevant state and city officials participating, for the purpose of reducing care errors and improving public safety. Standards of care for mental health clinics serving adults will be issued and enforced, which will improve treatment and require regular risk assessment for violence to self or others.

Improvements to the Adult Criminal Justice System

A pilot program for sharing information between the criminal justice and mental health treatment systems will identify people with serious mental illnesses who have become involved with the justice system. A NYC alternative-to-detention pilot program will provide assessment, case management, supervision and community-based treatment to defendants with mental illnesses who might otherwise be detained while their cases are moving through the courts and who do not pose a high risk of recidivism or flight. A dedicated mental health unit at the NYC Department of Probation will establish relationships between probation officers and probationers' mental health providers and assist probationers in receiving appropriate services. Training for 911 call takers and dispatchers will be improved to better elicit information about whether an incident involves a person with a mental illness.

Improvements to the Juvenile Justice System

Clinical interventions for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) in the custody of NYC Department of Juvenile Justice or NYS Office of Children and Family Services will be enhanced to ensure that adolescents in State or City custody have appropriate supports, including improved discharge planning, and that crucial mental health information follows the youth throughout transitions. Family Care Coordinators will help families navigate the juvenile justice, mental health and other service systems; facilitate information sharing among providers and families; and arrange for family case conferences that assist youth and their families in getting care and support, especially during transitions. Coordinators would use their own experiences negotiating the mental health system and other systems to empower families to advocate for their own needs."

New Legislation Proposed

The Governor is proposing legislation to implement one of the Panel's recommendations. The Governor's Program Bill allows the Commissioner of OMH to convene quality assurance review panels that include relevant state and local officials to examine incidents occurring in the community in which persons with serious mental illnesses are harmed, cause harm to others, or become involved in violent criminal incidents. This will lead to both improved quality of care and enhanced protection for the public.

The NYS/NYC Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel was convened by NYS Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services Dennis Whalen and NYC Deputy Mayor Gibbs. It was co-chaired by OMH Commissioner Hogan, Deputy Mayor Gibbs, DCJS Commissioner O'Donnell, and NYC Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt. Members of the Panel included top State and City officials in mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice and adolescent services.

The Panel's full report, including the entire list of recommendations, is available at www.omh.state.ny.us, www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us, and www.nyc.gov.

http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/News/

Important Update on Daniel McGowan

From:    "Family + Friends of Daniel McG" <friendsofdanielmcg@yahoo.com>
Date:    Wed, June 11, 2008

It's 10 pm on the east coast and a few hours ago we finally heard from
Daniel. He called from the Columbia County Jail in Portage, Wisconsin.
Daniel was woken up at 4 am and on a plane en route from Oklahoma City to
Chicago by 6 am. Daniel and his supporters presumed he was going to
Marion, Illinois, but once he landed in Chicago, he was put in a van and
driven to Madison, Wisconsin. From there he was driven to Portage. Along
the way, Daniel asked if he was being transferred based on facing new
charges, and the marshal flatly told him no. Daniel then asked if he was
facing a Grand Jury subpoena. The marshal would not come right out and say
yes, but he hinted at it and at one point said, "good guess."

If Daniel is called before a grand jury, he will not testify and is
concerned about being held in civil contempt and imprisoned at the
Columbia County Jail, where the time he serves will not count against his
7 year sentence.

At this point, neither Daniel nor his attorney have received a subpoena or
any other paperwork to indicate that he will be appearing before a grand
jury, but it's what he is preparing for and what folks would be best
served to see as a possibility.

Over the past month, Daniel has been in transfer. And while the time he
has served thus far has been without incident and even though he received
a good team review before being yanked from FCI Sandstone, he tells us
that he has been put in Segregated Housing Units ("The Hole") and treated
differently for the duration of this transfer, all due to the application
of the "Terrorism Enhancement."

For now, it is important to keep Daniel connected to the communities he is
a part of. Please write to him and let him know we're out here for him*.

For now, Daniel's address is:
Daniel McGowan
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, Wisconsin 53901

Daniel wanted us to emphasize how important your support has been thus far
and how truly appreciative he is.

Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
*For guidelines on writing to Daniel, go to
http://www.supportdaniel.org/news/#Anchor-49575
For more information, please visit
http://supportdaniel.org or
http://myspace.com/danielmcgowan


      -------------------------------------------------------------------
Support Daniel McGowan: http://www.supportdaniel.org
Daniel on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/danielmcgowan

Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
PO Box 106, NY, NY 10156
friendsofdanielmcg@yahoo.com

Donations:checks or money orders can be made out to "Lisa McGowan" and
sent to the above PO Box or online at http://tinyurl.com/8blde
--------------------------------------------------------

Hearing Wed - June 18 - Prosecutor wants Judge to

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Wed, June 11, 2008

The prosecutor in the San Francisco 8 case will ask Judge Moscone to
reconsider his order to transfer Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim back
to New York for their parole hearings. California State Attorney
Druliner is requesting a reversal of an arrangement that took several
meetings and two court hearings to work out, ultimately resulting in
a judicial order that was filed weeks ago.

In the meantime both men have been preparing for their parole
appearances in New York.

The hearing which will consider the state's motion to reconsider will
be heard on Wednesday, June 18th at 9:30 am at 850 Bryant Street in
San Francisco.

Also scheduled for next Wednesday, June 18th and Thursday the 19th
will be the first of several conditional examinations of prosecution
witnesses that are either old or in poor health. The witness
scheduled is Gus Coreris who is a former SF homicide inspector and
was one of the first people at the scene at the Ingleside police
station in 1971.

Support the brothers and come to court!
_______________________________________________
Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable
to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org

Eric McDavid in Transit

From:    sacprisonersupport@riseup.net
Date:    Tue, June 10, 2008

Dear friends,

It appears that Eric was moved from Fresno County Jail this morning.  We
will let you know when we find out where he ends up.  In the meantime,
hold off on sending letters.

Yours,
SPS

Leonard Peltier DOC LOGO Contest

From:    "contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info"
Date:    Tue, June 10, 2008

Our startup was hectic and the demands of the job grow daily, but we want
to take a moment to thank all of you for your assistance and support, as
well as your energy and commitment.

Having to move as quickly as we did, we didn't have the luxury of time to
consider such things as a logo for the LPDOC.  It's occurred to us that
this is an area where supporters may be able to help and also have a
little fun. So, we encourage everyone to participate in our logo contest.
Visit http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/logocontest.htm for more
information.

June 26 is the 33rd anniversary of the firefight at the Jumping Bull
property on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  The LP DOC will represent Leonard
at
the annual Little Big Horn National Monument event in Montana, as well as
the Oglala Commemoration in South Dakota. We're also helping participants
in the Longest Walk II mark the day by sending t-shirts and other
materials their way.

How will you mark the day?

Due to the political nature of the Peltier case, a high level of public
awareness is critical if we're to succeed in obtaining Leonard's release.
Here's some of the things you can do to educate your community about the
Peltier case:

-- Set up literature tables at events/public places. Download literature at
http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/pubs.htm and don't forget our
petitions and sample resolution which you can locate on our main menu.

-- Plan showings of electronic media. While "Incident at Oglala" is out of
print, copies still in circulation are often available for purchase from
Amazon.com, eBay, etc., and VHS and DVD copies are available to rent in
many rental outlets. Amazon.com also offers a downloadable, low-cost
digital version. Restrictions apply. We also strongly recommend "Warrior,"
on VHS. Order online through Native Videos at
http://www.nativevideos.com/warrior.htm.

-- Write letters to editors of local newspapers, encourage community
television stations to highlight the case, and place calls to radio
call-in shows. Express your opinions and educate others.

-- Hold book readings featuring "My Life Is My Sun Dance" by Leonard Peltier.

If you're planning an event, please let us know.  We'll be happy to add
the information you provide to our calendar of events and otherwise
promote your event in any way we can.

Stay tuned for more news about June 26th events.

Thank you for all you do on Leonard's behalf.

Sincerely,


Betty Ann Peltier-Solano
Coordinator

Lying police informant gets 4 years

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700233354,00.html

State parolee is going to federal prison
June 10, 2008

Federal officials say a plan devised by a state parolee to get out of wearing his ankle monitor backfired and has now landed him a four-year federal prison sentence.
Andy Hart was sentenced Monday to serve 48 months in federal prison on the charge of making false material statements to the FBI. Hart had previously pleaded guilty to the charge as part of a plea deal.

According to court documents and federal prosecutors, Hart concocted a story that animal-rights activists were plotting to "napalm" or firebomb a rural Utah mink farm and that he had information about the plot. In exchange for his help, Hart got the FBI to agree to help him get off of state supervision early. Hart was serving parole for convictions on forgery and false information charges.

As part of the plot, authorities say Hart talked two of his friends into driving to the mink farm, saying he was going to go help the FBI. According to court documents, Hart left his friends standing outside the ranch and then called the FBI, identifying his friends as the supposed bomb-plot suspects.

FBI agents soon discovered Hart's story was fabricated.

Mail problems for Grant Barnes

ELP Information Bulletin (9th June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has learnt that the American prison authorities have developed a new trick. They are using black marker pens to hide some of the addresses of people who are writing letters of support to vegan Earth Liberation Front prisoner, Grant Barnes.

If you have written to Grant recently and not received a reply, its not a case that Grant is ignoring your letter, it could be that your letter was one of the ones that was censored by the prison authorities. So please do write to Grant again.

Grant is especially keen for Courtney to write to him again, as apparently he wants to reply to your letter but can't because your address was obliterated by the authorities.

As always letters of support should be addressed to:

Grant Barnes #137563
San Carlos Correctional Facility
PO Box 3, Pueblo
CO 81002, USA.

+++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Robert Seth Hayes Parole Hearing Postponed until September

From:    "Political Prisoner News" <ppnews@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Sun, June 8, 2008

June 6, 2008
Comrades:

I just received a call from Seth this morning, and he has successfully
postponed his parole hearing until September. This will give us more time
to write letters to the board and possibly even arrange a meeting with
Gov. Paterson about the repeated denial of parole for Seth.

Anne
NYC Jericho

*PLEASE FORWARD*

Support Parole for US Political Prisoner Robert 'Seth' Hayes! - Letters
needed by August 30, 2008

Locked down for more than a lifetime: Soliciting letters of support for
a U.S. political prisoner Robert Seth Hayes's Parole ­

A letter from the Robert Seth Hayes Support Committee -
www.sethhayes.org | info (at) sethhayes.org

Robert "Seth" Hayes is a U.S. political prisoner and former member of
the Black Panther Party who has been imprisoned in New York state for
more than three decades. When Seth was convicted in 1974, his sentence
was 25 years to life. The implicit understanding at the time of his
sentencing was that Seth would serve 25 years as a minimum, after which
time he would be eligible for release based on his record and conduct in
prison.

In September of 2008, Seth will be going before the parole board for the
sixth time. At each of Seth's previous parole hearings, he was denied
release due to the serious nature of the crime he was convicted for and
given another two year hit. The refusal of parole for the serious nature
of the crime is contrary to the spirit of the law, for it is something
that a prisoner can never change, and the giving of parole is based upon
the prisoner's behavior while behind bars.

