The traitor Billy Cottrell has conviction overturned

Below is an article about the American traitor and coward, William "Billy" Cottrell who at his trial told lies against two innocent people to try and lesson the fact he'd firebombed some SUVs.

As you'll see, "Billy the Snitch" has had his arson conviction overturned. ELP warns everyone, if this guy tries to get back into the movement avoid him like the plauge. He is a traitor and coward and he will make up lies about anyone.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/suv-bombers-arson-convictions-overturned-sentence-vacated.html

Caltech student's arson convictions are overturned in SUV bombings; sentence is vacated by appeals court

September 10, 2009
A Caltech graduate student convicted of conspiracy and arson four years
ago for the firebombing of SUVs in the San Gabriel Valley has had his
arson convictions overturned and his sentence vacated by a federal
appeals court panel.

William Cottrell, 29, has already served about two-thirds of his
100-month sentence for the alleged eco-terrorism in 2003 in which 125
SUVs and Hummers were destroyed or damaged by spray-painted graffiti,
smashed windows and Molotov cocktails.

It was unclear whether the unpublished decision by the 9th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals panel would mean his release from a federal
prison in Arizona.

The three-judge panel in February had upheld Cottrell's 2005 convictions on
conspiracy and seven counts of arson and the 100-month sentence he was
given. But in an unpublished opinion released Tuesday, the panel "amended" its February ruling. The judges said the trial court's exclusion of expert testimony about Cottrell's affliction with Asperger's syndrome denied him an opportunity to demonstrate that he couldn't have had specific intent in aiding and abetting the
destruction.

Cottrell's defense attorneys, Marvin Rudnick and Michael Mayock, said they didn't know whether their client would be released pending unspecified "further proceedings" ordered by the
panel. They speculated that the U.S. attorney's office might decline to
retry Cottrell on the arson charges because he has already served most
of his term.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, Thom Mrozek, said the
government was reviewing the decision and would announce its position
when the matter returns to U.S. District Court.

Cottrell was described by professors and colleagues who testified at
his trial as brilliant but erratic. Asperger's syndrome is a form of
autism that impairs the ability to interact with others or to
understand facial _expressions and body language.

Russia makes Gulag horrors book required reading

By BEN JUDAH, Associated Press – Wed Sep 9, 2009

MOSCOW – Russia has made a once-banned book recounting the brutality
and despair of the Soviet Gulag required reading in the country's
schools.

The Education Ministry said excerpts of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's 1973
epic "The Gulag Archipelago" have been added to the curriculum for
high-school students.

The three-volume book was banned by Soviet censors, sparking
Solzhenitsyn's retreat into exile.

The decision announced Wednesday was taken due to "the vital
historical and cultural heritage on the course of 20th-century
domestic history" contained in Solzhenitsyn's work, the ministry said.

The move comes despite Russian moves over the past decade to restore
some Soviet symbols and, liberals say, glorify Soviet dictator Josef
Stalin.

It was not immediately clear whether the addition of the book would
apply to the current academic year, which began Sept. 1.

It is thought over a million Russians perished in the Gulag, a
sprawling secret network of prison and labor camps created by Soviet
founder Vladimir Lenin and expanded by Stalin.

"The Gulag Archipelago" was published in the West in 1973, and
circulated in the Soviet Union via amateur publishing houses
thereafter.

Solzhenitsyn's widow, Natalya, said in July that the work should be
included in the curriculum, though not in its multi-volume entirety.

It is not the dissident writer's debut in Russian schools, however.

Russians students have been studying "One Day in the Life of Ivan
Denisovich," a graphic first-person account of life in a prison camp,
and "Matryona's Place," a novella written from the perspective of a
freed prisoner that angered Soviet authorities by comparing life on a
collective farm to serfdom.

Rioters set fires at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison

By SAMEER N. YACOUB, Associated Press Writer Sept. 11, 2009

BAGHDAD – Abu Ghraib prison inmates rioted for a second straight day
Friday to demand better conditions, setting fire to mattresses and
seizing an assault rifle from a guard before authorities said the
situation was brought under control.

