activist guilty in SHAC case asks for support

From: http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20080101120224210

Support Dylan Barr!
Facing The State's Extortion for Solidarity Against Repression
From: http://www.supportdylan.org

Background
On October 29, 2007, Dylan Barr entered a guilty plea to one felony count of Second Degree Extortion in Seattle, WA for disrupting the operations of Washington Mutual Bank with a Denial of Service attack because of its investment in Huntington Life Sciences. After a two-year period of legal limbo and non-snitching plea deal negotiations, he was sentenced to 232 hours –29 days— of community service and ordered to pay Washington Mutual Bank $25,000 in restitution.

Who is Dylan?
Dylan is a long-time anarchist and activist from New Orleans, and he has been a member of the Iron Rail Book Collective for over three years. Dylan moved to Seattle just prior to Hurricane Katrina, but has now moved back to the Crescent City. He helped organize the 2007 New Orleans Book Fair and is involved with the rebuilding of Nowe Miasto, a long-running collective space in the city, as well as being involved in the recent struggles over public housing in New Orleans. In the past, Dylan has also been involved in Books 2 Prisoners, Food Not Bombs, Critical Resistance, Indymedia, the Buffalo Field Campaign, anti-free trade, indigenous support, union/worker solidarity, and environmental campaigns and organizations. He plans on continuing with these efforts in spite of his sentence.

What motivated the action?
Solidarity has been an important part of the success of the Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign. This Denial of Service (DoS) attack was done in solidarity with the imprisoned SHAC 7, and from a desire to not let their imprisonment break an entire campaign. A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is an overload of e-mails that causes a server to partially shut down, preventing other information from being sent or received. Some of the emails sent were also considered to be threatening and harassing by the prosecution.

How can I help?
Dylan would like your solidarity and support. More than anything else, he needs help paying his $25,000 restitution. The government, the real extortionist, imposes a 12% interest rate on restitution payments, ensuring that it's nearly impossible to pay them off. Individual contributions in any amount would be greatly appreciated, but so would any type of benefit events. You can also help spread the word with, flyers, coming soon on the website.

Get in touch:
supportdylan (at) gmail (dot) com

Help Dylan pay off his restitution by donating through the PayPal Button on his website:
http://www.supportdylan.org

Or send checks or money orders to:
Dylan Barr
2846 Grand Route St. John
New Orleans, LA 70119
USA

A longer, in depth article about this case and it's lessons can be found in the forthcoming issue #13 of Bite Back Magazine(www.directaction.info), due out in late January 2008.

Iraq Prisoner Amnesty To Exclude Gays

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: January 2, 2008 - 11:00 am ET

(Baghdad) The Iraq government is considering the release of some 5,000 prisoners but a spokesperson said it would not include terrorists or homosexuals.

The Iraqi government has about 20,000 people in custody, while the U.S. military holds about 25,000.

Homosexuality itself is not illegal in Iraq, but police regularly arrest gays on other charges often trumped up.

The amnesty bill drafted by the Shiite-dominated government falls far short of Sunni demands. About the only thing on which the two sides agree is that imprisoned gays not be freed.

The amnesty would cover less than a quarter of the total number of people held in Iraqi prisons, and none of those held by the American military.

Sunni parliamentarians have criticized the bill for its limited scope. They have argued that most prisoners are charged with terrorist crimes, rendering it ineffective. Some also fear referring the bill to Iraq's gridlocked parliament will actually delay prisoner releases.

The total number of gays being held is not known. And, they may be the lucky ones, according to some LGBT activists.

Death squads imposing strict Islamic law are reportedly responsible for the murders of hundreds of gay men across Iraq.

Last year the leader of an exiled Iraqi LGBT rights group told a London conference on homophobia that that militias blamed for the murders of hundreds of gay men and women are sanctioned by the government and the US-led coalition is doing little to stop the killings. (story)

Ali Hili said that the Badr and Sadr militias - the armed wings of the two main Shia parties that control the government of Iraq - are routinely rounding up men and women, primarily in Baghdad, suspected of being gay. The men and women are never heard from again.

Five members of Hili's own group were taken away in November of 2006. About a dozen members of Rainbow For Life, another Iraqi LGBT group also have been seized and are presumed dead.