Seth is not the only one being subjected to these unfair rules. This has
become common practice for the New York state parole board, who, by
denying parole based on the seriousness of the conviction, are de facto
re-sentencing many prisoners to life in prison without the possibility
of parole.

Seth's prison record is exemplary, and if a decision about Seth's parole
were to be based on his conduct and personal growth, he would have
rejoined his family and his community years ago.

Please write a letter to the parole board to let them know that you
think Seth deserves to be released. Write your own letter, or use the
sample letter that has been included in this document.

If you have a personal relationship with Seth, please consider writing
about this relationship in your letter. If you work with a community
organization or union, have a professional job, or are a rock star,
please consider mentioning this in your letter (or writing on
letterhead, etc.).

If you decide to personalize your letter, you may choose to include
information drawn from the short biography also included in this
package, where some of Seth's accomplishments are highlighted.

More information about Seth can be found on a web page that has been put
together by his supporters at www.sethhayes.org

All letters should be mailed or faxed to Seth's lawyer, Susan Tipograph,
by no later than August 30, 2008 as Seth's parole hearing is taking
place in September of 2008. Please send all of your letters to:


Susan Tipograph
Attorney at Law
350 Broadway
New York, NY
10013
fax (212) 625-3939


Sample Letter

Re: Robert Seth Hayes #74A2280

Dear Senior Parole Officer of Wende Correctional Institute,

I am writing on behalf of Robert Hayes who is scheduled to appear before
the parole board for the sixth time in September of 2008.

Robert Hayes' application for parole was denied when he last appeared
before the board two years ago. At the time of that appearance, his
record was excellent. However, since that time his record is outstanding.
Mr. Hayes has continued to work to help others and improve himself. While
at Clinton Correctional Facility, he facilitated in the HIV Educators
program to assist others as well as becoming a member of the Lifer's and
Long Termers Organization whose primary goal is to educate and instruct
newly arriving inmates in adjustment to and preparation for final release
from incarceration. Since his transfer to Wende Correctional Facility, he
has coached basketball and participated in a local restorative justice
project. These are but a few of his many accomplishments over his years of
incarceration. I am confident that were he to be released, he would be a
great asset to the community and to society at large.

There is no question that the crime for which Mr. Hayes was convicted
was a serious crime. However, he has shown remorse and takes full
responsibility for his acts. I am sure that you will agree that after
serving almost 35 years, Mr. Hayes' release at this time would not so
deprecate the seriousness of the crime so as to undermine respect for
the law. Moreover, if you examine all of the factors that are used to
predict whether a person is likely to recidivate, those factors indicate
that Mr. Hayes will not engage in any criminal activity. His disciplinary
history during his incarceration indicates that he obeys the rules in
prison; he has a supportive network of family and friends on the outside
available to assist him in his reintegration back into society and he had
an extensive work history prior to being incarcerated in addition to
obtaining marketable skills in prison that will help him to obtain
employment. Nothing is gained by his continued incarceration, and much is
lost, as he has much to offer the community upon his release.

By the time that Mr. Hayes appears before the parole board, he will be
60 years old, more than 34 years older and considerably wiser than the
man who was charged with committing the crime. He is a compassionate,
caring individual and deserves a second chance. Please grant Mr. Hayes
parole and give him that second chance.

Sincerely,

_____________________

Biography

Robert Seth Hayes was born in Harlem, New York in October 1948. His
father, John Franklin Hayes, was the child of sharecroppers and came to
New York City from South Carolina; his mother, Francine Washington
Hayes, moved to New York from Pittsburgh. Both of Mr. Hayes' parents
worked for the U.S. Postal Service, trying to provide a better life for
Seth and his four brothers and sisters. They also instilled in their
children the desire to work for the betterment of their community. Seth
writes, "My mother taught me to visualize family universally, not
individually." Seth's father was a World War II veteran and a member of
the United Negro Improvement Association, the Black Nationalist
organization founded by Marcus Garvey.

Growing up in New York City, first in Harlem, later in the Bronx and
Queens, Mr. Hayes saw one Black neighborhood after another suffering
from neglect, despair, anger and defeat. During 1950s and 1960s with the
growing rise of the civil rights and Black power movements Seth recalls
witnessing over the years a birth of hope and determination to overcome
these conditions.

After his schooling in New York City, Mr. Hayes worked as a psychiatric
aide at Creedmoor Hospital. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent
to Vietnam. He saw combat, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart,
National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the
Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In the armed forces, Seth underwent a change of consciousness. After
the death of Martin Luther King Junior in 1968, Seth's troop was ordered
to patrol the city streets with fixed bayonets to put down the
rebellions resulting from Dr. King's assassination. "It was the saddest
day of my life," Seth remembers, "and I could never identify again with
the aims of the armed forces or the government."

Upon returning to the United States from Vietnam, Seth was swept up in
the Black Liberation movement and joined the Black Panther Party. He
worked in the free breakfast for children program and began dedicating
his life to the betterment of Black people. His knowledge of the
effects of racism on the Black community convinced him that the Black
Panthers' program of community service ad community self-defense was
what was needed. His work, like that of so many others, was disrupted
by COINTELPRO. Fearing further attacks, he went underground, believing
it to be the only way to protect the work of the Black Panther Party and
the Black movement in general.

Robert Seth Hayes had two children prior to his arrest and imprisonment,
and he has remained closely involved their lives and upbringing, despite
the difficulties presented by his long incarceration. His son, Chunga,
lives and works in Atlanta. His daughter, Crystal, herself mother of
14-year-old Myaisha, is a student at the Smith College graduate school
of social work in Western Massachusetts. Seth calls his family "the
loves of my life." He describes his relationship with Crystal this way,
"She has had the most intense impact on my life, always questioning,
full of joy and insight, grasping lessons and maintaining her own
dreams. She has kept me striving always to expand my knowledge and
illuminate my principles, as I struggle to stay abreast of her
questioning mind."

Seth has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes and Hepatitis C. He has
been extremely ill and had great difficulty procuring the necessary
healthcare and has needed the help of his lawyers and some state
political leaders in order to get adequate treatment.

While in prison, Seth continues to work for the betterment of the
community in which he lives. He has participated in programs with the
NAACP, the Jaycees and other organizations and has worked as a
librarian, pre-release advisor and AIDS counselor. Whenever possible, he
has taken college courses. He is also a longtime advisor and
collaborator in the annual "Certain Days" Political Prisoner calendar
project. He is dedicated to continuing to work for social justice when
he gets out of prison. At Wende correctional facility where he is
currently incarcerated, Seth is working to put together a "lifers
program" to help rehabilitate prisoners and prepare them to reenter the
community. Seth also coaches basketball and works on assisting a local
restorative justice project taking place in Buffalo.

For more information about Seth, please check out www.sethhayes.org or
e-mail info (at) sethhayes.org.



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  Questions and comments may be sent to
claude@freedomarchives.org

Anarchist in Kansai area (West Japan) arrested in G8 preparations- Solidarity needed!

from ELP June 8, 2008

Tabi Rounin, better known as 'Rebel_Jill' has been detained by
police on minor charges in the run-up to the G8 in Japan, as the
police attempt to investigate his international connections and
disrupt his revolutionary activities. This is a known tactic of the

Japanese political police, see the 325 magazine website for a
similar case (Interview with Comrade 'M') and also see the
interview with Tabi/Rebel Jill, in the 'Interviews' Section.

We denounce the arrest of our comrade, Tabi Rounin! Release him
now!

On the morning of June 4th, 2008, comrade Tabi Rounin, a squatter
liberation activist, was arrested on the charge of "Illegal Address
Registration" (in other words, living somewhere he is not
registered to live at). His house was searched and more than 14
items were taken including his computer, his phone, resume and
flyers. Clearly searching someone's house simply because their
address is still registered at their parents' house goes beyond
simple police work.

This is pre-emptive repression with one eye towards the economic
summit being held on June 14th and 15th. He is currently being held

in Koriyama police station in Nara prefecture and in 5 days will be
put in front of the judge. There are hundreds of people every year
who have their IDs registered to their family's residence. To be
arrested on 'Illegal Address Registration' is unheard of beyond
political repression.

Tabi Rounin had stopped his activity within Osaka city, where the
high class apartment buildings of the rich stretch on for miles,
and had been active around the working class cities and suburbs
around Osaka and Kawachi, connecting to squatters with no organized

political presence or assistance, connecting to foreigners working
for low wages in factories around his area. He is a working class
revolutionary from the roots who fought an isolated battle. There
are many anarchists overseas who have found sympathy with his
selfless style of activity.

We fiercely protest this repression against the movement that we
have helped build! Police, release Tabi Rounin immediately!

June 6th, Anarchist Black Cross Osaka

We are requesting contributions for Tabi Rounin's early parole.
Please send contributions to the address below.
We also would appreciate support packages.

Osaka city, Kita-ku Nakazakichou 3-3-1-401
Jiyuu Roudousha Rengou Kizuke
Anarchist Black Cross

Eric McDavid Update - 6.07.08

From:    sacprisonersupport@riseup.net
Date:    Sat, June 7, 2008

Dear friends,

Eric is currently still being held at the Fresno County Jail.  We have no
idea when he will be moved, or where, but if you would like to try writing
him, his current address is:

McDavid, Eric  Bkg#: 0828114  NJ3C-33
PO Box 872
Fresno, CA  93712

Please know that there might be quite a delay in Eric's response to you,
if he is able to respond.  Because he is in transit, he might get your
letter but then be moved before he can respond.  He is not allowed to take
things with him when he leaves, so he will no longer have your address.
But please don't let this keep you from writing!  For the first time in 2
1/2 years he doesn't have access to letters and books and many of the
things that kept him busy and occupied during his time in Sac County.
Hearing from friends and supporters right now could do much to lift his
spirits.

We also have updated support flyers for Eric, which will be posted soon on
his website (www.supporteric.org).  Please feel free to distribute these
around town, at events, etc.

We'll keep you updated about Eric's whereabouts as information becomes
available.

Yours,
SPS

6/9: Puerto Rico Reception for the UN

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign
http://www.ProLibertadWeb.com
ProLibertad Hotline: 718-601-4751
ProLibertad@hotmail.com

FREE PUERTO RICO!!

Mon. June 9th, 2008 at 6:30pm at Hunter College West Building

2nd Floor Room 217

E68th St. and Lexington Avenue

(Take the #6 train to E68th St.)

Donation: $10 or your best offer

(no one will be turned away)

Join the ProLibertad Freedom Campaign for our annual Reception/Forum for the Puerto Rico Delegation of the United Nations De-Colonization Committee Hearings!!

Every year a Delegation from Puerto Rico comes to the United Nations to testify to the U.N. De-Colonization Committee; to make the case for the liberation of Puerto Rico, Vieques and the release of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War.

This delegation is made up of various activists from the different organizations throughout Puerto Rico that fight for the independence of Puerto Rico.

This reception/forum is an opportunity for allies of the Puerto Rican independence movement in NYC to converse with activists from Puerto Rico!!

Come hear updates on: Labor Struggle in Puerto Rico, FBI Repression of the Independence Movement, Avelino Gonzalez Claudio, Vieques and other topics!

