Olympia Civil Liberties Resource

Briana's Detention Hearing Wednesday - Full Update

2008-03-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

This is an update for those who have been following the trial of Briana
Waters, a wonderful mother and violin teacher from the Bay area who to this
day maintains her innocence of these charges she was just convicted of. We
are going to continue doing our best to support her in the ongoing legal
battle for justice.

An important update is there is a detention hearing on Wednesday March 12,
at 1:30 at the Federal courthouse in Tacoma to determine if Briana will be
allowed to go home and take care of her life in preparation for her
sentencing on May 30th. We are reminding people to get there early, like at
12:30, and people in Olympia will be carpooling from the Grocery Outlet
Parking Lot at 11:45. Obviously, if she is living at home over the next 3
months she will be better able to prepare for an appeal, as well as be able
to take care of her daughter. She and her lawyers are requesting as many
people as possible to come to show that she is part of a community and NOT a
flight risk. Though that should be obvious, as she has showed up to every
court date and hearing in 2 years. Join us then, at 11:45 to get a ride up
there and show that we are watching the so-called justice system at work.

What happened in Briana's trial on Thursday was very upsetting for those of
us who hoped that common sense would prevail over fear and lies. It was a
very emotional and stressful time, knowing that the prosecution had done
their best to stretch and twist the evidence to their favor, and there was
also a lot of hope that the jury had seen through their antics.

The judge decided first that he would accept a partially hung jury, and
there was a question of whether the jury would be polled on the hung
counts…. I believe both Prosecution and Defense were pushing for this, (the
prosecution's reasoning being that they would have more info to go on when
they were deciding whether to re-try Briana on the hung counts). Burgess
struck out on his own in this one and didn't allow it, so nobody knows what
the ratio split was in the jury on the other 3 counts.

The jury was brought in, and the air was dense with anticipation. The
courtroom was packed, with Briana's supporters and a few media outlets on
our side, and a collection of FBI agents and other feds, and more media on
the other side.

It started to feel surreal, as the jury foreman passed the note to the court
clerk and she read the guilty verdicts on counts 5 and 7, or Arson of a
building used in Interstate commerce, and Arson of a building that receives
Federal funding. These 2 counts are for the same arson of course, just
various excuses for the Gov't to heap on extra charges. It was a very
emotional time for those of us who know she is innocent.

The jury was instructed not to talk to either side's lawyers about the case
at any point in the future, which seemed very unusual. Defense lawyer Bloom
argued that they would like to have the ability to determine if the jurors
had been influenced by the big arson fire in Woodinville on Monday morning.
They were wanting some idea how much that contaminated the jury, with
references made in initial news reports of devices and explosives(!) found
in the unburned houses, worries about Booby-traps(!!), and the immediate
pinning of those fires on the ELF and the requisite sound bites about
terrorism.

Though Bloom argued for the ability to contact the jury later to learn this,
Burgess wouldn't hear it, for no apparent reason (not unlike many of this
judge's 'decisions'). Needless to say, there are various groups that are
concerned about this sort of thing and wish we had more of this kind of
information.

One court observer was quoted saying "I thought justice was supposed to be
blind, not deaf and dumb…"

At the hearing on Thursday afternoon, Bob Bloom argued eloquently for Briana
to be released pending her sentencing hearing May 30th, citing the character
witnesses that had testified to her exemplary life, the fact that she was
absolutely NO flight risk, and no danger to the community. He also went over
in some detail some of the main appellate issues. The judge though, didn't
seem to consider any of these points interesting, and ordered her detained,
though they scheduled the detention hearing for this Weds. where his
decision could be reversed.

So, out of all this are many, many grounds for an appeal of the verdict. I'm
not sure right now of the timeline for this, but we at Olympia Civil
Liberties Resource and other friends and supporters of Briana will continue to post
and update people. Please join our low traffic listserve about this case,
and possibly other Civil Liberties/Green Scare issues, with carpool info,
etc. by sending an email to olycivlib-subscribe(at)lists.riseup.net

The first thing you can do is come to the Detention Hearing at the Tacoma
Courthouse this Weds. at 1:30pm. We have to arrive early! We will be
gathering on the Westside of Olympia at 11:45. Please be there!

Another thing is to write to Briana where she is being held right now. The
moral support that we can give right now is invaluable. The address is:

Briana Waters
36432-086
FDC – Seatac
Federal Detention Center
P.O. Box 13900
Seattle, WA 98198

There are a few guidelines for writing to her to keep in mind:
All letters must have a return address on the envelope.
Put your name and address on each page of a letter, as it will be opened,
and she may not get the envelope.
Written correspondence and drawings may be in pencil, standard ink pen,
typewritten, or computer generated. No felt pens, markers, crayon, or
colored pencil, etc.
Do not discuss her case or anything related to illegal activities. Keep in
mind that all mail is read by authorities.
Most facilities will NOT accept stamps or envelopes mailed to prisoners.
Avoid using white-out, stickers, tape, colored ink or glitter.
All personal artwork must be in black & white, copied pages can be in color.
Most facilities do not allow torn pages from books, magazine or newspaper
clippings. Photocopies, however, are accepted

And of course, there are many costs that have come up through the course of
this ordeal. Donations are needed by Briana and her family to continue
fighting for justice in this upcoming period. If you can, donate through
Briana's website: www.supportbriana.org. Local donations can be arranged
through Olympia Civil Liberties Resource by emailing us. Thank you!

We'll see you all on Wednesday!
Olycivlib

Briana Waters Found Guilty on Two Counts

2008-03-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

Tacoma Jury Convicts Woman of Arson; Hangs on Other Counts

author: Civil Rights Outreach Committee

For immediate Release: March 6, 2008
Contacts: Kassey Baker, 360-561-5261
Lauren Regan, Atty, Civil Liberties Defense Center, 541-687-9180

Tacoma Jury Convicts Woman of Arson; Hangs on Other Counts

Tacoma, WA - A federal jury was unable to reach a decision on conspiracy and transportation of a destructive device but convicted Briana Waters, a 32-year-old mother and violin teacher and former resident of Olympia of arson. The government charged her with being a lookout in connection with the May, 2001 arson of the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington in Seattle. If convicted on all counts, Waters would have faced a sentence of 35 years. The two informants who testified against her in the case, who admitted to participating in the arson, face between three and seven years. Ms. Waters' sentencing is set for May 30.

Without any physical evidence linking Ms. Waters directly to the arson, the government built its case on the testimony of the two informants, and a number of pieces of circumstantial evidence. The defense argued that the informants falsely accused Waters in order to avoid 35-year prison sentences themselves, and that their testimony was demonstrably false.

Among the pieces of circumstantial evidence introduced by the government was a folder with a note on the cover from Waters to one of the informants, Jennifer Kolar, containing various radical pamphlets and publications. Prosecutors highlighted the most sensationalist passages in the articles, and sought to ascribe these views to Ms. Waters. Waters testified that she did not write the materials, did not agree with them, and did not pass them to Kolar. The defense argued that the informant must have substituted other articles for the ones that Waters actually put in the folder. While Waters' fingerprints were on the folder, they were not on any of the articles. The government countered that Waters' boyfriend's fingerprints were on the articles, and that he is a "fugitive" suspected of one or more arsons. The defense pointed out that the boyfriend is not on trial.

"The government's case was primarily based on character assassination and guilt by association," said civil rights attorney Ben Rosenfeld, a member of the Board of Directors of the Civil Liberties Defense Center. "Evidence of other people's writings never should never have been allowed to be used against her."

Briana Waters has maintained her innocence to all the charges. An appeal is likely.

This trial is another chapter in the federal government's "Operation Backfire," also dubbed the "Green Scare," in which the government has hounded the environmental activist community, overcharged a number of individuals with a federal firearms enhancement applying to bombs and missiles, and branded them as terrorists, even though none of the events resulted in a single injury.

Central to the jury's consideration of two of the charges against Ms. Waters was the question whether she was responsible for helping to build or transport explosive devices. The jury deadlocked on these charges. During the first stages of the investigation of the "Street of Dreams" fires in a housing development in Snohomish County, WA, officials falsely reported that explosive devices were found. Later, BATF Spokesman Kelvin Crenshaw made that no such devices were found. "It is inconceivable that officials could have made such a mistake. It raises the question of deliberate jury tampering by the government, and also calls into question the reliability of the government's information in general," said Rosenfeld.

Briana Waters has steadfastly maintained her innocence.
Copies of a press packet with current related articles and background information are available from civilrightsoutreach(at)gmail.com. For more information, go to www.cldc.org.

Briana Waters Trial Update (March 4)

2008-03-05T16:50:00.000-08:00

The jury is still deliberating on her case. There is no way to know when a verdict will be reached...