Another 70 have been threatened with kidnapping Rainbow For Life has said.

In 2006 the Iraq government strongly criticized a U.N. report on human rights that put its civilian death toll in 2006 at 34,452, saying it is "superficial" because it included people such as homosexuals.

Mumia Abu-Jamal Fact Sheet

Partisan Defense Committee P.O. Box 99, Canal Street Station, New York, NY 10013

email: partisandefense@earthlink.net www.partisandefense.org

PRESS RELEASE – 2 January 2008

Contact: Kevin Gilroy (212) 406-4252

Just Out! PDC Fact Sheet Presents Evidence of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Innocence: A Refutation of Murdered by Mumia’s Big Lies in the Service of Legal Lynching

A new fact sheet providing massive evidence of the innocence of Mumia Abu-Jamal was released by the Partisan Defense Committee on 31 December 2007. It is online at http://www.partisandefense.org/ and provides a detailed, point-by-point refutation of the book Murdered by Mumia (The Lyons Press, December 2007). The PDC fact sheet exposes the book as “a compendium of myths, falsehoods, misrepresentations and omissions—all aimed at the legal lynching of an innocent man, Mumia Abu-Jamal.”

Mumia is a former Black Panther Party spokesman, targeted by the Feds and cops since the age of 15, who became a supporter of the MOVE organization and a respected journalist known as the “voice of the voiceless.” He was framed up for the 9 December 1981 killing of Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in Philadelphia and sentenced to death explicitly for his political views. With a decision on Mumia’s case by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals due any day, the fight for his freedom is now reaching a critical stage.

Murdered by Mumia, by Michael Smerconish and Maureen Faulkner, Daniel Faulkner’s widow, claims that the records of Mumia’s 1982 trial and pre-trial witness statements “tell the story of how Abu-Jamal murdered my husband.” In fact, the trial records are replete with inconsistencies, unproven assertions, contradictory evidence and all the hallmarks of a racist frame-up. There is no evidence that Mumia shot Daniel Faulkner, and the “facts” claimed in Murdered by Mumia supposedly proving this story do not exist in the trial record. Since the 1982 trial, there has been a growing mountain of new evidence, including the sworn confession of Arnold Beverly that he, not Mumia, killed Faulkner. This evidence proves not only that Mumia is innocent, but that the police and prosecution falsified and suppressed evidence, coerced witnesses and orchestrated a monumental frame-up.

The PDC’s fact sheet was developed in consultation with attorneys Rachel Wolkenstein and Jonathan Piper, who were on Mumia’s legal team from 1995 to 1999. It cites transcripts, including dates and page numbers where testimony appears, from the 1982 trial and pre-trial testimony and 1995-97 post-conviction relief (PCRA) hearings (all designated as “N.T.”--Notes of Testimony), as well as affidavits filed in federal and state courts and police investigation reports (IIR--Investigation Interview Record), and citations from Murdered by Mumia including page numbers.

Journalists, activists, researchers—anyone concerned with uncovering the truth—should also see the July 2006 PDC pamphlet, The Fight to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal—Mumia Is Innocent!, which includes a detailed factual review of the case as well as affidavits and declarations. It is available at http://www.partisandefense.org/pubs/innocent.

The PDC’s aim is to arm those fighting for Mumia with the facts to refute the mendacity of those who want to execute him. This is part of the PDC’s effort to mobilize mass protest action on Mumia’s behalf that is centered on the social power of the labor movement and is based on the understanding that Mumia Abu-Jamal is an innocent man, the victim of a racist and political frame-up who must be freed now!

# # # # #

The PDC is a class-struggle, non-sectarian legal and social defense organization which champions cases and causes in the interest of the whole of the working people. This purpose is in accordance with the political views of the Spartacist League.

Matt Lamont's 2002 Case Thrown Out!

LA ABCF

A major victory took place today for former political prisoner Matt Lamont. Matt received the news in court that his case has been thrown out- officially erasing his conviction.