Lawmaker Zeinab al-Kinani, who was part of a delegation that
negotiated with the prisoners, said they demanded pardons and also
the replacement of prison staff who they said were mistreating
inmates.

After the delegation agreed to form a committee to study giving
amnesty to some prisoners, most of the inmates returned to their
cells, al-Kinani said. A small group who had refused to end their
protest were forced back into their cells by authorities, and four
prisoners were injured in the process, she said.

The prison, long a byword for brutality under former leader Saddam
Hussein, gained further notoriety with the 2004 release of photos
showing U.S. soldiers abusing prisoners.

The facility is now back under Iraqi control and has been officially
renamed the Baghdad Central Prison, though locals still refer to it
as Abu Ghraib. Eleven U.S. soldiers were eventually convicted of
crimes at the prison.

In Iraq's north on Friday, insurgents attacked a checkpoint west of
the city of Kirkuk, killing five soldiers, said Lt. Col. Khalil
al-Zobaie. The assailants also destroyed a Humvee and made off with
guns and ammunition, he said.

The unrest at Abu Ghraib began Thursday evening when three inmates
started a fire in their cell and tried to overpower guards, U.S.
military spokesman Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner said.

Prison authorities called in the Iraqi army to help quell the
disturbance, and the U.S. military was asked to provide helicopter
support to monitor areas outside the prison, Conner said.

Iraqi authorities reported that three guards and three prisoners were
injured before security forces regained control, Conner said.

The U.S. military said it was not called to help when violence flared
up again on Friday.

Iraqi lawmaker Shatha al-Abousi, who is a member of parliament's
human rights committee, told the AP that two prisoners were killed
during the rioting on Thursday.

But Deputy Justice Minister Busho Ibrahim insisted Friday that there
had been no fatalities in the two days of riots, and she said Iraqi
security forces were now back in full control of the prison.

One inmate had managed to get a rifle from a guard, al-Abousi said,
and it was not clear how authorities got it back.

"The situation is calm now in the prison, and everything has returned
to normal," Ibrahim said without elaborating.

Local reports on what set off the initial violence varied widely. One
said the disturbance was a clash between Sunni and Shiite inmates,
while another said it was an organized protest by inmates demanding
to be allowed to use cell phones.

Shiite lawmakers from a political bloc loyal to anti-American cleric
Muqtada al-Sadr said they had information that the unrest was sparked
by inhumane treatment of inmates by the prison administration. They
also called for an investigation into the incident and said they
would bring it up before parliament.

"We will not let this incident at Abu Ghraib prison pass quietly,"
said spokesman Ahmed al-Masoudi in a statement on the bloc's Web site.

Elsewhere, the casualty toll from a suicide truck bombing Thursday in
the northern village of Wardek rose to 25 dead and 50 injured as more
bodies were pulled from the rubble of destroyed homes, said Iraqi
army Col. Rebwar Younis.

There were no claims of responsibility for the bombing of the Shiite
Kurd village, but it bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq and other
Sunni insurgents who remain active in Mosul and surrounding areas in
Ninevah province. U.S. commanders have warned that insurgents there
appear to be trying to stoke an Arab-Kurdish conflict.

In Friday prayers in the holy Shiite city of Karbala, Sheik
Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, an aide to Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, told worshippers the suicide bombing
"showed a clear negligence of security."

"We call upon the government to take swift and decisive measures to
deal with this negligence," he said. "Not only that, senior officials
should visit checkpoints to monitor the performance of security
forces."

Daniel McGowan's "Exposing Little Guantanamo" Booklet Available Online!

