Green Scare benefit in Detroit (Oct 10)

Sunday, October 10, 7pm

A benefit concert for Green Scare victims with special guests
ADM: $6, $10, $15 with proceeds going to legal aid & support of the imprisoned
Includes a vegetarian supper at 6pm provided by the Wobbly Kitchen

TRUMBULLPLEX, 4210 Trumbull Ave., at W. Willis, Detroit, MI

David Rovics, called the "Phil Ochs of this generation of activists"
(www.davidrovics.com) will perform in concert to raise funds for Green Scare
activists, including Detroiter Marie Mason
currently suffering a 22-year prison sentence (www.supportmariemason.org. See list
of other prisoners at http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/).

A vegetarian supper is included in the cost of admission, but the master chefs at
the Wobbly Kitchen who are doing the cooking need an idea of how many people to
prepare for. If you are planning to attend, it would be appreciated if you could
RSVP.

If you aren't going to attend, but would like to donate, you can contribute
through PayPal at the Fifth Estate site www.fifthestate.org and click the Donate
button on the left.

Prisoner support in 1970s movements: Wed 10/13 NYC

Date: Sun, 03 Oct 2010

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BOOK LAUNCH & RADICAL HISTORY DISCUSSION: Prisoner Support in the 1970s

Join the editor & contributors to the new book
The Hidden 1970s: Histories of Radicalism (just
published by Rutgers University Press) at
Freebird Bookstore for a conversation focusing on
the importance of prisoner support in the
left-wing social movements of the 1970s.

Panel will feature editor Dan Berger and
contributors Vikki Law, Andy Cornell and Matt
Meyer. This is the Brooklyn booklaunch for The
Hidden 1970s and will have a prison-related
focus. The book will be available for sale from the authors at this event.

Bring a paperback dictionary and/or small
contribution towards postage costs for Books
Through Bars, who send books free to people in
prison across the country. A tour of the BTB work space will follow the talk.

When: Wednesday October 13 @ 7:30PM

Where: Freebird Bookstore, 123 Columbia Street,
Carroll Gardens/Red Hook Brooklyn. Map: http://tinyurl.com/24364p5

Directions:
F to Bergen St., walk down Warren, left on Court,
right on Kane, to Columbia St.
Or take 2/3/4/5 to Borough Hall, down Court to Kane, Kane to Columbia.
Or take B61 bus right to Freebird.

More about the book:
The 1970s were a complex, multilayered, and
critical part of a long era of profound societal
change and an essential component of the decade
before—several of the most iconic events of
“the sixtiies” occurred in the ten years that
followed. The Hidden 1970s explores the
distinctiveness of those years, a time when
radicals tried to change the world as the world changed around them.

This powerful collection is a compelling
assessment of left-wing social movements in a
period many have described as dominated by
conservatism or confusion. Scholars examine
critical and largely buried legacies of the
1970s. The decade of Nixon`s fall and Reagan`s
rise also saw widespread indigenous militancy,
prisoner uprisings, transnational campaigns for
self-determination, pacifism, and queer theories
of play as political action. Contributors focus
on diverse topics, including the
internationalization of Black Power and Native
sovereignty, organizing for Puerto Rican
independence among Latinos and whites, and
women’s self-defense. Essays and ideas trace
the roots of struggles from the 1960s through the
1970s, providing fascinating insight into the
myriad ways that radical social movements shaped
American political culture in the 1970s and the
many ways they continue to do so today.

About the Editor:
Dan Berger is the author of Outlaws of America:
The Weather Underground and the Politics of
Solidarity and the coeditor of Letters from Young Activists.

Learn more about volunteering or donating to
Books Through Bars at
http://booksthroughbarsnyc.org , or keep up with our events on facebook.