As of Tuesday night we are still awaiting a verdict from the jury, and also woke up Monday morning to the disturbing accounts in the media about an arson up in Snohomish county, that the corporate media have already decided was perpetrated by the ELF... Though the judge was asked Monday morning to interview the jurors individually to find out if they had seen anything on the news about it, he sided again with the prosecution and instead told them there had been a news story that morning that might influence their deliberations, and he issued a rather bland pronouncement to the jury to tell him if they thought they couldn't make a fair ruling in the case. When no one spoke up, he sent them back to keep deliberating. Without any idea for sure if any of the jurors had been tainted by the news that morning, but a fair assumption that at least some of them had, the defense was forced to motion for a mistrial again, which was denied. At the end of the day Judge Burgess granted a defense request and instructed the jury not to watch any TV, listen to the radio, or view any other news source, as it would be virtually impossible to prevent some of the news from "jumping out and catching them".

One thing that is certain to those close to the case is that the arson Monday has only damaged Briana's chances of getting a fair verdict. The corporate media have consistently pointed out how curious the timing of the arson is, with the "UW Ecoterror Trial" still going on, further linking Briana with a shadowy ELF underground in the minds of the public. Anyone should have been able to predict the negative impact of an action like this on Briana's trial, and that just makes this whole event even more frustrating.

There are many reasons to view this fire and it's motivations as suspicious, and there is not yet any evidence that it was actually based on environmental motivations. The vast majority of arsons in this country are caused for run-of-the-mill reasons, and fraud or financial reasons are some of the biggest. The media seem all too happy to jump to conclusions about the people who started those fires based on the most preliminary investigations. Also there have often actions by agent provocateurs during political trials throughout history.

Anyway, we will continue to keep everyone informed about events as they come up.

Thanks everyone for your support!

Meeting Tonight at Free School 7-8:30 PM

2008-03-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Olympia Civil Liberties Resource will hold a public meeting tonight at the Olympia Free School, 610 Columbia St. South, (across from Olympia Supply Hardware). March Meetings will be from 7-8:30 PM except on the 9th, which is scheduled for 4-6:30 PM due to another event that evening.

We are currently working on supporting Briana Waters throughout her trial, getting the word out about her trial and its implications to civil liberties for activists and everyone. Arguments are completed in this trial and the jury is in deliberation. Jury will reconvene Monday morning, and a verdict could come at any time after that.

If you want to support Briana or are just interested in learning more about this trial and its implications, you are welcome to attend.

Pack The Court Wednesday! Briana To Take The Stand

2008-02-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

Come Support Briana Waters - She Testifies Wednesday

author: Civil Rights Outreach Committee
e-mail:civilrightsoutreach@gmail.com

Briana Waters is expected to take the stand in her own defense as early as Wednesday, February 27, in Tacoma's federal courthouse (1717 Pacific Ave.). Ms. Waters is on trial for allegedly acting as a lookout during the arson of the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture in 2001. Ms. Waters, a 32-year-old mother and violin teacher, steadfastly maintains her innocence.
Civil Rights Outreach Committee

If convicted, Waters faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison. This trial is another chapter in the federal government's "Operation Backfire," also dubbed the "Green Scare," in which the government has hounded the environmental activist community, overcharged a number of individuals, and branded them as terrorists, even though none of the events resulted in a single injury.

The prosecution rested its case against Ms. Waters on Friday, February 22, after two weeks. The government's case is not based upon any concrete or forensic evidence, but instead almost entirely relied on the testimony of two informants who confessed to setting the University of Washington fire and who will receive vastly reduced sentences in exchange for their testimony.

The defense began presenting its case on Monday, February 25, and is expected to conclude by the end of the week. The defense impeached several of the government's witnesses, including the informants, by demonstrating that their accounts are inconsistent and unreliable. "Several witnesses were clearly testifying in order to reduce or eliminate the government's threat of their own lengthy prison sentences," said attorney Lauren Regan of the Civil Liberties Defense Center of Eugene, Oregon.

The defendant who admitted to over a dozen arsons in the Oregon conspiracy, Jacob Ferguson, will receive no punishment at all as a result of his extensive cooperation with the government. Stan Meyerhoff, who admitted to playing a leadership role in setting numerous fires across the country was sentenced to approximately 10 years. Regan continued, "Waters, who is solely alleged to have held a radio as a lookout, faces three times the punishment of these much more serious arsonists simply because she has plead not guilty and exercised her constitutional right to a jury trial. Such severe punishment does not fit the alleged crime and once again demonstrates the government's true intentions in scaring the public into submission and apathy."

The government is placing politics before justice and community safety by charging Ms. Waters and her codefendants with Draconian criminal statutes that carry disproportionate punishments. Whether a person burns a building for personal gain or a stated political reason, the US Constitution ensures equal protection under the law. Both must be prosecuted and punished equally. Further, the government must not punish citizens for exercising their rights to a fair trial.

"Briana Waters is innocent, a victim of the government's rabid persecution of environmental activists under the guise of fighting terrorism. The idea that this nonviolent mom is facing 35 years behind bars for something she didn't do is outrageous," said Jim Flynn of the Civil Rights Outreach Committee. "Doesn't our government have more serious crimes and national security threats to prosecute than an alleged incident of property damage that did not physically harm anyone."

Copies of a press packet with current related articles and background information are available from civilrightsoutreach@gmail.com. For more information, go to http://www.cldc.org

Benefit For Briana Feb. 29!

2008-02-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Benefit Flyer! Print and Distribute

There will be a benefit for Briana Waters on Friday 2/29 in Olympia at the
Eagles Hall! It starts at 7pm in the Eagle's Ballroom. There will be live
music, great food and drinks, and a silent auction. The silent Auction
closes at 10pm. The music and dancing goes late night!

The bands are Citizen's Band, The Pasties, Magmatone. Later on the bands
are: Port of the Sun, The Cause of Thunder, and Doomhawk.

The Eagles Hall is located at 804 E 4th Ave. Directions from I-5: Take
Port of Olympia exit. Take Plum Street until 4th Ave. Located on the
corner of 4th and Plum.

Briana Waters is a loving mother who is in trial right now in Tacoma for
the politically motivated arson at the Center for Urban Horticulture at
University of Washington. This is an important case for Olympia. Come
find out why and support your community.

More information at:

www.olycivlib.org

www.supportbriana.org

www.portland.indymedia.org/en/topic/greenscare

Benefit For Briana Waters

2008-02-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

Help Support Briana during her trial by joining us at the Eagles Hall Ballroom in Olympia (at 4th Ave. and Plum St.) on Friday, February 29 at 7 PM. Citizens Band will play and more bands will be announced. Also a Silent Auction for great stuff!!!

OlyCivLib Public Meeting Schedule

2008-02-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Olympia Civil Liberties Resource will hold public meetings in Olympia on Sundays throughout February and March, 2008. We are currently working on supporting Briana Waters throughout her trial, getting the word out about her trial and its implications to civil liberties for activists and everyone. If you want to support Briana or are just interested in learning more about this trial and its implications, you are welcome to attend.

Sundays throughout February and March
At Olympia Free School, 610 Columbia St. SW

Current schedule (check the online calendar for updates, see right side bar)

Feb. 10, 17, and 24, and March 9 at 4-6:30 PM

All other Sundays 7-8:30 PM

Lacey Phillabaum To Testify Today (Feb. 14)

2008-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Lacey Phillabaum is being called to testify against Briana Waters today, February 14th, as the last witness of the day. There is a chance her testimony will not be completed today and will resume Friday morning. Briana has asked for support in the courtroom if possible. If you can come to federal court in Tacoma, Washington, please plan to do so and spread the word. You will need picture id to enter the court, and cannot bring food, drinks, laptops or weapons etc. PLEASE dress appropriately for court or don't come anywhere near the courthouse (this is a jury trial, and how Briana's supporters present ourselves influences their opinion of her character). The CLDC website will be posting the first 2 days of court notes soon and regularly thereafter. http://www.cldc.org

Briana Waters Legal Updates and Information

2008-02-13T09:59:00.001-08:00

Regular court updates and more information about Briana Waters' case are available on the website for Civil Liberties Defense Center here:

www.cldc.org/waters

Briana Waters Trial: First Day Update

2008-02-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

From Seattle Indy Media:

Jury selection began at 9:00 am and what was expected to last only a few hours ended up taking most of the day. Unsurprisingly, most of Briana's supporters were not allowed in the courtroom during the jury selection until the overflow of jurors were eventually let go around 3:00pm and there was more room. After a short break Briana's supporters filled the audience area, along with various media outlets and trial sketch artists.

In the final hour several issues were resolved regarding the procedures of the trial, and it was determined that the Defense Attorneys would be provided the names of upcoming witnesses one day in advance. They will also be provided with a summary of what their testimony will be.

