Art Auction to Benefit Imprisoned New York City Social Justice & Environmental Activist Daniel McGowan

Art Auction to Benefit Imprisoned New York City Social Justice & 
Environmental Activist Daniel McGowan

NEW YORK, NY – On December 7, 2005, New York City activist Daniel 
McGowan was among the first people arrested as part of an FBI 
offensive against environmental activists called "Operation 
Backfire", which activists have dubbed part of the Green Scare (after 
the Red Scare of the 40s and 50s). Daniel began serving his seven-
year sentence in July 2007. In August 2008, Daniel was moved to the 
Communication Management Unit (CMU) in Marion, IL, a federal prison 
unit that bypassed the usual review process and severely restricts 
inmates' communication with the outside world.

To mark the four-year anniversary of Daniel's arrest, and to 
highlight the continued repression of activists that the federal 
government has labeled "terrorists," Family and Friends of Daniel 
McGowan will be hosting an art show, auction and raffle this 
December. Proceeds will go to Daniel's commissary account and a 
number of his favorite environmental and social justice organizations.

WHO: Presented by Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan along with 
popular street artists; political printmakers; and renowned graphic 
designers.

WHAT: Art Show and Auction featuring artists such as SWOON; Nikki 
McClure; Just Seeds Artist Cooperative members such as Josh MacPhee 
and Kevin Caplicki; BORF and many more.

WHEN: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 1-9pm. Reception: 7-9pm

WHERE: ADC Gallery, 106 West 29th Street, Ground Floor, NYC

The show will feature art that embodies or deals with the struggles 
activists face in today's climate of government repression, as well 
as the heart-breaking effects of prison, for those both inside and 
out. Some of the art on auction will explore the themes of the Green 
Scare and resultant political prisoners, the government’s attempt to 
paint radicalism as terrorism, and the resulting repression of 
activism. Other pieces will explore what is lost and what is 
sacrificed when we lose parts of our community to prison. The show 
will explore the important aspects of being human that are lost to 
the isolation of prison, such as communication and expression, human 
touch and contact, and trusting relationships with those that 
surround you.

For further information, go to: http://www.supportdaniel.org/