The following organizations and individuals areinvited: El Frente Socialista, The Island of Vieques, ProLibertad, El Partido Nacionalista Puertorriqueño, and many other organizations from New York and Puerto Rico...

Austria Update including statement from Amnesty International

ELP Information Bulletin (7th June 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just been sent the following update about the Austrian prisoners.

> Hi ELP,
>
> just wanted to update you on the situation in Austria. Yesterdy the remand was extended for all ten activists. This is a routine closed court proceedure in Austria and means they will be inside for at least another 4 weeks. After this, the remand may be extended for two months at a time. The reasons given for the remand are danger of concealment of evidence, because some of the arrested communicated using pgp and danger of further offences because some have been active in the animal rights movement for several years. This could result in them being remanded for up to a year.
>
> They have been charged with membership of a criminal organisation. This offence was created to deal with organised crime like money laundering and mafia activities and has never been used for political activists before.
>
> As far as I know, only three are on hunger strike now. And their physical situation has deteriorated greatly. Force feeding is allowed in Austria, but it is not known at what point. The situation with vegan food isn't great, with them getting bread and jam for breakfast and in the evening. For lunch they get something warm, but it's not much. The legal aid group in Vienna are really good and are sorting out as much as they can but it's difficult. Visits are restricted with glass wall and phone and are often not allowed as they are being recorde and listened to by someone, so they are only allowed when ths person has time. They are only half an hour, twice a week at best. Phonecalls are not allowed because of the danger of concealment allegation. Nothing is allowed to be brought in or sent except letters, which generaly take between 2-4 weeks to get through to Austrian remand prisoners.
>
> They all want letters but most do not want their complete names published
>
> Christoph, Jan, Kevin Kroemmer, Leo, Martin Balluch, Sabine.
>
> Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria
>
> Letters will be passed on by the soli-group.
>
> Would be good if you could spread this around a bit.
>
> All the best
>


Also, ELP understands that Amnesty International has come out in favour of the Austrian prisoners. Below is a statement from Amnesty which can be found at http://www.vgt.at/presse/news/2008/news20080605_1_en.php

Translation of the statement from Amnesty International:

(1) Amnesty International can of course make no statement with regard to whether the accused are guilty of the criminal acts of which they are accused (criminal damage to property, duress, menacing threat) and would like to remind here of the presumption of innocence anchored in the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 6 para 2) and in the Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure (Sec 8).

(2) Amnesty International states here firstly that in terms of human rights all nations have the obligation to protect people's physical integrity property, and that freedom of opinion has its limits where others' rights are violated. Laws protecting people's physical integrity and property thus are valid for active members of civil society as a matter of course, regardless of the issue they are committed to working for.

As an embodiment of the freedom of _expression, political and social activism – no matter for which issue – enjoys special protections only so long as it is non-violent and respects the human rights of others. Commitment to a cause does not justify damaging property or threatening people. Criminal investigations or other measures taken against members of civil society are therefore not problematic in and of themselves from the human rights perspective.

(3) Amnesty International does, however, state that the case at hand manifests concerns that our organisation previously expressed in a position paper on the Austrian Criminal Code Reform Act (Strafrechtsänderungsgessetz) of 2002 with regard to the criminal offences stipulated in Sec 278 et seqq. relating to criminal associations or organisations:

Whilst Amnesty International recognises the necessity of amending the Austrian Criminal Code to harmonise with the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime, in our view this amendment was effected in a disproportionate manner that exceeds the standards of the UN Convention. In connection with the draft version of Sec 278 of the Criminal Code, Amnesty International has already previously stated that although criminal offences such as resistance to state authority or serious damage to property are most certainly not socially adequate behaviours in a democratic society and must be prohibited by criminal law in any event, it seems inadequate to postulate a group involved in organised crime from a situation where a number of demonstrators arrange to resist state authority.

In our position paper on the Criminal Code Reform Act of 2002, Amnesty International warned that the new catalogue of offences relating to organised crime and terrorism was formulated in an exaggerated manner. Amnesty International pointed out that well-known environmental organisations such as Greenpeace, for example, that might engage in actions such as occupying an atomic power plant, could be said to have committed an offence under this law in doing so, and as a consequence those who donate to their organisation could be charged with financing terrorism under criminal law.

Amnesty International points out that the term "organised crime" is characterised by the intent to enrich oneself and refers to the gravest crimes, for which the intention to maximise profits is characteristic (drug trafficking and smuggling, weapons trafficking and smuggling, theft and trafficking of stolen artwork, procuration of prostitutes, prostitution, trafficking in human beings, illegal gaming and gaming fraud, protection rackets, illegal dumping of dangerous materials, illegal transfer of technology, money laundering, and terrorism; see also Article 5 (1) of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime).

Amnesty International calls attention to the fact that intent to enrich oneself does not exist in the case at hand. The information available to us indicates that the Public Prosecutor also does not claim that there is such an intent. Amnesty International is, therefore, irritated that the allegedly specific evidence has not resulted in criminal proceedings on the grounds of damage to property, duress or menacing threat, but that charges related to a general crime of membership in a criminal organization, the vagueness of which crime we perceive to be problematic, are apparently being pursued instead.

(4) With respect to the house searches and seizures, Amnesty International makes reference to the human rights imperative of appropriateness, which has also found _expression in the Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure. Existing accounts of the situation raise doubts with respect to the appropriateness of how the house searches and arrests were made by the police. Therefore, Amnesty International urgently recommends an independent and unbiased investigation of these measures and expressly welcomes the initiation of appeal procedures by defence counsel. With reference to Article 4 para 7 of the Personal Freedoms Act (Bundesverfassungsgesetz über den Schutz der persönlichen Freiheit, PersFrG), Amnesty International believes that particular attention must be paid to the fact that those held in custody have reported that the authorities have refused to allow them to contact legal counsel.

Amnesty International also points out that the search warrant (which is at our disposal) does not clearly indicate which evidence was to be secured. The _expression "electronic storage media as well as relevant documents and objects" is very general in its wording. Amnesty International has observed the use of such pre-written text blocks as substantiation for infringements of fundamental freedoms in other contexts, and fears that the use of such gives rise to doubts about how carefully the human rights boundaries are observed in individual cases.

(5) Amnesty International is concerned about reports which indicate that the extent and nature of the house searches and seizures were such as to possibly impede the legitimate work of legal civil organisations. While the Public Prosecutor responsible for this case stresses that the allegations of criminal offences are not directed at any associations, the reports we have received indicate that the seizure of materials in the associations' offices were carried out in a manner that has left them deprived of the resources (e.g., donor databases) they would require in order to continue working.

In this context, Amnesty International stresses that criminal investigations against individuals should not be mingled with any membership in institutions or associations of civil society that they might have. Every effort must be made by the authorities to avoid creating the impression that they consider it at least acceptable to have impeded the work of legal associations.

(6) Amnesty International is concerned about information received from the accused's legal counsel, according to which access to the files was limited to an extent that specific information was not available, not even regarding what is claimed to be the 'reasonable suspicion' (dringender Tatverdacht) or the 'probable cause' (Haftgrund) for the arrests. Thus, the information that is necessary for the defence of those being held and for any questioning of their custody is being withheld from their lawyers.

Amnesty International points out that under Article 5 para 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, every person under arrest must be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and of the nature of the accusations being made against them. Pursuant to Sec 51 para 2 last sentence of the Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure, following the ordering of investigative custody, it is not permissible to restrict access to documents that the accused requires in order to defend himself in an appeal against the 'reasonable suspicion' held against him and the 'probable cause' being given for his arrest.

++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

bostonanarchists emergency appeal for bail funds

Boston ABC
bostonabc@riseup.net
http://baamboston.org/abc/*Forward Widely*

An appeal from your friendly Boston ABC
      two of our Boston comrades have been arrested tonight on some more
bullshit charges, full stories will follow sometime, but whats
important right now is getting the bail money as it is very high for 2
people in Boston. If you know the phone number or address of any Boston
ABC members, please get in touch ASAP to make a donation.
Otherwise, please send donations to:
(either well-concealed cash or a blank check)

Boston ABC,
Po Box 230182
Boston, Ma 02123-0182

thankyou in advance and keep up the struggle

Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities #1

Understanding the need for change within the NYPD and how they approach those overwhelmed by their psychiatric disabilities-members have choosen to challenge the NYPD and has set out to push for better training when handling situations involving those overwhelmed by mental illness.

visit http://www.myspace.com/rippdjustice for more info on some of our work, also our website http://www.rippd.org

Benefit for Jeff 'Free' Luers Sunday, June 15

Sunday, June 15th, Benefit
for Oregon environmental
prisoner Jeff “Free” Luers

At the Apocalypse on Broadway, 2100 W. Broadway #1, 7pm, $5, all ages.
For more info email breakthechains02@yahoo.com

With local bands:

Madame Flod
THE BLAIR ST. MUGWUMPS
Le Petite Mort

www.freejeffluers.org

Seattle Cracks Down on Food Not Bombs' Meals for the Homeless

Bombs Away
City Cracks Down on Food Not Bombs' Meals for the Homeless
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=592296&hp


by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

On an unseasonably cold and gloomy Sunday evening, a line of about 50
people stretches across Occidental Park in Pioneer Square. The men
and women in line clutch large plastic trays as a group of about a
dozen volunteers from Food Not Bombs (FNB)—a loosely organized
nationwide group of activists working to feed the homeless—offer up
scoops of vegan mashed potatoes, veggie stir-fry, and guacamole.

Just as the food starts to run out, two parks department trucks roll
into the park. One parks employee starts scribbling down the
license-plate numbers of two volunteers' cars and makes a call.
Minutes later, two Seattle Police Department cars pull up near the
edge of the park.
Stranger Personals

The young FNB volunteers—some with dyed hair, others wearing
Operation Ivy hoodies—are visibly nervous about the police
presence, but say it isn't anything new. Volunteers say that in the
last month, they've repeatedly been shooed out of the park by the
parks department and SPD. Employees for those agencies, in turn, say
the order to crack down on unauthorized meal programs like FNB's came
straight from Mayor Greg Nickels's office. Nickels's spokesman, Alex
Fryer, claims the mayor has not issued any specific edict to crack
down on the meals in Occidental Park. However, he adds that the
crackdowns are "for safety's sake and public health's sake."

The city's response is part of a larger citywide crackdown on
perceived health and safety issues associated with the homeless. In
the past year, city and county workers have torn down encampments
tucked away in greenbelts, shut down another meal program in City
Hall Park, and corralled a number of other homeless meal programs,
including Operation Sack Lunch, onto a lot under the I-5 overpass at
Sixth Avenue and Columbia Street—nearly a mile from the halfway
houses and shelters in Pioneer Square and outside the downtown
ride-free transit zone.

FNB volunteers say the group has no plans to follow other homeless
programs to the city-sanctioned parking lot. The organization, which
started as an antinuclear group in the 1980s and gradually evolved
into an antihunger organization, emphasizes healthy meals that are
easy for homeless people to access. And that's part of what's gotten
them into trouble.