Find out who will be testifying the next day at the http://www.CLDC.org web site! Also keep checking Indymedia for important trial updates.

The schedule for tomorrow looks like:
9am-noon Opening Statements
12-1 lunch break
1pm-4Pm Taking the stand : FBI Agent J. Comrey, Glenn, Cooper, Phillips, and Rice

For many of us wishing to support Briana in her trial, what we think of as "appropriate dress" for court is going to be a bit different than what her jury will think of as normal. Therefore: IT IS ESSENTIAL, that if you want to support Briana, to show up in the most mainstream type of clothes you can find. Do NOT wear (all) black. No Patches. Piercings other than earrings should be taken out. Guys: If you're scruffy, now is a great time to shave!

When the jury is picked, they will consist of everyday, ordinary folks, the type of people you might run into wandering the halls of Wal-Mart or Costco. According to one lawyer I talked with, people on a jury feel reassured by seeing people who look like them. Anyone who looks different, or out of the norm, can be scary for people who don't see piercings or tattoos, etc. as a normal part of their church/school/bocce community. This isn't about us, it is about using our most adept skills of camouflage to show up as a diverse cross-section of upstanding citizens that the jury will recognize as their sons and daughters, or their kids' schoolteachers, or the guy at the D.M.V. In many ways the audience in the courtroom is a representation to the jury of Briana is and what she is about. Use your best judgment as to what this could look like for you.

Also, if you want to help out in this case but don't know if you can pass yourself off as something you're not, WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP! There are plenty of ways to get involved behind the scenes that are just as important! Please email olycivlib(at)riseup.net to find a way to help! Thanks!

Support Briana Waters FLYER! Copy and Distribute

2008-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Support Briana! Quarter-sheet double-sided flyers can be printed in color or black and white. If you cannot make double-sided flyers, just print page 2. Please cut into quartersheets and distribute widely!

SUPPORT BRIANA FLYER

Tacoma Court Logistics: Where To Eat

2008-02-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

If you are going to be in Tacoma to support Briana Waters during her trial, here are some suggestions of where you can eat.

Below is a places that are closest to the federal courthouse in Tacoma, aren't too expensive, and have veg options. You can find most of the addresses on the veg guide below:

-India Mahal (close to courthouse, lunch buffet, veg-friendly)
-Galanga Thai (not cheap but close to courthouse)
-Tamarind Thai (a light-rail ride away from the courthouse)
-Taco del Mar & Subway (across from courthouse)

Indochine is also across from the courthouse, but is more expensive and not very veg-friendly.

The link below has a Word document of vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Tacoma and Olympia.

http://tacomafnb.kalistongue.com/vegguide.doc

Briana Waters Trial General Announcement

2008-02-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

PLEASE REPOST AND FORWARD THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Briana Waters' trial begins on Monday, February 11, 2008. Please be at the court at 9am. Dress and act respectful of the court. 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma. Judge Burgess starts on time.

The trial is expected to go for a month, Monday thru Friday 9am -4pm.

Briana Waters asks that there be NO rally or signs outside or inside of the courtroom. Our presence will be the support she needs. Please come dressed and leave the wacky at home. Anyone concerned with civil liberties should pay attention to this case.

Briana Waters has been indicted in the arson at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, specifically for the alleged role as a lookout. Ms. Waters maintains her innocence and pleads not guilty. Briana Waters is facing a mandatory minimum of 35 years.

The case is built on the word of two informants, Jen Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum. Although, Ms. Waters attorneys, Robert Bloom and Neil Fox, filed a motion that the government concealed important information and created a fraudulent FBI report. The Judge Burgess has denied the motion in January. The Judge Burgess closed the pretrial, which is our fundamental right to an open and clear process in public court.

Now is the time that we must show up in the court room to support the transparency of our judicial system. It is more than our civil liberties at stake in this precedent setting case. We have seen more and more of our civil rights taken away and it is important for us to stand and bear witness to this trial.

Carpools are encouraged from Seattle.

Olympia Carpools leave daily from the Grocery Outlet Westside parking lot at 7:30 AM.

More information:

Support Briana Website (www.supportbriana.org)

Olympia Civil Liberties Resource (www.olycivlib.org)

Portland Indymedia Greenscare (portland.indymedia.org/en/topic/greenscare) (daily notes from court

Briana Waters Trial Online Calendar

2008-02-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

Briana Waters' trial begins in US District Court in Tacoma (1717 Pacific Ave.) this Monday, February 11. Trial will run weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm with a break for recess at noon to 1 pm. Visitors will be admitted until 9 am in the morning, then court will be closed to entry until the break. Feb. 18 is a federal holiday, there is no court on this day. Carpools to the court from Olympia will depart from the Grocery Outlet parking lot in the Westside at 7:30 am. Any adjustments to this schedule will be announced here on this website and on our ONLINE CALENDAR. The Online Calendar for the Briana Waters trial maintained by OlyCivLib is available here: (select "week" or "agenda" view)

OLYCIVLIB ONLINE CALENDAR (Briana Waters Trial)

Public Meeting Feb. 7 at 8 PM

2008-02-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

OlyCivLib is hosting a public meeting Thursday, February 7 at Media Island (816 Adams St. in Olympia). The meeting starts at 8 pm and will last one hour.

We will be touching on the details of the Briana Waters case before her trial starts in Tacoma on Monday, February 11 at 8:30 AM.

There are several areas of support for Briana that volunteers can plug into but the most important goal is packing the courtroom. Come find out how you can plug into the organizing of support and witnessing this precedent setting case. Anyone interested in civil liberties should be interested in this trial.

Update from Briana's Pretrial

2008-01-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

The judge closed the hearing to the public. The dozen or so supporters
waited outside and gave support to Briana at breaks and lunch. There was
some media there as well. Both witness lists are out and public.

The trial is confirmed for February 11, 2008 in Tacoma, WA at the federal
courthouse, 1717 Pacific Ave. It is expected to run for a month or more.
It will start Monday at 8:30- 3:30. Carpools to the trial will leave at 7:45 Monday morning from the Grocery Outlet parking lot. It is expected to go Monday through
Thursday with some Fridays. Appropriate dress for the court is requested.
Carpools will be leaving daily from Olympia. The public observation is
important for this case. We need to bear witness to this precedent setting
case.

Support Briana!

2008-01-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

Read more about Briana Waters and how you can support her at SupportBriana.Org!

Briana Water Pretrial Rescheduled

2008-01-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

Briana Waters Pretrial conference hearing has changed to Tuesday January 29, 2008. It is important to come dressed and act appropriate for the court. The pretrial is set for 9am. Judge Burgess maintains a prompt start to his court. Carpools will leave Grocery Outlet in Olympia at 7:35am on the westside.

Briana Waters Trial Feb 11th in Tacoma

2008-01-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

Briana Waters pretrial Conference Hearing will be on January 25, 2008 at
9am. Please dress and act appropriately for court.

Briana Waters' trial will begin February 11, 2008.

The scope of the investigation has been targeted at several Olympia
residents and groups. It is important that Olympians create a presence
during the trial to bear witness to the events.

More info at www.portlandindymedia.org/greenscare

A Repost:

Tacoma, Washington, U.S. - U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess today
refused to hear evidence that federal prosecutors and FBI agents had
conspired to and did manipulate evidence to make their case against
accused eco-saboteur Briana Waters. Less than two weeks ago, her lawyer,
Robert Bloom, filed motions that alleged that authorities committed
perjury in their effort to produce evidence that pointed towards Water's
guilt. Bloom asked for a conference with the judge to discuss his charges
against two federal prosecutors and two FBI agents, but was turned down
flat.

Waters was indicted two years ago, on charges that she aided in the
destruction of a research facility that was supposedly conducting
dangerous genetic engineering experiments. The action was claimed in the
name of the Earth Liberation Front. The state's case against her rests
largely, if not entirely, on the word of two admitted arsonists who helped
light the blaze and were caught or turned themselves in about two years
ago.

Previous article:

Seattle, Washington, U.S. - The lawyer of accused Earth Liberation Front
(ELF) lookout, Briana Waters, has charged that two federal prosecutors and
two FBI agents committed perjury to build a case against his client.
Attorney Robert Bloom filed motions for dismissal before U.S. District
Judge Franklin Burgess Wednesday.

Waters, 32, of Berkeley, California, is a violin teacher and the mother of
small child. She was arrested in early 2006 as part of the FBI's Operation
Backfire. Prosecutors say that she acted as a lookout for four individuals
who started a fire, at University of Washington research facility, in
2001. The action was claimed in the name of the ELF.

As for the four individuals prosecutors claim actually started the fire -
two, Jennifer Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum, have been co-operating with
investigators and aiding their efforts to indict others since late 2005
and early 2006. Bill "Avalon" Rodgers took his own life in an Arizona jail
shortly after his arrest and Justin Solondz has yet to be arrested and is
believed to be out of the country. The FBI considers Solondz a "fugitive
from justice."