From:    "Family & Friends of Daniel McG" <friendsofdanielmcg@yahoo.com>
Date:    Thu, September 10, 2009

Dear friends,

Daniel's article, "Exposing 'Little Guantanamo:' Inside the CMU" is now
handsomely laid out and available for download in screen-reading or
printable booklet form! If you still haven't read it, this is a very
important expose and analysis of the ominous and unconstitutional new
prison facilities, the Communication Management Units. It contains new
information, straight out of the CMU, and it will be a real asset in our
efforts to counter the US government's war on dissent and free speech, in
and outside of the prison system.

So by all means, download it, read it, link to it, print it, table with
it, share it with your friends, your family, your local infoshop, prisoner
support group, and everyone else. The CMUs must be investigated and
reviewed.

You can find it here: http://www.supportdaniel.org/cmu
Direct links to download PDFs can also be found here for web and here for
print.

Special thanks to our friends in NYC Anarchist Black Cross of the ABCF for
their collaboration in publishing and distributing this!

Also, check out this great interview Daniel did with our friends at Last
Hours:
http://www.lasthours.org.uk/interviews/interview-with-eco-anarchist-prisoner-daniel-mcgowan/
as well as an interview with us for a recent Earth First! Journal article:
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=461


Forward!,
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
supportdaniel.org

----

***Don't forget about Running Down The Walls or Rolling Down the Walls
(NYC) this Saturday!

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

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

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

REQUEST FROM SUNDIATA ACOLI

Sundiata's website http://www.sundiata.org/
Date:    Wed, September 2, 2009 10:44 pm

Dear friends & comrades
I received this e-mail message from Sundiata Acoli "U can help with parole
work sending, letters, cards or signature petitions 2 Chair. Peter J
Barnes or Vice-Chairwoman Volette Ross, NJ Parole Board, PO Box 862,
Trenton, NJ 08625, urging the Board that 37 years is enough. Sundiata
Acoli has satisfied all requirements for parole and at age 73 is too old
and highest unlikely to commit a crime so release him on parole...or say
whatever similar message u would prefer. All else is well, Sundiata
Thank you Paulette NYC Jericho
--
Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@gmail.com  www.jerichony.org

Greek police exposed by torture victim with pierced lung

Libcom.org Sep 7 2009

One of the five arrested of last week's clashes in Athens exposes the greek police for torture, which led to his lungs being pieced by a broken rib.

One of the five men arrested last Friday in relation to the clashes that occurred with police forces in Exarcheia, Athens, has exposed the greek police for an unrepenting recourse to torture.

According to the accused and his solicitor, the veteran defender of human and civil rights Mr Papadakis, the 27 year old man was arrested by Delta force motorised policemen acting on no evidence but mere revengeful motives. The young man was apprehended, brutally beaten and tied to a tree. As a result his whole body is suffering from wounds and bruises while one of his ribs broke piercing his lungs and setting his life in serious danger.

In a press conference on the latest case of police torture, Mr Papadakis dismissed police allegations that the accused attacked them with molotov cocktails, arguing that not a single molotov was thrown that night as numerous neighbours and shop owners testify: "In the last few months" claimed the solicitor "we have been visiting our clients not in police departments, but in hospitals. Every time I get a call for the defense of a new accused, I ask: is he healthy or in the hospital? In most cases it is the latter case".

Human rights groups point out that although the young man was hospitalised after his arrest, the persecution failed to order a medical examination regarding the causes of his injuries, thus 'normalising' police brutality and torture.

For a video of the Delta force operation in the area see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HUVbxOP_HI&feature=channel_page...

Kevin Olliff Update

ELP has been asked to circulate this e-mail. Please pass it on.

Activist Kevin Olliff, arrested April 16th in Los Angeles has a court
date on September 18th (8:30 am) at Los Angeles Superior Court Dept
102 (210 W Temple Street, Los Angeles CA), where his lawyers will be
challenging the constitutionality of his current stacked charges
regarding three year old protest activity, to lower his bail amount.
Both Kevin and Lindy Greene were charged with several counts of
conspiracy, criminal threats, and stalking, with an added gang
enhancement that will also be challenged on Kevin's defense. Lindy
posted bail and was released on house arrest with direct orders not to
communicate with other activists.