Matt Lamont was arrested on April 20, 2002 accused of trying to blow up a white power show in La Habra, CA. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. Since his release Matt has faced constant harassment by local police and federal agents- including imprisonment for parole violations, raids of his home and continued threats and harassment. As late as November, Matt was threatened by FBI agents to either provide information or face possible arrest for parole violation. He refused to cooperate despite not having any information regarding ‘criminal’ activities.

Last month, another case was thrown out because of the illegal manner in which the police searched the car. Because of the decision in this case, evidence against Matt was also thrown out. With no evidence against Matt, his conviction fell apart. Earlier this week Matt was released early from his parole- this was a good indicator that today’s court hearing was going to go in Matt’s favor.

Matt is extremely relieved about the decision and looks forward to the opportunities he now has by no longer having a criminal record. He has had hard time finding and keeping jobs with a criminal record and continued harassment by police and federal government. He no longer has to live under the shadow of this case.

Matt will soon be joining the Los Angeles chapter of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation- working for the support of political prisoners- something he has a great deal of knowledge about. Thanks for everyone that has helped Matt during his on-going battle over the last six years. Without your support all this would not be possible. Matt’s victory is a victory to all of us in the Anarchist movement.

In Solidarity,

Matt H.

LA ABCF

“The work is not done for the glory, but because we believe in Mutual Aid” – B. Yelensky

Misconduct alleged in firebombing case

Attorney of suspect in UW arson says prosecutors, FBI committed perjury

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER

An attorney for a woman facing trial for allegedly participating in the 2001 firebombing of the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington has accused the government of "egregious prosecutorial misconduct."

Briana Waters, 32, of Berkeley, Calif., is one of five people allegedly linked to the Earth Liberation Front to be charged with setting the facility ablaze in what they thought would be a blow against genetic engineering of plants. The fire destroyed years of botanical research. The UW spent $7 million to rebuild the facility.

In a court filing Wednesday asking for a conference with the judge, attorney Robert Bloom asserts that two federal prosecutors and two FBI agents, all based in Seattle, committed perjury and obstruction of justice.

Bloom charges that they suppressed evidence of his client's innocence and prepared false FBI summaries of a witness interview incriminating Waters.

In September, U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess of Tacoma denied a defense motion seeking an investigation into the alleged misconduct and dismissal of the charges.

In his ruling, Burgess called Bloom's allegations "speculation" and said prosecutorial misconduct "cannot rationally be concluded from the so-called discrepancies pointed to" by the defense.

Bloom insists that a report detailing a December 2005 FBI interview with admitted firebomber Jennifer Kolar was doctored to hide the fact that Kolar did not name Waters during the interview.

Bloom said his Wednesday motion seeking a hearing provides Burgess with information that was not before the judge in September.

"We fully anticipate that the motion will be rejected," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Bartlett said Thursday.

The other prosecutor on the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Friedman, had no comment. Neither did an FBI spokesman responding for Special Agents Ted Halla and Anthony Torres.

The Waters case is scheduled for trial Feb. 4. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years if convicted.

Kolar, of Seattle, and Lacey Phillabaum of Spokane have pleaded guilty to arson, conspiracy and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence.

Another suspect, Justin Solondz, most recently of Jefferson County, is a fugitive. William Rogers was arrested in connection with the arson and committed suicide in his jail cell.

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

Support the Eco-Prisoners January 2008

Spirit of Freedom
(January 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 January 2008 edition of Spirit of Freedom.  First off I would
like to apologise for the lack of any publication of Spirit of Freedom over
the past few months.  Things have been rather busy recently.  However that's
no excuse and British ELPs New Years resolution is to get back into
producing regular prisoner listings again.  And thinking of our prisoner
lists.  ELP always tries to make our lists as up to date and accurate as
possible.  However we are only a small group of volunteers so we do make
mistakes!  If you are aware of any prisoner who is not listed in the below
lists, or aware that any of our details are incorrect, please contact ELP as
soon as possible and we will endeavour to correct our mistakes.  However
saying that, we have tried to make sure our lists are accurate and so please
do send letters of support to the prisoners.  Remember, no matter where you
are in the world, support the eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of
Mother Earth!


ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216
Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada.  On remand accused of
involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned
by a sand & gravel company.  Both arsons occurred in the USA.  Tre is
fighting his extradition to the USA.

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.
On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

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.