Waters faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in federal prison,
if convicted of all charges. Her lawyer claims that the report from a
December, 2005 FBI interview with co-operating government witness Jennifer
Kolar was doctored to include Water's name, when it initially did not. He
also says that evidence of his client's innocence was suppressed. A trial
date is currently set for February 11th.

Peter Young Speaking in Olympia

2007-11-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

Former animal liberation prisoner Peter Young is speaking at The Evergreen State College on Saturday, December 8th, at 6pm in Seminar II, room E1107. Following the lecture, there will be a benefit concert on campus in the HCC, beginning at 8pm.

Here's the press release:

Convicted animal rights activist Peter Young, released from prison this year after serving time for his role in freeing thousands of mink form fur farms, is returning to the Northwest to speak about his experiences as a fugitive, political prisoner, and clandestine animal liberator.

After a multi-count federal indictment charging him with extortion and “Animal Enterprise Terrorism”, Young was on the FBI’s “Wanted” list for 7 years before being apprehended in 2005. He was convicted of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism charges and sentenced to 2 years in federal prison.

Tagged a “folk hero in the animal rights movement” by the Associated Press, and “terrorist” by the fur industry, Young earned notoriety in activist circles for his role in a two week wave of daring midnight raids on fur farms across the Midwest. The campaign saw 5 farms visited and 8,000 to 12,000 mink and fox released.

Released this year after a stretch in federal prison, Young has remained unapologetic for his actions telling the court his only regret was that he didn’t raid more farms.

“With one night and $20 in gas, we saved the lives of thousands of animals. Those are the results you don’t get writing letters.”

With sweeps on animal rights and environmental activists increasing – including the recent sentencing of a cell of eco-saboteurs in Eugene – Young is a rare and uniquely credible voice for those who cross legal lines to liberate animals from captivity.

Young will be speaking on the subjects of the prison experience; political trials; and his story of moving from mainstream activism, to masked midnight raider, to prison and beyond.

Prisoner Support and Letter Writing Event

2007-11-27T14:25:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 1st, from 1-4pm, OAR (Olympia Animal Rights) is hosting a letter writing party at Media Island to support political prisoners. Supplies, addresses, and snacks will be provided.

Know Your Rights Workshop

2007-11-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

The People's Legal Defense Fund (PLDF) is hosting a Know Your Rights workshop on Thursday, December 6th, at 6:30pm at Traditions Cafe.

From PLDF: "Topics will include your rights while interacting with police on the street, as well as at protests. Also discussed will be your rights in the legal system. After the speakers, Larry Hildes, a lawyer who commonly represents activists and serves as a legal observer at protests, and Karen Hildes, will be available to speak with people who were arrested at the Port of Olympia, or feel their rights have been violated by the police."

Update on Sadie

2007-10-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

A letter from Solidarity with Sadie and Exile:

Dear Friends and Supporters of Sadie and Exile,

I recently visited with Sadie at Dublin and wanted to share that experience with everyone. She is doing well, keeping busy, and finds her new life much improved from the confines of Lane County. While there are some perks to prison life; better food, access to arts and crafts, more freedom of movement, a wardrobe (well, sort of), cats, coffee, real shoes, and opportunity for fresh air and exercises...there are also new challenges she is having to face.

Within the prison system, racial and class tensions are high, and the guards can be unnecessarily tough. As Sadie put it, "there is always the jingling of keys coming up behind you", making it hard to ever really relax. However, she is doing her best to adjust and trying to make the most of her time. She was recently assigned a job as a plumber, and although she makes something like 8 cents an hour, she is glad to be learning a useful skill.

She also said she's grateful to recently have been receiving more mail,

but is still hoping to hear from others, especially those in Olympia!

One of her biggest concerns right now is maintaining funds for commissary. Unlike jail, in prison she has to buy EVERYTHING from clothes, to basic toiletries, shoes, pens, paper, radio, etc... And soon she will start having money deducted from her wages for restitution so she is trying to acquire all of the supplies she needs before that happens.

If you can send any financial support her way (via the support address and NOT directly to the prison), I know it would be greatly appreciated. She's there for a long, long time, and having the money for basic necessities and the occasional art supply will certainly make her time pass more interestingly.

Although she is finally settled, she still has a long and lonely road ahead. While it is easy for us

to get caught up in our lives, and take our freedom for granted, she is stuck- trying her best to find balance and normalcy amongst the razor wire and concrete that threatens to define her existence.

Lets do our best to remind her that she is loved, supported, and most importantly, has not been forgotten.

R.K.

Joyanna Zacher #36360-086

FCI Dublin

5700 8th St.- Camp Parks- Unit F

Dublin, CA 94568

Nathan Block #36359-086

FCI Lompoc

3600 Guard Rd,

Lompoc, CA 93436

Support funds to help with commissary and phone costs can be sent to:

SSE

c/o Maureen Block

328 Slab City Rd.

Lincolnville, ME 04849

Sadie's new address

2007-09-13T11:01:00.001-07:00

From: solidaritywithsadieandexile@gmail.com
Date: September 13, 2007 5:49:38 AM EDT
To: solidaritywithsadieandexile@gmail.com
Subject: Another address change

Sadie's unit has been changed once again (now UNIT "F") and writing is
more important than ever after all these long months of moving and
readjustment. Unfortunately, her address book has not followed her so
she would really appreciate hearing from you now so she can pick up
the correspondence. With the long road ahead, being able to maintain
contact with those of you have stood so solidly by her is a major
concern. Thanks so much.

Joyanna Zacher #36360-086
FCI Dublin
5701 8th St. Camp Parks-Unit F
Dublin, CA 94568

update on Sadie and Exile

2007-09-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

From: solidaritywithsadieandexile@gmail.com
Date: August 17, 2007

Greetings,
Finally, Sadie confirmed in a letter yesterday that she is now at
Dublin. She sounds in very good spirits; settling in, getting used to
yet another routine, and grateful for better food and surroundings,
including flowers, birds and warm winds. Phone and visiting
privileges have yet to get established and go through, but she is
anxious to be back in touch with friends as soon as possible via mail.
If you can, send her a note. Her address is:

JOYANNA ZACHER #36360-086
FCI DUBLIN
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
5701 8TH ST - CAMP PARKS- UNIT E
DUBLIN, CA 94568

Exile continues to be well and doing fine at Lompoc although he said
he hasn't received much mail lately. Neither of them needs books at
the moment (we will post a list later on when they've exhausted what
they have for reading now). If you've been thinking of doing so,
please write to him.

NATHAN BLOCK #36359-086
FCI LOMPOC
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
3600 GUARD RD.
LOMPOC, CA 93436

Their community of support has been wonderful and... they still have
years to go.
Thanks to all.

Olympia WA Benefit for Imprisoned Eco-Activists - This Friday! 9/7

2007-09-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

September 7, 2007: Olympia WA Benefit Concert for Imprisoned
Eco-Activists
@ 10 PM until late, ALL AGES, $5-8.
Manium, 421 4th Ave. E., Downtown Olympia

Featuring:
Filastine - Cascadian export-product laptopista returns carry
transnational soundclash of incendiary beats in his shopping cart.
His only performance in the Pacific NW on this North American tour.
Orkestar Zirkonium- 12 piece balkan-style brass marching band
featuring musicians from Circus Contraptions and the Infernal Noise
Brigade
Tremel - trajects digitally saturated 4 track tape loops
Superjar DJ Fukumup - comes all the way from Amsterdam to spin us
the finest cuts of neoanalcore and thrashhouse

Where the money goes:
Operation Backfire is a nationwide FBI campaign against radical
environmentalists. Most defendants are being charged as terrorists.
Funds from this event will support the defendants who refused to
become police informants, all of whom will be spending the next 7+
years in prison for crimes against property.

Olympia, WA Green Scare Benefit Dec. 8

2006-11-30T20:48:00.001-08:00

International Day of Solidarity with Green Scare Indictees,

Detainees, and Political Prisoners

Olympia Benefit Show

Friday, December 8

at Solid Gold - 419 Boulevard Rd SE (at the corner of Pacific Ave. and
Boulevard Rd. across from the shell station)
Olympia, Washington

Doors open at 7 pm, music and performance begins at 8 pm
Suggested donation $5-20

Performing:

Bridget Irish (performance)
Leonardo (soul, house dj)
Myello (experimental dance electronics)
Onyxoxo (acoustica + dj)
Rachel Diamond, one lady band (!)
Shizunomargot (songs, performance)
Timezone Lafontaine (southern hip hop soulrock)

and more!!!

