3/12/08 GREEK PRISONERS COLLECTIVE HUNGER STRIKE & COMRADE'S LETTER

ON 3/12/08 A COLLECTIVE HUNGER STRIKE IS ORGANISED AROUND MOST GREEK PRISONS. SOME OF THE DEMANDS:

PRISON AUTHORITIES STICKING TO THE PENAL CODE, AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PENAL CODE.

DRUG USERS CAN GO OUT AFTER 3/5 OF THE SENTENCE AND NOT 4/5.

NO TO EXCESSIVE MISUSE OF THE PRE-TRIAL IMPRISONMENTS.

MORE DAYS-OFF.

HUMAIN VISITING CONDITIONS.

PENALTIES AGAINST PRISON-GUARD VIOLENCE.

LOCAL INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FREE TO ENTER PRISONS AND DO RESEARCH AND REPORTS

more than 14.000 persons are imprisoned in Greece (~1,3/1.000 citizens).

Following is a quick translation of a letter of our comrade Polys' circulated also within prisons:

ON THE PRISONER MOVEMENT AND THE HUNGER STRIKE ISSUE

Not many words are needed to describe the conditions that reign inside prisons. One word would fit: Dahaou.

Crushing incarcerations, equally exterminative penalties (the only ones really paying for the judge's racket scandal coming to light are the inmates), prolonged captivity through un unmeasured use of disciplinary charges, minimum or zero medical supplies (with the exception of constant drug pills dispensation, to produce Pavlov's dogs), overcrowding of the prisons (Concerning just the Dahaou of Ioannina where I am kept, more than 200 prisoners live in a prison built to "house" 80 persons. Prisoners are packed like sardines in a can, even in the corridors!).

This overcrowding could end with a few simple ways:

1) Reduction of pre-trial imprisonment
2) End of captivity of the vindictive disciplinary charges
3) Abolishion of the 4/5 of time rule for the drug cases (in Greece all drug addict prisoners are labeled as dealers, leading to the "dealers" being more than the users...)

Inside these miserable conditions we have millions of reasons to revolt, and none to remain passive. With full consciousness that whatever measures they take to disburden the prisoners are nothing more than painkillers, since for as long as this authoritarian/class society stands, the miserableness of prison will stand by it. I join forces with the prisoners struggle, as I did in solidarity with them, while I was outside the prison bars.

On the other hand, I can't keep to my self my disagreement on the weapon of hunger strike, that was suggested, and I regard as useful to express this disagreement open and in public. I regard as by NO means necessary to eliminate ourselves and move into actions that only waste our forces, the same time that there are still many other ways to resist and fight (as much for the inmates as for the out of prison bars solidarious). Our health, our bodies and our minds should be kept fit and strong our ENTIRE lives, and not surrender in a wilful decay.
Our clash with the society that gives birth to the prison misery should continue until we finally become food for the worms, and for this reason our full physical and mental health should be safeguarded as the apple of our eye.
Maybe a hunger strike will bring some short term positive results (draw some support, sensitizing), but in a long term it acts only as a deleterious effect. It's simply one step forward and two steps aback.

Moreover, it creates fighters of many levels. The same time that 50-100 persons in a self-sacrifice spirit risk their physical and mental health, thousands of other inmates will eat typically their "zwan" meat.

I consider more useful the decision making through collective processes, so that every means of struggle we use must concern EVERY prisoner in struggle.

By no means do I wish to break apart the unity that prevails among prisoners. This text was written aiming only to make clear my stance on the issue of the hunger strike (an issue the radical movement deals with for many years now) and not to criticise the comrades that selected this means. All I do is striving for the sportiness of words and actions I strived before my imprisonment, and nothing more than that.
It is obvious that I will put all my efforts in the prisoners fight for Dignity.

UNTIL THE DESTRUCTION OF EACH LAST PRISON

Polikarpos Georgiadis

(Ioannina Juridical Prisons)

Spanish prisoners addresses

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (31st October 2008)

Dear friends

Following on from yesterdays e-mail about three people in Spain facing trial for their alledged involvement in a series of apparently environmentally inspired sabotage actions, below are the addresses of Giana and Ugio who are both held on remand. Their co-defendant, Maria, is on bail pending her trial.

Please send letters of support to:

GIANA RODRIGUES GOMES
Modulo Verde Apartado 206
Centro penitenciário de Brieva
Ctra. De Vicolozano
05194 Brieva (Ávila)
Spain

UGIO CAAMANHO SAM-TISSO
Prisión de Puerto de Santa Maria I
Apartado de correos 555
Ctra. Jerez-Rota km. 6.4
11500 Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz)
Spain

For more info on this case check out www.ceivar.org

++++++++

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

NPR 3-part series on Angola 3

Doubts Arise About 1972 Angola Prison Murder
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96030547

Favors, Inconsistencies Taint Angola Murder Case
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96199165

Why Did Key Angola Witness Go To The 'Dog Pen'?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96255685

Three Spanish eco-activists on trial

ELP Information Request Bulletin (30th of October 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has learnt of a trial in Spain involving three Galizian independent activists (Galicia is an area in north west Spain). The actions all appear to be environmentally inspired. The three on trial are Giana Gomes, Ugio Caamanho and Maria Bagaria. ELP understands that Maria has been bailed but the other two have been remanded into custody.

Below is a report about the case against the three. If anyone has any further information, including prison or support group addresses please do get in contact.

http://www.lahaine.org/index.php?p=28612

The prosecutor is asking for 19, 21 and 3 years in prisson for three activists: Giana Gomes, Ugio Caamanho and Maria Bagaria.

They are Galizian independentist activists but the actions are very conected with environmental issues.

Maria Bagaria is acused of setting fire with incendiary devices to the trucks used to build a hydroelectric power station in A Merca (Galicia)

The other two are acused of puting a explosive device that destroyed a bank cashier belonging to Caixagalicia the 23 of julio 2005. This bank is involved in planting eucaliptus trees (a foreign specie used to make cheep paper and which is destroying natural forests of the region), masive building in the coasts, destruction of the landscape, construction of the high speed train (AVE), motorways and highways in important ecosistems of Galicia.

Therefore, even they have been labed as independentists activists the charges can also be considered as ecotages.

The trial will start the 3 of November.

++++++++++

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

Dont forget the Stockolm 3!

Urgent ELP! Bulletin

Dear friends

ELP has just received the following e-mail from Sweden....

Hi people,

Just a reminder about the 3 new prisoners on remand in Sweden. Swedish remand prison is not very nice since they are not allowed to make phone calls, have vistors, receive food. If lucky, letter and cards will go through.

So far only 4 e-mails has been sent from people outside Sweden. Come on, I know we all have lots to do but please do take those 5 minutes to write a supporting and uplifting e-mail that will be printed to them. It makes all the difference.

So here is the e-mail; sthlm3@gmail.com

NOTE FROM ELP: The Stockholm Three have been accused of causing criminal damage to a fur shop. The three are two women and one man. For legal reasons we can't reveal their names but all would welcome letters of support. All three can speak & read English so please send an e-mail today!

+++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network

BM Box 2407

London

WC1N 3XX

England

www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Three Animal Rights Activists Remanded in Sweden

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (25th of October 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just received the following news from Sweden:

In the early hours of October 21st, 3 people were arrested in Sweden charged with criminal damage to a fur shop in Stockholm. All three have been remanded into custody and are in need of your support.

At this point, for legal reasons, we can not give out the names of those arrested, but messages of support can still be sent out to sthlm3@gmail.com

What we can say about the three is two are English speaking females. The third person is a Swedish speaking male who can also read English perfectly well and so can also receive e-mails of support in English.

If you already know the names of the people who have been remanded you can write them directly at:

[Prisoners Name]
Kronobergshäktet
Box 12106
102 23 Stockholm
Sweden

Otherwise please use the e-mail address for your letters of support.

+++++++

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

Animal rights protesters raided for banner drop

CIBA PUNKS - Issue 652 SchNEWS | 25.10.2008

IN THE VIRTUAL REALITY OF THE CRACKDOWN ON ANIMAL RIGHTS PROTESTS

The British Govt’s attempts to smash the animal rights movement have long been catalogued in SchNEWS over the years, but this week it turned from the pernicious to the ridiculous as Police stretched their already tenuous use of the word ‘blackmail’ with regards to animal rights protest...

Last Tuesday (14th) some activists did a banner drop protesting against Ciba Vision, a subsidiary of Novartis, from an overpass over the motorway near Ciba Vision’s premises at Hedge End, near Southampton. Ciba Vision make contact lenses, and are a client of vivisection lab Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). The protest was just outside the exclusion zone which limits protests near the premises of a list of companies associated with HLS as named on the injunction against SHAC (See SchNEWS 581). The two were not arrested, and only had their details taken by police for a possible court summons.

But things turned serious last Friday at 10am, when police kicked the door down at the house they were staying. With a search warrant regarding Tuesday’s banner-drop, 25 coppers arrived - including Hampshire Police’s two ‘animal rights specialists’, Martin Foster and Andrew Tester - and some plain-clothes CID to do the interviewing. The two banner-droppers were arrested for criminal damage and conspiracy to blackmail – because, the police said, they had used spraypaint to make the banner, and that spraypaint had been used in other actions against HLS targets previously! Their clothes were confiscated for forensic analysis, to see if they could be linked to a recent ‘home visit’ on the manager of a HLS client which involved paintstripper on his car and other nasty surprises. As one of them said, “It’s as though police think we’re the only people in Hampshire with spray cans”.

This was the third time this same household had been raided in the past year, and police also took a computer, owned by another resident, who is currently one of the defendants in the upcoming SHAC trials (see below). A total of six computers, three printers and ten mobile phones have been taken from this household during these raids.

How can a banner drop in a public place – for all intents and purposes a legal, non-violent action - blow out into a possible charge of ‘conspiracy to blackmail’? With the evidence at hand this case would get laughed out of court - that is unless the police try to pin something on them – but this is just the latest chapter in the British Govt’s tenacious and heavy handed campaign to smash animal rights activism in this country.

Said one of the arrestees - “If they take what is legal protest, and use it to arrest people, it forces protesters underground because if they put their faces to actions – even legal ones – they risk having their house raided and being dragged into court cases with possible prison sentences. The Police are the biggest recruiters for the ALF (the name used for covert, anonymous animal rights actions).”

