Support the Eco-Prisoners (October 2009)

Spirit of Freedom
(October 2009)
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 2009 edition of Spirit of Freedom.  Unfortunately we
have to start this newsletter with some bad news.  Literally in the last few
days ELP has learnt of the jailing of two new eco-prisoners, one is Sweden,
one in America.

Last month Swedish eco-activist, Jonatan Strandberg was informed that his
appeal against the length of his prison sentence was unsuccessful and he was
informed he would be returning to prison.  We were informed that Jonatan
would be returning to prison at the start of this week and today we received
the depressing news that Jonatan is now in prison.

ELP has been proud to know Jonatan for a few months now (ever since his
first arrest) and we have always admired the way he has remained true to his
beliefs and taken a very accepting view of the fact he might have to return
to prison.  However despite his own difficulties Jonatan has also worked
hard for prisoner support, writing to new prisoners and encouraging those
who found themselves behind bars to stay focussed on the positive.

In the same way Jonatan has helped the prisoners whilst he was on the
outside it is now our turn to help Jonatan and we very much hope people will
send him letters of support.

Besides Jonatan's imprisonment, ELP has also learnt of the jailing of an
American environmentalist, Stephen Murphy, who is accused of involvement in
an attempted arson on  a town house construction site in 2006.  The day
after the attempted arson construction workers discovered that at least one
of their construction vehicles had been vandalised and ELF slogans written
on it.  Stephen is currently held in Texas but is expected to be transferred
to Los Angeles in the next few weeks where the alleged attempted arson
occurred.

Also, with regards to new prisoners, British animal rights activist, Dean
Cain, has been returned to prison following the breaching of his parole
conditions.  Dean was on parole for his involvement in activities at a
rabbit farm which breeds rabbits for vivisection.

ELP has also learnt that American animal rights activist, Jordan Halliday,
who recently served time in prison for refusing to testify before a Grand
Jury, has been indicted on contempt charges and therefore may soon return to
prison again.  His trial is due to start in November 2009.

Also, as a number of ELP supporters will be aware, earlier this month the
long-term American environmental prisoner, Jeff 'Free' Leurs was released
from prison.  This took everyone by surprise, not least Free.  However his
release proved to be an administration error and he was quickly returned to
prison.  ELP is disgusted that Free has been returned to prison, especially
as he is due for release in a couple of months anyway, and we feel that his
treatment is nothing but psychological torture.

Other prisoner news, the British animal rights prisoner John Smith has asked
to have his name removed from all prisoner support lists.

But happily ELP does have some positive news amongst all the negative news.
British animal rights activist, Sean Kirtley, who was jailed for running a
LEGAL campaign group which protested against vivisection, has been released
from prison.  This is fantastic news and ELP wishes Sean all the best for
the future.

And on that note, we shall end this editorial news update.  But before we go
we shall repeat what we always say - All of the prisoners listed below
welcome letters of support.  Regardless of what languages you speak,
regardless of where you live in the world, your letters of support really do
make the world of difference to the prisoners.  So please support the
eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

If anyone notices any of ELP's prisoner details is out of date or we do not
list a prisoner who we should list, please let ELP know as soon as possible.
ELP is run by a small group of volunteers and although we try to ensure our
lists are accurate, we admit we do make mistakes.  So help us help keep the
lists accurate by letting us know of any changes we need to make.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

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, Via Casale 50/a, 15040 San Michele (AL), Italy.  Il
Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of robbery to fund a subversive
organisation.  (Daniele is a vegan).

Francesco Gioia, Via Casale 50/a, 15040 San Michele (AL), Italy.  Il
Silvestre activist awaiting trial accused of robbery to fund a subversive
organisation.  (Francesco is a vegetarian and Straight Edge).

Niall Harnett, Castlerea Prison, Harristown, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon,
Republic of Ireland.  Severing 4 months for non-payment of a fine.  The fine
was issued following Maura's involvement in an anti-Shell petrol company
protest.  (Diet unknown).

Maura Harringon, Dochas Centre, Mountjoy Gaol, North Circular Road, Dublin
7, Republic of Ireland.  Severing 8 months for non-payment of a fine.  The
fine was issued following Maura's involvement in an anti-Shell petrol
company protest.  (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, #04672-061, FCI Waseca, Federal Correctional
Institution, PO Box 1731, Waseca, MN 56093, USA.  Serving 21 years and 10
months for her involvement in an ELF arson against a University building
carrying out Genetically Modified crop tests.  Marie also pleaded guilty to
conspiring to carry out ELF actions and admitted involvement in 12 other ELF
actions.  (Marie is a vegan).

Eric McDavid, 16209-097, FCI Victorville, Medium II, Federal Correctional
Institution, PO Box 5300, 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).

Steve Murphy #39013177 FCI Fort Worth, Federal Correctional Institution,
P.O. Box 15330, Fort Worth, TX 76119, USA.  On remand accused of attempted
arson and criminal damage at a town house construction site in 2006.  The
FBI claim the action was done under the banner of the ELF.  (Diet unknown).