There will be free literature, merchandise and beverages for a donation,
and an opportunity to learn more about the "Green Scare" and how to
support earth liberation indictees, grand jury resistance, preserving
civil liberties & building solidarity, and refusing the criminalization of
dissent.

This event is a benefit for Olympia Civil Liberties Resource, Books To
Prisoners Olympia, and non-cooperating "Green Scare" indictees.

This event is in response to the call for An International Day of
Solidarity with Green Scare Indictees, Detainees, and Political Prisoners
to mark one year since the December 7, 2005 beginning of the federal
goverment's sweep of arrests of earth and animal liberation activists,
grand jury efforts to compel activists to testify, FBI investigation of
activist communities, and the resulting chilling effect on free speech and
dissent.

The term "Green Scare" refers to the federal government's expanding
prosecution efforts against animal liberation and ecological
activists, which is strikingly similar to the "Red Scare" of the
1950s. The "Green Scare" includes the cases from the "Operation
Backfire" indictments, and the cases of the SHAC 7, Eric McDavid, Rod
Coronado, grand jury resisters Jeff Hogg, Josh Wolf and several other
recent federal grand jury resisters.

Call for International Day of Solidarity:
http://greenscare.org/1206call.html

"Green Scare" Resources:

GreenScare.org http://www.greenscare.org

Civil Liberties Defense Center synopsis of cases:
http://www.cldc.org/green.html

Portland Indymedia "Green Scare" topic page
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/topic/greenscare/

Will Potter's "Green Scare" blog: http://www.greenisthenewred.com


In Olympia, WA (organizations to benefit from the Olympia event)

Olympia Civil Liberties Resource http://www.olycivlib.org

Books To Prisoners Olympia http://btpolympia.org/


Some "Green Scare" non-cooperating indictees and target activists who have
websites:

Briana Waters http://www.supportbriana.org

Daniel McGowan http://www.supportdaniel.org

Eric McDavid http://www.supporteric.org

Rod Coronado http://www.supportrod.org

Josh Wolf http://www.joshwolf.net

SHAC 7 http://www.shac7.com


Some Other Political Prisoners Resources

Break The Chains Blog http://breakallchains.blogspot.com

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

ELP Network USA http://www.ecoprisoners.org

Jeff "Free" Luers http://www.freefreenow.org

Jeff “Free” Luers Statement for the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners (December 2006)

2006-11-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

Around the world millions of people are suffering from the abuses of power that have become all too common in our human societies. In dozens of countries, generations of people have chosen to fight injustice rather than submit to it.

We honor those people today. We raise our voices and our fists to salute those who have fought to free their homelands, who have struggled for self-determination; those who have demanded human rights; those who have raided laboratories and liberated animals; and those who have fought to defend our earth.

Today we shout our praises and offer our respect to those captured in the line of duty, serving their cause. We thank them for refusing to submit even behind bars.

On this day we bow our heads in reverence to those people who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for freedom. We remember the price they paid and the loss that their family and friends still feel.

We offer more than our gratitude. We offer our solidarity. We make a promise to remember and honor those who have come before. We make a vow that the struggle will continue until all are free.

Too many people have had to fight for the freedom they should have been guaranteed at birth; too many have suffered the cruelty of capitalist exploitation.

The most important thing we can do today is to make a solemn oath: that ours is the last generation that will have to struggle; that we will apply pressure from all angles until these systems of oppression crack; that we will settle for nothing less than victory.

With the memory of those who have come before us; in solidarity with those still standing behind bars; while honoring those who gave their lives: We march forward to bring a new day with our heads high and our fists raised.

And I say to you that if we stand united with one voice and we act on our desire for liberation we will carry the day! We will win!

- Jeff “Free” Luers

Write to:

Jeff Luers

#13797671

Oregon State Prison

2605 State Street

Salem, Oregon 97310

USA

For more information: www.freefreenow.org

IMPORTANT: Please write a letter to the Judge for Daniel

2006-11-29T20:41:00.001-08:00

Dear friends,

Over the last year, we have asked you for a lot of help regarding Daniel's case and his need for your support. We really appreciate all the assistance that has been offered by people on this list and beyond. Now, we need to ask you for another big task. Daniel will be sentenced to a prison term sometime in the spring of 2007 and we need you to write a letter to the Judge regarding his sentencing.

You will find all the information you need regarding this below and on our website at http://www.supportdaniel.org/morehelp/judge.html You need not know Daniel in order to write this letter, but it is imperative you follow our guidelines below regarding the content of the letter. Most of all, be sure to send this letter (signed) to our lawyers' office, NOT the Judge.

Thank you for your help on this. With your help, we can show the Judge that Daniel has a large base of support and a ton of people who care about him. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us.

Thanks,
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
=====
Guidelines for Letters to Judge Aiken in Support of Daniel McGowan

Daniel McGowan will be sentenced by Judge Ann Aiken probably sometime early next year. Daniel’s lawyers will submit a detailed memorandum prior to sentencing, along with letters from family members, friends, colleagues, and other supporters. Please refer to these guidelines if you are writing a letter to Judge Aiken on Daniel’s behalf. Send it to his lawyers at the address below.

Examples of Things to Write About – Choose Only What is Right for You

How you met Daniel and how you know him (through school, work, mutual friends, prisoner support work, etc.); how long you have known Daniel.
What you know about Daniel’s character, his reputation in the community; personal experiences you have had with him that illustrate important aspects of his character.
What you know about Daniel’s relationship with his family, his wife, and his close friends – the people who will be his personal support when he is in prison and when he is released. Describe for the judge how these people will assist him through these difficult times.
How you personally will be able to help Daniel get back to a normal life when he is released from prison, whether it is through helping him to pursue his education, remain employed, or establish a home.
Examples, from your personal knowledge, of what Daniel has done in his life to help others, whether it is through activist work, charitable work, work for non-profit organizations, or personally helping you or someone you know with something. Specific examples of Daniel’s contributions to charitable, community, and non-profit organizations are helpful.
Examples, from your personal knowledge, of how Daniel demonstrates what he believes in, whether it is by arranging Really, Really Free Markets, collecting electronic gear to recycle, or volunteering for causes he supports.
The Judge may consider whether Daniel is likely to commit another crime. If you have specific reasons to share with the Judge to demonstrate why you believe that Daniel is unlikely to commit another crime, please explain those in your letter.
The Judge may consider whether Daniel has shown that, after the crimes were committed, his conduct demonstrated rehabilitation. If you have specific examples of his conduct, between July of 2001 and December 2005 that you feel the Judge should know about that show Daniel has engaged in significant rehabilitation from the time he committed the crimes, please explain those in your letter.
The Judge may consider whether to sentence Daniel as a “terrorist” under certain provisions of federal law and sentencing guidelines. While this is largely a technical legal issue that the lawyers will write about, you may wish to write to the Judge about how Daniel’s case compares to other crimes and incidents that you are personally aware of that either have or have not been treated as “terrorist” incidents.

There may be other things you may wish to say to the judge as well. Our suggestions are just that – suggestions. Please make sure you write in a polite, respectful manner to the Judge.

What Not to Write About
Some topics are simply not helpful subjects of discussion in a letter to the Court related to sentencing. We ask that you not justify or rationalize the incidents. We ask that you not compare Daniel to others who have entered pleas and who are also facing sentencing or to those who have not been arrested or are fugitives.

Address Your Letter To:
Judge Ann Aiken
U.S. District Court
Eugene, Oregon

MAIL YOUR LETTER TO:
Andrea Crabtree
Schroeter Goldmark & Bender
810 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98104

Please, do NOT mail your letter to Judge Aiken. After you have signed the letter, MAIL IT TO THE LAWYERS' office. They will deliver all of the correspondence to the Judge at one time, along with other sentencing materials. DEADLINE: Please get letters to the lawyers no later than January 30, 2007.
Questions? Call or e-mail Amanda Lee at (206) 622-8000 or lee@sgb-law.com

CLDC: Green Scare day of remembrance

2006-11-28T17:51:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends:

As most of you know, next week will mark the one year "anniversary" of the federal government's "Operation Backfire," the largest federal round up of environmental and animal rights activists who are charged with acts of property damage or sabotage motivated by concerns for the environment and animal suffering. Please see our website, www.cldc.org for more information. There will be "days of remembrance" across the country on or around December 7th commemorating the date when the first round of individuals were jailed.

In Eugene, the community will be gathering on Dec. 3rd at 8pm at Sam Bonds Garage, 407 Blair Blvd, in the heart of Green Scare country. Other events are posted on www.greenscare.org. If there is no event planned in your community, consider organizing one yourself! Ideas include films, rallies, a bike ride, potluck, whatever--simply a time and place to reflect on the struggles and strength that we as a larger community have endured over the last several years.