In an April 23 letter to FNB volunteers, the parks department claims
FNB's weekly dinner at Occidental Park is a health and safety hazard
and says the city expects "all organizations" to serve their meals at
"the only approved city site," at Sixth and Columbia. Police officers
say they're concerned about fights in the park. However, one FNB
volunteer named Ozzie (who wanted to be identified by his first name
only) says, "I've seen more fights outside of bars on Pioneer Square"
than in Occidental Park. Nonetheless, Ozzie and several other
volunteers say police and parks officials have threatened them with
parks exclusion citations—barring them from all Seattle parks for
up to a year—if they continue to serve the homeless in Occidental
Park.

The city employees who've been dealing with FNB don't seem terribly
excited at the prospect of writing tickets or issuing citations. One
parks employee bagging up garbage in Occidental Park says he "feel[s]
like a snitch" whenever he has to report FNB, but he's been ordered
to call police any time he sees a group meal in any Seattle park. One
police officer at the park on Sunday apologetically tells a group of
FNB volunteers, "I don't have a problem with it; I just have to let
you know [you can't do it here]."

For now, FNB plans to stay as long as they can. When asked how
important the Occidental Park site is to FNB, Ozzie pauses. "You'd
have to ask hungry people that," he says. "My personal inclination is
that if it's not there, there are some people who aren't going to be
able to eat."

=
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"There is a Prison Awaiting All Dreamers" text from flyer about Eric McDavid and prisons

author: anonymous

This text is being distributed and posted as a single-sheet flyer inside and on the streets of the Puget Sound area of Washington state. It is an attempt to communicate to anyone who is willing to contemplate and engage the growing prominence of repression in the glorious United States, breadbasket of fascistic democratic control.

This text is being distributed and posted as a single-sheet flyer inside and on the streets of the Puget Sound area of Washington state. It is an attempt to communicate to anyone who is willing to contemplate and engage the growing prominence of repression in the glorious United States, breadbasket of fascistic democratic control.

There is a Prison Awaiting All Dreamers

The fear is back again...
please divert your attention
from the following:

On May 10th, 2008, a young man by the name of Eric McDavid was sentenced to over 19 years in jail for what the government claims was a "terrorist" conspiracy that never materialized. Using a paid FBI informant, the servant media's slander, and the ongoing promotion of "terrorist" fear, the state implicated him and a few others in a plot to sabotage various earth-destructive commercial and government properties -a plot that never even happened. Eric has not only spent over two years in solitary confinement while awaiting trial and sentencing but was further damned by the cooperative testimony of his co-defendants, who sold him down the river and into the mouth of the largest population of caged people. For those who find vindication in statistics, there are plenty of numbers hiding far from view: at the end of 2006, a record 7.2 million American people were behind bars, on probation or on parole; at the beginning of 2008, more than 1 in 100 American adults found themselves locked in the cages of a prison.

You can ignore the brutality of Eric's punishment by the judges, cops, and politicians who speak of democratic "justice" while consolidating their grip on every aspect of how you live. You can keep turning your head away from the fear that justifies the prisons -work, school, sacrifice, democracy, television, etc. -that envelope your every decision in life. There are an endless amount of reasons for you to accept indefinite "wars on terror", to continue on your way, to be thankful you are not there, contemplating life in a fucking cage.

But what you cannot ignore, but may likely deny, is that the misery that dominates our world and its richness of life exists with your participation. In fact, you are also its prisoner. And you're right in thinking that all your unfulfilled dreams are "just not possible in the real world" because this "real world" is enforced around the clock. Your work commute hums to its rhythms, and your leisure time is only guaranteed by your success in playing by the rules of its economic survival.

Everything we find deplorable today -state wars of extermination, work servitude, ecological meltdown, and alienation from the most basic of human solidarities -is sanctified by our passivity and inertness. There is no greater crime in a society of control than that of the practice of freedom and solidarity. To those, like Eric, who fight for a world based on an uncontrollable love of life and freedom, there is a prison waiting to contain them and a rebel unwilling to be erased.

Eric, like every prisoner, has had his freedom taken away by those who enforce this reality... What will you do when your dreams cannot be contained by a world imposed upon you? Will you fight for dignity and freedom, or will you hide with the corpses of fear? Without action and reaction, your freedom is simply a meaningless term.

Everything that has come to pass is subject to reversal. We need not be observers of our own demise.
Our dreams are ready to take over this world and leave its prisons in ruin.

- other people, same people, dreamers like you

6/6-All out for the Cuban 5 26 Federal Plaza

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign sends this out in soldiarity with the Cuban 5!!

FREE THE PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS!

FREE THE CUBAN 5!!

ALL OUT 10-10-08 FREE ALL US HELD POLITICAL PRISONERS!!

http://www.jerichony.org

__________________________________________________________________________

The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 is calling on all of our allies and supporters to JOIN US IN DENOUCING THIS TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE!

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has made thier decision: THEY ARE UPHOLDING THE UNJUST CONVICTIONS PLACED ON THE CUBAN 5!!

MOBILIZE TO 26 FEDERAL PLAZA!! EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE!!

______________________________________________________________________

National Committee To Free The Cuban Five Bulletin

11th Circuit Court Upholds Convictions

Organize Protests Immediately!

Free the Cuban Five NOW! -- Extradite Posada!

Sisters and Brothers:

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 3-judge panel, has issued its ruling today, upholding the convictions of the Five Cuban Heroes, including the espionage conspiracy and murder conspiracy. The life sentences for the espionage conspiracy charges against Antonio, Ramon, and Fernando have been remanded to the Miami trial judge for re-sentencing.

READ THE DECISION IN THE LINK BELOW

http://www.freethefive.org

Stay tuned into our website and email messages from our Committee for Cuba's response and the explanation of the decision by the Five's defense attorneys. We are urgently calling on all supporters to join together in your cities and communities, to hold protests in front of U.S. federal buildings or other appropriate places, and in countries outside the United States, wherever possible, at U.S. embassies, consulates or other appropriate symbols.

As the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five has recommended in these past months, an immediate response is extremely important, in order to bring media attention to the injustice against the Cuban Five, and to show the broad national and international support for our brothers.

New York City

DATE: Friday, June 6, 2008 Time: 5:00 pm

Location: 26 Federal Plaza ( BRING YOUR FLAGS AND NOISEMAKERS)

N/R to City Hall
4/5 to Brooklyn Bridge
J/M to Chambers
A/C to Chambers
2/3 to Park Place

Sponsor: July 26 Coalition, encompassing many organizations Contact: 718-601-4751 or 212-694-8720

Green Scare Traitor gets probation

http://www.katu.com/news/local/19507819.html

Radical 'snitch' in Western arsons gets probation

Story Published: Jun 3, 2008 at 4:07 PM PDT
By WILLIAM McCALL Associated Press Writer

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A radical environmentalist who helped federal
officials round up a militant cell of arsonists called "the Family" has
been sentenced to five years on probation.

After 20 fires across the West and $40 million in damage, federal agents
turned Jacob Ferguson into an informant in 2004.

He took a recorder to meetings with other members of the Family and
broke what a prosecutor said Tuesday was a "wall of silence."

Other members also talked, and one committed suicide in jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Engdall said Ferguson's sentencing marks
the end of the 10-year investigation, although three of 15 conspirators
are fugitives.

"Only through the assistance of Mr. Ferguson, did the pieces of this
mosaic come together," Engdall said.

Ferguson, who once had a pentagram tattoo on his head and studied diesel
mechanics at Lane Community College, renounced his past Tuesday.

He said the efforts of the Family had "achieved nothing," and the
arsonists were fortunate nobody was injured or killed.

He apologized for the economic damage and disruption that he and the
others caused for nearly five years.

"I'll never be able to give back what I took away," he said.

Ferguson, dressed in a black sweater and black slacks, said he would
work with young people to help them avoid getting caught up in violent
protests no matter how noble the cause.

Engdall said Ferguson had overcome heroin addiction and the experience
of growing up with a drug-addicted father who was in and out of prison.

Ferguson, now 35, also has gone back to school and is raising his son,
Engdall said.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken praised Ferguson's efforts to turn his
life around, and told him that he had a chance with his own son to
"break the cycle of abuse and neglect."

Defense attorney Ed Spinney said Ferguson had taken only a tape recorder
to dozens of undercover meetings with co-conspirators. Investigators did
not monitor the meetings, so "he put himself in danger many times,"
Spinney said.

Ferguson since has been the target of threats and has been shunned by
the environmental activist community to which he once belonged, Spinney
said.

The targets of the arsonists included forest ranger stations, meat
packing plants, wild horse corrals, lumber mill offices, research
facilities and an SUV dealer. They were often attributed to the Earth
Liberation Front or the Animal Liberation Front.

After a federal task force broke up the Family, one member, William
Rodgers, committed suicide in Arizona in 2005.

Tre Arrow Pleads Guilty

ELP Information Bulletin (4th of June 2008)

Dear friends

Yesterday well known American eco-activist, Tre Arrow, pleaded guilty to two counts of arson. In exchange for his Guilty plea Tre is expected to be sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment. However the court will also acknowledge the four years he has already served on remand, in Canada, fighting his extradition to the USA.

Below are two articles about the plea. Firstly a news item published on the web and then a statement from Tre himself.

ELP totally supports Tre in his decision to plead guilty and we encourage everyone to continue to offer him all their support.

++++++


http://www.katu.com/news/local/19494614.html

Tre Arrow pleads guilty in firebombing case

PORTLAND, Ore. – Radical environmentalist Tre Arrow on Tuesday pleaded
guilty to arson charges as part of a deal with prosecutors that will
keep him behind bars for more than two years.

Arrow, who legally changed his name from Michael Scarpitti, was charged
with firebombing three cement trucks at Ross Island Sand & Gravel in
Portland and setting fire to logging trucks and a tractor near Estacada.

On his Web site, the 34-year-old said recently he did not want to risk
receiving a life prison sentence and called the plea deal an offer he
"couldn't refuse."

On Tuesday, he entered a guilty plea to two counts of arson during a
hearing in federal court in Portland.

As part of the deal, he agreed to receive a sentence of 6-1/2 years in
prison. However, he will be given credit for the four years he spent
behind bars in British Columbia following his arrest in 2004.

The deal also restricts Arrow from associating with so-called
eco-terrorist groups, including the Earth Liberation Front and Animal
Liberation Front.

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Arrow will serve his time at a medium-security federal prison in
Sheridan in Yamhill County.


+++++++


June 3rd, 2008

A warm blessing to you all – i thank you for your support and for being here
today. Some may look at this non – cooperation plea agreement as a victory.
Some may see it as a defeat. It's really neither! It's simply another step in
this journey as i walk my path of conscience. You see, it's never been about
me. From before the days of the ledge-sit, right thru 'til today, this has been
and will always be about the commitment to leave our Earth Mother in a
healthier, more beautiful state then when i arrived. This is about taking back
our power from the government and corporate entities that would have us believe
that monetary wealth and the acquisition of material objects is more important
than the health of the planet, it's people and the billions of life forms with
whom we share this home. This is about being a voice for the trees, our animal
friends, the waters, mountains and blue skies. This is a calling to consider
our children grandchildren and the generations to follow. This is living up to
our divine potential. This is an opportunity to be a voice for truth,
compassion and respect in the face of profound corruption and disregard for the
sanctity of life that permeates the governments and corporations of the world.