Letters of support to Kevin are strongly encouraged and one can still
write him at

Kevin Olliff 1300931
TTCF 161 D-Pod
450 Bauchet St
Los Angeles CA 90012


Please share this update with others.

Kevin Olliff Support

Sept 12th/25th ProLibertad Events

Happy 65th Birthday Leonard Peltier!

FREE THE CUBAN 5: 11 YEARS OF UNJUST INCARCERATION!

VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF THE PUERTO RICAN PPS/POWS!

Saturday, September 12, 2009 • 7 to 9 p.m.

Judson Memorial Church Assembly Hall

239 Thompson St., NY, NY (Wheelchair Accessible)

$5-10 DONATION (no one will be turned away due to lack of funds)

LIGHT REFRSHMENTS

Program:

Representative from the Cuban Mission to the U.N.

Mahina Movement

GhortHorse

Attorney Mike Kuzma

Dylcia Pagan, former Puerto Rican Political Prisoner

Lynne Stewart

For more information: nyclpsg@gmail.com • nycjericho@gmail.com • 718-853-0893

Co-Sponsored by: NYC Leonard Peltier Support Group, NYC Jericho Movement, Iglesia San Romero de las Américas, The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign, The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5

¡FILIBERTO OJEDA RIOS VIVE!

Friday Sept 25^th, 2009 at 7pm

St Mary’s Episcopal Church

521 W126th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue)

Take the 1 train W125th St and Broadway

Come see COMANDANTE FILIBERTO: THE CLANDESTINE INTERVIEW

COMANDANTE FILIBERTO OJEDA RIOS
Filiberto Ojeda Rios was founder and leader of the Puerto Rican People’s Army (EPB) also known as the Macheteros. He fought tirelessly his whole life to end US colonial rule in Puerto Rico. September 23rd is a national holiday celebrated and commemorated by Puerto Ricans in remembrance of an 1868 rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. On September 23rd of 2005, the US government assassinated Filiberto in an attempt to kill the spirit of the Puerto Rican liberation struggle.

COMANDANTE FILIBERTO: THE CLANDESTINE INTERVIEW
Filiberto was charged and arrested for his alleged involvement in the Macheteros, $7 million Wells Fargo armored truck robbery of Hartford Connecticut. While awaiting trial an electronic monitoring shackle was placed on his ankle, but on September 23rd of 1990, Filiberto cut it off and went into clandestinity. Shortly after that, Puerto Rican journalist Daisy Sanchez, interviewed him he was while in hiding. Filiberto speaks for himself and the Macheteros on the colonial issues that continue to plague the nation of Puerto Rico. The interview aired uncut on Puerto Rican television and was the most watched television program in the history of Puerto Rico.

www.September23rd.org

www.ProLibertadWeb.com

Saddle Up, NYC! Time for Rolling Down The Walls!

What: Rolling Down the Walls!

When: Saturday, September 12th, 2009, 5 pm – late

Where: Grand Army Plaza to Fort Tilden Beach

On Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 5 p.m., New York City Anarchist Black Cross will host the second annual NYC off-shoot of the continental Anarchist Black Cross Federation’s Running Down the Walls (ABCF.net) . The 8-mile bike ride to Fort Tilden beach is to celebrate the end of summer while raising much-needed funds for the ABCF’s Warchest program and the New York chapter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.

ABCF Warchest:
The Warchest program was created in November of 1994. Funds for the Warchest are divided and distributed through monthly stipends to political prisoners who receive little or no other financial aid. Prisoners use this money to cover the basic necessities of everyday living. Funds have been used by prisoners to pay for shoes, clothes, as well as assisting their families with what little they can. More at ABCF.net.

MXGM (New York):
The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our people and promote self-determination in our community. We understand that the collective institutions of white-supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism have been at the root of our people’s oppression. We understand that without community control and without the power to determine our own lives, we will continue to fall victim to genocide. Therefore, we seek to heighten our consciousness about self-determination as a human right and a solution to our colonization. While organizing around our principles of unity, we are building a network of Black/New Afrikan activists and organizers committed to the protracted struggle for the liberation of the New Afrikan Nation – By Any Means Necessary!

