IRA prisoners seek jail time compensation

Hundreds of former IRA prisoners are attempting to have their convictions overturned and sue the Government for compensation.

By Jon Swaine Telegraph
26 Aug 2008

The republican party Sinn Féin has said that former inmates will allege that confessions were extracted from them under duress, amid mistreatment in security force holding centres in Northern Ireland.

About 300 former inmates of the Maze prison and other jails have consulted lawyers and prisoner campaign groups over potential claims, it has emerged.

Many of the former prisoners say they cannot find jobs, insurance or loans because of their convictions. They are also barred from entering some countries, including the US.

Carál Ní Chuilín, a Sinn Féin Assembly member, said that many of the IRA convicts spent time in prison for crimes they did not commit.

"The issue about this is it affected republicans and loyalists," she said. "People from unionist and nationalist working-class areas were in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up spending their lives in jail."

Michael Culbert, the director of Coiste na n-Iarchimi, a republican prisoners' lobby group, said: "So many of them were in jail for things they actually had nothing to do with. Many were convicted by signing false statements under torture or under the flimsiest of evidence and were locked away for years."

Earlier this year Danny Morrison, a former prisoner and Sinn Féin publicity director, successfully challenged a 1991 conviction he received for falsely imprisoning an IRA informer. The case of Morrison, who is now expected to receive substantial compensation, is set to be used as a precedent by new claimants.

Some relatives of those killed by the IRA have expressed their anger at the claims. Willie Frazer, of the pressure group Families Acting for Innocent Relatives, whose father James was shot dead by the IRA in 1975, said: "These people are terrorists who maimed and murdered innocent people. They want to rub salt in the wounds of the victims of their terrorist crimes."

"People must realise how sick these people are. Wanting compensation from the Government is one sickening step too far. We don't want to hear IRA men telling us they are entitled to compensation because they were locked up for their crimes. They must not succeed."

Briana Waters moved

ELP Information Bulletin (22nd August 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that American prisoner, Briana Waters, has been moved. Briana is serving a six year sentence for allegedly acting as a look-out during an ELF arson. There was no evidence to support the case against Briana other than the words of two police informants who lied to the police to try and get a lighter sentence. Briana's new address is:

Briana Waters 36432-086
FCI Danbury
Federal Correctional Institution
Route 37
Danbury, CT 06811
USA

+++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Sean Kirtley moved

ELP Information Bulletin (21st Agust 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that British animal rights prisoner, Sean Kirtley, who is jailed for running a website which encouraged LAWFUL protest, has been moved. His new address is:

Sean Kirtley WC 6977
HMP Stafford
54 GAOL RD
Stafford
ST16 3AW
England

Sean's supporters have also asked ELP to remind everyone that Seans Birthday is on the 11th of December. Please do send Sean a card on the 11th.

+++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Michael Sykes moved

ELP Information Bulletin (21st August 2008)

Dear friends

The young American anarchist, Micahel Sykes, who has been jailed for a number of activities including an anti-urban sprawl arson, burning the American flag, spray painting an Anarchist symbol and criminal damage, has been moved to a new address. His new address is

Michael Sykes 696693
3855 Cooper St
Jackson, MI 49201
USA

+++++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

New Grand Jury Subpoena, Erie PA

An Activist in Athens, Georgia named Kevin Tucker has announced that
today he was served a subpoena to appear in front of a federal grand
jury in Erie, Pennsylvania on September 9th. He has released no other
information, but plans to as soon as he knows more and is able to get
legal consultation.

Another UW arsonist sentenced to federal prison

From the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

Another UW arsonist sentenced to federal prison
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY

A Spokane woman was sentenced Tuesday to three years in federal
prison in the May 2001 firebombing of the University of Washington
Center for Urban Horticulture.

Lacey Phillabaum, 33, of Spokane, is one of five people -- members of
a domestic terrorist group called the Earth Liberation Front -- who
were accused by federal prosecutors of the arson attack that
destroyed the building along with precious samples of rare and
endangered plants species being cultivated for reintroduction into
the Cascades. The ELF cell, dubbed "The Family," acted on the
erroneous belief that a scientist at the center was doing the kind of
genetic engineering work that they reviled as being dangerous to the
environment.