And, although the Oregon Green Scare case may be at a slow simmer at this point, the final sentencing proceeding are yet to be scheduled. The sentencing hearing is the time when the judge rules upon the actual punishment (jail and fines) that each defendant shall receive. These hearings will be discussed and possibly scheduled at a status hearing set for December 14th in Eugene federal court. Our website will keep you posted on what is determined at that time.

Additionally, let's not forget that Briana Waters is still set for a jury trial sometime in May, 2007 in Washington federal court in Tacoma, WA. Her attorneys have filed their own NSA wiretap motions with the government response due within the next week or so. Many will be interested to know that the NSA/Green Scare legal challenge will continue in the federal courts. We will be posting Briana's motion in the next day or two so check back.

Unfortunately, Briana stands alone pending this trial because the remainder of her codefendants, Lacey Philabaum, Jenifer Kolar, and Kevin Tubbs have been coerced into becoming federal informants; though Justin Solondz and Josephine Overaker have not been hailed into court yet.

And finally, let's not forget that the feds have not given any of their agents pink slips yet. The FBI continues to investigate and harass the activist community and with their time freed up in the Oregon case, there are concerns that their focus may shift to other areas or activists.

If your community would like to schedule a know your rights training, email us at info@cldc.org and we will do our best to get you this vital information.

That's all for now. Peace,

Lauren
--
The Civil Liberties Defense Center
Lauren C. Regan, Attorney at Law
Executive Director
259 East 5th Avenue, Suite 300A

Eugene, Oregon 97401
541.687.9180 phone
541.686.2137 fax
lregan@cldc.org

WARNING: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President.

olympia civil liberties resource

2006-11-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

Civil Liberties are under threat in Olympia and nationwide! You or anyone you know are a potential target in the FBI's "fishing expedition" for information about the Olympia activist community.
You may have heard about the "green scare", the FBI roundup of environmental and animal rights activists accused of crimes of property destruction. The federal government is investigating a series of arsons attributed to the earth and animal liberation movement. No one was injured in any of these events, yet the defendants are being called “eco-terrorists” in the media. Fourteen activists have been indicted, and the government is attempting to compel other activists to testify against them. The government is using the “terrorist” designation as a license to suspend civil liberties and employ the USA PATRIOT Act. The government is employing grand juries to interrogate activists, a misuse which violates the U.S. constitution and is counter to the original intent in the creation of the grand jury. The grand jury and FBI tactics have a chilling effect on free speech and even legal expression of dissent. The government preys on an atmosphere of fear to intimidate citizens into answering questions about the activist community that may be beyond the scope of the investigations. There is a long history of not cooperating with a grand jury on the basis of upholding constitutional and civil rights. A grand jury threatens constitutional protections in numerous ways, including circumventing the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments and violating the 1st amendment. When targeted against social movements, grand juries are a tool of political repression used gather any and all information on a particular social movement.

How Olympia Civil Liberties Resource Can Help You

If you choose to resist the grand jury or FBI interrogation, Olympia Civil Liberties Resource is here to provide you with any information you need including what your rights are and other legal assistance. If you choose not to cooperate with a grand jury, you can be jailed for contempt of court for duration that the grand jury is convened, up to 18 months and possibly longer in special circumstances. Olympia Civil Liberties Resource can help you obtain a pro-bono lawyer, organize to generate community support and awareness around your resistance and its legal implications, and publicize your case in both grassroots and mainstream media, if you so desire. Our intention is to provide a basis of support so that a person does not feel isolated and without support when one is targeted by the government. If you choose not to cooperate, you may do so knowing that you have support and many of your needs may be addressed by your supporters and the community. If you appear before a grand jury and answer questions, you will be called as a witness for the prosecution in a federal court trial.

The best way to counter the state's acts of repression against free speech and political dissent is to generate public awareness around the issue so that the government cannot carry out its information "fishing expedition" in secret. The government relies heavily on misinformation and secrecy in its efforts to crush various social and political movements.

Jeff Hogg Released!

2006-11-27T10:52:00.000-08:00

Updates:


Jeff Hogg Released!!!

On November 15th, Jeff Hogg was released from Grant's Pass after being
detained for nearly six months for refusing to testify before a grand
jury. Jeff's lawyer, Paul Loney, informed the prosecution of his intent to
file more motions to obtain his release. The prosecution then decided to
release him rather than fight these motions.


Also, defendant Johnathan Paul now has a support group email. Contact his
support network at friendsofjohnathanpaul@yahoo.com

Free Josh Wolf Support Update

2006-11-27T10:50:00.000-08:00


11/14/06

http://joshwolf.net/blog/
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com

*****************************
In this email:
1) Legal Update
2) Josh Wins Society of Professional Journalists'
Journalist of the Year
Award
3) Josh Wins 2 Vloggy Awards
4) New Flyers!
5) Josh Can Receive More Books
6) How Can I Support Josh?
*****************************

1)Legal Update

As of today, November 14, 2006 Josh has been imprisoned for 84 days.
The prison is currently refusing to grant him interviews with the
media over the phone.

There are currently no motions pending because we are waiting to hear
back on a decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to grant an
en-banc hearing (a hearing before the full panel of judges on the
Ninth Circuit). We are expecting a decision in the next few days so
keep checking Josh's blog and wiki for updates.

*****************************

2) Josh Wins Society of Professional Journalists' Journalist of the Year
Award
http://www.spj.org/norcal/
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/10/18328773.php

"On Thursday, November 9th, Northern California Chapter of the Society
of Professional Journalists held their annual banquet. Of the many
honors that were bestowed on people, arguably the most prestigious,
Journalist of the Year, went to imprisoned video documentarian, Josh
Wolf, along with other grand jury subpoena resisters, San Francisco
Chronicle sports writers, Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada.

Wolf's mother, teacher Liz Wolf-Spada, accepted the award on behalf of
her son. Wolf, who had been imprisoned, released and then
re-imprisoned, has served a total of 82 days in a federal penitentiary
for refusing to turn over his unedited video footage of a July 2005
San Francisco protest. From: Indybay.org

Read Josh's Acceptance Speech: http://www.joshwolf.net/blog/?p=277

*****************************

3) Josh Wins 2 Vloggy Awards

Josh's video, All Empires Must Fall, received the Judge's Choice Award
for Most Controversial Video and the People's Choice Award for Best
Male Vlogger.

Read Josh's Acceptance Speech: http://www.joshwolf.net/blog/?p=273

*****************************

4) New Flyers!

Thanks to Njeri for making these awesome flyers!

You can download them here: http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/f/joshwolf_flyer.pdf
And view them here: http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Flyers%20and%20Graphics

*****************************

5) Josh Can Receive More Books

Josh is ready for more books! THANKS!
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Send%20Josh%20Books

Please consider sending a book to Josh while he is being held in
prison. It's a great way to show your support for him!

Josh's Book Wish List:
Days of War, Nights of Love - The Crimething Ex-Workers Collective
Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric - Howard Kahane

*****************************

5) How Can I Support Josh?

10 WAYS TO SUPPORT JOSH
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Help%20Support%20Josh

There are lots of things we can all be doing to help Josh.

Here are the top 10 ways

1) SEND LETTERS and maintain correspondence with Josh while he is
incarcerated. We need to let Josh know that we are thinking of him and
supporting his courageous and important stand. Visit:
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Write%20Josh%20Letters for info on how to
send a letter to Josh.  Please remember that all of Josh?s letters are
read by the prison authorities and it may take a while for your letter
to reach him.

2) SEND A BOOK to Josh. Find Josh's book wish list and info on how to
get him a book visit: http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Send%20Josh%20Books

3) READ HIS BLOG from prison. Josh's blog is still being updated by
his family and friends. Letters from Josh will be posted as they are
received. http://joshwolf.net/blog/

4) DISTRIBUTE FLYERS about his case:
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Flyers%20and%20Graphics

5) DONATE to Josh's support fund via Paypal:
http://joshwolf.net/grandjury/donate.html

6) PLAN BENEFIT CONCERTS AND EVENTS to raise money. There have been
several concerts and fundraisers thrown recently to support Josh. If
you are interested in hosting a concert or other type of fundraiser
please contact Josh's support team at: freejosh(at)joshwolf.net so we
can assist you with publicizing your event.

7) JOIN AND PARTICIPATE in the Support Josh Wolf Email List:
http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/supportjoshwolf

8) PROMOTE JOSH'S CASE. Write letters and articles of support for Josh
to your local media. Blog about his case. Link to his blog and wiki.
Post "support Josh" banners on your blogs and webpages:
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Flyers%20and%20Graphics

9) SEND LETTERS to the other inmates who are being incarcerated along
with Josh at FCI Dublin. You can get their contact information at:
http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/Write%20Josh%20Letters

10) BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE SUPPORT TEAM. Email:
freejosh(at)joshwolf.net or the Email List if you are interested in
getting more involved. We still need people willing to help with tech
support, organizing, fundraising, graphic design, publicity, media and
legal support. Send an email to the support team indicating how you
would like to help and we will plug you in!