Solidarity Runs:

Every year, prisoners and supporters of political prisoners organize solidarity runs. This year there are runs at the following locations: Arcata, California; Ashland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; Marion, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; Navasota, Texas; and West Massachusetts.

Support the Struggle:

We must remember that many of those arrested in the past or present are not far from us. Many of them were and are community and labor activists, queer, and environmental activists; people who decided to speak out against various forms of oppression and paid the price of their freedom for their actions. We must remember that anyone of these people could have at one time stood beside us in a demonstration, at a speak-out, or even at an organizing meeting. At any given moment it could be us who finds ourselves in this situation, so it is imperative that we ensure that a strong enough community of support exists for these people as well as ourselves. The strength of our movement is determined by how much we support our imprisoned comrades. As anarchist prisoner of war Ojore Lutalo says, “Any Movement that does not support its political internees, is a sham movement.” So please help us, help them! Help us, help you!

We encourage people to participate in raising funds for the Warchest, which can be done in the following ways:

Be a Rider:

Join us at 5 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza. We are asking a $5-$15 sliding scale donation for the event. Refreshments and beverages will be served at the beach after-party, and we will be riding by the Books Through Bars bake sale at the Park Slope Food Co-op to pick up some treats for the ride. As a participant in the ride, you will also receive a fancy spoke card.

Join us for the After-party:

To get to Fort Tilden beach via public transit, take the 2 (also 5 at rush hours) to Flatbush Avenue. Transfer to the Q35 bus from Flatbush Avenue at the corner of Nostrand, Kings Highway, Fillmore Avenue or Avenue U (Kings Plaza). After the bridge, ask the driver to let you off at Fort Tilden. Alternate: Take the A to Rockaway Park then Q35 or Q22 bus to the park. Walk south along the beach until you see us! We´ll be there from about 6 p.m. until after the sun sets.

Sponsor a Runner:

This can be done through a flat donation to the runner of your choice. We ask from those who wish not to run to actively support those who are running in hopes of collecting as much for our comrades as possible. For details on sponsoring a runner, go here.

Sponsor Rolling Down the Walls: Any amount helps. Contact us if you wish to simply donate money to the cause.

Statement of Solidarity from United Freedom Front political prisoner Jaan Laaman

“Thank you for running at this special event that means so much to many of us all over the world, both free and imprisoned. In a relative way, we are all political prisoners because it is the politics of this system of things that is exploiting, crushing, imprisoning, and destroying the masses all over the world and the earth itself. Then there are those who know this and take actions against those who seek to deny us our rightful place on earth as common human brethren. Those are the ones we run for and seek to help… whom sacrificed their family, freedom and lives, so that our lives may be better! The fact that you ran with us is a sign that when the red-hour comes, you will not be caught asleep. You are conscious and you too are willing to represent. The potential in you is great. Thank you for running for the cause!”

“As we ran we were thinking and talking about all the runners in Los Angeles and how we’d love to be out there running with them. We also spoke about the other political prisoners who were running with us in at least some other prisons.”

Brought to you by:
NYC Anarchist Black Cross

NYC ABCF
Post Office Box 110034
Brooklyn, New York 11211

nycabc [at] riseup [dot] net
http://twitter.com/nycabc

http://abcf.net/

Support the Eco-Prisoners (September 2009)

Spirit of Freedom
(September 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 September 2009 edition of Spirit of Freedom.  Several years
ago ELP reported a police raid against the Italian eco-activist anarchist
group, Il Silvestre.  At the time of our initial report we never imagined
that what was obviously a clear and blatant case of police intimidation
against an effective eco-group would continue to run and run in our news
reports..