Memorial for Marilyn Buck Nov 7 Oakland

Support the Eco-Prisoners (October 2010)

Spirit of Freedom
(October 2010)
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 2010 edition of Spirit of Freedom. Sadly last month ELP
received some bad news. Our dear old friend, Rod Coronado has returned to prison.
Rod’s parole conditions have prevented him from having any contact with anyone
associated with Earth First! Rod has adhered to his conditions but he has been
returned to prison for.....accepting a known EF! activist as a friend on
Facebook!!!! This is crazy. ELP doesn’t know if it will harm Rod’s defence case if
ELP lists him as a prisoner, but we understand that if someone was to go to
www.BOP.gov (an American Government website) and click on “Inmate Finder” (entering
the details Rodney Coronado, Indian American, Male) his details do apparently
appear!!! As everyone knows Rod is a former activist who has been jailed for ALF
activities, Earth First! activities and Native American rights activities. In the
past Rod has done a lot of prisoner support work and has worked closely with ELP
helping us locate prisoners, support people facing trial and supporting the families
of people whose loved ones were accused of crimes but their exact locations are
unknown. ELP also understands that Rod has links to the peace movement. Rod has
controversially rejected his former vegan diet and now eats meat so can no longer be
regarded as an Animal Rights prisoner, but his jailing would make him an Eco-Defence
prisoner.
Other news, the Polish activist Renata Zelazna, who was held in a Dutch prison, has
been released from prison. Originally charged with Attempted Murder of a Police
Officer (after throwing a rock!) Renata was eventually given a 117 day prison
sentence (exactly the same amount of time she spent on remand) and released from
prison with a 300 Euro fine!

Also, our colleagues in the North American ELP group have found an address for
Justin Solondz who is currently jailed in China on drugs related charges. Justin is
wanted in America for alleged ELF/ALF activity. The address we have is in Chinese
script but if you go to www.ecoprisoners.org click on Prisoners and then scroll down
to Justin’s details you can find a link that will give you his address.

And finally, ELP has listed Swedish peace activist, Anna Andersson in our
Ploughshares prisoners list. Anna is serving 4 months for disarming bazookas made
in a conventional arms factory. Anna is serving four months and will hopefully be
released soon. But regardless of that, please do support her.

Remember, 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).

Luca Bernasconi, c/o Bundesanwaltochaft, Stawa Stadler, Tavbenstrasse 16, 3003 Berna
- Switzerland. On remand accused of possession of explosive materials. Luca is
Swiss and is a known animal rights and prisoner support activist. Although not
linked to Il Silvestre himself, other defendants in this case are linked to Il
Silvestre (Luca 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).
Aleksey Gaskarov (address unknown). Russian who has been accused of Hooliganism
linked to his involvement with an anti-road protest eco-camp. (Diet unknown)

Silvia Guerini, C c/o Bundesanwaltochaft, Stawa Stadler, Tavbenstrasse 16, 3003
Berna - Switzerland. On remand accused of possession of explosive materials.
Silvia is an Italian linked to Il Silvestre. (Silvia is a vegan)

Leonardo Landi, Carcere San Michele, Via Casale, 50/A, 15122 San Michele (AL),
Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving six years for robbery. (Leonardo is a
vegetarian).

Marie Jeanette Mason, 04672-061, FMC Carswell, P.O. Box 27137, Fort Worth, TX 76127,
USA. Serving 21 years and 10 months for her involvement in an ELF arson against a
University Professors Office as the Professor was linked to Genetically Modified
crop testing. Marie also admitted destroying logging equipment. She also pleaded
guilty to conspiring to carry out ELF actions and admitted involvement in 11 other
ELF actions and 1 ALF action. (Marie is a vegan).

Abraham López Martínez (Jailed in Mexico). E-mail letters of support to
cna.mex@gmail.com On remand accused of a series of ELF style activities against
various trucks and businesses. (Abraham 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, 39013-177, FCI Beaumont Medium, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O.
Box 26040, Beaumont, TX 77720, USA. Serving 5 years for Conspiracy to Commit Arson
following an attempted arson at a town house construction site in 2006. The action
was claimed under the banner of the ELF. (Steve is a vegan).

Jonathan Paul - See details in Animal Liberation Prisoners List.

Costatino Ragusa, c/o Bundesanwaltochaft, Stawa Stadler, Tavbenstrasse 16, 3003
Berna - Switzerland. On remand accused of possession of explosive materials.
Costatino is an Italian linked to Il Silvestre. (Costatino is a vegan)

Justin Solondz (Address Unknown - China). American Green Scare defendant accused of
direct action activity in America. Serving 3 years in China for drugs related
offences then due to be deported back to America. His exact prison location is
currently unknown. (Diet unknown).