Now, more than ever, the desperate need to be thoughtful stewards of this earth
is upon us. The reality of the enormous detriment impact humyns have on the
planet can no longer be ignored. In honor of our Earth Mother and all her
sacred creatures (big and small, plant and animal, humyn and non – humyn), i
ask you to take a deep, hard look at your life and ask yourself this one
question:

"Is this what really matters?"

This government with its many devices of power and control has constructed the
Prison Industrial Complex, not as a means for healing and benefit to society,
but as a form of institutionalized slavery that garners big-business contracts.
Most are worse off when they leave prison than when they arrived. Instead of
rehabilitation and true opportunity for self improvement, the Prison Industrial
Complex is largely a political tool to crush dissent and keep the status- quo
in place. No being deserves to be locked in a cage, no matter what their
"crime". Many government and corporate officials are responsible for the most
heinous crimes yet never spend a day behind bars.

I say to those who try to keep the voice of dissent squelched: you may cage my
body, but you will never succeed in trapping or containing my mind and spirit!
The deeper the oppression, the stronger the light radiates. And so i declare
with confidence and passion: As long as i am able, i will do what i can to help
preserve the last remaining wild places while helping to restore the damage
this one race has caused.

Someday, in the not-so-distant future, i will meet you on the outside of the
prison walls and fences, and together we will heal this Earth.

Blessings,

thank U

NAMASTE

tre arrow

===============

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Tre Arrow's Press Statement

From: tre@riseup.net

Date:    Tue, June 3, 2008

June 3rd, 2008

A warm blessing to you all – i thank you for your support and for being
here today. Some may look at this non – cooperation plea agreement as a victory.
Some may see it as a defeat. It's really neither! It's simply another step in
this journey as i walk my path of conscience. You see, it's never been about
me. From before the days of the ledge-sit, right thru 'til today, this has
been and will always be about the commitment to leave our Earth Mother in a
healthier, more beautiful state then when i arrived. This is about taking
back our power from the government and corporate entities that would have us
believe that monetary wealth and the acquisition of material objects is more
important than the health of the planet, it's people and the billions of life forms
with whom we share this home. This is about being a voice for the trees, our
animal friends, the waters, mountains and blue skies. This is a calling to consider
our children grandchildren and the generations to follow. This is living
up to our divine potential. This is an opportunity to be a voice for truth,
compassion and respect in the face of profound corruption and disregard
for the sanctity of life that permeates the governments and corporations of the
world.

Now, more than ever, the desperate need to be thoughtful stewards of this
earth is upon us. The reality of the enormous detriment impact humyns have on the
planet can no longer be ignored. In honor of our Earth Mother and all her
sacred creatures (big and small, plant and animal, humyn and non –
humyn), i ask you to take a deep, hard look at your life and ask yourself this one
question:

"Is this what really matters?"

This government with its many devices of power and control has constructed
the Prison Industrial Complex, not as a means for healing and benefit to society,
but as a form of institutionalized slavery that garners big-business
contracts.
Most are worse off when they leave prison than when they arrived. Instead of
rehabilitation and true opportunity for self improvement, the Prison
Industrial Complex is largely a political tool to crush dissent and keep the status- quo
in place. No being deserves to be locked in a cage, no matter what their
"crime". Many government and corporate officials are responsible for the most
heinous crimes yet never spend a day behind bars.

I say to those who try to keep the voice of dissent squelched: you may
cage my body, but you will never succeed in trapping or containing my mind and
spirit!
The deeper the oppression, the stronger the light radiates. And so i declare
with confidence and passion: As long as i am able, i will do what i can to
help preserve the last remaining wild places while helping to restore the damage
this one race has caused.

Someday, in the not-so-distant future, i will meet you on the outside of the
prison walls and fences, and together we will heal this Earth.

Blessings,

thank U

NAMASTE

tre arrow

Radical environmentalist gets five years probation

Associated Press  June 03, 2008
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/06/radical_environmentalist_gets.html

EUGENE - A radical environmentalist who helped federal officials round up
a militant cell of arsonists called "the Family" has been sentenced to
five years on probation.

Jacob Ferguson pleaded guilty in October to arson and attempted arson for
his role in the string of 20 fires set across the West from 1996 to 2001
to protest logging and environmental damage to the forests.

Ferguson admitted setting fire to the U.S Forest Service Ranger Station in
Detroit, Ore., and a government pickup in 1996.

He turned informant in 2004 as investigators were closing in on the
radical group that caused more than $40 million in damage.

Ten members were sentenced to federal prison last year after pleading
guilty to arson and other charges.

SOLIDARITY IS A WEAPON! BENEFIT FOR MARIE MASON

http://freemarie.org/2008/06/03/solidarity-is-a-weapon-benefit-for-marie-mason/

SOLIDARITY IS A WEAPON! BENEFIT FOR MARIE MASON

A special video for the June 7th Day of National Resistance Against the
Green Scare

DERRICK JENSEN
Acclaimed environmental writer, author of ‘Culture of Make Believe’, ‘A
Language Older Than Words’, ‘Endgame’, and other works.

Jensen discusses the recent state repression of activist groups (the
“Green Scare”), the state of the environmental defense movement, and the
fate of our planet.

All proceeds will benefit the legal fund for Marie Mason and other
recently arrested environmental activists. This is part of the June 7th
National Day of Resistance Against the Green Scare.

If you cannot make this event but would like to donate to the legal fund,
you can do so at http://freemarie.org.

Saturday, JUNE 7

(Please note: due to technical difficulties, this will be a pre-recorded
video, not a live broadcast)

CONFIRMED CITIES:

* Ann Arbor, MI
* Austin, TX (Monkey Wrench Books)
* Baltimore, MD
* Bloomington, IN (I-69 Listening Project)
* Chicago, IL
* Cincinnati, OH (at IWW National Office)
* Cleveland, OH (Burning River)
* Columbus, OH (Spore Infoshop)
* Evansville, IN
* Fresno, CA
* Grand Rapids, MI (Bloom Collective)
* Kalamazoo, MI
* Lake Worth, FL
* Lexington, KY (Liberation Projects)
* Louisville, KY
* Minneapolis, MN
* New York, NY (FusionArts)
* Northampton, MA
* Oakland, CA
* Tucson, AZ (Dry River Radical Resource Center)
* Washington, DC (Brian MacKenzie Infoshop)
* Worcester, MA (at Collective A-Go-Go)

New Green Scare Prisoner & Defendant Zine!

New Green Scare Prisoner & Defendant Zine!

http://freemarie.org/2008/06/03/download-distro-the-new-green-scare-prisoner-defendant-zine/

Support for Rod Coronado Message

From:    "Support for Rod Coronado" <info@supportrod.org>
Date:    Tue, June 3, 2008

(Mailing List Information, including unsubscription instructions,
is located at the end of this message.)
__

Rod had been in Oklahoma for almost a month. We are now able to speak more
regularly after our home phone number was approved. It's sweet to get a
phone call to wake me up, sweet in a bitter-sweet sort of way.

Life sounds alright in Oklahoma. He certainly has come to terms with
prison life, and I think if he has to do time anywhere, perhaps Oklahoma
is turning out to be an ok place amongst the options. (Rod heard from a
Tucson transferee that there have been 10 stabbings in the last month,
constant lockdowns, etc... at FCI Tucson, where he was last time.)  He
says he feels in creators hands, and I feel peace in that. There are
intense sweats on each Saturday, he says the folks around are very nice
and respectful, and just today he was interviewed for a very good job in
the powerhouse working in the electrical and boiler room. He said his boss
was very kind, and they could have very good conversations. He was frank
about his history, and still the boss wanted to hire him. Also, the
weather has been just chaotic there with powerful storms~ tornadoes and
baseball size hail! I grew up amongst these storms, and they have the
ability to hypnotize you with their force and eerie humid gree
n skied silence..... He said he wants to see a tornado, something he could
mark off his things he has never experienced list. Hmmmm..... I am not
sure these tornadoes are the kind you want to see..... but that is just
like Rod! (To read about the storms, click here!)
But, the distance is difficult and it aches to remember the feelings of
family, with us all together. Maya has been an emotional roller-coaster;
missing her daddy, more so when she is tired. When I miss him, I tend to
write letters, download information, and send books. It makes me feel
connected. Again, he feels so far away!

The last week has been filled with both great and really heavy news. I am
going to keep both private, but I share this with the intent that would
like those who are helping with family travels for me to see Rod, or those
who are interested in helping funds for the future travel, know that there
are heavy family issues that come up which must be addressed in person.
Prison doesn't stop time. People keep living out here while those that are
detained cannot function as father, friend, son, or provider. All of the
good things and bad things continue, and Rod does not find out about them
unless someone bridges the gap between worlds. Although I planned a trip
to surprise Rod, bring him some needed warmth, it will now serve two
purposes.

Thank you to those who are helping with this trip, and please remember we
are so grateful for your support!

Keep sending Rod love and letters! He needs it!

I will share the good news with you as soon as I think it is a real
situation!

*

Chrysta


The following physical address is associated with this mailing list:

PO Box 732
Tucson, Arizona 85702

Puerto Rican political prisoners’ case to be presented before UN Decolonization Committee

English translation follows Spanish

Punta de lanza ante la ONU

Se trata de los prisioneros políticos boricuas, cuyos casos se presentarán el lunes ante el Comité de Descolonización.

Por José A. Delgado / jdelgado@elnuevodía.com
3 junio 2008

http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/puertoricohoy/noticias/punta_de_lanza_ante_la_onu/413364

WASHINGTON - Las casi tres décadas de encarcelamiento de Oscar López y Carlos Alberto Torres son motivo suficiente para que la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) intervenga a favor de los presos políticos boricuas, advirtió el Comité Pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico.

La organización divulgó ayer la presentación que ha enviado y que presentará formalmente el próximo lunes ante el Comité de Descolonización de la ONU en reclamo de la excarcelación de los prisioneros políticos boricuas.

El Comité de Descolonización de la ONU tiene previsto sesionar el lunes para discutir una nueva resolución que reconocería el derecho de Puerto Rico a su libre determinación e independencia y reclamaría que el caso boricua sea discutido en 2009, como un asunto independiente, ante la Asamblea General de la organización internacional.

En momentos en que la Casa Blanca y precandidatos a la presidencia aceptan que en Puerto Rico “no hay democracia plena”, el portavoz del Comité Pro Derechos Humanos, Eduardo Villanueva, afirmó que urge como parte de cualquier proceso en torno al futuro político de Puerto Rico, liberar a prisioneros que han combatido un régimen que “quienes lo representan y lo administran admiten que es antidemocrático”.

En informes publicados en diciembre de 2005 y 2007, la Casa Blanca ha descrito a Puerto Rico como un mero territorio de Estados Unidos, sujeto a la voluntad del Congreso, que incluso pudiera regalar el país a otra nación.