Willamette Week: HOT ACTION: Lauren Regan, director of the Civil

2006-11-27T10:48:00.000-08:00

HOT ACTION: Lauren Regan, director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center

November 14th 2006 8:00am

Digg It | del.icio.usBY: Julie Sabatier | 0 comments

Hot Action, a post running on wwire each Tuesday that aims to explore political action and activists, debuts this week with Lauren Regan, director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center in Eugene, Oregon.

Regan works on the legal team defending Joyanna Zacher, Nathan Block, Daniel McGowan and Jonathan Paul. Those four people pled guilty to arson and conspiracy charges last week in Eugene as part of an ongoing federal “eco-sabotage” case, involving 13 members of the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front.

The arsons, at venues such as the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado and the Cavel West meatpacking plant in Redmond, took place in four Western states from 1996 and 2001, causing an estimated $30 million in property damage—but no harm to human life.

Between court appearances and a multitude of meetings, Regan found a little time to chat with us by phone about arson and integrity.

WW: Why did Zacher, Block, McGowan and Paul change their pleas to ‘guilty’ when they originally said they were not involved in these crimes?

Lauren Regan: I can’t speak for them individually, but generally I can say that they chose to accept responsibility as long as accepting responsibility did not mean informing on others and cooperating with the federal government. Their co-defendants became federal informants almost immediately. In a nutshell, they basically wanted this to be the end of this investigation. The informants have given a lot of information about people and movements that does not necessarily have a direct connection to this case. All four definitely did admit in open court that they participated in the arsons that they were accused of.

Three months ago, it looked like contesting the government’s warrantless wiretaps in this case could change the whole outlook. Why did you and your clients ultimately decide not to pursue this challenge?

Initially, the government admitted that they didn’t know if there had been any illegal wiretap involved in this investigation. After months of negotiating, [the defendants] agreed to withdraw the NSA [National Security Agency] motion in exchange for the government accepting any change of plea. They basically got the same outcomes as the non-cooperating defendants as those that were offered to the cooperating defendants. The non-cooperating defendants will get 18 months more. In essence, there’s an 18-month tax for not becoming a snitch, which these defendants were more than happy to accept in order to keep their integrity and their ethical views intact.

No one has yet been charged with “terrorism” in this case. Is that likely to change?

No one has been charged with terrorism, but the government will be seeking a terrorism enhancement for all defendants and we’re going to fight like hell to oppose that. The government is seeking this enhancement, in my opinion, not because they’re seeking to increase the potential jail time (even though it can enhance it up to 20 years). We believe the government is seeking this enhancement because that way they can say, ‘we haven’t caught any real terrorists—Osama or anything—but we did catch these ‘eco-terrorists’ in the Northwest.’ JULIE SABATIER

Check out Hot Action, WWire’s weekly post about activists, demonstrations and other hot political action in and around Portland every Tuesday.

UPCOMING HOT ACTION EVENTS

Tuesdays in November

First Amendment Screenings

Proper Eats Café is hosting three film screenings about Hot Actions past and present during the month of November. Films include “Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World” about the toxic long-term effects of aspartame, and “Buried in the Backyard,” a documentary that looks at home-built bomb shelters and the people who love them. November 14, 21 and 28 at 7 pm at Proper Eats Cafe and Store, N Lombard and N Alta Streets, across from Saint Johns Theater. For more information go to www.propereats.org

Thursday, Nov. 16

Nigerian Human Rights Advocate Speaks at PSU

Omoyele Sowore has been imprisoned eight times and tortured for promoting democracy in Nigeria. He will speak about the human impact of corporate oil interests in Nigeria. 6 pm, November 16th Smith Center Ball Room at PSU. Free.

Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19

Students for a Democratic Society Conference

Students for a Democratic Society, one of the largest and most vocal campus protest groups of the 1960s, reformed at the beginning of 2006. A sister organization, Movement for a Democratic Society, was also created for those who did not consider themselves students. The first Northwest SDS/MDS conference will be held at Reed and Lewis & Clark College this weekend. For more information, go to www.newsds.org/nwregional.

Thursday, Dec. 7

National Day of Solidarity for “Green Scare” Defendants

On the first anniversary of the day the FBI began arresting people in connection with “Operation Backfire,” folks will be organizing rallies, teach-ins, film screenings and other actions. Find out more at www.greenscare.org.

Daniel McGowan's plea statement and message from his supporters

2006-11-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

November 9, 2006 Update:

Friends and supporters,

We would like to inform everyone about the events in court
today. After months of negotiations and consideration,
Daniel, along with Jonathan Paul, Joyanna Zacher and Nathan
Block, pled guilty to some of the many charges. We cannot
emphasize enough what an extremely difficult decision
this was for Daniel and we will continue to give him our full support.

We do not want there to be any confusion about Daniel's plea agreement so
we have posted it here. Daniel agreed to plead guilty with the
understanding that he would not implicate or identify anyone at all other
than himself. The other three remaining co-defendants entered pleas with
the same terms. Daniel has done everything possible to maintain his
integrity, and he wants to be as open about his agreement as possible. We
have also provided Daniel's statement to Judge Aiken and Daniel's lawyers
statement below.

As we already stated, we will continue to support Daniel completely. He
and his family have been through an extremely difficult time and deserve
to get through this with the best possible outcome.

We will be posting information shortly about how others can continue to
help Daniel by submitting letters to the judge.

Please keep in mind that our fight is not over. We will still need your
help and support in the coming months, in order to fight for the least
possible sentence for Daniel.

Thank you for your continued support,
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan

Download Daniel's Plea Agreement (PDF)


Daniel's Statement to Judge Aiken at the plea hearing

November 9, 2006

Your Honor,

This plea agreement is very important to me, because it allows me to
accept full responsibility for my actions and at the same time remain true
to my strongly held beliefs.

I hope that you will see that my actions were not those of terrorist but
of a concerned young person who was deeply troubled by the destruction of
Oregon's beautiful old-growth forests and the dangers of genetically
modified trees. After taking part in these two actions, I realized that
burning things down did not fit with my visions or belief about how to
create a better world. So I stopped committing these crimes.

This last year has been a very trying time for my family and I would like
to extend my deepest love, admiration and appreciation to them for
standing by me through a very difficult time. I would also like to
apologize to the workers of the companies I targeted. I never intended to
hurt people, so when I read about things like family photos being
destroyed, I felt great remorse. I am truly sorry for the harm that I
caused.

Your Honor, after May of 2001, I put myself back on the path of open and
positive activism. Since then I have focused on helping victims of
domestic violence, campaigning for the environment, and advocating for
prisoners. While my commitment to pursuing a better world has not and will
not change, I have changed the way I am pursuing those goals. My agreement
with Mr. Paul, Mr. Block and Ms. Zacher to come together and resolve this
case by taking responsibility for what we did is an important step in
moving forward to have what I hope will be a positive impact on my
community. Thank you for allowing me a few moments to speak to you this
morning.


Press Release
Contact: Amanda Lee or Jeffery Robinson, Schroeter Goldmark & Bender
Tel: 206-622-8000, lee@sgb-law.com, robinson@sgb-law.com.

November 9, 2006

Daniel McGowan today entered pleas of guilty in connection with two arsons
in 2001 - one at Superior Lumber in Glendale and one at Jefferson Poplar
in Clatskanie.

Mr. McGowan accepts full responsibility for what he did. As Mr. McGowan
told Judge Aiken, after taking part in these two arsons, he realized that
they did not fit with his vision or beliefs about how to create a better
world. He abandoned that course.

In entering a plea agreement with the government, Mr. McGowan did not
abandon his deeply held beliefs. One of his conditions was that he would
not try to get a reduced sentence by implicating or identifying other
people the government may seek to prosecute, either now or later. In a
meeting this week with the government, Mr. McGowan gave a truthful and
honest account of what he did. He did not identify or implicate any other
individual. He and the other three defendants who pled guilty today helped
the government close this case by coming forward together, to take
responsibility. The government agrees that by doing this, Mr. McGowan and
the other defendants are all eligible for a reduced sentence.

All of this is set forth in Mr. McGowan's plea agreement. The entire
agreement is in the record and available to the public.

Since 2001, Mr. McGowan has focused on positive, constructive, and
practical activism. He works to prevent domestic violence and to assist
victims. He organizes markets in which every good and service is free to
all. He works as an advocate for prisoners and encourages others to
support them with letters, books and money for food and phone calls. He
studies acupuncture and plans to earn a Master's degrees we can provide
alternative medicine services to needy patients.