Maksim Solopov (address unknown). Russian who has been accused of Hooliganism
linked to his involvement with an anti-road protest eco-camp. (Diet unknown)


Jonatan Strandberg, anstalten storboda, 19595 Rosersberg, 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 meat eater).

Michael Sykes 696693, Michigan Reformatory, 1342 West Main Street, 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)

Fermín Gómez Trejo (Jailed in Mexico). E-mail letters of support to
cna.mex@gmail.com On remand accused of a series of ELF style activities against
various trucks and businesses. (Fermin is a vegetarian)

Briana Waters 36432-086, FCI Danbury, Federal Correctional Institution, Route 37,
Danbury, CT 06811, USA. Facing re-trial for her alleged involvement in an ELF arson
on a University. Originally sentenced to six years, the Court of Appeal has ordered
a second trial following a number of errors in the original trial. (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 A5750AH, 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).

Diego Alonso (address unknown, jailed in Mexico– E-mail letters of support to
rabiayaccion@mac.hush.com) On remand accussed of targeting banks, slaughterhouses
and other institutions. (Diego is a vegan)

Gregg Avery A4874AD, 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 A5180AD, HMP Send, Ripley Road, Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ, England.
Serving 9 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Nat is a
vegan).

Walter Bond #P01051760, PO Box 16700, Golden, CO 80402-6700, USA. On remand
accused of a number of arsons claimed by “ALF Lone Wolf”. The arsons include a fire
at a Sheepskin factory, a leather factory and a foie gras restaurant. (Walter is a
vegan)

Mel Broughton, A3892AE, HMP Bullingdon, PO Box 50, Oxford, OX25 1WD, England.
Serving ten years for his active campaigning against vivisection carried out by
Oxford University. The police set him up and accused him of plotting an arson
against the University. (Mel is a vegan).

Adrian Magdaleno Gonzales (address unkown, jailed in Mexico – E-mail letters of
support to libertadparaadrian@hushmail.me). Serving 5 years 10 months for
detonating a gas bombs against various targets including banks and against targets
whose actions were claimed by the Frente de Liberación Animal (ALF). (Adrian is a
vegan).

Alex Hall, #15908-081, FCI Englewood, Federal Correctional Institution, 9595 West
Quincy Avenue, Littleton, CO 80123, USA. Serving 21 months for raiding a mink farm.
(Alex 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).

Marie Mason - See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Daniel McGowan - See details in Eco Defence Prisoners List.

Gavin Medd-Hall A3624AD, 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 A3158AJ, 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, - CDC ID# AE 1628, CIM - DU 206, Reception Center East / Del Norte,
P.O. Box 500, Chino, CA 91708, USA. On remand accused of stalking as well as
conspiracy and criminal threats towards UCLA vivisectors and a company 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).

Lewis Pogson, A6454AK, HMP Brixton, Jebb Avenue, Brixton, London, SW2 5XF, England.
Originally sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for an alleged raid on a rabbit and
ferret farm which bred animals for vivisection, Lewis was granted parole but was
returned to prison for breaching his parole conditions. (Lewis is a vegan).

Gerrah Selby, A2014AD, HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PD, England.
Serving 4 years for conspiracy to blackmail Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Gerrah 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

AnnaAndersson, Anstalten Hinseberg, Box 1005, 718 92 FROVI, Sweden. Serving 4
months for disarming fourteen bazookas made for export at a conventional arms
factory. (Diet unknown)

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).


ANTIFA PRISONERS

Aleksey Bychin, FBU OIK-2 IK-7 otryad No. 12, ul. Karnallitovaya d. 98, g. Solikamsk
Permskiy Kray, 618545 Russia. Serving 5 years for defending himself against
neo-nazis. (Diet unknown).

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. (Pavel is a vegetarian).

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) 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.