Phillabaum cried in court, but composed herself to apologize to her
victims. "When I think about the damage I did to you my heart is
heavy," she said. "I acted as a bully and a tyrant, and I am ashamed
that I tried to strong-arm social change."

Phillabaum pleaded guilty in October 2006 in an agreement with the
U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle that called for a 36-month sentence.

Her sentence is the second lowest of a dozen members of The Family
sentenced in the last two years for either the UW arson, other arson
attacks, or both. It reflects the government's acknowledgment that,
unlike several other members of The Family, she was involved in only
one arson and that she has done everything that she can to atone for
her crime, including testifying against other ELF members, Assistant
U.S. Attorney Andrew Friedman told the court.

Her role in the arson involved helping to haul the firebomb to the
Urban Horticulture Center, located near the University Village mall.
She also helped draft a statement of responsibility released after
the attack which said such genetic engineering would unleash mutant
genes into the environment that is certain to cause irreversible harm
to forest ecosystems. "I know there are people out there who are
being pulled into the same radical subculture that glamorized arson
for me," Phillabaum told the court Tuesday. "Radical activists who
are cheering you on from the sidelines cannot know how it feels to
have tried this, how your ideals might change afterwards. So listen
to me: No matter your commitment today, when you bind to a crime like
this, you spit on the rich experience of life."

Jennifer Kolar, another member of the ELF cell, pleaded guilty to the
UW arson at the same time as Phillabaum. She was sentenced in July to
five years in prison. Kolar played a role in an ELF rampage of arson
over several years that included not only the UW, but also an Oregon
meat packing plant, a Colorado gun club whose members killed prairie
dogs for sport and a federal wild horse and burro facility where the
animals slated to be killed for grazing on federal land were freed
before the place was torched.

Briana Waters was sentenced in June to six years in prison after
being found guilty at trial of the UW firebombing. Federal
prosecutors allege that Waters -- like Kolar -- participated in other
arsons.

Two other alleged ELF members accused of firebombing the Urban
Horticulture Center have evaded justice. William Rodgers killed
himself in a county jail in Prescott, Ariz., in December 2005 shortly
after being arrested for the UW arson. And Justin Solondz, of
Jefferson County, is a fugitive.

U.S. District Court Judge Franklin Burgess, in handing down the
sentence, said: "Without her participation, and without her
substantial assistance in this matter, this case might not have
gotten off the ground."

He also ordered three years of supervised release for Phillabaum,
who, like others convicted in the arson, is also on the hook for
nearly $6.1 million in restitution.

Spotlight on Incarcerated Women: Conditions, Profiteering and Resistance NYC Bookstore event September 17

If you will be in New York City on September 17 you may want to attend the below event. Please let folks know about it.

http://women.prisonersresistance.org/node/21

Wednesday, September 17th!

Spotlight on Incarcerated Women: Conditions, Profiteering and Resistance

a joint benefit for Prison Legal News and Books Through Bars--NYC

Wed, Sept 17th, 7 pm

The number of women in prison has nearly tripled within the past 2 decades.
Join investigative journalist and author of Women Behind Bars Silja Talvi,
founding editor of Prison Legal News (and co-editor of Prison Profiteers) Paul
Wright, former drug war prisoner Yraida Guanipa, and Books Through Bars
co-founder (and author of the forthcoming Resistance Behind Bars) Victoria Law
for a discussion on who profits from this increase, conditions
inside and resistance both inside and out.

Paul Wright is the editor and co-founder of Prison Legal News, the longest
publishing independent prisoner rights magazine in US history. He co-edited The
Celling of America: An Inside Look at the US Prison Industry; Prison Nation:
The Warehousing of America's Poor, and Prison Profiteers: Who Makes Money
from Mass Imprisonment. Both during and since his 17-year incarceration, he has
successfully litigated a wide variety of censorship and public records issues
against prison systems around the country both pro se, as a plaintiff, on
behalf of other prisoners and on behalf of Prison Legal News.

Silja J.A. Talvi is an investigative journalist, essayist, and author of Women
Behind Bars: The Crisis of Women in the U.S. Prison System. Her work has
appeared in nearly a dozen book anthologies, including Prison Profiteers, and
in over 75 publications nationwide. Silja is the recipient of 12 regional
awards for excellence in journalism from the Society of Professional
Journalists (in the Pacific Northwest); five awards for excellence in criminal
justice reporting from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency; and a
national award for immigration reporting from the New American Media
Foundation.