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.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 - Iruñez -
Pamplona, Navarra (España), Spain.  Serving just under 5 years for
sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Jeffrey Luers, #1306729, Lane County Adult Corrections, 101 West 5th Ave,
Eugene, OR 97401-2695, USA. Awaiting resentencing.  Originally sentenced to
22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of
an oil truck.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 "I" Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814, USA.  Awaiting sentencing having been found guilty of
planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone
masts and power plants.

Daniel McGowan #63794-053, FCI Sandstone, Federal Correctional Institution,
PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA.   Serving 7 years for an ELF arson
against a Poplar Tree Farm and an ELF arson against a lumber company.   Also
admitted his role in an ELF/ALF conspiracy.

Christopher McIntosh #30512-013, FCI Fairton, PO Box 420, Fairton, NJ 08320,
USA. Serving 8 years for setting fire to a McDonald's resturant.

Jonathan Paul - See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera
(PV), Italy.  Il Silvestre activist serving 2½ years.  1)  18-months for
burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 2) 12-months for
organising an anti-GM protest.  Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of
using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear
energy.

Julio Villanueva, C.P. Prision De Pamplona, 31080, Iruna (Navarra), Spain.
Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial
Itoiz dam construction site.

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.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

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.

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

Natasha Avery NR8987, HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15
3JZ, England.  Jailed for breaching her parole conditions imposed on her for
telling a fox hunting murdering scum what she thought of them.  Also
awaiting trial accused of conspiracy to blackmail, in relation to her
involvement with the SHAC campaign.

Nathan Block - See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD,
England.  Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following
the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life
Science.

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.

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072
USA.  Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA
campaign.

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.

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.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England.  Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional
Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for
helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

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.

Joyanna Zacher - See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

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.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with "subversive association" accused of
damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash
machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the
multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists
in Chile.  All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or
released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave.
Marysville, OH 43040, USA.  Serving 5 years for taking part in an
anti-fascist demonstration which turned into a riot.

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.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis.
His charge was "bodily harm". He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish.  You can
also write him short postcards in English.

Gubski Maxim, VK-2 - 21, Batowa str. 4, Bobruisk, 213800 Belarus.  Serving 3
years for fighting with neo-nazis.

Vladislav Vladimirovich Plyashkevich, IK-10 otryad 4, Novopoltsk-5
Vitebskaya oblast, 211440 Belarus.  Serving 3 years for fighting with
neo-nazis.

Christian Sümmermann, BNR: 727/07/7, JVA Tegel, Seidelstr. 39, 13507 Berlin,
Germany.  Serving 40 months for breaching the peace whilst serving a
suspended sentence issued for anti-fascist activities.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending
himself.

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall
B, Cell 5., Mexico.  On remand.  The exact charges against Oscar are unknown
but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz,
Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico.  On remand.  Co-defendant of Oscar Santa
Maria Caro.

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.

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.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of
all life. 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

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

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.

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

Jan. 11th-Support PRican Grand Jury Resisters

PROLIBERTAD ALERT

FBI/NYPD Grand Jury Subpoenas Target Boricuas:

The FBI/NYPD Anti-Terrorism Task Force (Joint Terrorist Task Force) has been visiting Puerto Ricans and serving them with Grand Jury subpoenas. In one case they claimed to be investigating the “extremist group: The Welfare Poets”. Two others have been served with Grand Jury subpoenas
to appear at the Federal Court at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn on Friday, January 11, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. and, as of this communication, one is being sought to be served.

As was the case with the assassination of Machetero Leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios on September 23, 2005, a key historical date for the Puerto Rican Independence Movement, the FBI/U.S. Justice Department has chosen the date of January 11 for the Grand Jury hearing in New York, a date when independence forces celebrate the birth and contributions of Eugenio
Maria de Hostos to the independence struggle against Spain.

To date, subpoenas to appear before the Grand Jury have been issued to; Tania Frontera, a graphic designer, pro-independence activist and participant in the Vieques struggle, activist and social worker Christopher Torres and filmmaker Julio Pabón, Jr. In addition, there are indications that Hector Rivera, one of the founders of the political/cultural group the New York based “Welfare Poets,” was visited to be served with a subpoena but was not home in NY at the time.