Charles Simms Africa (AM4975), SCI Retreat, 660 State Route 11, Hunlock Creek, PA
18621, 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
info@ecoprisoners.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

La Sobreviviente – from Oscar López Rivera

September 22, 2010 marilynbuckpresente.org

Puerto Rican independentista and long-held political prisoner Oscar López Rivera made this painting during the time people were sending positive healing energy Marilyn’s way … it was at the same time he learned that his sister was ill. He would run in the mornings and send his energy every half mile, to both. The painting is based on a photo of a woman who survived the same cancer Marilyn had… in the hopes that she, too, would be able to survive. It’s called La Sobreviviente, 29″ x 24″

hat tip to js

Posted in Personal Tributes | Leave a comment

La Sobreviviente – from Oscar López Rivera

September 22, 2010 marilynbuckpresente.org

Puerto Rican independentista and long-held political prisoner Oscar López Rivera made this painting during the time people were sending positive healing energy Marilyn’s way … it was at the same time he learned that his sister was ill. He would run in the mornings and send his energy every half mile, to both. The painting is based on a photo of a woman who survived the same cancer Marilyn had… in the hopes that she, too, would be able to survive. It’s called La Sobreviviente, 29″ x 24″

hat tip to js

Posted in Personal Tributes | Leave a comment

A memorial will be held for Marilyn Buck on Saturday November 13

August 31, 2010 marilynbuckpresente.org

A memorial will be held for Marilyn Buck on Saturday November 13, 4:30–7:00 p.m. at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center, 3940 Broadway, Manhattan, followed by dinner and a Freedom Dance for political prisoners. There will also be memorials in the Bay Area and Puerto Rico – click here for info (including past gatherings).

Chicago Committee Against Political Repression

Stop FBI Raids and Harassment of activists opposing U.S. Intervention in Colombia and the Middle East

We denounce the Federal Bureau of Investigation harassment of anti-war and solidarity activists. We call on the Department of Justice and the FBI to stop this grand jury investigation.

The FBI raided seven houses and an office in Chicago and Minneapolis on Friday, September 24, 2010. The FBI handed subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury to eleven activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. The FBI also attempted to intimidate activists in California and North Carolina.

This suppression of civil rights is aimed at those who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples against U.S. funded occupation and war. The FBI has indicated that the grand jury is investigating the activists for possible material support of terrorism.

The activists involved have done nothing wrong, are not charged with anything, and are refusing to be pulled into conversations with the FBI about their political views or organizing against war and occupation. The activists are involved with many groups, including: the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. These activists came together with many others to organize the 2008 anti-war marches on the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

We ask people of conscience to join us in fighting this political repression, as we continue working to build the movements against US war and occupation.

Take Action:

Call the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555 or write an email to: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov.

Demand:

**Stop the repression against anti-war and international solidarity activists.

**Immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, etc.

**End the grand jury proceedings against anti-war activists.

Denounce FBI Raids, Grand Jury Repression

October 1, 2010 by Committee to Stop FBI Repression

By Sara Flounders

Anti-war, anti-racist and left political activists in the United States have responded with unprecedented energy and outrage against nationally coordinated FBI raids on the homes of well-respected political organizers. Within 72 hours of the Sept. 24 raids, protest demonstrations were held or scheduled in 32 cities across the country.

Activists have established a Committee to Stop FBI Repression to coordinate the opposition to the FBI attacks. Dozens of organizations, local, regional and national, have condemned the FBI raids, including the San Francisco Labor Council.

This latest instance of state repression began early Sept. 24 as FBI agents armed with grand jury subpoenas raided the homes of several anti-war and social justice activists in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.

Organizers believe the Oct. 5, 7, 12 and 19 grand jury subpoena dates will become dates to mobilize the entire progressive political movement. They expect the demand to stop the subpoenas and “No to the grand jury investigation” to become slogans of a national movement that can stop this dangerous precedent.

That same day FBI agents “visited” activists’ homes in California, Milwaukee, Michigan and North Carolina demanding immediate cooperation. When activists refused to speak with them, the FBI threatened to talk to employers and landlords, and also subpoena the activists.

The targets of this “raid against terrorism” included leaders of the Minneapolis Antiwar Committee, whose office was raided; the Palestine Solidarity Group; the Colombia Action Network; the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera (a Colombian political prisoner held in the U.S.); Students for a Democratic Society; and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Though their homes and lives had just been turned upside down, all those targeted had a calm and determined response. They refused to speak to the FBI. Faced with spurious charges of providing material aid to “terrorists,” they reaffirmed their right to organize opposition to U.S. wars and to build solidarity with the struggles of people around the world who are resisting occupation and dictatorship.