Jonathan Paul - See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Justin Solondz (Address Unknown).  American Green Scare defendant accused of
direct action activity in America.  Arrested in China.   Exact location
currently unknown.  (Diet unknown).

Jonatan Strandberg, Box 248, 59323, Västervik, Sweden.  Serving 15 months
imprisonment after admitting damaging a communication tower used by the
Department of Defence, cutting the cables on a crane used in creating urban
sprawl, and damaging a vehicle used in the logging industry.  (Jonatan is a
diabetic and follows a paleo diet, demanding locally sourced food).

Michael Sykes 696693, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, 1728
Bluewater Highway, Ionia, MI 48846, USA.  Serving four to ten years for
anti-sprawl arsons, criminal damage to a utility pole, spray-painting
political graffiti and burning the American flag.  (Diet unknown)

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).

Jonny Ablewhite TB4885, H.M. Prison, Hewell Lane, Redditch, Worcs B97 6QS,
England.  Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.  (Jon is a vegan).

Dan Amos VN7818, HMP Guys Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0AH, England.
Serving 4 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences.  (Dan
is a vegan)

Gregg Avery TA7450, HMP Coldingley, Shaftesbury Road, Bisley, Woking, Surrey
GU24 9EX, England.  Serving 9 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon
Life Sciences.  (Gregg is a vegan).

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Send, Ripley Road, Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ,
England.  Serving 9 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life
Sciences.  (Nat is a vegan).

Mel Broughton TN9138, HMP Frankland, Brasside, Durham, County Durham DH1
5YD, England.  Serving 10 years for "conspiracy to commit arson" against
Oxford University vivisection department.  (Mel is a vegan).

Dean Cain WJ 4309, HMP Preston, 2 Ribbleton Lane, Lancashire, PR1 5AB,
England.  Jailed for breaching his parole conditions, whilst on parole for
his involvement in a raid on a rabbit farm which breeds rabbits for
vivisection. (Dean is a vegan).

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Terminal Island, Federal Correctional
Institution, P.O. Box 3007, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA.  Serving 48 months
imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.  (Jake 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).

Alex Hall, Inmate #2009-06304, Davis County Jail, 800 West State St.,
Farmington, UT 84025, USA.  On Remand accused of raiding a mink farm.  Also
accused of breaching bail conditions whilst on bail.  (William 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.

Gavin Medd-Hall WV9475, HMP Coldingley, Shaftesbury Road, Bisley, Woking,
Surrey GU24 9EX, England.  Serving 8 years for conspiracy to blackmail
Huntingdon Life Sciences.  (Gavin is a vegan).

Heather Nicholson VM5859, HMP Foston Hall, Foston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE65
5DN, England.  Serving 11 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life
Sciences.  (Heather is a vegan).

Kevin Olliff, #1300931, TTCF 161 D-Pod, 450 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA
90012, USA. On remand accused of stalking.  Exact details of the indictment
have not yet been revealed but the charges appear to relate to a person
employed by an educational facility so may be linked to vivisection.  (Kevin
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).

William James Viehl, Inmate #2009-05735, Davis County Jail, 800 West State
St., Farmington, UT 84025, USA.  Awaiting sentencing having pleaded guilty
to raiding a mink farm.  He is due to be sentenced in November.  (William is
a vegan).

Nicole Vosper VM9385, HMP Bronzefield, Woodhthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx,
TW15 3JZ, England.  On remand accused of blackmailing Huntingdon Life
Sciences.  (Nicole is a vegan).

Dan Wadham, A5705AA, HMP Camp Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5PB,
England.  Serving 5 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life
Sciences.  (Dan 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).

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA,
England.  On remand accused of disarming a weapons factory, which, amongst
other things, makes Hellfire Missiles.  The action was in protest at Israel
military action against Gaza.  (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

Aleksey Bychin, SIZO 47/2, ul. Akademika Lebedeva, dom. 39, 195005 St.
Peterburg, Russia.  Serving 5 years for defending himself against neo-nazis.
(Diet unknown).

Andrei Mergenov, FGU IZ 64/1 OKB 2 komn. 73, Up. Kutyakova 107, 410601
Saratov, Russia.  Serving 3 years for fighting with neo-nazis. (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).

OTHER PRISONERS

Pavel Delidon, ul. Timiryazeva-1, FGU IK-7, 309990 Valuyki Russia.
Anarchist/Animal Rights activist jailed for attempting to obtain wages owed
to him, but which had not been paid to him by his employer. IMPORTANT: Pavel
can only receive letters written in Russian.  He is punished by the prison
if he receives a letter not written in Russian so please, only send letters
written in Russian.  (Diet unknown).

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).

Fran Thompson, #1090915, CCC, 3151 Litton Drive, Chillicuthe, MO 64601, 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
including assault and murder.  '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