“Any animal rights activist saying ‘I will continue to protest until they stop’ is now seen as tantamount to blackmail. But what is happening to SHAC and other animal rights groups is going to happen to other types of campaigns.”

TRIAL & ERROR

Rumbling in the background to this weeks incident is the first of two SHAC trials, which is currently into it’s third week and is due to last over four months, ending in January. The second trial begins then, but it may be affected by the results of the first. Eight have been charged - two with blackmail and the others with ‘conspiracy to blackmail’. Since then, four are on remand and three have pleaded guilty.

But what is all this ‘blackmail’ thing about? Since 2001 SHAC have published the names of companies doing business with HLS, and initially sent them polite letters saying, ‘Do you know what HLS do? Please stop dealing with them.’ Since then there have been demos and ALF-style actions against some of them.

It turns out that some of the companies involved did stop working with HLS. Many did so after being visited by police, who told their management that now they were on the SHAC website they needed to beef up security - warning staff of dire threats to life and limb and advising them to check under their cars for bombs. These companies include those making cages, other torture equipment, and supplying transport and other services to HLS, as well as clients using HLS’s ‘research’ on animals.

The police and prosecution are alleging that, by hosting the names of companies that work with Huntingdon Life Sciences, SHAC are giving a nod and a wink to ALF-style attacks. Yes covert attacks have taken place against HLS related targets – including paintstripper on cars, phonecalls and letters to directors’ homes and more – and people have been prosecuted for various offences in the past – but these attacks against HLS (and associated companies) are not being linked to the SHAC defendants in this trial. Instead re-publishing public information and writing to companies about animal abuse inside HLS’ labs is made to look like a scene from a Mafia movie where the don says “...we wouldn’t want any nasty accidents to happen to you on your way back from the animal murdering lab, would we now.”

This trial is just the latest court case involving animal rights activists, coming after the recent Sequani trials which saw Sean Kirtley banged up for four years for running a website (See SchNEWS 634). In May 2007 police made 32 arrests across the UK in ‘Operation Achilles’. 700 police were involved as homes and animal sanctuaries were raided, with police seizing computers, mobile phones and cash in what a popular weekly direct action newsletter described as a ‘fishing expedition’ (See SchNEWS 586).

But while HLS are being protected by the bootboys and laws of the British state, they are in fact in a tenuous state. They took a loan from the British Govt in 2001, and are battling to repay it. Novartis are being targeted because they are a major client of HLS, which HLS would sorely miss, and their status on the New York Stock Exchange is another weak point for them. If they get kicked off the NYSE before 2011 – as has happened in the past due to the international efforts of SHAC - they will go into liquidation.

That animal rights activists are portrayed in Britain as ‘extremists’ or ‘terrorists’ is deeply ironic seeing as they are about protecting animals from torture.

* See also www.shac.net

SchNEWS
Homepage: http://www.schnews.org.uk

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Aaron Ellringer pleads guilty in WI actions

Eau Claire man pleads to reduced federal charge

By Kevin Murphy

Leader-Telegram correspondent

MADISON - An Eau Claire man indicted for conspiring to destroy federal tree research and equipment near Rhinelander valued at $500,000 pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to a misdemeanor trespass charge. Aaron Ellringer, 35, admitted to Federal Magistrate Stephen Crocker that in July 2000 he knew the four people he drove in the back of a pickup truck from Eau Claire to a forest road near Rhinelander were "doing something secret," but he didn't know exactly what. After Crocker said that statement wasn't a sufficient confession to a trespass charge, Ellringer admitted to knowing that one of the passengers who asked for a ride, Ian Wallace, was involved in some environmental-related activity. Ellringer also admitted to being in a controlled area without permission. Ellringer didn't appear in court Thursday but testified by phone from Eau Claire, where he is a co-owner of Just Local Food Co-op. He told Crocker he waited in the truck while his passengers disappeared into the night and then radioed him to pick them up. That same night he drove them at least partly back to Eau Claire, Ellringer said. Ellringer had faced maximum penalties of 10 years in prison after being indicted in July for conspiring to destroy government property with Katherine Christianson of Santa Fe, N.M., and Bryan Rivera and Bryan "Rat Dog" Lefey, both of Washington state. Crocker continued Ellringer's release on conditions until his Dec. 9 sentencing, when he faces maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Christianson and Rivera's trial is set for Dec. 1. Ellringer's attorney, federal defender Michael Lieberman, said his client never took part in destruction of government property and even a conspiracy charge didn't reflect his participation. "Everyone agreed that this (misdemeanor) was an appropriate resolution, given his involvement in the case," Lieberman said after court. A call to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin regarding the government's decision to substitute a misdemeanor for a felony charge wasn't returned before deadline. According to the indictment: Two of the indicted co-conspirators and others planned the attack on the U.S. Forest Service facility in Rhinelander after attending a conference in Tennessee. They believed the facility was an appropriate target because it was performing genetic research on trees, which the group believed was harmful to the natural environment. The conspirators planned the attack in combination with planned protests at the International Society of Animal Geneticists in late July 2000 in Minneapolis. They recruited Ellringer to drive them to Rhinelander the night of July 19, 2000, where they destroyed about 500 research trees using spray paint and etching cream. The group also permanently defaced numerous Forest Service vehicles with references to the Earth Liberation Front. Christianson and an unindicted conspirator later sent a message on behalf of ELF claiming responsibility for the attack on the Rhinelander facility. Murphy is a freelance writer from Madison.

Harold Taylor Convicted of Bogus Drug Charge

Harold Taylor, one of the San Francisco 8, was convicted of a bogus drug charge in Florida today.

Harold Taylor was arrested last December in Florida on a baseless charge of attempted purchase of cocaine. Several people were swept up in a neighborhood sweep and sting operation at that time. Harold’s case has coincidentally received unusual attention by the Florida court which fast-tracked his prosecution after many months of inactivity. A jury of six white women deliberated less than 15 minutes in the one-day Panama City trial. This prosecution is a result of a new judge and prosecutor taking over, not upon any substantial or new evidence. Two prosecutors worked to present this case over a $20 attempt-to-purchase. FBI agents attended the proceedings.

A thorough search of his person and his van resulted in NO seizure of any substances, legal or illegal. Further, NO allegation is even made that any money was produced. He has NO drug history!!

In short, Harold was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had gone to this neighborhood to thank some of the people that had written letters of support for him when he was seeking release on bail in San Francisco.

Harold Taylor was taken into custody immediately and is scheduled to be sentenced in Panama City December 9th.

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

Michigan State arsonist sentenced to 9 years

Oct. 20, 2008, By JAMES PRICHARD The Associated Press

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A former environmental activist who committed arson at Michigan State University but later became an undercover FBI informant was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison.

Frank Ambrose, 33, told a federal judge he was sorry for what he did and accepted full responsibility. He was freed until he is ordered to report to prison authorities, which could take months.

Chief Judge Paul L. Maloney of U.S. District Court also sentenced Ambrose to a lifetime of supervisory release after prison and ordered him to pay $3.7 million in restitution to the university and to other sabotaged entities.

Ambrose apologized to officials at the school "and all the other people who I hurt by my actions."

He also said he was sorry to his relatives, about a dozen of whom attended the sentencing hearing. Some wept as Maloney issued the sentence.

"I want to apologize to my family," Ambrose said. "They raised me well. I should have resisted the people who helped lead me astray."

"I wish I could take all I did back. I've changed significantly from all those years where I did the bad things," he added.

An explosion and fire caused more than $1 million in damage at Michigan State's Agriculture Hall nearly nine years ago. It was a protest against genetically modified crops taken by Ambrose, who at the time belonged to the Earth Liberation Front, a radical band of environmentalists.

Ambrose pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit arson at Michigan State on Dec. 31, 1999, and to logging equipment the next day in Wexford County. While the charge is conspiracy, Ambrose admitted that he set the fires..

In his plea agreement, he also took responsibility for 11 other acts from 1999 to 2003, including tree spikings in Indiana and the arson of four homes under construction in Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank said Ambrose's undercover work with the government went well beyond what most defendants do when seeking leniency in sentencing. Ambrose originally faced a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, but Frank asked Maloney for a term in the range of 100 to 125 months.

"I think it's an appropriate sentence," Frank said of the 108-month term Maloney handed down.

The judge said while he was impressed by the amount of help Ambrose provided to investigators and that he seemed genuinely remorseful, "only a prison sentence is appropriate in this case."

Members of Ambrose's family cried and consoled each other in the courtroom after the hearing. They declined to comment about the sentence, as did Ambrose himself and defense lawyer Michael Brady.

During the court session, Brady tried to get Maloney not to sentence his client to prison because of his undercover work and his repentance.

"I think there is no utility in incarceration, in terms of rehabilitating the defendant," the attorney said.

Ambrose became an informant in 2007, a few months after making a critical mistake: He dumped personal records, writings, a gas mask, an M-80 explosive and other possessions in a Detroit-area trash bin.

A man foraging for scrap cardboard called police, and the FBI subsequently raided Ambrose's home.

He turned on a co-defendant, his ex-wife, Marie Mason, but his cooperation with the government goes beyond Michigan.

Ambrose traveled outside the state seven times to gather intelligence and record conversations, Frank wrote in a court document. His assistance "enabled the FBI to significantly enhance its intelligence base concerning not only extremist activity in the upper Midwest but also concerning the methodology, the security culture and the psychology of ELF and related movements."

Mason, 46, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in September to three charges of conspiracy and arson, and is to be sentenced in February.

CHANGES: Filiberto Ojeda Film Festival

The Filiberto Ojeda Rios Film Festival 2008 is an initiative of the
ProLibertad Freedom Campaign to showcase films that speak to our experience as a
colonized people fighting for independence and self-determination!

We have named the film festival after assassinated Machetero leader
Filiberto Ojeda Rios because his death raised consciousness
throughout the Puerto Rican Diaspora; his murder illustrated the
colonial oppression Puerto Rico faces and has radicalized a
generation of young activists to continue the fight for independence.

We hope these films will do the same. Join us on our three
consecutive Fridays!

Don’t support the Hollywood machine that feeds you nonsense, sex,
violence and cheap humor! Learn about yourself, your people, and your
struggle!

$5 donation/Best offer at each film!