Since ELP started reporting on Il Silvestre we've seen their activists
accused of pretty much every possible action out!  But ELP has some good
news.  We've learnt that the Il Silvestre activists who were accused of
waging war on the Italian state by allegedly using explosives to destroy
electricity pylons (we kid you not, they were accused of waging war on the
State or some similar sounding charge) have been found not guilty!!!  This
is fantastic news.

However does this mean that the two Il Silvestre activists who were held on
remand accused of blowing up electricity pylons have been released?  Of
course not!  Daniele Casalini and Francesco Gioia remain on remand now
awaiting trail accused of robbery to fund a subversive association!

Their next trial is due in October 2009.  ELP will naturally keep you up to
date as to the outcome.  But in the mean time please do continue to support
Daniele and Francesco whilst they face yet another trial in what is a clear
and blatant attempt by the Italian authorities to silence this
eco-activist/anarchist group.

But as well as supporting our Italian friends, please don't forget our other
prisoners, jailed around the world.  All of the prisoners listed below
welcome letters of support.  So please, regardless of what languages you
speak and regardless of where you live in the world, 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).

Jonatan.  E-mail messages of support to freejonatan@yahoo.se A 20-year old
Swedish man sentenced to 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 currently on bail as he appeals his sentence
(Jonatan is a vegan).

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

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).

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).

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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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

Prison Walls will Crumble - Sept 12th - Running Down the Walls

Let the run ring loud to this system, that these folk of strong committed reflections of Justice and Freedom are not and will never be forgotten and that their release is being demanded!

Phil Africa’s Statement for RDTW 2009

On Saturday, September 12th, an event will take place in 14 various cities and prisons throughout North America – in support of political prisoners and prisoners of war. The event – known as Running Down the Walls – is a 5k run / walk / bike in support of these comrades who have been imprisoned because of their dedication to liberation and freedom.

In some locations, people will be running through parks or city streets; others will be running in prison yards and even in their cells. In all cases, they will be participating in the spirit of solidarity – the truest and purest meaning of our movements.

We will be running in solidarity for Leonard Peltier – who, on the day of the run, will be “celebrating” his 33rd birthday behind bars. We will be running in solidarity for Veronza Bowers – ordered by the courts to be released in 2005, but because of the power of the Fraternal Order of Police has been held illegally for 4 years. We will be running in solidarity for Kuwasi Balagoon, Merle Africa, Thomas Warner, Bashir Hameed, Albert ‘Nuh’ Washington, Richard Williams and all those dear and precious comrades who have died behind the prison walls. We will be running in solidarity of all those political prisoners and prisoners of war unmentioned but certainly not forgotten.

We ask that you join us on this day as an act of solidarity and Run Down the Walls!. We ask that you run for those who have fought. We ask that you sweat for those who have suffered. We ask that you care for those who have died.

Locations of Runs: Albuquerque, NM; Arcata, CA; Denver, CO; Elmore, AL; Los Angeles, CA; Marion, IL; New York, NY; Phoenix, AZ (two runs in Phoenix); Portland, OR; Shiprock, NM, Tucson, AZ (two runs in Tucson); and West Massachusetts.
(*more runs may be announced or added at the last minute. For contact information about a specific location, contact LA ABCF at la@abcf.net)

Funds raised for this event will go to:
ABCF Warchest – a program that sends monthly stipends to political prisoners who receive little or no financial aid.
Chip Fitzgerald Homecoming Fund – a program designed to assist Chip Fitzgerald – the longest held political prisoner in the US – with his parole campaign.
Ojore Lutalo Fund – Ojore Lutalo has just been released after 27 years in prison. Funds raised will go to assist him getting re-established.

Running Down the Walls – Los Angeles
When: Saturday, September 12, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Whittier Narrows Regional Park Grounds
750 Santa Anita Ave South El Monte, CA 91733-4300

Registration fees: $12 preregistration; $15, the day of the run. (Make checks out to Tim Fasnacht)

For more information: http://www.abcf.net/la/laabcf.asp?page=la/rdtw or la@abcf.net