Yraida L. Guanipa was sentenced to nearly 11 years as a first-time non-violent
offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. While incarcerated, she
fought for programs to maintain family bonds and abolish the prison/slave labor
system. She was released in 2006. She continues fighting for more just systems
and is working to reestablish the bonds with her now-teenage sons.

Victoria Law (facilitator) has been involved with prisoner issues for the past
15 years and has focused specifically on incarcerated women's issues since
2000. She is the co-founder of Books Through Bars—NYC and the editor of the
zine "Tenacious: Art and Writings from Women in Prison." She is the author
of the forthcoming Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women.

Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street (between Stanton and Rivington Streets), LES
www.bluestockings.com
212-777-6028

$5 to $10 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds.

F or V train to 2nd avenue. Exit on the 1st Avenue side.

Paul Wright, Editor
Prison Legal News
P.O. Box 2420
West Brattleboro, VT 05303
802-257-1342
pwright@prisonlegalnews.org
www.prisonlegalnews.org

Running Down the Walls - This Saturday!

Run for their lives!

Support United States Political Prisoners and Prisoners-of-War at the 7th RUNNING DOWN THE WALLS!

On Saturday, August 23, 2008 join in the community effort to support and raise awareness of those who have been targeted and punished for their political actions and beliefs.

RUNNING DOWN THE WALLS is a 5k non-competitive run/walk/bike in the beautiful Whittier Narrows Regional Park. Registered participants will receive food and entertainment and there will be water available at rest stops along the route. Registration entry fees are: $12 for pre-registration, $15 for registration at the run site. Supporters who wish not to run, walk or bike may make a donation. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Further games, entertainment, and speakers will continue after the run and will last until 2:00 p.m.

Proceeds from this 5K run will benefit the ABCF Warchest. Founded in 1994, the program has provided consistent and reliable financial aid to Political Prisoners held within the US prison system. Since its creation, it has raised over $50,000 for these prisoners and will continue in these efforts. A portion of the proceeds will also go to El Centro Cultural de Mexico, a community center in Santa Ana dedicated to developing a cultural and educational bridge that brings together a variety of cultural projects from Mexico, Central and South America. Proceeds will also go to the Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald, a support group dedicated to the release of Romaine 'Chip' Fitzgerald. Chip is the longest held Black Panther political prisoner in the United States.

In the previous years, we have had solidarity runs in several cities and over ten US prisons, including USP Leavenworth and Walpole State Prison. For this year, we currently have solidarity runs in various prisons and cities including: Humboldt (CA), New York (NY), Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), Missoula (MT), Inez (KY), Walpole (MA), Navasota (TX). We hope to add more cities and prisons in the coming weeks.

This year’s Running Down the Walls is taking place on August 23^rd in honor of former political prisoners, Sacco and Vanzetti. On this day in 1927, both men were executed by the state of Massachusetts for being anti-war, immigrants and anarchists. Today, there are over 150 Political Prisoners and Prisoners-of-War in the United States. These prisoners have been unfairly incarcerated while fighting for social justice and self-determination. They are our generation’s Sacco and Vanzetti. Show them you care for and support their efforts by RUNNING DOWN THE WALLS!

When: August 23, 2008 9:30am-2pm

Where: Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, 750 Santa Anita Ave South El Monte, CA 91733-4300

For more information, please check out our website: www.abcf.net/la

LA-ABCF

PO Box 11223

Whittier, CA 90603

la@abcf.net

(562) 777 8450

Sea Shepherd activists put on international wanted list

ELP Information Bulletin (18th of August 2008)

Dear friends

ELP has just learnt that Japan has named three Sea Shepherd activists on an international wanted list following last years anti-whaling protests. Below is a mainstream media article about Japan's actions.

As always, subject to ELP's normal guidelines, ELP will be supporting any Sea Shepherd activist arrested as a result of Japan's actions and we will bring you more news on this as we get it.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/18/japan?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

# Justin McCurry in Tokyo
# guardian.co.uk,
# Monday August 18 2008


Japan seeks to arrest Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activists
Police to place men - including one Briton - on international wanted list
after clashes last year

Japan today said it would take legal action against three members of the
Sea Shepherd conservation group, including one Briton, whom it accused of
obstructing its whaling fleet during clashes in the Antarctic in February
2007.