“A nuestros prisioneros políticos se les ha mantenido por 28 y 29 años presos, alejados de su familia, sometidos durante largos años a períodos de privación de sueño, de sensaciones cromáticas y sensoriales, privados de atención médica adecuada, interceptadas sus llamadas telefónicas y sus comunicaciones como si fueran criminales vulgares, aun cuando (Estados Unidos) sabe que son combatientes por la autodeterminación de los puertorriqueños”, agregó Villanueva en la ponencia enviada ante el Comité de Descolonización.

A la sesión de la semana próxima ha anunciado su comparecencia el gobernador Aníbal Acevedo Vilá.

*************************************************************************

Spearhead at the U.N.

Puerto Rican political prisoners’ case to be presented on Monday before the Decolonization Committee
by José A. Delgado / jdelgado@elnuevodía.com
June 3, 2008
http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/puertoricohoy/noticias/punta_de_lanza_ante_la_onu/413364

WASHINGTON - The almost three decades of imprisonment of Oscar López and Carlos Alberto Torres are sufficient reason for the United Nations to intervene in favor of the Puerto Rican political prisoners, warned the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico.

The organization revealed yesterday the presentation it has sent and will formally present next Monday before the Decolonization Committee of the U.N. seeking the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners.

The Decolonization Committee of the U.N. has scheduled Monday to discuss a new resolution which will recognize the right of Puerto Rico to its self determination and indepenence and will call for the case of Puerto Rico to be discussed in 2009, as an independent matter, at the General Assembly of the international organization.

At a time when the White House and presidential candidates accept that in Puerto Rico, “there is no full democracy,” the spokesperson for the Human Rights Committee, Eduardo Villanueva, affirmed that part of any process regarding the political future of Puerto Rico should be the release of prisoners, who have fought a regime that “those who represent and administer it admit is anti democratic.”

In reports published in December of 2005 and 2007, the White House has described Puerto Rico as a mere territory of the United States, subject to the will of Congress, which includes that it could give the country to another nation.

“They have kept our political prisoners for 28 and 29 years behind bars, far from their families, subjected for many years to periods of sleep deprivation, sensory deprivation, denial of adequate medical care, and monitored telephone calls and communication as if they were common criminals, even when (the United States) knows that they are combatants for the self determination of Puerto Rico,” added Villanueva in the presentation sent to the Decolonization Committee.

Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá has announced that he will attend next week’s session.

Austrian hungerstriker moved to prison hospital

ELP has just heard that one of the Austrian Animal Rights prisoners, who is on hungerstrike, was moved to the prison hospital wing today and it is expected they will try to force feed him on Friday.

ELP will bring you more news on this as we get it. Latest reports suggest that as many as seven of the Austrian prisoners are now on hungerstrike.

Police violence: woman dead at Corfu (Greece) anti-disposal centre demonstration

From: greekelp@yahoo.gr

A 43-old woman protesting against the Lefkimmi (Corfu, Greece) disposal centre construction lost her life. She was hitten during the clashes when the cops drove on her a 16 year-old motorcyclist while they were hitting him. Another protestor is possibly paralysed, from the same incident... She was a mother of a 2 year-old. She participated in a demo of some 150 of her fellow-villagers against the illegal construction of a work dangerous for life and the environment of her area, that keep fighting alone for months, building barricades against police violence. On the clashes: http://directactiongr. blogspot. com/2008/05/residents-clash-with-riot-policemen. html Photos from an independent news source can be found here: http://www.corfunews.eu/ More photos from the clashes: http://picasaweb.google.com/xytaLefkimis/xukRyH/photo#5206863940925201138 In Lefkimmi, a village in southern Corfu, the government plans on building a disposal centre for the whole island, despite the ancient ruins lying underneath, as well as the fact there are no plans concerning the environmental degradations and the consequences on local wildlife and on the residents' life conditions. The residents have organized several demonstrations during the last months, many of them have faced police violence.

Support Parole for Herman Bell

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Mon, June 2, 2008 12:07 pm


PAROLE FOR HERMAN BELL

Dear Friends,

Herman Bell is requesting your support when he
goes before the New York state parole board this
summer.  A U.S. political prisoner and a former
Black Panther, Herman was part of the brilliant
liberation movements of the 1960s and early
1970s, and as such was targeted by the government
for "neutralization" via their infamous and
illegal counterintelligence ("COINTELPRO")
program.  His first trial ended in a hung
jury.  The second time, the prosecution used
illegal tactics (including making a secret deal
to drop charges against one witness in exchange
for her testimony, and calling a witness who had
been previously tortured by law enforcement who
later admitted to lying on the stand) to obtain a
conviction of Herman and his co-defendants Jalil
Muntaqim and Nuh Washington (now deceased) for
killing two New York City police in
1971.  Herman, Jalil, and Nuh are known as the New York Three (NY3).

Now, after nearly 35 years of imprisonment,
Herman faces new charges.  In spite of suffering
decades of removal from society, Herman has been
deemed an imminent threat, evidenced by the
government's prosecution of Herman and 7 other
Elder Black activists and former Panthers for a
police killing that took place nearly 40 years
ago in San Francisco.  Herman, his NY3
co-defendant Jalil Muntaqim, and their 6
co-defendants are known as the San Francisco 8,
or SF8.  The FBI's illegal COINTELPRO has morphed
into Homeland Security's Joint Terrorism Task
Force.  These domestic witch-hunters pad their
fat payrolls not by looking for those who are
actually a danger to society, but by casting
their vengeful net towards activists of past
liberation movements, trying to reshape these
peace-loving activists into heinous
criminals.  The Black liberation movement, the
Puerto Rican independence movement, and
environmentalists are all in the government's
sites.  The government is not just targeting a
handful of individuals – they are threatening any
movement to resist tyranny and stand up for a healthy society.

Herman Bell is a courageous, loving man. He is a
beautiful husband, father, grandfather, teacher
and friend. He is an elder who has sacrificed his
entire adult life to stand against government
persecution of Black communities. Even from
within the confines of prison walls, he's
continued to be a positive example and mentor for
the ever-increasing numbers of Black youth who
are being herded into America's prison
system.  Should Herman be paroled in New York
this summer, he will be returned to San Francisco
to face the preliminary hearing in the SF8 case,
now set for early September.  He will have an
opportunity to make bail, rejoin his family and
friends in the community, and will be in a better
position to work to defeat this vengeful prosecution.

Your support of Herman Bell's parole is
absolutely critical. This letter is a call to
action. Herman needs you to make your voice
heard. We ask that you review the attached
background materials, and then write your letter
of support.  Your letter should be addressed to
"To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Parole
Commissioner."  Please use the Re: line of
"Herman Bell, 79C-0262."  Please send your letter to Herman's son:

Kamel Jacot-Bell
Ankh Marketing
179 – 11th Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Fax #: (415) 865-0376

or email your letter of support
to:   jacotbell@gmail.com>jacotbell@gmail.com

Please write about the nature of your
relationship with or knowledge of Herman, and how
long you have known him.  Some points you might want to include:

* If paroled, Herman Bell will not be released,
but will immediately be sent to the San Francisco
County Jail to face charges in that
jurisdiction.  Therefore, New York State would be
relieving its taxpayers of the considerable
financial burden of continued incarceration of Herman.

* In a 11/30/07 press conference in New York,
Nobel Laureates Archbishop Bishop Desmond Tutu
and Mairead MacGuire called for the release on
humanitarian grounds of Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom).

* Quoting from the victim impact statement by
Waverly Jones Jr., son of one of the police NY3
were convicted of having killed, who requested to
meet with the NYS Parole Board in 2004: "Me,
personally, have forgiven these men for the
positions that they took back then . . . I don't
see them as someone that's going to come out of
prison and commit violent crimes or anything of
that nature. . . I feel that Herman Bell and
Anthony Bottom were both victims as well of a
much larger scheme which got them incarcerated to
this day, . . . and to me they have shown great
resilience in prison, that their mind is still
intact, that their spirit is still eager to do
good, and I just pray that the Parole Board will
look at the context and the time and send a message to me of healing."

* With Maine farmers, Herman initiated the
Victory Gardens Project, which brought urban and
rural activists together for 8 years to learn how
to grow and harvest free food for their
communities and thereby learn how to work
together for progressive social change.

* As Parole Commissioners have noted in Herman's
previous hearings, Herman Bell has had an
impressive institutional record and list of
accomplishments in the course of the past nearly
thirty-five years of his imprisonment.  He has
completed his BA and MA in Sociology while in
prison.  Parole should  be decided on the basis
of one's record while in prison, rather than on one's charge of conviction.

* Through self-study, Herman has acquired a
knowledge of music theory and is mastering the flute.

* Herman has participated in many educational and
cultural activities benefiting prisoners,
including teaching Black history and English grammar and writing skills.

* Herman has brought prisoners together a
multitude of times with his football and basketball coaching skills.

* Herman is a dedicated grandfather, father, and
husband, who has a loving and supportive family
working for his release, waiting for him to join them on the outside.

* Because of Herman's age, educational
achievements, and decades in prison, he falls
into the U.S. Justice Dept. category of the
extremely low recidivism rate of 3%.
* Herman has already served almost 35 years in prison B enough is enough.

Please also review Herman's Case Synopsis,
below.  Please send your letter by  June 16, 2008.

We sincerely thank you for your support,
Herman Bell's Family:
Nancy, Kamel, Kihana, Sage, & Simone


CASE SYNOPSIS, by Herman Bell

In the aftermath of the murders of Malcolm X,
Medgar Evers, Dr. King, Fred Hampton, and Mark
Clark, to name a few, coupled with the Civil
Rights Movement, the burgeoning Black
consciousness movement, and the anti-war movement
of the 1960s and 1970s, the tone and spirit of
those times can be described as highly charged
and volatile.  And in the wake of what had been
perceived as an unambiguous racist policy of
police malevolence, willful brutality, excessive
use of deadly force and general disrespect of
Black people's rights, scores of policemen at
that time were seriously injured or fatally shot in the Black community.

I come out of that time period.  In 1975, after 2
trials, I was convicted (along with my two
co-defendants) of having killed two New York City
policemen, to which we all pled not guilty.  No
eyewitness identified me as one of the
assailants.  Coerced witnesses, manufactured and
circumstantial material evidence, along with
prosecutorial and judicial misconduct are what
persuaded the jury to convict at the end of the
second trial.  Years and years of state and
federal appeals have been unsuccessful.

I am a former member of the Black Panther
Party.  It's now generally known from documents
revealed by the congressional 1976 Church
Committee (which were not admitted as evidence
during my trial) that a domestic program of
political repression (Cointelpro) existed to
neutralize or destroy the Black Panther
Party.  In fact, any Black political organization
or individual deemed to be a threat to U.S.
security, as determined by then FBI director J.
Edgar Hoover, was a prime target.  Hoover gave
his agents a wide range of discretionary power
"legal and otherwise" to achieve this
objective.  Thus the Church Committee report
revealed a U.S. government 'secret war' initiated
against the Black protest movement which I was part of.