Friday November 7th, 2008 @ 7pm @ Hunter College Thomas Hunter Hall
First Floor Room 105 (E68th St. and Lexington Ave.) NEW LOCATION AT 
HUNTER COLLEGE

¡Palante Siempre Palante!
From Chicago streets to the barrios of New York City and other urban
centers, the Young Lords emerged to demand decent living conditions
and raised a militant voice for the empowerment of Puerto Ricans and
other Latino/as in the United States and for the independence of
Puerto Rico. Through on-camera interviews with former members,
archival footage, photographs and music, the documentary surveys
Puerto Rican history, the Young Lords' political vision and actions,
and the organization's legacy. Take the 6 train to E68th St. and
Lexington Avenue


Friday November 14th, 2008 @ 7pm @ John Jay College of
Criminal Justice 889 10th Ave. Room 3305N (between W58th-W59th St. on
10th Ave.)

The Double Life of Ernesto Gomez Gomez
What happens to the parents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters of those
willing to sacrifice everything for their beliefs? This film uniquely blends
forms to tell the singular story of a son of Puerto Rican
revolutionaries — his mother in prison, his father in exile — sent as
a baby to Mexico to be raised in safety and anonymity. As a teenager
Ernesto/Guillermo learns of his past and collaborates with filmmakers
Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg to magically chronicle his turbulent
journey of self-discovery, offering a striking account of the costs
of fiercely held convictions and the binding force of a son's love.
(56 minutes) Take the A,B,C,D, 1, and 2 to 59th St. and Columbus
Circle


Friday November 21st, 2008 @ 7:30pm @ The Brecht Forum 451 West
Street (that's the West Side Highway) between Bank & Bethune Streets

La Operacion/The Operation
This documentary brings to the foreground the problem of widespread
sterilization among Puerto Rican women through the use of personal
testimony, newsreels, and government propaganda excerpts. The
procedure is so common that more than one-third of all Puerto Rican
women of childbearing age have been sterilized. Begun in the 1930's
as a means of curbing the surplus population, it continues to be
reinforced politically and socially in the Puerto Rican communities.
Directions: A, C, E or L to 14th St. & 8th Ave, walk down 8th Ave. to
Bethune, turn right, walk west to the river, turn left. 1, 2, 3 or 9
to 14th St.& 7th Ave, get off at south end of station, walk west on
12th Street to 8th Ave, left to Bethune, turn right, walk west to the
river, turn left. PATH Train to Christopher Street, north on
Greenwich St to Bank Street, left to the river.


What is the ProLibertad Freedom Campaign?
The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign has been working for the release of
the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners for over 10 years.

With the release of 11 of the Political Prisoners in September 1999, we have
re-dedicated our efforts to securing the freedom of the remaining
Puerto Rican political prisoners.

Through educational events, lobbying and public pressure work and
activities it is our goal to secure the freedom of these patriots
whose only “crime” has been the love of their home land, Puerto Rico.

We support the release of All U.S. held Political Prisoners, oppose the U.S.
colonial control of Puerto Rico, U.S. imperialism throughout the
world, and the U.S. military presence in Vieques.

CONTACT US AT ProLibertad@Hotmail.com or call the ProLibertad Hotline
at  718-601-4751. Check out our website for campaign updates:
www.ProLibertadweb.com

IVAW Attacked By Police At Debates

Oct 16, 2008 13:29 repost to seattle indymedia

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. One hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign, fourteen members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) marched in formation to Hofstra University to present questions to the candidates. IVAW had requested permission from debate moderator Bob Schieffer to ask their questions during the debate, but received no response.

The contingent of veterans in dress and combat uniforms attempted to enter the building where the debate was to be held in order to ask questions about poor veterans' healthcare and supporting war resisters of the candidates, but were turned back by police. IVAW members at the front of the formation were immediately arrested, and others were pushed back into the crowd by police on horseback. Several members were injured, including former Army Sergeant Nick Morgan who suffered a broken cheekbone when he was trampled by police horses before being arrested.

"Neither of the candidates has shown real support for service members and veterans. We came here to try and have serious questions answered, questions that we as veterans of the Iraq war have a right to ask, but instead we were arrested. We will continue to ask these questions no matter who is elected. We believe that the time has come to end this war and bring our troops home, and we will be pushing for that no matter what happens in this election." said Jason Lemieux, a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps who served three tours in Iraq, and member of IVAW.

A total of ten veterans were arrested during the action, including Matthis Chiroux (Army Sergeant), Kristofer Goldsmith (Army Sergeant), Adam Kokesh (Marine Sergeant), Mike Spinato, Geoff Millard (Army Sergeant), Marlisa Grogan (Marine Captain), Nathan Peld (Navy, 1998-2004), Nick Morgan (Army Sergeant), James Gilligan (Marine Corps, 6 years) and Jose Vasquez (Army & Army Reserves, 1992-2007).

###

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) was founded in July of 2004 to allow servicemen and women from all branches of the military a chance to come together and speak out against an illegal, unjust and unwinnable occupation. IVAW currently has over 1,300 members in 49 states, Canada and on military bases in the United States and overseas. To learn more about IVAW you can visit our website at www.ivaw.org.

By Iraq Veterans Against the War media@ivaw.org http://www.ivaw.org

----
At least one person was hospitalized after being trampled by the police

Photos of the Police Attack and Aftermath can be seen at
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2008/10/100775.html

Michael Sykes moved again

ELP Information Bulletin (18th October 2008)

Dear Friends

ELP has just learnt that the young American eco-anarchist, Michael Sykes, has been moved to another prison. His new address is:

Michael Sykes 696693
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
1728 Bluewater Highway
Ionia, MI 48846
USA

Michael is listed by ELP as an 'Other Prisoner' following his jailing for a number of Anarchist actions which included an environmentally inspired an anti-sprawl arson.


+++++++++

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

Oaxacan Activists Arrested for the Murder of Brad Will

by Kristin Bricker - October 17, 2008 Narcosphere

Mexican federal police arrested five Oaxacan activists on Thursday afternoon. At least two were arrested for supposedly murdering US citizen and Indymedia journalist Brad Will on October 27, 2006.

Brad Will was assassinated while reporting and filming the 2006 uprising in Oaxaca. Multiple witnesses say he was shot by paramilitaries who are seen in photos shooting towards Will. The paramilitaries are: Juan Carlo Soriano, municipal police officer; Manuel Aguilar, council personnel chief; Able Santiago Zarate; and Pedro Carmona, mayor of Felipe Carrillo Puerto de Santa Lucia del Camino.

The government claims that Will was shot at close range, therefore implicating the APPO activists around him. To prove this claim, the government at one point stated that the autopsy found powder burns on Will's body consistent with a close-range shooting. However, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy contradicted this claim, saying he did not find powder burns on Will's body.

The man the government accuses of being the intelectual author of Will's murder is Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno. Martínez Moreno has supported the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO in its Spanish initials). Martínez Moreno made headlines in 2007 when he was kidnapped along with two other APPO members while performing election observation in Santa Lucía del Camino, where Will was murdered in October 2006. The kidnappers beat the three APPOistas severely in the face and abdomen under a bridge and then dumped them in a community 38 kilometers from Oaxaca City.

Police also acknowledged arresting Octavio Perez Perez for covering up the crime. Perez participated in the 2006 uprising in Oaxaca.

The Angry White Kid blog reports that three other activists have been arrested: Lirio Lopez, Miguel Lopez, and Guadalupe (last name unknown). It is unknown if these activists are also accused of Will's murder or if the arrests are part of a larger crackdown on dissent in Oaxaca.

According to Angry White Kid: "Activists here first learned of the detention of Juan and joined his family this evening at the Penitenciaria Central de Santa Maria Ixcotel, Oaxaca. Juan's mother and wife have not been allowed in to see him. Later it was learned four others had been detained. A planton is planned at the Ixcotel penal beginning at 9am on Friday."

APPO activists and members of the Indigenous Popular Council of Oaxaca (CIPO) say the government is blaming activists for Will's murder in order to cover up its own involvement in the crime.

Urgent: Write to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on behalf of Leonard Peltier regarding his transfer

Urgent: Write to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on behalf of Leonard Peltier regarding his transfer

October 16, 2008

As we reported in a previous email, Leonard is once again being uprooted and relocated to another prison. Although this seems to be a strategy by the federal government to disrupt his defense committee, we can take advantage of the limbo Leonard is in right now by demanding that the Bureau of Prisons transfer him to a facility closer to his home reservation. Turtle Mountain is requesting that Leonard be transferred to the reservation's custody, and in the meantime there are federal facilities in Sandstone, Minnesota and Oxford, Wisconsin which could accommodate him.

Please send the following correspondence or similar as soon as possible to:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC)
Grand Prairie Office Complex
U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Complex
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75051

Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132

Dear DSCC:

I am contacting you seeking consideration for Mr. Leonard Peltier who will be transferred from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania in the near future. Mr. Peltier has been a model prisoner and deserves to be transferred to a lower security prison. Also, Mr. Peltier should be transferred to a facility close to his home based on the hardship policy of the Bureau of Prisons, because his family has grown older, is on a fixed income which limits the time they can visit him. Mr. Peltier has served over 32 years in prison and deserves to be close to his family during this crucial time in their lives. For these reasons I ask that you transfer Mr. Peltier to the Turtle Mountain Reservation's custody as soon as possible. The alternatives that would help satisfy this request are either the federal facility in Sandstone Minnesota or Oxford Wisconsin as both are near in proximity to his
family.

In the name of all things good and humane, I ask you to do the right thing for compassion's sake in the transfer of Leonard Peltier today. Thank you and may the Creator bless you.

Sincerely,


Mail UPS or E-mail to: GRA-DSC/PolicyCorrespondence&AdminRemedies [at] bop.gov
Or Fax to: 972-352-4395

Please help us get my brother home,
Thank you
Betty Ann Peltier-Solano
Executive Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
http://whoisleonardpeltier.info

Is Critical Mass breaking the law?

CTC.org

Next week the House of Lords will decide if Critical Mass in London is an illegal demonstration. The Critical Mass Cycle ride sees hundreds of cyclists take to the streets of London on the last Friday of each month. Those who take part say that, although the event is a regular occurrence, no one organises it and the route is never the same. However, the police started issuing warnings in 2005 which informed those taking part that they required advanced notice with details of the date, time, route and the names and addresses of organisers. For more information listen to Radio 4’s Law In Action.