In Puerto Rico the group La Nueva Escuela convened a meeting with a broad range of pro-independence political forces to plan the response and mobilize legal and political resources. They also appealed to those active in the FBI Out of Puerto Rico campaign. A demonstration in front of the Federal Court House in San Juan has been called for January 10th.

In New York City on Saturday, December 29, 2007, Puerto Rican
pro-Independence activists, organizations and allies met with some of the subpoenaed activists, family members, legal advisors, friends and allies, to update themselves on the activities of the FBI/NYPD anti-terrorism agents leading to the Grand Jury hearings on January 11th. A call for a mass protest on January 11th at the Federal Court House in Cadman
Plaza, Brooklyn was made, work committees were formed, a list of legal resources was presented and a general call outlined for support for these latest targets of Federal Grand Jury repression. A flyer is being drafted, and everyone is urged to mobilize.

The Hostos 111 Grand Jury Resistance Movement is the tentative name of this mobilization and an email has been established while a toll-free number is setup where messages and endorsements can be left.

The email is: resistgrandjury@gmail.com

Organizations are asked to email endorsement for the demo on January 11th.

ALL OUT JANUARY 11TH!

RALLY AGAINST GRAND JURY REPRESSION OF PUERTO RICAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVISTS

FRIDAY JANUARY 11TH, 9:30 A.M.

Brooklyn Federal Court
225 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, New York

Take subways: A/C Subway to High Street, 2/3 to Clark Street, M/R to Court St-Boro Hall, 4,5 to Borough Hall, F to Jay St-Boro Hall, G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn).

U.S.A./F.B.I. – Out of Puerto Rico!

Unity In Action, Against Repression!

Message from Ramon Labañino Salazar

December 25, 2007

FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS OF THE EMPIRE – STRUGGLE FOR THEM – COMMITTEE IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA – PUERTO RICO

Message received . . .

Brothers and Sisters:

Ramón finds himself subjected to further punishing conditions since las December 11^th and for this reason he has not been able to send all the letters and greetings for the new year to his friends around the world. In a very brief 5 minute telephone conversation this morning, December 20, he asked me to send this message to all the sisters and brothers that do so much to promote the cause of the Cuban 5 and to achieve genuine justice in this case. It is because of this that I hastily prepared this message in his name and our family’s, full of the love that inspires us to continue to struggle for the freedom of our family members. Also receive on behalf of our daughters a warm greeting and the wishes that you have a merry Christmas and that you have a prosperous new year 2008.

Elizabeth Palmeiro Casado.

Mensaje de Ramón Labañino Salazar

Message from Ramón Labañino Salazar

Dear Brothers and Sisters Throughout the World:

We are now nearing the celebrations for Christmas and the 2008 new year and we want to send you our greetings accompanied with all the gratitude and affection for the support you’ve shown to this cause which united us: The solidarity with Cuba and the freedom of the five.

At this time we always reflect on the things we have done and have to do, and, it is for this reason that upon remembering all the activities that have been realized during this year 2007 with purpose of gaining more solidarity with our cause, that we are filled with strength and more optimism in the certainty of our victory.

It doesn’t matter how long this cruelty continues, that victory will be ours and because of this we will continue to struggle alongside all of you to bring an end to the false morality of the empire that says it struggles against terrorism and yet keeps us imprisoned not recognizing the history of terrorist attacks against the people of Cuba.

From Argentina to Canada and the United States, throughout Central America and the Caribbean, from the other side of the Atlantic, from Spain to Vietnam and Australia, in the African Continent, in every corner of the planet, the voice of justice has been heard demanding our freedom. Your letters inform us every day about all the actions, events, and demonstrations of solidarity. Always count on us to be there for every just cause, soon we will join all of you.

Thank you brothers and sisters for letting us know that we can always count on you to bring an end to so much injustice. Injustice that for more than 10 years has kept us away from our loved ones and our beloved homeland.

For Cubans these celebrations are also accompanied by those that he hola for yet another anniversary of the revolution that returned our dignity and freedom to us. Dignity and freedom that today many peoples of our continent struggle for.

Long live the 49 anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution!