Since being granted our "paper freedom," Black
Americans have long claimed the right to pursue
happiness in our own fashion.  Our historic fight
since slavery has always been one that focused on
carving a political and economic niche for
ourselves in America.  During the 1960s and
1970s, people were killed on both sides.  To the
degree that my humanity compels me to value and
feel remorse for the loss of all life, human and
otherwise, I feel remorse that people were killed
and families and lives were destroyed.  The past
is behind me now.  Many from those days have
moved on and have been forgiven, but I've not
been permitted to do so.  In the Summer of 2008,
I hope to again appear before the New York State
Parole Board.  I am requesting your help.  I ask
you to please consider my personal evolution
these past nearly 35 years of imprisonment in
composing your letter of support for my release.


_______________________________________________
Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable
to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

www.freethesf8.org/donate.html

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
(415) 226-1120
FreetheSF8@riseup.net

www.freethesf8.org

June 9th and 13th Events in support of Puerto Rico

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign
http://www.ProLibertadWeb.com
ProLibertad Hotline: 718-601-4751
ProLibertad@hotmail.com

FREE PUERTO RICO!!

Mon. June 9th, 2008 at 6:30pm at Hunter College West Building

2nd Floor Room 217

E68th St. and Lexington Avenue

(Take the #6 train to E68th St.)

Donation: $10 or your best offer

(no one will be turned away)

Join the ProLibertad Freedom Campaign for our annual Reception/Forum for the Puerto Rico Delegation of the United Nations De-Colonization Committee Hearings!!

Every year a Delegation from Puerto Rico comes to the United Nations to testify to the U.N. De-Colonization Committee; to make the case for the liberation of Puerto Rico, Vieques and the release of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War.

This delegation is made up of various activists from the different organizations throughout Puerto Rico that fight for the independence of Puerto Rico.

This reception/forum is an opportunity for allies of the Puerto Rican independence movement in NYC to converse with activists from Puerto Rico!!

Come hear updates on: Labor Struggle in Puerto Rico, FBI Repression of the Independence Movement, Avelino Gonzalez Claudio, Vieques and other topics!

The following organizations and individuals areinvited: El Frente Socialista, The Island of Vieques, ProLibertad, El Partido Nacionalista Puertorriqueño, and many other organizations from New York and Puerto Rico...

_____________________________________________________________

The Puerto Rican Freedom Project Committee Presents:
A FUND-RAISING EVENT FOR THE PUERTO RICAN FREEDOM ALBUM!!

FRIDAY JUNE 13TH, 2008 6-10pm
Live Performances by the Welfare Poets, Alma Moyo, Boricuation Artists, El Grito de Poetas and more performances to be announced!

Afro Carribean Puerto Rican Collectable Art Auction!
Two for one drink specials, Full appetizer menu afterparty included!

Loiza NY Oxygen Lounge 24 Avenue C East 2nd-3td St., Lower Eastside NYC

Sponsored by" The Welfare Poets-Borucation.com Art by MIA-AWEAR Clothing
__________________________________________________________

http://prfreedomproject.org/

The Welfare Poets, Boricuation and other concerned organizations and individuals have come together to collaborate on a fund raising project to directly aid the current Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War, incarcerated for fighting for the independence and self-determination of Puerto Rico.

The Freedom Album will be a musical CD/compilation dedicated to the welfare of our political prisoners. We have united under the name The Puerto Rican Freedom Project Committee. Additionally, we also want this album to assist past Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War who have been freed and are now attempting to survive in a system where many channels have been closed to them, and even possibly aid future Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. The Puerto Rican Freedom Project Committee has begun mailing Puerto Rican artists of all genres across the U.S., on the island and elsewhere to let them know about the project and to initiate the process of song submission. Our desire is to get a wide range of Puerto Rican artists from the local grass-rooted bands to those who are mainstream and have the eye of the world press.

New support flyer for Marie Mason

New support flyer for Marie Mason

http://freemarie.org/2008/06/01/download-distro-maries-new-support-flyer/

6/14: Free the Cuban5 Conference

FREE THE CUBAN 5! Saturday June 14, 2008

NY/Tri-State Area WORKING CONFERENCE on the Cuban 5 @ Hostos Community College 149th St. and Grand Concourse in the Bronx

Take the 4,5,or 2 train to 149th and Grand Concourse

8am-REGISTRATION

9:30am-5:00pm-Conference

Plenary Speakers:

• Leonard Weinglass, Cuban 5 Legal Team
• A Representative of the Cuban Mission to the United Nations

pre register: http://www.freethecuban5conference.com/id2.html

An Appeal to organize a "WORKING CONFERENCE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN 5!"

September 12, 2008 marks the 10^th year of the arrest of five Cuban citizens – Fernando Gonzales, Rene Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Gerardo Hernandez –who were portrayed as "spies" and "murderers" in the service of "Castro's Cuba." They were tried and convicted in an atmosphere of hype and hysteria in Miami, Florida. The verdict was goaded by ultra-right politicians and a highly orchestrated media campaign of disinformation with the tone of a lynch mob.

At the trial there was not a single page of classified information produced showing evidence of espionage or any action directed against the US government. The frame-up charges were packaged as a necessarily vague "conspiracy" to, as the prosecutor actually put it to the jury, "destroy the United States of America." In the period of 17 months between arrest and trial, the five Cubans were subjected to brutal conditions of solitary confinement and near-total isolation to hinder the preparation of their defense. This psychological torture was aimed at breaking their will, in blatant violation of their rights under US law. The hope was to break their spirit and force "confessions" to the trumped-up "conspiracy" charges. But this failed and the trial was finally held in November 2000. They were convicted in June 2001.

The truth is that the Cuban Five infiltrated ultra-right Cuban-American organizations, with a clear history of terrorist attacks organized on US soil against the sovereign Cuban state in violation of US law. Over 3,500 Cuban citizens have died in such attacks since the Cuban Revolution triumphed against the Batista dictatorship in 1959. Many tens of billions of dollars worth of damage have been done to the Cuban economy. These attacks stepped up in the mid-1990s as the Cuban economy reeled from an economic depression. Tourist hotels were bombed resulting in death and destruction. Low flying planes – originating from US territory in violation of US law – repeatedly violated Cuban airspace. Only after the Cuban government presented clear evidence of such terrorist and criminal activities and repeatedly implored, to no avail, the Clinton Administration to do something about it did the Cuban Five carry out its courageous and dangerous work which the record shows saved lives in Cuba.

Today, a panel of the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals is considering the range of egregious violations committed by the prosecution in the original trial. In August 2005 a panel from the same Appeals Court ruled, in a stunning decision with virtually no precedent, to overturn the original trial verdict on the grounds that there could not be a fair and impartial hearing in the hostile climate of Miami, Florida. This ruling was subsequently reversed by the full court under heavy pressure from the Bush Administration's Justice Department.

Around the world, and increasingly inside the United States, the case of the Cuban Five, stands as one of the most brutal and outrageous injustices in modern history. As the facts have emerged and the truth about the Cuban Five becomes more known and publicized, Committees to support the Cuban Five have spread all over the world. Their incarceration continues under brutal conditions that have included solitary confinement and denial of family visitations and other violations of formal US laws.

Washington is paying an increasing political price as this ongoing travesty of justice enters its second decade. On May 2005, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations issued a stinging exposure of the arbitrary and iniquitous nature of the trial and conviction. The UN body emphasized that the Cuban Five were held in solitary confinement for 17 months, weakening their ability to mount an adequate defense; that most of the evidence against them was withheld from their attorneys, undermining an equal balance between the prosecution and the defense; and that the trial was held in Miami where it was impossible to select an impartial jury in a case linked with Cuba.

On January 2006 Amnesty International condemned the Bush Administration and US authorities for the treatment of the Cuban Five, specifically for the denials of family visitation rights for some of the Cuban Five prisoners.

An international call for world protests in solidarity with the Cuban Five in September and October 2008 has been issued. Now is the time for all supporters of the Cuban Five and all supporters of civil liberties and justice to step up our work on their behalf. Now is the time to reach out to broad layers of the US population, whatever their political views in general and on the Cuban Revolution in particular. Supporters of the Cuban Five begin by demanding that US authorities comply with US law and allow family members to visit their loved ones. In this Presidential and Congressional election year we aim to raise the issue of the Cuban Five and to reach out and win support from elected officials. To mark the 10^th anniversary of their arrests there will be organized public protests on Saturday, September 13. Out of this activity we aim to build support for a National Conference in October 2008 in New York City to support of the Cuban Five.

In this spirit, activists in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are issuing this Appeal to Organize a Working Conference in Solidarity With the Cuban Five on Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Working Conference will be just that, a Working Conference, not a political rally or solely a gathering of already engaged and committed activists. We want this Working Conference to generate activity and concrete campaigns from the grass roots – from religious communities and organizations; from the trade union movement; from young people, students and the broader academic community; from African-American and Latino communities; from fighters for women's rights; from gay and lesbian rights organizations; from consistent advocates for civil liberties and constitutional rights; from artists and cultural workers.

This is our challenge. This is our appeal. Now is the time. Please Join Us June 14!

The Free the Cuban 5 Conference Committee: Casa de las Americas, The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5, Cuba Solidarity New York, National Committee to Free the Cuban 5, IFCO-Pastors for Peace, Venceremos Brigade, Bolivarian Circles, Peoples Organization for Progress, Fuerzas de la Revolucion Dominicana, La Igelsia San Romero de las Americas, El Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico, International Action Center, New York Jericho, The ProLibertad Freedom Campagn, Young Socialists, Socialist Workers Party, Workers World Party, Frente Socialista de Puerto Rico, ANSWER Coalition, Party for Socialism and Liberation, FIST

FOR MORE INFORMATION: FreeTheCuban5Conference@gmail.com

Support the Eco-Prisoners (June 2008)

Spirit of Freedom
(June 2008)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

"The whole experience has been tough, but all the kind and strengthening
words
and wise thoughts from strangers made it much easier!"
(Former Swedish Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the June 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom.  As ELP goes to print
we look around the world and see a tragedy of events unfolding.  In America,
vegan activist Eric McDavid has been sentenced to just under 20 years
imprisonment for THINKING about carrying out direct action.  In Britain,
vegan activist Sean Kirtley has been sentenced to over four years
imprisonment for running a website that encouraged lawful direct action.  In
Italy, more raids & arrests have occurred against Il Silvestre activists
resulting in vegan prisoner support activist, Paola Gori, being remanded
into custody.  And in Austria, a number of vegan & vegetarian activists have
been arrested accused of a series of animal rights actions.  None of the
Austrians can be named by ELP at this point, but we understand that out of
the ten people who have been remanded into custody, five of whom are on
hungerstrike.  Certainly the news is not good at the moment.  However,
despite the raids, arrests & overtly political sentencing there is good
news.  Within days of the Austrians being arrested a solidarity network was
set up for them.  This network has called for an international day of action
and ELP has heard of a number of planned demonstrations, across Europe, in
support of the Austrians.  Likewise within hours of Paola being remanded
prisoner support activists where busy circulating her details and calling on
people around the world to support her.  When Sean Kirtley was first
remanded, and then sentenced, news of his remanding circulated like
wild-fire.  Around the world people care about the prisoners.  Around the
world people are active in fighting for the prisoners.  This is the strength
of the international prisoner support network that we can all be proud to be
a part of.  Remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the
eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!


ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, SWIS #640393, Multnomah County Detention Center, 1120 S.W. 3rd
Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97206, USA.  Awaiting sentencing having reached a
non-cooperation plea-bargain with the authorities who accuse him of
involvement in two arsons.  1) an arson on logging trucks 2) an arson on
vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company.  (Tre is a raw energy vegan - He
has asked that his letters of support are written on scrap paper or
tree-free paper).

Grant Barnes #137563, San Carlos Correctional Facility, PO Box 3, Pueblo, CO
81002, USA.  Serving 12 years for setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles.
The letters ELF were spray painted onto all of the vehicles.  (Grant is a
vegan).

Nathan Block, #36359-086, FCI Lompoc, Federal Correctional Institution, 3600
Guard Road, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA.   Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF
arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership.
Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.  (Diet unknown).

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.  Serving 18
years.  1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons
leading from nuclear power stations.  2) Eight years for the murder of a
Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run.  In '02 Marco completed a 12-year
sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.  (Marco is a
meat eater who encourages organic living).

Daniele Casalini, Casa Circondariale, Via Burla 59, 43100 Parma, Italy.  Il
Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an
electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.  (Daniele is a vegan).

Rod Coronado - See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Francesco Gioia, C.C. Sollicciano, Via Girolamo Minervini 2/R, 50142 Firenze
Sollicciano (FI), Italy.  Il Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of
using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear
energy.  (Francesco is a vegetarian and Straight Edge).

Paola Gori, Via delle Macchie 9, 57124 Livorno, Italy.  Il Silvestre
activist awaiting trial accused of allowing her house to be used to plan
illegal activity.  (Paola is a vegan).

Jeffrey Luers, # 13797671, CRCI, 9111 NE Sunderland Ave, Portland, OR
97211-1708, USA.  Serving 10 years for arson on a SUV dealership & the
attempted arson of an oil truck.  The original sentence was 22 years & 8
months, but was reduced on appeal.  (Diet unknown).

Eric McDavid [Being moved from one prison to another], USA.  Serving 19
years & 7 months for planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry
Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.  At the point of his arrest no
criminal damage has actually occurred.  (Eric is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan [Being moved from one prison to another], USA.   Serving 7
years for an ELF arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against
an old growth logging corporation.   Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF
conspiracy.  (Daniel is a vegetarian).

Jonathan Paul - See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Briana Waters, 36432-086, FDC - Seatac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box
13900, Seattle, WA 98198, USA.  Awaiting sentencing having been found guilty
of involvement in an ELF arson on a University.  (Diet unknown).

Joyanna Zacher, #36360-086, FCI Dublin, 5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F,
Dublin, CA 94568, USA.  Serving 7 years & 8 months for an ELF arson against
a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against an SUV dealership.  Also
admitted her role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.  (Diet unknown).

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS
(All Animal Liberation Prisoners follow a minimum vegetarian diet and most
are vegan).

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England.  Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.  (Jon is a vegan).

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF,
England.  On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to his
involvement with the SHAC campaign.  (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15
3JZ, England.  Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for
telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them.  Also
awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her
involvement with the SHAC campaign.  (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks
MK4 4DA, England.  On remand accused of involvement with an arson and
blackmail campaign against an Oxford University vivisection establishment.
(Mel is a vegan).

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional
Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months
imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.  (Jake is a vegan).

Rodney Coronado #03895-000, FCI El Reno, PO Box 1500, El Reno, OK 73036,
USA.  Serving one-year imprisonment after he informed people how to make an
incendiary device during a speech at an animal rights gathering.  (Rod is a
vegetarian).

Donald Currie A3660AA, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX,
England.  Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual
years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection
industry including HLS.  (Don is a vegan).

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution,
Route #37Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping
organise the SHAC-USA campaign.  (Lauren is a vegan).

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD,
England.  Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following
the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life
Science.  (Sarah is a vegan).

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution,
P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA.  Serving 36 months imprisonment for
helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.  (Josh is a vegan).

Sean Kirtley WC 6977, HM Prison Blakenhurst, Hewell Lane, Redditch, B97 6QS,
England.  Serving four and a half years for running an anti-vivisection
campaign website. (Sean is a vegan).

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072
USA.  Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA
campaign.  (Kevin is a vegan).

Daniel McGowan - See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Heather Nicholson VM4859, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx.
TW15 3JZ, England.  On remand accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in
relation to her involvement with the SHAC campaign.  (Heather is a vegan).

Jonathan Paul, #07167-085, FCI Phoenix, Federal Correctional Institution,
37910 N 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA.  Sentenced to 51 months for an
ALF arson on a horse meat plant.  Also admitted his role in an ELF/ALF
conspiracy.  (Jonathan is a vegan).

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional
Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for
helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.  (Andrew is a vegan).

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England.  Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.  (Kerry is a vegan).

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell - Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft.
Worth, TX  76127, USA.  Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused
on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world.  The
actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court
and making threatening communications.  Previously Helen had served 20½
years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo.  2) Burning
$25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental
destruction & economic injustice.  3) Mailing warning letters with bullets
attached to Government & corporate officials. (Diet unknown).

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with "subversive association" accused of
damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash
machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the
multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists
in Chile.  All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or
released on bail.  (All follow vegetarian diets).

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g.
Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia.  Serving 2½ years for
stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack. (Diet
unknown).

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis.
His charge was "bodily harm". He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish.  You can
also write him short postcards in English.  (Diet unknown).

Fabio Milan, C.C. via Pianezza 300, 10151 Torino, Italy.  On remand accused
of fighting with the police after an anti-fascist protest. (Diet unknown).

Andrea Neff, Bnr: 746/07/2, Justizvollzugsanstalt fur Frauen in Berlin,
Arkonastrasse 56, 13189 Berlin, Germany.  Serving 14 months for anti-fascist
activity. (Diet unknown).

Christian Sümmermann, Bnr: 441/08/5, JVA Plötzensee, Lehrterstr. 61, 10557
Berlin, Germany.  Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a
suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities. (Diet unknown).

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending
himself. (Diet unknown).

OTHER PRISONERS

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk
140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson,
criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya.
Due for release in 2009. (Diet unknown).

Vaggelis Botzatzis, Komotini Juridical Prison ("Dikastikes Fylakes
Komotinis"), T.K. 69100, Greece.  On remand accused of setting fire to two
company cars owned by a energy/power company.  It is believed that the
person or persons unknown who carried out the arson did so in protest at the
destruction of the natural environment and in support of two workers who
died at the power plant.  Vaggelis is also accused of setting fire to a bank
and starting a fire inside a car yard.  (Meat Eater).

Michael W. Sykes, 100 East 2nd St, Monroe, Michigan 48161, USA.  Youth held
on remand accused of anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage, spray-painting an
anarchist sign and burning the American flag.  (Diet unknown)

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA.
Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her
home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke
campaigner. (Fran is a vegan).

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of
all life. All move prisoners describe themselves as vegetarians.  There are
currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been
framed for the murder of a cop in 1979.  9th defendant, Merle Africa, died
in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa  (006307), Janet Holloway Africa  (006308) and Janine
Philips Africa (006309)  all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave,
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI
Graterford, PO Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa  (AM4974),  SCI Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA
17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI
Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA
15370, USA.  In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of
MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop.  He was originally sentenced to
death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in
2001.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions.
'Spirit of Freedom' does not condone violence.  But we are also against
censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to
support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in
1993 to support jailed eco-activists.  We support the prisoners by producing
various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP's international monthly prisoner listing which is
circulated by e-mail.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any
new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details.  For more info e-mail
ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters - ELP has a number of websites that provide news,
prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Greek language ELP Website
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political
prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by
ELP.  To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Australian ELP.SN is our Australian contact.  For more info e-mail
elp4321@hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact.  For more info e-mail
elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco
Camenisch.  For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105
Regensdorf, Switzerland.

Greek ELP.SN is our Greek contact.  For more info e-mail greekelp@yahoo.gr

North American ELP is our North American contact.  For more information
e-mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact.  For more info e-mail
yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

Briana Waters's sentencing delayed as new questions raised

Sentencing delayed in ecoterror arson at U. of Washington
5/30/2008, 6:32 p.m. PT
By GENE JOHNSON
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — Sentencing has been indefinitely delayed for a woman
convicted in an ecoterror attack at the University of Washington,
following new developments about evidence that was presented at her trial.

Briana Waters was convicted this year of two counts of arson for her role
as a lookout in the 2001 Earth Liberation Front fire that destroyed the
university's Center for Urban Horticulture. Her sentencing was set for
Monday at U.S. District Court in Tacoma, with prosecutors requesting 10
years in prison.

But that sentencing was stricken from the court calendar on Friday after
the U.S. attorney's office learned new information about a small piece of
evidence used at the trial: anarchist articles that Waters supposedly gave
to Jennifer Kolar, a witness who had pleaded guilty to arson and related
charges in the UW fire and then testified against Waters.

Kolar identified Waters as a participant, and while on the stand she
testified that Waters had given her the anarchist articles in a folder —
supposed evidence of Waters' mindset around the time of the fire. Kolar
testified she never read the articles, and put them in a plastic tub that
she stored at her house until she turned them over to her lawyer.

Kolar's lawyer contacted the U.S. attorney's office on Tuesday to say her
testimony was misleading: In reality, after Kolar was contacted by the FBI
about the arson, she asked a friend to remove the tub from her home.
Eventually the tub was returned to Kolar and her lawyer, who turned it
over to investigators.

The identity of the friend was redacted in court papers, but defense
lawyers identified the person as someone Kolar used as a "secret
intermediary" when dealing with others in the radical environmentalist
movement. That another person had custody of the documents raised
questions about the integrity of the evidence.

Prosecutors called the development insignificant, and said much more
substantial evidence proved Waters' role, but they acknowledged defense
attorneys should have two or three weeks to investigate.

Waters' lawyers told U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess they planned to
ask for a new trial. They argued in a court filing that the materials in
the folder were a "centerpiece of the government's case."

"Had Ms. Kolar told the full story in her testimony ... the defense
challenge to Ms. Kolar's general credibility would have been stronger,"
they wrote. "Not only was it clear that Ms. Kolar was deceptive to the
government when talking about the tub, but the fact that she had secretive
communications with the third party to hide the tub, the fact that she
failed to disclose these communications for years, and the fact that she
had the ability to access the tub after her lawyer retrieved it would have
been quite useful to show her lack of credibility on other points."

They also asked that in light of the new developments Waters be released
pending sentencing; previous requests to that effect have all been
rejected.

The fire, which destroyed the plant research center, was one of at least
17 fires set from 1996 to 2001 by an Olympia, Wash., and Eugene, Ore.,
cell of the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. In
all, more than a dozen people were arrested in connection with the 17-plus
arsons around the West, and four remain at large. Waters was the only one
of those arrested who went to trial rather than plead guilty.

Kolar was one of two convicts who testified against Waters, and rental car
records suggested Waters obtained a vehicle used in the crime.

In March, during Waters' trial, arsonists attacked a luxury home
development northeast of Seattle, causing $7 million in damage. Those
fires remain under investigation.

The university rebuilt the horticulture center at a cost of $7 million. It
was targeted because the ELF activists mistakenly believed researchers
there were genetically engineering poplar trees.