In a further sign of Japan's hardline stance against anti-whaling
activists, police will place the men, a Briton named by sources as Daniel
Bebawi, 28, from Nottingham, and two Americans on an international wanted
list as soon as arrest warrants are issued.

"It's only natural to seek an arrest warrant as we've determined that a
crime was committed," Nobutaka Machimura, the government's chief
spokesman, told reporters.

"Regardless of the differences of opinion, it is unacceptable that those
involved (in whaling) get injured … or have their lives put in danger."

Sea Shepherd was unavailable for comment this afternoon.

Last month, police charged two Greenpeace activists with stealing a
consignment of whale meat. The protesters intercepted the meat to support
allegations that Japanese whalers were selling it on the black market.

Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki, both members of the group's Japan branch,
are accused of stealing a box containing 23kg of whale meat from a postal
company warehouse in April.

Japan claims the three men involved in the Sea Shepherd case illegally
obstructed the whaling fleet by jamming the propeller of the Kaiko Maru
with a rope and throwing flares on to its deck.

Police will not pursue allegations that two whalers were injured by
containers of butyric acid - rancid butter - hurled by Sea Shepherd
activists.

The environmental group says the Kaiko Maru twice rammed one of its ships,
leaving gashes in its hull, and denies whalers were hurt in the acid
attacks.

Japan's recent hunt in the southern ocean was frustrated by protests from
Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace. The country had planned to catch 850 minke
whales but returned with 551.

Sea Shepherd has vowed to disrupt the next whaling expedition, due to
start at the end of the year.

The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986 but
allows Japan to conduct "lethal research" into the cetaceans' migratory
and breeding habits.

The moratorium requires that meat from the hunts be sold on the open
market, although domestic consumption is at an all-time low.

++++++++++++++++

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Sept 13 for the cuban 5

International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five

(www.thecuban5.org)

In collaboration with the

The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture

Presents

CINCO ESTRELLAS Y UN CANTO/ FIVE STARS AND ONE SONG

Featuring

DANNY RIVERA

“La Voz de Puerto Rico”

Singer-Songwriter

VICTOR VICTOR

The Dynamic

CHUCHITO VALDÉS

PUERTO RICAN GOLDEN JAZZ ALL STARS

Featuring Eric Figueroa, Endel Dueño, Ramón Vázquez

Ritchie Flores and Alfredo De La Fe

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13^TH AT 7:30 PM

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture

450 Grand Concourses at 149^th Street, Bronx, New York

Admission: $35.00 – VIP $100

(Group, senior and student rates available)

Box Office and Information: 718-518-4455

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

WASHINGTON, DC

PROTEST 10 YEARS OF INJUSTICE!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

FREE THE CUBAN FIVE!

10 am: Morning Rally, Malcolm X Park

12 noon: March to the White House

2:30 pm: Indoor Rally, Location TBA

*The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in U.S. prisons serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively after being arrested in September 1998 and wrongly convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami in 2001. They are: Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guererro, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez.
*They were falsely accused by the U.S. government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States. and related charges. But the Five pointed out vigorously in their defense that they were fighting terrorism- they were monitoring the actions of CIA-backed Miami-based terrorist groups, in order to prevent attacks on Cuba.
*The Five's actions were never directed at the U.S. government. They never harmed anyone nor ever possessed nor used any weapons while in the United States.
*On 9 separate occasions, the U.S. government has denied entry visas to the Adriana Perez and- Olga Salanueva to visit their imprisoned husbands. It has been almost 10 years since they last embraced.

Their visitation rights must be respected!

For more information, visit

www.thecubanfive.org

National Contact Information:

(917) 887 8710 (NYC)

www.freethefive.org * www.freethecubanfive.com * www.nyfreethefive.org

Washington 202 340 5623

Local Contact Information:

Contact local organizers for information on transportation to Washington, DC and to volunteer

&nbs p;
For information in Detroit, MI
US-Cuba Labor Exchange 313 587 9285 Email: laborexchange@aol.com