Guilty plea in attempt to destroy campus buildings

By ED WHITE | Associated Press Writer
11:19 AM CDT, October 16, 2008

DETROIT - Nearly seven years later, a New York man has pleaded guilty to
trying to destroy two buildings at Michigan Technological University as
part of a radical environmental protest.

Ian Wallace also admits in his plea agreement to three other acts,
including the destruction of 500 research trees at a federal lab in
Rhinelander, Wis., in 2000. The value of the trees is estimated at $1
million.

Wallace, 27, of East Setauket, N.Y., appeared in federal court Wednesday
in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and pleaded guilty to attempting to firebomb
two buildings at Michigan Tech in November 2001. The maximum penalty is 10
years in prison.

Containers holding combustible liquids were placed near the buildings
between midnight and 1 a.m., but the timers didn't work.

In the plea agreement, Wallace acknowledged facts described by Assistant
U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank.

On Nov. 4, 2001, he and an acquaintance drove 370 miles to Houghton from
the Minneapolis area, where Wallace was living. They were transporting two
homemade incendiary devices to destroy a campus building that belonged to
the U.S. Forest Service.

Their other target was Michigan Tech's U.J. Noblet Forestry Building,
where federally funded research was being conducted.

"They hoped not only to destroy the research but also, through such an act
of violence, to intimidate and deter government agencies, private
organizations and the general public from conducting or supporting such
research," the plea agreement says.

Wallace was acting in the name of the Earth Liberation Front, a radical
group.

Besides the Michigan Tech incident and the destruction of research trees
in Wisconsin, Wallace also acknowledged vandalizing vehicles at a Forest
Service research station at the University of Minnesota in April 2000.

He also took responsibility for an arson at a construction site at the
university in January 2002. The loss was $630,000.

Wallace won't be charged, but a judge can consider those acts when he is
sentenced. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with his attorney,
Edward Panzer.

"A civilized society must tolerate a diversity of thought, but it can
never accept the destruction of property or endangering innocent people by
adherents to a cause," U.S. Attorney Charles Gross said in a statement.

The Wisconsin trees were mature hybrid poplars.

"They were either girdled, cutting away the bark, or cut down," said Sally
Toomey, a Minnesota-based spokeswoman for the Forest Service's Northern
Research Station. "They were part of a research program to produce
faster-growing, more disease-resistant trees. This study had been under
way for more than 20 years."

Wallace has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Three people
were indicted in Madison, Wis., in July for their alleged roles in the
Rhinelander attack.

A message was left at the scene: "ELF is watching the U.S. Forest Service."

Four new British prisoners

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (16th of October)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that yesterday four British animal rights activists have been remanded into custody. There is very little information about the four at this stage, but as soon as we find out more we will let you know. Likewise if anyone knows the four or knows anything about their case please do get in contact.

All four are vegans and are being supported with their diet by the Vegan Prisoners Support Group.

Please send urgent letters of support to:

Tom Clarke
HMP Wetherby
York Road
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 5ED
England

Victoria Waterhouse-Taylor
HMP Peterborough
Saville Rd
Westfield
Peterborough
PE3 7PD
England

Luke Steel
HMP Lincoln
Greetwell Road
Lincoln
LN2 4BD
England

Dean Cane
HMP Lincoln
Greetwell Road
Lincoln
LN2 4BD
England

++++++++

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

Chicken raider demands change

By JODY O'CALLAGHAN - Manawatu Standard | Thursday, 16 October 2008

Raiding the chicken coops of the biggest battery farm in the lower North Island was the last resort after failed lobbying, animal rights activist Mark Eden told the court yesterday.
He faces a charge of burglary after admitting to taking 20 chickens from Foxton's Turks Poultry during a late-night reconnaissance mission between November 5 and 6, 2006.
But Eden maintained that he did nothing wrong.
"As you've seen I went into that shed and I'm not disputing I took those chickens."
"My case is that Mr Turk and all those other battery farms are breaking the law and I was going in [to save the chickens]."
The egg industry and its self-formulated code of welfare meant laws were being ignored to suit profitability, Eden said.
"The code of welfare itself does not comply with the [Animal Welfare] Act . . . It should be abolished."
Mr Eden, who is representing himself through his trial, undertook the first Open Rescue mission in New Zealand with nine others, after learning of the technique from overseas activists, the court heard.
For years, he and other activists had been fighting to get legislation banning battery farming.
In 1994, Government introduced citizen-initiated referendums, where a petition of 200,000 signatures required a review of any law.
But a battery farming petition that attracted 360,000 signatures was deemed not valid and the referendum never held, he said.
"Jim Anderton responded by saying, 'Oh no, it will cause too much stress to the industry so we're not going to do it [ban it]'.
"We felt like we had no legal option left."
The group chose Turks Poultry as its most effective first target because part-owner Ron Turk was vice president of the Egg Producers Federation at the time, he said.
Crown prosecutor Esme Killeen disputed that any firm law existed that said battery farming was illegal.
"For the time being, it's status quo," she said.
And Eden, who is a yet-to-be-employed film school student, had an intent to commit a crime, and that was backed up by a quote from him online.
"We're going to use direct action, civil disobedience and cause as much disruption as we can," he said the day after the organised raid.
Eden told the court that 20 other Open Rescue raids had been carried out since, and no one else had been charged. All animals were entitled to exhibit their natural pattern of behaviour, which for a chicken was to walk, flap its wings and peck at the ground, he said.
And if countries like Austria could function with a ban on battery farming, then New Zealand's industry could "work it out" too, he said.


more stories here

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4728561a12855.html

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4729228a6003.html

Resist the Grand Jury in Minnesota

EWOK! (Earth Warriors are OK!)

At least five Texas activists have been subpoenaed to a Grand Jury in
Minnesota, and we residents of the Twin Cities have a chance to act in
solidarity with them as they resist their subpoenas and refuse cooperation
with the State.

OCTOBER 19: GRAND JURY INFO SESSION
Join us for a session on grand juries- what they are, what rights you
have, how to resist them.
*When: Sunday, Oct 19, 6:30pm-8:30pm
*Where: Walker Community Church, 3104 16th Ave. S., Minneapolis

OCTOBER 21: PEOPLE'S FISHING EXPEDITION
The Feds are going fishing, so we are too! Join us in front of the Federal
Courthouse as we speak out and offer moral support to our comrades under
subpoena inside. Put on your fishing clothes and bring your gear- while
the Feds offer indictments and betrayal, we'll be offering prizes and
solidarity. Rally, stand strong, show the Feds they can't intimidate us
into cooperating.
*When: Tuesday, Oct 21, 8:30am-10:30am
*Where: Federal Courthouse, 300 S. 4th St., Minneapolis

More info: Currently, two individuals from Austin, TX are in federal
detention in MN, facing felony charges as a result of alleged plans made
for the 2008 RNC- we believe the Grand Jury relates to this situation.
Grand Juries are an incredibly coercive and secretive tool of the State-
they are "fishing expeditions," meant to force people to name names and
give other, often seemingly-innocuous, information that may produce
indictments and spur new investigations that strain our organizing
communities and put our comrades behind bars. Those subpoenaed to a Grand
Jury are not allowed to have a lawyer present as they are questioned, and
face months at a time in jail for refusing to answer questions or
otherwise cooperate. Whatever your feelings about the recent RNC
protests, Grand Juries are a dangerous tool of State repression that bear
negative implications for everyone. Whoever it is today, it could be you
tomorrow.

www.midwestgreenscare.org

fighthegreenscare@riseup.net

Report from March for Political Prisoners in NYC.

Tuesday, October 14 2008
Contributed by: amoryresistencia Infoshop News

On October 10th, the Jericho Movement and the NYC Anarchist Black Cross Federation, among others, organized a rally at the United Nations which was followed by an illegal march through the streets of midtown Manhattan. This event brought together Black Nationalists, Puerto Rico Independistas, Anarchists, Animal Liberationists, and others with the common goal of bringing attention
to the plight of political prisoners held in the U.S.

After a brief rally at Dag Hammarskjold plaza, near the United Nations building the protesters took the streets in an unpermitted march which wound its way through the center of Manhattan passing grand central station and taking over Park Avenue. The diverse group had banners and signs declaring solidarity with political prisoners and decrying government attempts to criminalize dissent. The march made it, with only minor police interference, to Madison Square Park where another rally was held.

more photos can be found at:

http://www.thejerichomovement.com/

www.amoryresistencia.blogspot.com

Support New Afrikan Anarchist POW Ojore Lutalo!

CALLING ALL ANARCHISTS, ACTIVISTS, AND SUPPORTERS OF OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS!
REPOST FAR AND WIDE!
NOVEMBER 7th WEEKEND OF SOLIDARITY FOR OJORE LUTALO!
Long-time New Afrikan Anarchist Prisoner of War, Ojore N. Lutalo is set to max out after 26 years of imprisonment at New Jersey State Prison.
In other words, the department of correctional services is about to reach their deadline for the maximum amount of time they can legally hold Ojore Lutalo under the sentence mandated by the justice system (nevermind the fact that as a Black Liberation Army Prisoner of War he should not have been sentenced under a criminal court at all!).
While his exact release date is still not finalized, it will most likely be late November or early December. The NJ DOC website has his max-out date as December 25th. Ojore, with the help of a lawyer, is in the process of working to get his good time/work credits restored, a result of his victory in the NJ Superior Court in 2007, which overturned a charge the prison convicted him of in 2005. This charge/conviction took away around a year of good time/work credits. This process is still ongoing and we will update people with any changes to his max-out date. In the meantime, the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) is initiating a fundraising drive to support Ojore, once he is released, in order for him to transition back to the streets. Money is needed to help Ojore secure housing, food and clothing. This financial assistance will allow Ojore to make the transition more smoothly, knowing that money and housing isn't an immediate pressing matter, giving him the needed time to readjust to the outside world he hasn't seen since 1982.
We are calling for a National Weekend of Fundraising Events for Ojore Lutalo to occur on the weekend of November 7th 2008. Now's a great opportunity to show how our movements support our own! As many former prisoners and their supporters know, coming back home after a doing a long stretch in prison is difficult and without a support base it will be even more difficult. The ABCF, anarchists and many PP/POW activists who have maintained contact and supported Ojore over the years, have benefited immensely from the example that he's set as what it means to be a revolutionary. His untiring advice/criticism to us has helped many of us and our organizations grow politically and deepen, not only our commitment to the struggle to free political prisoners and prisoners of war, but to that of building a revolutionary movement It's our revolutionary duty ensure Ojore has all the support he needs when hits the streets! We encourage all activists to organize fundraisers or donate whatever they can towards Ojore's release fund.
All funds, by check or money order, payable to TIM FASNACHT, can be sent to: Philadelphia ABCFP.O Box 42129Philadelphia, Pa 19101 Thank you for your support of our comrade Ojore!
Bring them all home!Solidarity and Struggle!THE ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS FEDERATIONhttp://www.abcf.net/