Until Victory Always!

RAMON LABAÑINO SALAZAR

USP BEAUMONT , TEXAS

DIC. 20, 2007

Indomitable/Unyielding

They come to ask me to surrender

to betray my country and my ideals

they even offer jewels and beautiful things

and riches and limitless money that I would have.

They come to tell me to betray

that there is no reason to struggle

that lacking love and emotions

without principles

is indeed an infertile valley.

Stubborn, Insolent and Infamous

they do not know the fidelity to ideals

and that I would prefer to die in combat with them

how rich to live among the infamous.

I will live and struggle among our people

and will leave betrayal and treason to the cowards.

Ramón Labañino Salazar

“ . . . the matters that we presenting provide us at this time the biggest of our opportunities to free the Five. This is a critical moment and it is very important that the network of support is aware and actively involved in the case.” Leonard Weinglas, northamerican lead defense lawyer.

www.antiterroristas.cu , www.amigosdecuba.com.ar , www.libertadaloscinco.org

Matt Lamont Off of Parole!

Today former anarchist political prisoner, Matt Lamont
went to report for his monthly parole meeting with his
Parole Officer. He was informed that he is officially
off of parole and was given his papers for release.

Thanks to everyone for there support.

LA ABCF

Woman who tried to kill Ford freed

By PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press dec. 31. 2007

Sara Jane Moore, who took a shot at President Ford in a bizarre assassination attempt just 17 days after a disciple of Charles Manson tried to kill Ford, was paroled Monday after 32 years behind bars. Moore, 77, was released from the federal prison in Dublin, east of San Francisco, where she had been serving a life sentence, the Bureau of Prisons said.
Bureau spokeswoman Felicia Ponce said she had no details on why Moore was let out. But she said that with good behavior, inmates sentenced to life can apply for parole after 10 years.
Moore was 40 feet away from Ford outside a hotel in San Francisco when she fired a shot at him on Sept. 22, 1975. As she raised her .38-caliber revolver and pulled the trigger, Oliver Sipple, a disabled former Marine standing next to her, pushed up her arm. The bullet flew over Ford's head by several feet.
Two weeks earlier, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of Manson's, tried to kill the president in Sacramento.
In recent interviews, Moore said she regretted her actions, saying she was blinded by her radical political views and convinced that the government had declared war on the left.
"I was functioning, I think, purely on adrenaline and not thinking clearly. I have often said that I had put blinders on and I was only listening to what I wanted to hear," she said a year ago in an interview with KGO-TV.
During what was expected to be a routine pretrial hearing before a federal judge, Moore blurted out that she wanted to plead guilty, and her lawyer couldn't stop her. The judge immediately accepted the plea.
Moore's background — which included five failed marriages, name changes and involvement with political groups like the Symbionese Liberation Army — baffled the public and even her own attorney.
"I never got a satisfactory answer from her as to why she did it," said retired federal public defender James F. Hewitt. "There was just bizarre stuff."
Ford insisted the two attempts on his life shouldn't prevent him from having contact with the American people.
"If we can't have the opportunity of talking with one another, seeing one another, shaking hands with one another, something has gone wrong in our society," he said. "I think it's important that we as a people don't capitulate to the wrong element."
Ford died just over a year ago.
There was no immediate comment from the Ford family on Moore's release. Calls and an e-mail seeking comment were placed to Penny Circle, who was Ford's chief of staff at the time of his death.
Moore was born Sara Jane Kahn in Charleston, W.Va. She acted in high school plays and dreamed of being a film actress.
In the 1970s, Moore began working for People in Need, a free food program established by millionaire Randolph Hearst in exchange for the return for his daughter Patty, who was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974.
Moore soon became involved with radical leftists, ex-convicts and other members of San Francisco's counterculture. At this time, Moore became an informant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
She has said she fired at Ford because she thought she would be killed once it was disclosed that she was an FBI informant. The bureau ended its relationship with her about four months before the assassination attempt.
"I was going to go down anyway," she said in a 1982 interview with the San Jose Mercury News. "If the government was going to kill me, I was going to make some kind of statement."
Moore was sent to a West Virginia women's prison in 1977. Two years later, she escaped but was captured several hours later.