These organizers’ reactions helped to mobilize a strong response to these police tactics intended to intimidate and demoralize the movement. Even as the FBI was seizing computers, files, cameras, passports, e-mails and mailing lists, neighbors came out in support while others came to film. Scanned copies of the search warrants and subpoenas were soon available on IndyMedia sites and videos of the raid were posted on YouTube.

Hundreds came to an emergency rally in Minneapolis that same evening, and supporters held press conferences the following day in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago.

Who should resist this attack?

The rapid and broad response from the progressive movement shows that many are aware of the need to join the resistance. Even a quick scan of the sweeping nature of the search warrant and the subpoena clearly shows that any opponent of U.S. wars should join the protests. This includes those organizations and individuals who participated in or supported a convoy or flotilla or a solidarity delegation to besieged and blocked Gaza, or a delegation to blockaded Cuba, or those who attended a conference or meeting with international representatives of peoples’ movements throughout Latin America.

The FBI confiscated all paper circulation lists, e-mail lists, cell phones and electronic equipment. The broadest movement should resist this attempt to shut down the ability and means to communicate.

The subpoenas to appear before a grand jury demand all items, all correspondence, all documents and all phone records related to so-called “foreign terrorist organizations, including FARC of Colombia, PFLP of Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon, all pictures, videos and travel documents to Colombia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Palestine.”

A united fightback can stop this effort to shut down the movement that is sweeping U.S. college campuses today to boycott, divest and sanction Israel and build solidarity with Palestine, and the movement in solidarity with the political change sweeping Latin America.

It is encouraging that all the major anti-war coalitions have joined to oppose these FBI attacks. Now, as opposition grows to the protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — wars that have provoked dissention within the ruling political and military bodies because U.S. imperialism is facing a debacle — the government moves to wall off people in the U.S. from any knowledge, information or exchanges with people of the world. The movement is saying it won’t let this happen.

Past raids and repression

The U.S. ruling class and state have used raids, entrapments, roundups and grand jury subpoenas throughout U.S. history to undermine many social movements. They were combined with anti-Communist ideology during the 1920s Palmer Raids and the 1950s McCarthyite period. The FBI also targeted the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The COINTELPRO effort — which also tried to disrupt the movements in solidarity with Central American peoples in the 1980s — carried out a special terror campaign against the Black Panther Party and other Black liberation organizations and other groups in the Latino/a and Native struggles in the late 1960s and 1970s. Since 2001 the now monstrous “Homeland Security” apparatus has been used to criminalize, entrap and demonize Muslim people.

The U.S. State Department has spuriously labeled as “terrorist” the popularly elected and legitimate governments in Gaza and Nepal and the mass-based Hezbollah organization in Lebanon. Opposition to the longest war in U.S. history is being labeled sympathy with the Taliban and al-Qaida, as is any contact with the government of Iran or the people’s movement in Pakistan. Contact with Cuba and Iran, Sudan and North Korea is also sanctioned and blockaded.

All the more reason that all those who want these movements to continue should unite to stop the latest sign of growing government repression. On the very day of the raids, the National Lawyers Guild issued at their national convention in New Orleans an important report entitled, “The Policing of Political Speech: Constraints on Mass Dissent in the U.S.”

The NLG report dealt with the very issues of the raids: guilt by association, stigmatizing activists as “terrorists,” pre-event arrests and raids of independent media and activists, and the use of grand juries for information gathering.

The raids came only four days after a scathing report by the Department of Justice inspector general that soundly criticized the FBI for targeting domestic groups such as Greenpeace and the Thomas Merton Center from 2002 to 2006.

The majority of those who have been targeted by these new FBI raids had participated in anti-war protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., which resulted in hundreds of beatings and arrests. After a long legal struggle, the government had to drop almost all the fabricated charges.

Two activists subpoenaed from Minneapolis, Jess Sundin and Mick Kelly, were key organizers of the Sept. 2008 RNC protests. Both recently spoke at a news conference to announce plans for organized mass protests if Minneapolis is elected to hold the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

“This is really about trying to intimidate the anti-war movement, and we won’t be silenced,” said anti-war activist Stephanie Weiner, whose home was raided.