bio of Ojore Lutalo........ Ojore Lutalo is locked down in Trenton, New Jersey, for actions carried out in the fight for Black Liberation.
In Ojore's own words, he is "serving a parole violation sentence (we received 14 to 17 years) stemming from a 1977 conviction for expropriating monies from a capitalist state bank (in order to finance our activities) and engaging the political police in a gun battle in December 1975 in order to effect our departure from the bank, and to ensure success of the military operation..."
"After my parole violation term terminated in December 1987, I started serving a forty year sentence with a twenty year parole ineligibility (I was paroled in 1980, and I have been back in captivity since April 20, 1982) that I have received in 1982 for having a gun-fight with a drug dealer. The overall strategy of assaulting a drug dealer is to secure monies to finance one's activities, and to rid the oppressed communities of drug dealers." Ojore was originally arrested with New Afrikan P.O.W. Kojo Bomani Sababu, and was struggling with comrade Andaliwa Clark up until the point that Andaliwa was killed in action within the confines of New Jersey's infamous Trenton State Prison after he shot two prison's security guards in the repressive Management Control Unit (M.C.U.) on January 19th, 1976 when they tried to stop him from escaping from captivity.
Ojore was a comrade of the late Kuwasi Balagoon, a New Afrikan anarchist P.O.W. "I've been involved in the struggle, the war against the fascist state since 1970. I've been an anarchist since 1975 without any regrets. Prior to my involvement in the struggle, I was just another apolitical lumpen (bandit) here in Amerika."
"I was... influenced and highly motivated by the Black Liberation Army (B.L.A.) here in Amerika. These sisters and brothers were New Afrikans just like me from the streets of the ghettos who took the initiative militarily, to start assassinating members of the state's security forces who were murdering black people in our communities. From the inception of all revolutions, I feel that the people need armed combat units to check state sponsored acts of terrorism by the government's security forces. In addition, I feel that these armed combat units are necessary to show the people that fascist acts of state-sponsored terrorism... will be responded to militarily. In 1975 I became disillusioned with Marxism and became an anarchist (thanks to Kuwasi Balagoon) due to the inactiveness and ineffectiveness of Marxism in our communities along with repressive bureaucracy that comes with Marxism. People aren't going to commit themselves to a life and death struggle just because of grand ideas someone might have floating around in their heads. I feel people will commit themselves to a struggle if they can see progress being made similar to the progress of anarchist collectives in Spain during the era of the fascist Bahamonde..."
Ojore is presently locked down in an M.C.U. in Trenton. "I'm encased in a cage of steel and concrete surrounded by by high prison walls topped with gun towers and rows of razor wire while being watched by sadistic fascist pigs. Nevertheless, I'm not complaining because I have accepted revolution, which is an armed struggle for me, and I have come to terms with the prospects of death and captivity... The vast majority of the Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners now being interned here in the concentration camps of North Amerika aren't receiving any assistance (e.g.: being liberated, assistance in liberating ourselves, financial assistance needed to obtain food packages, winter clothing, reading material and postage stamps) from the so-called progressive revolutionary organizations, groups and individuals here in Amerika. With our talents, we have been abandoned here in the state's numerous concentration camps and our M.C.U.¹s by those out there in what we call minimum custody..." We don't need moral support because we have purpose. We don¹t need anyone to tell us to stay strong because we are going to remain stead-fast anyway, because we have come to terms with the prospects of death and captivity."
http://www.abcf.net/prisoners/lutalo.htm

Avelino Gonzalez Claudio UPDATE

from ProLibertad Campaign Oct. 13, 2008

The mobilization to Connecticut for the newest Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Avelino Gonzalez Claudio's Nov. 6th Court Hearing is postponed until the court hearing is rescheduled.
Below is an update sent to ProLibertad by Avelino's support Committee in Puerto Rico:

UPDATE ON THE CASE OF PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONER
AVELINO GONZALEZ CLAUDIO
THERE CAN BE NO TRIAL DATE AT THIS TIME
The date for the beginning of the trial which is to be presided over by Judge Alfred V. Costell of the Hartford Court had been established as November 6, 2008. The lead attorney for Avelino has informed us that there is no way that the trial can begin on November 6 because the process of discovery of evidence has barely begun. All the evidence to be presented by the prosecution, including everything that was ceased during the break-ins in 1985, must be given to Avelino and that has yet to be done by federal prosecutors.
At this time we do not know if on November 6th there will be any type of hearing of Avelino’s case. During the month of November there will be meetings with Avelino’s lawyers in Harford in order to assess the steps taken and to be taken by the prosecution and the defense.

THE JUDGE INTERFERES WITH DEFENSE PREPARATIONS
Judge Alfred V. Costello denied requests for coverage of expenses needed by the defense for preparation of aspects of the case that require travel to Puerto Rico in order to interview witnesses and visits to sites that are linked to the case and the arrest of Avelino.
SOLIDARITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Solidarity in the United States with Avelino has been actively maintained by the sisters and brothers of the ProLibertad Campaign and the Hartford Committee, who maintain extensive and up-to-date communication both in the U.S. and internationally in favor of the freedom of all political prisoners detained in North American jails.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR PRISONERS
Compañera Estrella Lagares informs us about the Vigil to be held this weekend in support of the freedom of our political prisoners that has been organized by the Human Rights Commission:
--Plaza Colón in Old San Juan
--Beginning Friday, October 10 until Sunday October 12, 2008
The Committee of Family and Friends of Avelino González Claudio in Puerto Rico will be participating in this Vigil with banners, informational literature, pictures and an educational palm card about Avelino González who is currently imprisoned in Hartford, Connecticut.
There was a press conference on October 8, 2008, Avelino’s birthday, at 10:30 a.m. at the Puerto Rican Bar Association headquarters in Miramar.
The Committee of Family and Friends of Avelino González Claudio
Puerto Rico

Chiapas Massacre Update

Posted by Kristin Bricker - October 9, 2008 Narcosphere

State police summarily executed three peasants in front of a child

The Fray Bartolome de las Casas Human Rights Center (Frayba) issued a press release on denouncing the October 4 police operation in Chincultik that left six peasants dead, 17 wounded, and 36 detained. Of the wounded, ten were beaten and six were shot. Three men were gravely injured: one was transfered to a hospital in Mexico City, and the other to a hospital in the Chiapas capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez.

According to a communique from the state attorney general's office, about 40 police had entered the community to carry out subpoenas against 28 people whom it suspected were involved in the takeover of the Chincultik ruins and the booth at the entrance to the ruins where visitors are charged an entrance fee. The police entered on horseback, in vehicles, and on foot, shooting tear gas and kicking down doors in various houses.

The townspeople, who claim that the government does not properly maintain the ruins and that the tourism proceeds from the ruins should benefit the town, defended themselves from the attack. They surrounded the police and disarmed them, guarding the 77 police weapons in the town. The residents detained the police officers, holding them in the town office.

Hours later, 300 State Preventative Police officers entered the community, again shooting tear gas at the residents. The peasants responded with sticks and stones, at which point the police opened fire, injuring several residents.

Agustin Alfaro Alfaro, his wife Eloisa Margarita Espinoza Morales, and their young son arrived from a neighboring ranch to transport four of the injured men to the nearest hospital. However, before reaching the hospital the State Preventative Police intercepted their truck and opened fire. A bullet struck Alfaro in the leg. The police pulled him from the car and shot him in the chest. Then they summarily executed three of the injured men: Rigoberto López, Alfredo Hernández, and Miguel Antonio Martínez. Espinoza Morales and her son were uninjured.

During the operation, police also shot Ignacio Hernández López and Ricardo Ramírez Ramírez, who died on the way to the hospital.

The 36 peasants who were detained during the operation were released the following day in exchange for the weapons the peasants confiscated from the police they detained.

Frayba reports that state and federal authorities have decided to pay the dead peasants' families MX$35,000 (USD$2,851.31) in funeral costs and MX$75,000 (USD$6,109.95) in "economic support." They've also promised residents food rations, community development projects to build tourist hostels or restaurants. The residents are offended by the offer.

Meridiano90 released the following photo montage of the operation and its aftermath:

(Warning: includes graphic images of murdered peasants.)

Harold Taylor facing a bogus charge in Florida. Support him - come to court 10/23

From:    "SF-8 case" <cdhrsupport@freedomarchives.org>
Date:    Fri, October 10, 2008

Harold Taylor, one of the San Francisco 8, is facing a bogus charge
in Florida. Support him - come to court 10/23, 8:30 am Panama City.

Harold Taylor was arrested last December in Florida on a baseless
charge of "attempted purchase of cocaine." Several people were swept
up in a neighborhood sweep and sting operation at that time. Harold's
case has coincidentally received unusual attention by the Florida
court which is now fast-tracking his prosecution after many months of
inactivity. He is scheduled to go to trial on October 23rd at 8:30 am
at the Bay County Courthouse - 300 East 4th Street in Panama City,
Florida. As you can read in the letter from his San Francisco lawyer
that follows, this prosecution is a result of a new judge and
prosecutor taking over, not upon any substantial or new evidence.

Friends,

It is clear from the arrest and all the surrounding circumstances
that the charge against Harold in Florida is totally baseless. A
thorough search of his person and his van resulted in NO seizure of
any substances, legal or illegal. Further, NO allegation is even made
that any money was produced. Harold was swept up in a sting operation
in which numerous individuals were arrested. All except Harold were
alleged to have actually made a purchase. None of them were with him
when he was arrested. He has NO drug history!! In short, Harold was
in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had gone to this
neighborhood to thank some of the people that had written letters of
support for him when he was seeking release on bail in San Francisco.

News of his arrest spread quickly and he was bailed out shortly after
he appeared in a Florida court.

Just days earlier he had appeared on "Democracy Now" with host Amy
Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, and attended a press conference held by
the World Council of Churches at Riverside Church
announcing  international support for the SF8 launched by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu and other Nobel Laureates.

Harold has every intention of fighting the charges in San Francisco
and Florida. In light of the torture he suffered in New Orleans in
1973, his strength and character in the face of this latest ordeal
are amazing. The stress this has caused for him and his family is
overwhelming.

Randy Montesano,
Harold Taylor's attorney in the San Francisco 8 case

Support Harold Taylor by coming to court and helping to mobilize support:

October 23rd at 8:30 am at the
Bay County Courthouse - 300 East 4th Street in
Panama City, Florida.
_______________________________________________
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

Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive 2008

From:    contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Date:    Fri, October 3, 2008

Leonard Peltier is once again organizing a holiday gift drive for the
children of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Pine Ridge is one
of the most impoverished areas in the United States, and this is one way
Peltier continues his humanitarian work for his people despite his 32-year
incarceration. Help him reach out beyond the bars that imprison him. The
gift drive helps not only the children and families, but also Leonard
himself, keeping his spirit strong through the difficult holiday season.

Mail all gifts to:
Rosyln Jumping Bull
BOX 207
Oglala, SD  57764

The Gift Drive will serve ages newborn to 18 years.

Ideas for Christmas Gifts per Age Range:

Infant/Toddler

Puzzles, Board Books, Building Blocks, Stuffed Animals, Blankets, Trucks,
Musical Instruments for Toddler, Riding Toys, Push Toys, Baby Dolls (All
Ethnicities) or Stuffed Animals, Clothes

Children Ages 3-6

Baby Dolls, Dolls or Barbies (All Ethnicities), Puzzles, Books,
Developmental Board Games (Counting Games), Arts and Crafts Sets, Race
Tracks, Legos, Dress Up Clothes, Childrens Videos, Bikes, Clothes

Children Ages 7-12

Board Games, Books, Purses and Wallets, Art Sets, Boom Boxes, Sports
Equipment, Barbie Dolls (All Ethnicities) , Arts and Crafts Sets,
Journals, Model Car Kits, Clothes, Bikes, Jewelry, Clothes

Teens Ages 13-18

Books, Journals, Bath and Body Gifts, Make Up Sets, Sports Equipment,
Purses and Wallets, Jewelry and Watches, Art Supply Kits, Gift
Certificates to Wal-Mart or Target, DVDs or Videos, Clothes

Mail all gifts to:
Rosyln Jumping Bull
BOX 207
Oglala, SD  57764

Phone-in against Phony charges!--RNC Arrestees Call-In Day of Action Monday October 13th

--Phone-in against Phony charges!--
RNC Arrestees Call-In Day of Action:
Monday October 13th (9am- 5pm)

6 of the RNC8 are attending court on Monday Oct 13th. In solidarity with them
and the 800+ other RNC arrestees, we are asking folks to take 5 minutes to call
Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner's office, St. Paul Mayor Chris
Coleman and St. Paul City Attorney John Choi and demand that ALL CHARGES BE DROPPED.

Call (651)266-8510 and tell Mayor Chris Coleman's office that the city of
St. Paul must hold police accountable for their actions and brutality during the
RNC and that all charges against protesters be dropped.

Call (651)266-3222 and demand that Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner drop
the Felony charges against almost 2 dozen RNC protesters and that you are
watching the "RNC 8" case very closely. Demand that her office not
prosecute protest organizers as "terrorists".

Call City Attorney John Choi at (651)266-8710 and demand that all misdemeanor
charges be dropped now! He has referred to RNC protesters as outsiders who
wanted to "create mayhem." Let him know the hundreds Twin Cities
residents arrested during the convention would probably disagree.

Please be polite, but firm. Remember that what you say will have an impact on
everybody facing charges, and it could very easily have a negative impact if
you are not careful.

rnc8.org
antiwarcommittee.org
coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com

Support the RNC8! Dissent is not a crime!

rnc8.org

Police informant looking at 8-10 years imprisonment

Feds acknowledge Mich. arsonist was key informant
10/10/2008, 3:31 p.m. ET
By ED WHITE
The Associated Press


DETROIT (AP) — For the first time, the government is publicly
acknowledging the wide-ranging undercover role of a Detroit man who
committed arson at Michigan State University and cooperated in an
investigation of eco-terrorism.

Federal prosecutors in Grand Rapids are recommending that Frank Ambrose be
sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison, well below the maximum, 20
years, later this month.

In a document filed Friday, prosecutors say Ambrose traveled across the
country with a secret recording device, gathering intelligence against
members of the Earth Liberation Front.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank calls the cooperation "nothing short
of remarkable."

The 33-year-old Ambrose committed arson at MSU on New Year's Eve 1999 to
protest genetically modified crops. The damage exceeded $1 million.

American and Greek news

ELP Information Bulletin (9th October 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has two lots of news for you.

Firstly, the American prisoner, Marie Mason, has been moved to a new prison address. As all ELP supporters will be aware, Marie recently admitted her involvement with an ELF arson campaign aimed at a University involved with GM crop tests. She was also named by the police as a participant in a number of other ELF actions. Marie is currently on remand awaiting sentencing where she is expected to receive 15-20 years imprisonment.

Please send letters of support to:

Marie Jeanette Mason
Clinton County Jail
1347 E Townsend Rd.
Saint Johns, MI 48879
USA

Marie is a vegan so it is essential she is also supported in making sure she receives the correct diet.

The second bit of news is Vaggelis Botzatzis, the Greek anarchist has been released from prison pending trial. He has been held on remand for 18 months which is the maximum time, under Greek law, he could be kept imprisoned without trial. Therefore the authorities were forced to free him. Vaggelis (along with three other people whose locations are unknown to the police) has been wrongly accused of the following actions: 1) setting fire to two public power company vehicles protesting the environmental harm caused by the company. 2) Setting fire to a bank in support of political/revolutionary prisoners. 3) Setting fire to a French car agency during suburban riots in France.

For more information check out http://greekelp.blogspot.com

++++++++

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

Greek ELP
http://greekelp.blogspot.com

All Out for 10/10 and 10/11!!!

CALLING ALL ACTIVISTS AND FREEDOM FIGHTERS!

Jericho 10/10 Weekend of Resistance

"One of the first steps we are going to become involved in as an Organization of Afro-American Unity will be to work with every leader and other organization in this country interested in a program designed to bring your and my problem before the United Nations . . . We must take it out of the hands of the United States government." – Malcolm X, Speech at Founding Rally of the OAAU, 28 June 1964

Demand Freedom for Our Political Prisoners and POWs!

10/10

Fri., Oct. 10, 2008 @ 12 Noon

Moving Agitational Picket

1st Ave. from 42nd to 47th Sts.

Bring your banners, signs, noisemakers, boombox radios, drums, whistles, cameras, spirit, etc.

Bring the noise.

Simultaneous delegation to United Nations

Rally at Madison Square Park @3pm

5th Ave and 23rd St.

Evening Concert to Benefit the Prisoners

@ The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (btw Broadway and Church St.)

@ 9 p.m. Featuring:

Inmesyah Soul, Hassan Salaam, X-Vandals, Emperor,Rebel Diaz, The Wordstock Poetry Collective, Maroon Society,Gist the Essence,

Collective Flow, United Front

10/11

Sat., Oct. 11, 2008 @ 12 Noon

Rally at the Harlem State Office Building

163 W. 125th Street (between Lenox & A.C. Powell)

March through Harlem @ 1 p.m.

Closing Rally at Morningside Park@ 3 p.m.

Between 112th & 114th near Morningside Ave. entrances

IF YOU NEED HOUSING OR CHILDCARE LET US KNOW TODAY!

SEE YOU IN THE STREETS!

————

Jericho 10/10 Weekend of Resistance

Demand Freedom for Our Political Prisoners and POWs!

Organized by the October 10th Coalition:

Jericho Movement, Anarchist Black Cross Federation (NYC), Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Leonard Peltier Support Group (NYC), Malcolm X Commemoration Ctte., ProLibertad, Resistance in Brooklyn, Safiya Bukhari/Nuh Washington Foundation

GET INVOLVED! more info. . . .

thejerichomovement.com/

myspace.com/jerichotenten

206-888-4001

JERICHO.TEN.TEN[at]GMAIL.COM

nycjericho[at]gmail.com 718-853-0893 •

Endorsers:

1-2-3 Community Space, Alvaro Luna Hernández, American Friends Service Committee/Criminal Justice Program (NYMRO), Anarchist Black Cross

Federation, Andy Stepanian Support Committee, ANSWER Coalition, The Beautiful Struggle, Black United Front-Houston Chapter, Black Women's

Defense League, Boston Anarchist Black Cross, CEMOTAP, The Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action, Friends of Jeffrey Free Luers, Gabriela Network,

Hostos Grand Jury Resistance Campaign, In Our Hearts Anarchist Network, International Action Center, International Concerned Family & Friends of

Mumia Abu-Jamal, Justseeds, Northeastern Federation of Anarchist-Communists-NYC (NEFAC-NYC), NY Metropolitan Anarchist Alliance

(NYMAA), Party for Liberation and Socialism, Pittsburgh Organizing Group, Prisoners of Conscience Committee (POCC), Puerto Rican Alliance of Los

Angeles, Rock Dove Collective, Solidarity Without Borders-NYC, Sylvia Rivera Law Project, War Resisters League, WESPAC Foundation, Win Animal

Rights, Workers World Party

If you go to the link below, you will see all five parts of the original Jericho98 march, which marked the beginning of the Jericho Movement. Will also be on http://www.thejerichomovement.com/jericho98

Jericho March Pt. 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sS_2LnZSvk

Nov. 6th-All out for Avelino Gonzalez Claudio

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign
http://www.prolibertadweb.com
ProLibertad@hotmail.com

ALL OUT TO CONNECTICUT ON NOVEMBER 6TH!!

Arrested earlier this year, Avelino is incarcerated in a state prison in the city of Hartford; in “maximum security” with 23 hours of isolation in a jail cell and with one hour to get fresh air.

They propose to judge him, as they have his comrades in struggle, far away from his Puerto Rican homeland. The U.S. government must recognize Avelino’s status as a fighter for independence and a political prisoner, as he demanded in its imperial courts!