Steff Yorek, another activist targeted, called the searches “an outrageous fishing expedition. … Activists have the right not to speak with the FBI and are encouraged to politely refuse.”

The FBI also subpoenaed Tom Burke, who is involved in humanitarian solidarity work with labor and popular movements in Colombia. Burke explained: “The government hopes to use a grand jury to frame up activists. The goal of these raids is to harass and try to intimidate the movement against U.S. wars and occupations, and those who oppose U.S. support for repressive regimes.” (quotes from fightbacknews.org)

This sweeping attack on all constitutional rights is taking place under the Barack Obama administration, which came into office with promises to end the wars and open a new era of dialogue and openness.

On taking office President Obama made few changes in the Bush Justice Department, replacing only a few of the top personnel and keeping much of the racist, right-wing apparatus intact. A Bush appointee, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, heads the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where the grand jury that has issued the subpoenas is seated.

Under the cover provided by Attorney General Eric Holder, this repressive agency has had an ever-freer hand, for example, to go after Black elected officials with all manner of spurious charges of corruption. Preventive detention and outrageous entrapment and frame-ups of Muslims have accelerated along with the continued campaign to execute Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Regardless of the political changes on top, the capitalist state exists to repress the political movements that fight in the interests of the working class. Every struggle for political rights comes up against this repressive apparatus.

To quote the unanimously passed San Francisco Labor Council resolution: “The nationally coordinated dawn raids and fishing expedition mark a new and dangerous chapter in the protracted assault on the First Amendment rights of every union fighter, solidarity activist or anti-war campaigner.”

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has three demands that will help to focus the national effort:

1. Stop the repression against trade union, anti-war and international solidarity activists.

2. Immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, personal belongings, etc.

3. End the grand jury proceedings and FBI raids against trade union, anti-war and international solidarity activists.

The committee’s advice to activists is: Keep on alert! Know your rights! Don’t talk to the FBI!

Flounders is co-director of the International Action Center, which has organized protests and a petition campaign — www.iacenter.org/stopfbirepression — to defend the activists.

Stop FBI Repression! National Days of Action October 4 & 5

September 30, 2010 by Committee to Stop FBI Repression

Actions to Stop FBI Repression Take Place Across the Country! Further actions
planned for coming week on October 4 and 5
Thousands have come together in response to the FBI raids on seven homes and an
anti-war office on Friday, September 24, 2010. Across the country organizations and
individuals are standing together to protest the United States government’s attempt
to silence and criminalize anti-war and international solidarity activists.
Jess Sundin said, “These raids and subpoenas are an attack on anti-war and other
progressive movements. It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to
assemble with like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their
actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for more wars and
occupations of other countries by the U.S. military.”
Protests against the intimidation and harassment have taken place or are planned for
39 cities across the country. From Minneapolis and Chicago ,to Los Angeles, Atlanta,
Kalamazoo MI and Dallas Texas, The response has been tremendous an continues to
grow.
We are calling for further actions to take place in the coming week as the first
Grand Jury Subpoenas call for activists to appear on October 5.
++Monday October 4 : Call President Obama at 202-456-1111 and U.S. Attorney
General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555
Demand :
**End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
**Return all materials seized in the raid!
**Stop the Grand Jury Subpoenas of activists!
++Tuesday October 5: Act in solidarity with activists called before the Grand Jury
Take action at local federal buildings and FBI offices! Organize demonstrations in
your community!
Sign the Petition Now: www.iacenter.org/stopfbi
Funds for legal defense will be needed. We will announce where they can be sent in
the next few days.
Reach out to your organization or community group and send a statement of solidarity.
Steff Yorek, a long-time antiwar activist and one of the activists whose homes was
searched said, “The assistance and support we have already received has been
tremendously encouraging, with your help we can stop this outrageous fishing
expedition and attack on progressive movements.”
Click here to download the leaflet
***Please print and distribute at Oct 2 March in DC and in your community today!
Committee To Stop FBI Repression:
www.stopfbi.net
Email: stopfbi@gmail.com