Avelino needs our support! His hearing is set for November 6th, 2008! We cannot let our brother face the court alone! Take the day off from school or work and come with us!

ALL OUT TO CONNECTICUT ON NOVEMBER 6TH!!
Contact ProLibertad to get on the Freedom Vans: 718-601-4751


Who is Avelino Gonzalez Claudio?

Avelino was born in the town of Vega Baja on October 8, 1942. As a student at the University of Puerto Rico, he became a member and then vice-president of the Pro-Independence University Federation (Federación Universitaria Pro Independencia-FUPI). In the mid-1960’s, he married and moved to New York City, earning his living on Wall Street, and working with the Puerto Rican community, joining and then leading the Vito Marcantonio Mission of the Movemiento Pro-Independencia (MPI) in New York. He and his family of four children returned to Puerto Rico, where he worked in the independence movement, including administering the political journal Pensamiento Crí­tico (Critical Thought).

In August of 1985, Avelino González Claudio was accused of participating in the planning and authorization of an operation to secure $7,117,000 from a Wells Fargo armored truck in Hartford, Connecticut on September 12, 1983, along with other Puerto Ricans and two North Americans. The operation was carried out by a clandestine organization fighting for the independence of Puerto Rico, the PRTP-Macheteros. Avelino was not arrested at the time. When the arrests of 1985 took place, and Avelino was not arrested, he assumed the identity of José Ortega, and, while the FBI pursued him, he lived a quiet life, working as a computer teacher to support his family and contributing constructively to his nation, seeking to improve the services provided by the Department of Education. However, more than 20 years later, he was arrested in Manatí­, Puerto Rico, on February 7, 2008.

Avelino is currently being held in Somers, the state of Connecticut’s supermax prison, far from his family and his nation, where he is locked down 23 hours a day, with no access to family visits or phone calls, in conditions which are calculated not only to interfere with his ability to prepare a defense, but which are tantamount to torture. He is awaiting trial in federal court in Hartford.

Support the Eco-Prisoners, October 2008

Spirit of Freedom
(October 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 October 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom.  The last month
has been a month of mixed emotions for ELP.  On the one hand we heard the
brilliant news that the Dutch animal rights activist, Gerben Jan, was found
not guilty of assaulting a police officer, causing the officer to break his
leg, during an animal rights demo in Sweden.  Instead Gerban was found
guilty of resisting arrest for which he was fined and deported.  Also in an
unexpected move, all the Austrian Animal Rights prisoners were released from
prison pending their trial!  Plus, the American vegan, Nathan Knoerl, was
granted bail in his case where he is accused of involvement in an
anti-vivisection protest.  Following Nathans release a support campaign has
been set up to try and help raise money for Nathan's forthcoming legal case.
For more info please e-mail supportnathan@gmail.com. However, just as ELP
started to think our prisoner lists might start to go down, we received news
of further police raids in Austria.  ELP also learnt that, due to Frank
Ambrose, grassing everyone up, the American's Marie Mason, Stephanie Lynne
Fultz, and Aren Burthwick, have all had to enter Plea Bargains and admit
some of the charges set against them.  In Marie's case she has admitted her
direct role in an ELF arson on a University building involved with GM crop
tests, whilst Stephanie and Aren have admitted not reporting a fire
(Stephanie has admitted cutting Marie's hair which was burnt following the
arson).  We don't know what sentences Stephanie and Aren are likely to
receive, but Marie is looking at 15 to 20 years and has been remanded into
custody.  This is really bad news, especially as it was hoped Marie might
remain free until her sentencing early next year.  Around the world, people
are being imprisoned for standing up for what they believe in and trying to
help the animals and the earth.  So please, 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, #70936-065, (in transit), USA.  Serving 78 months for his
involvement in two ELF 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).

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.  (Meat
eater).

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).

Bryan Lefey #38664-086, FDC SeaTac, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box
13900, Seattle, WA  98198, USA.  On remand accused of an ELF action that saw
the damaging of GM trees and the damaging of US Forestry Service vehicles.
(Diet unknown).

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).

Marie Jeanette Mason, Newaygo County Jail, PO Box 845, White Cloud, MI
49349, USA.  Awaiting sentencing having pleaded guilty to involvement in ELF
arson against a University building carrying out Genetically Modified crop
tests.  Marie also pleaded guilty to conspiring to carry out ELF actions and
also admitted involvement in 12 other ELF actions.  Marie is expected to
receive a sentence of between 15-20 years. (Marie is a vegan).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097. FCI Victorville Medium II, PO BOX 5700,
Adelanto, CA 92301, 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, #63794-053, USP Marion, US Penitentiary, PO Box 1000,
Marion, IL 62959, 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, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution,
Route 37, Danbury, CT 06811, USA.  Serving six years for 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).

Dan Amos VN7818, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5DF, England.
On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life
Sciences.  (Dan is a vegan)

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Winchester, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DF,
England.  On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail
Huntingdon Life Sciences.  (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15
3JZ, England.  On remand having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail
Huntingdon Life Sciences.   (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).

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).

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, HMP Stafford, 54 Gaol Road, Stafford, ST16 3AW,
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).

John Smith, TB4887, HMP Lindholme, Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse,
Doncaster, DN7 6EE, England.  Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a
farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.  (John is a vegan).

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, USP Marion, P.O. Box 1000 Marion, IL 62959,
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).

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx,
TW15 3JZ, England.  Serving two years for: 1) rescuing a puppy from horrific
conditions. 2) rescuing over 100 animals from a pet breeder who was later
prosecuted for animal abuse.  Also awaiting trial for SHAC activity.  (Sarah
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 DEFENDANTS
The Lecce Defendants 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.

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).

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. (Tomasz is a vegetarian).

Yuri Yurevich Milevskiy, SIZO #7 kamera 38, g. Brest, ul. Karla Marksa 86,
224000 Belarus.  On remand for fighting with neo-nazis.  (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).

Richard Sills (Address Unknown, USA).  Serving 15 months for bomb hoaxing a
University saying they would be targeted by the ALF if they didn't stop
their animal experiments.  (Diet unknown).

Michael W. Sykes, 696693, 3855 Cooper St, Jackson, MI 49201, 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

Infiltrators in American protest camps

Eco-Activists Smell a Rat

utne.com

10/1/2008
by Keith Goetzman

The raids that snared eight anarchist activists in St. Paul last
month on the eve of the Republican National Convention were based in
part on information from police informants who infiltrated protest
training camps. The New Statesman reports that such incursions are
commonplace in the U.K., with as many as one in four members of
direct-action environmental protest groups working not for the cause,
but for the law or private "corporate intelligence agencies."

"If you stuck an intercept up near one of those camps," one corporate
spy exec says, "you wouldn't believe the amount of outgoing calls
after every meeting saying, 'Tomorrow we're going to cut the fence.' "

The arrested members of the RNC Welcoming Committee learned the hard
way that it's not just eco-protesters in Britain, where new
coal-fired power plants are a protest flash point, who are feeling
the heat. RNC Welcoming Committee organizers apparently had big-eared
visitors in their midst this summer at an activist "action camp" held
from July 31 to August 3 in Lake Geneva, Minnesota, where they
allegedly discussed the tactics they'd bring to RNC street protests.
Police say they talked about Molotov cocktails, paint, caltrops
(devices used to puncture tires), bricks, and "materials" hidden
inside giant puppets.

The information gleaned by these "confidential reliable informants,"
or CRIs, was central to the felony riot charges filed against the
eight RNC Welcoming Committee activists. Bruce Nestor, attorney for
one of the defendants and president of the Minnesota branch of the
National Lawyers Guild, said the information is by nature suspect.

"The charges in this case are supported only by allegations of paid
confidential informants," Nestor said at a press conference,
according to Mordecai Specktor in the Minnesota online newspaper
MinnPost. (Specktor's son Max is one of the defendants.) "A number of
the attorneys here have experience in investigations with the use of
informants in political cases. We are concerned about the potential
use of provocateurs, people who purposely plan and bring up
discussions of violence, in order to get other people to respond and
then report back that those discussions occurred. The confidential
informants are paid based on the value of the information they
provide. They have a clear incentive to exaggerate and lie about the
information."

Though of course the arrested members of the RNC Welcoming Committee
must feel burned by their turncoat brethren, the activists weren't
exactly being secretive about their plans, telegraphing their
intentions to "shut down" the RNC in articles, a website, even a
YouTube video. When an underground movement uses the mobilizing power
of the Internet, it also exposes itself to greater attention and surveillance.

After infiltrating the RNC Welcoming Committee, the spies­two
informants and an undercover investigator­allegedly monitored e-mails
and conversations and helped police conduct "regular surveillance" of
the RNC group. The imposters apparently delivered believable
performances as radical activists, which is more than can be said of
one British informant who was found out by the members of Plane
Stupid, a group opposed to the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

According to the New Statesman, "The group gradually became
suspicious because he showed up early at meetings, constantly pushed
for increasingly dramatic direct action and­the ultimate
giveaway­dressed a little too well for an ecowarrior."

Anti-Fascist Prisoner list

ELP has some great news. The British anti-fascist group, Antifa England, who run the website Antifa.org.uk have started to publish a list of all the known Anti-Fascist prisoners.

If anyone knows of any Anti-Fascist prisoner who is not listed please let both ELP and Antifa.org.uk know. Thanks.

For more info on Antifa England or to check out their prisoner list go to www.Antifa.org.uk

More Austrian raids!

News is coming in that a couple of days ago the police carried out two more house raids in Austria. One of the people targetted in the latest raids is the partner of one of the ten Austrian animal rights activists who was recently held on remand.

ELP understands that computers and CDs were removed from this persons house.

There is no more news at this moment in time but ELP will keep everyone up to date.

Marie Mason's new prison address

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (2nd October 2008)

Dear friends

Marie Mason's support campaign have announced that American eco-prisoner, Marie Mason, is being held at Newaygo County Jail.

Please send letters of support to:

Marie Jeanette Mason
Newaygo County Jail
P.O. Box 845
White Cloud, MI 49349
USA

For more info on Marie, check out her support campaign website http://freemarie.org/

+++++++

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

Update on Eric McDavid's situation in Victorville and a letter from Eric

by Sacramento Prisoner Support
Wednesday Oct 1st, 2008 indybay.org

Dear friends,

Our apologies for taking so long to get this to you…

First of all, we would like to thank everyone who helped us with the
tour during the past month. It was an amazing success, and it would
not have been possible without all of your support. Finally getting
to meet so many folks who have been working for Eric these past few
years was inspiring and rejuvenating in more ways than you know. Our
deepest, most heartfelt thanks to all of you.

For those of you who don’t already know, we learned earlier this
month that Eric received an “infraction” for “unpermitted contact
with the media.” This apparently stems from a phone call Eric made to
his family's home during which he spoke with a journalist who was at
the house. Leaving aside the inherent absurdity of the charge itself,
the ramifications for Eric have been quite real. His phone and email
access were immediately cut off, leaving him with no real ties to the
outside world other than letters (which can sometimes take weeks to
reach their destination) and visits. This has been difficult for him
and his loved ones, to say the least. Unfortunately, he will be
without phone and email indefinitely. It could take weeks for the
issue to be resolved, and even afterwards there is no guarantee that
he will regain access to either of these “privileges.” We will keep
you updated as things progress.

Eric’s birthday is October 7th! We realize this is right around the
corner – and as mail tends to take its time reaching the prison, you
should drop your birthday note in the mail as soon as possible.
Please keep in mind that Eric might not be able to write you back…
read more about that in his note below. (And for more information on
how to write Eric, please visit his website:
http://www.supporteric.org)

Finally, Eric asked that we send out the following letter to you all:

it’s presently a Pisces Full Moon so i’m running on Intuition while
writing this – admittedly a fair amount of caffeine as well… my
apologies for the amount of time it’s taken for me to get this out,
but finding an edge of balance amongst these new surroundings hasn’t
been simple… part of it has also been resigning myself to this medium
– persynally there’s too much distance, no way to clarify semantics,
read body language, feel if the intent reaches to the Heart as seen
through the windows of the Soul… in some ways this language is so
Dead it feels a blight to utilize it… there inlies my frustrations,
yet this is the most viable tool i have before me ~ i can only wish…
… and in calling things what they are, a transformation occurs - a
change in relation brought about by the recognition of the subtle and
unconscious aspects whose power resides in them being exactly that… …
… one thing i’ve become intimate with during this experience is how
closely aligned fear and freedom are within this society – it’s
fuck’n scary feeling the impact i have on my environment at every
level if i say hello to this persyn, and the ripple of effects which
are caused; if i don’t say hello to another and it’s ramifications…
and at the next larger bubble, if and what i put out to You and the
possible retaliation… larger still, will the intent still reside
within the symbols – can this form carry the intended content? … …
and so i speak of – i write – knowing of the S.H.U… of ‘diesel
therapy’, this may cause strings to be pulled in regards to my
appeal, that this may not even make it out yet despite it all = the
intent is … with that truth in my Heart, between my ribs, within and
throughout my Body – the Fear dissolves and only Freedom remains…
letting go effects my relation to their tools as they intend,
regardless of how or when or to what extent they’re to be implemented
– and believe You me, we’ve just barely seen the beginning of it all
(prepare for the worst and wish for the best) … part of me hurts,
feeling that it may have to be one of those lessons learnt only
through experience; i never knew what dark chocolate tasted like
until it was in my mouth with teeth grinding and saliva pumping
(i.e., i may never have come to the relation with freedom which i now
am without living through these experiences)… -sigh- we shall see… …
… once again, too much love for all the Support and Solidarity. i’m
go’n to be head’n off to hibernation for the Winter and creating some
space for projects, which translates into my not go’n to be able to
write folks back who write after the Equinox – so please spread that
Love around. i feel and know it’s deeply needed everywhere… anyone
holding on to ideas about sending any books, i’d appreciate it if
those resources were utilized for easing the cost of my Partner’s
visits or the legal funds of myself or others… Please take care of
Yourselves, Our Loved Ones, and All You Hold Sacred… … …

In Solidarity,

D

(aka Eric McDavid)

(find your joy)

Thank you all for your continued support.

Yours,
SPS
http://www.supporteric.org

Marie Mason is being transferred!!!

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (1st October 2008)

Dear friends

Following on from our earlier e-mail, ELP has just learnt that Marie is being transferred to another prison!!! Therefore please hold off on the letters of support. As soon as ELP has an address for Marie we will circulate it to everyone.

On other news, as ELP has often reported, no one can ever accuse the Italian legal system of being fast! The Lecce Defendants case is still ongoing and ELP has recently received the following anonymous communique from people describing themselves as "anarchist".

DESERT THE FEAR

Consumers of fear in a world of insecurity: this is what they want us to be. In order to achieve this goal and defend their power and privileges the States inculcate people with fake fears and create imaginary monsters. The obsession of security, unleashed by various security laws, identifies the enemy of the moment: Rumanians, Roma people, car window cleaners, prostitutes and more broadly foreigners become targets for the citizens’ anxiety. In fact, the reasons for this anxiety, the loss of jobs, the deaths at work and unaffordable rents and medical treatments have a different source.

The machinery of State terror, hidden in the shadow of democracy, presents all projects of abuse as useful and necessary: from nuclear power to eco-devastation infrastructures, from war to the latest repressive initiatives of majors turned sheriffs. By prohibiting to eat in the street, to beg, to clean car windows and to build sandcastles in the beach, the government throws dust in the eyes of those who, alienated and tired of propaganda, cannot realize that all these activities had never been regarded as problems before.

In this way we are no longer sure of what to be afraid of. And what if tomorrow water and food were not more available in the supermarkets? What if an unexpected disease hit us and we were unable to fight it back? We would no longer have the ancient skills that allowed people to be self-sufficient, nor would we take advantage of solidarity relations between individuals.

We would not be the masters of ourselves and would be unable to take care of our own lives.

We would have chased an enemy that doesn’t exist, whereas the real responsible of the catastrophe, bosses and governors of all colours, would still be at their place planning new devastations. Most importantly, we would have lost the awareness of reality and of ourselves in a sea of indifference and rancour while power constantly modifies the past making us lose the memory of our history and culture. We would accept, as we are already doing, that poor foreigners be locked up in detention centres and then kicked out of the fortress because their presence wouldn’t be decent enough for our sight. We would accept the crawling racism that kills and the fact that people drown in the sea while searching for a possibility of survival.

In order to get out of the quagmire of social peace in which they want us to be submerged we must take a different course. It is what some anarchists did in these last years with their struggles, in particular that against the Regina Pacis catholic detention centre of San Foca (Lecce, southern Italy). Struggles carried out from below following patterns that are peculiar to anarchists: self-management, informality, horizontal relationships, direct actions… struggles and methods that the State wants to stop with terror, trials, sentences and years in prison.

On October 9 the second grade of the Nottetempo trial against twelve anarchists will start in the Lecce court. Solidarity towards them is a first essential step to start deserting the fear.

Anarchists

+++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network

BM Box 2407

London

WC1N 3XX

England

www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Marie Mason Remanded

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (1st October 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that American activist, Marie Mason's bail has been revoked and she has been remanded into custody pending sentencing. Marie recently admitted her role in an ELF arson campaign and is expected to receive a lengthy sentence.

Please send urgent letters of support to:

Kent County Correctional Facility
MARIE JEANETTE MASON
703 Ball Avenue, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
USA

When sending letters of support, her support campaign has put out the following guidelines:

At this time please DO NOT send Marie any radical/revolutionary literature
or discuss her case or the Green Scare in general. Letters are read by
athorities and can be used against her at sentencing. Again DO NOT attempt
to discuss her case, co defendants, the Green Scare or any illegal acts
with her. To do so will be putting her at risk.

All incoming mail will be searched for contraband prior to delivery. The
acceptable items include the following:

a. Letters sent in legal size or smaller envelope. They may not contain
stamps, extra envelopes, blank pages, magazines or newspaper articles,
jewelry, food items, lipstick on
letter or envelope, crayon colored pictures, catalogs, and any items
containing gang insignia or references or recruitment for gangs.
b. Postcards except those deemed obscene.
c. Appropriate magazines or soft cover books sent directly from the
publisher, bookstore, or distribution entity. The magazines or books may
not contain “Due on Delivery” bills. They may not contain nudity or
advocate discrimination.
d. Photographs 5x7 or smaller, except those deemed obscene.
e. Cards no larger than 6x8 with no "glitter" or foreign substances.
f. All publications and/or personal materials depicting any degree of
nudity are not allowed.

Remember, Marie is facing a very long sentence and she needs all of our support. Therefore please do support Marie.

Marie is a dietary vegan. At this moment in time there is no news on her two co-defendants who have admitted to not reporting a fire. If anyone has any news on her Co-D's please let ELP know as soon as possible.

+++++++++

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

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OLAJIDAI CRENSHAW!

Toledo anti-fascist prisoner

Saturday, April 12, 2008

http://www.myspace.com/toledosolidarity
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=162652008&blogID=377323012

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OLAJIDAI CRENSHAW!
Category: News and Politics

***Olajidai Crenshaw is now the only person arrested in connection
with October 15th 2005 who is still prison! At 17 he was tried as an
adult and is currently serving an 8 year sentence. Please continue to
send him messages of support and do whatever you can wherever you are
at to help get him out!***

Olajidai Crenshaw A519055 Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) P. O.
Box 7010 Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

Lassandra Burrwell released from Prison!!!

Monday, April 07, 2008

http://www.myspace.com/toledosolidarity
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=162652008&blogID=375418172

This is great news everyone!! Finaly Lassandra Burrwell has been
released from Prison!  Here is the news from the Books 4 Prisoners
Crew!  Feal free to circulate widely!  Thanks to everyone support and
from keaping Lassandra in your thoughts and discussions!
In Solidarity,
TSC

*Please Forward*

Lasandra Burwell had been seeking judicial release (ohio’s version of
early release) for several months. During this time she was held at
the Lucas County jail (the reason why supporters letters was bounced
back these past couple months) waiting for an unknown court date. She
did not have the majority of her property from Ohio Reformatory for
Women and during this time was unable to contact most of her friends
and supporters. Finally in mid Jan judge Ruth Ann Franks heard
Lasandra’s petition and we are happy to announce it was GRANTED! She
was released from prison in early March. She now must spend the next
3 years on a very regimented and restrictive parole but she is now
free. Thanks to everyone who supported Lasandra these past 3 years.

Its all about the Struggle,
Steve