Mr. McGowan would like to apologize to the people he harmed or could have
harmed the people whose family photos were destroyed in the fires, the
firefighters who responded to the scene, to workers whose lives were
disrupted. Harming people is never what Daniel intended, and he is deeply
sorry.

Oregon eco-saboteurs plead guilty but are not implicating others

2006-11-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

***************
MEDIA ADVISORY
Civil Rights Outreach Committee

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2006
Contacts:
Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, Eugene, OR, 541-687-9180
Alejandro Queral, NW Constitutional Rights Center, Portland, OR 503-295-6400;
202-491-6204

Oregon Eco-saboteurs Admit Responsibility
Remain Resolute in Not Implicating Others

Eugene, OR - The four remaining non-cooperating defendants in the Oregon "Green
Scare" case today changed their pleas and agreed to drop their request for
production of NSA surveillance materials and data. Recent negotiations between
federal prosecutors and the defendants resulted in a global resolution
non-cooperation plea agreement whereby the four defendants will agree to accept
responsibility for their own roles in environmentally motivated crimes, but do not
agree to provide information or testify against anyone now or in the future.

Joyanna Zacher, Nathan Block, Daniel McGowan and Jonathan Paul appeared in federal
court this morning before U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken to enter pleas related to
acts of property destruction and arson. Zacher and Block each plead to one count of
conspiracy, attempted arson, and two separate incidents of arson. McGowan plead to
conspiracy and to two separate incidents of arson. The government is recommending
they be sentenced to 96 months in federal prison. Paul plead to one count of arson
and one count of conspiracy. The government is recommending Paul be sentenced to 60
months in prison. All four defendants are free to argue for a lesser sentence. The
next status hearing will be on December 14 to determine when sentencing will occur.

Despite the agreement however, federal prosecutors have asked the court to apply a
"terrorism enhancement" at sentencing. Should Judge Aiken grant the government's
request, the non-cooperating defendants could face up to 20 years in prison in
addition to the terms of the plea agreement. The government is seeking the
"terrorism enhancement" despite the fact that the crimes to which they have admitted
responsibility only involve the destruction of private property; no government
property was damaged in any of the incidents.

After the hearing, Jonathan Paul, through a statement made by his sister Alexandra
Paul, indicated that after the Cavel West slaughterhouse fire, "he realized that
fire was an unacceptable means to an end, no matter how compelling." He also stated
however, that he "will continue to be a person deeply committed to the betterment of
our society and the elimination of animal and human suffering."

During the hearing, Daniel McGowan made a heartfelt statement to a packed courtroom
that "this plea agreement is very important to me because it allows me to accept
full responsibility for my actions and at the same time remain true to my strongly
held beliefs." McGowan's attorney, Amanda Lee, added that Daniel "did not identify
or implicate any other individuals."

Despite the pleas entered today which resolve the Oregon cases in their entirety
Jeff Hogg remains imprisoned without having been charged with any crimes for his
refusal to testify against others after being subpoenaed to a federal grand jury.
After the hearing, Hogg's partner Cecilia Storey made an emotional plea for his
immediate release from custody.

Copies of a press packet with a synopsis of the prosecution, related articles
background information, historical examples of sabotage in the U.S., and a history
of FBI repression of political activism are available upon request.


EXCERPT:

fROM "Four to change pleas in Northwest ecoterrorism case"
11/8/2006, 5:57 p.m. PT
By JEFF BARNARD
The Associated Press

Nathan Fraser Block, 25, of Olympia, Wash., is charged with conspiring to commit
arson and topple a high-voltage electric transmission tower in Central Oregon just
before the change of the millennium, setting fire to SUVs at the Romania Chevrolet
Truck Center in Eugene in 2001 and attempted arson and arson at the Jefferson Poplar
Farm in Clatskanie in 2001.

Jonathan Christopher Mark Paul, 40, of Ashland, a wildland firefighter and animal
rights activist, is charged with conspiracy to commit arson and topple the
electrical tower, and setting fire to a horse slaughterhouse in Redmond in 1997.

Daniel McGowan, 32, of New York City, who was working for a nonprofit law firm
helping abused women when he was arrested, is charged with conspiracy to commit
arson and toppling the electrical tower, setting fire to the Superior Lumber Co.
office in Glendale in 2001, and attempted arson and arson at the tree farm.

Joyanna L. Zacher, 28, of Olympia, Wash., is charged with conspiracy to commit
arson, toppling the electric tower, firebombing the SUV dealership, and attempted
arson and arson at the tree farm.

News

2006-11-27T09:45:00.001-08:00

Several people in Olympia have cooperated with the FBI and answered questions. The community does not know the extent of their testimony. So far, no one has received a subpoena to the grand jury in Seattle, but the grand jury issued new indictments on May 11.

Briana Waters' trial has been postponed indefinitely. She was originally scheduled to go on trial in Seattle on June 5. A former Olympia resident, Briana Waters is so far the only defendant in the recent earth liberation cases who is scheduled for trial in Washington State. Briana is charged with "use of a destructive device" in relation to the May 21, 2001 arson at a UW horticulture laboratory. Learn more about how you can support Briana: SupportBriana.Org

May 19: New indictments: Chelsea Dawn Gerlach, Stanislas Meyerhoff, Josephine "Sunshine" Overaker, and Rebecca Rubin have all been indicted in relation to the 1999 arson at a Vail, CO ski resort that developers planned to expand into lynx habitat. The fire cost more than $12 million in damages.

May 18: Jeff Hogg was jailed in Eugene , OR for refusing to cooperate with the grand jury. Jeff spoke at a rally before entering the courtroom and was joined by Alejandro Queral of the NW Constitutional Rights Center, Lauren Regan of the Civil Liberties Defense Center and Kim Marks on behalf of Forest Ethics. Burke Morris appeared before the grand jury in Denver where he answered a few basic questions and was released from his subpoena. He is expected to release a statement. For more info, contact Civil Liberties Defense Center, 541.687.9180, info(at)cldc.org. Read more at portland.indymedia HERE.

May 15: The FBI is investigating the Olympia community for information regarding the alleged arson at the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington in 2001 and the alleged arsons in 1998 at two Olympia area US Department of Agriculture facilities serving the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Animal Damage Control (APHIS-ADC) program. The federal government is investigating these incidents as acts of domestic terrorism, although there were no injuries nor immediate threats to life incurred in any of these events.

The federal government has until this Sunday, May 21st to issue any more indictments regarding the UW arson. The statute of limitations is due to expire in this case, five years after the May 21, 2001 fire. The trial of defendant Briana Waters is scheduled to begin June 5 in Seattle. The grand jury in Seattle may also issue more subpoenas this week in relation to the trial.

May 11 New Indictments in Washington: The grand jury in Seattle has issued new indictments. Justin Solondz was indicted in relation to the 2001 arson at a UW horticulture laboratory, and Briana Waters, who has already been charged in that incident, was charged Thursday with "use of a destructive device". If convicted, Waters and Solondz face a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years. Solondz is allegedly a fugitive, and Waters is free while awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin in Seattle on June 5. Two alleged arsonists in the UW incident have not been named by prosecutors. These are probably cooperating witnesses whose testimony has contributed to the indictments.

The Washington grand jury also indicted Josephine Sunshine Overaker and Kevin Tubbs in relation to the 2001 arson at the Olympia APHIS/ADC facility. Both have already been indicted in relation to other incidents of alleged sabotage. Tubbs is in custody awaiting trial for previous charges and has been labelled a cooperating witness by the proscution. Overaker is a fugitive. More info HERE at Portland Indymedia.

Briana Waters now has a support website at http://www.supportbriana.org/. She is being charged separately in the State of Washington and has a trial is scheduled to begin June 5 in Seattle.

April 27: Nathan Block and Joyanna Zacher have been formally charged with involvement in the Romania Chevrolet Truck Center arson. The result of this is they have each had 35 additional arson charges placed against them and a second "use of a destructive device" placed against them. This means that both Nathan and Joyanna both now face 47 arson charges, one attempted arson charge and two "use of a destructive device" charges. If found guilty on all counts they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 65 years imprisonment. To subscribe to the Earth Liberation Prisoners Bulletin: go to UrgentELP.

Latest Indictments - April 6: a federal grand jury in Sacramento handed down four indictments for arson at the BLM's Litchfield Wild Horse Corral near Susanville, California. No new arrests occurred. Indictees include Darren Thurston, Joseph Dibee and Rebecca Rubin who have already been indicted in relation to the large, overarching Oregon case. Also indicted is Justin Solondz, 26, who has not been charged in any of the other Northwest eco-actions. No new arrests were made. Dibee, Rubin and Solondz are all listed by the FBI as fugitives. More at Portland Indymedia.

March 15: a federal grand jury in Seattle has indicted Briana Waters of Berkeley, CA in an arson that destroyed a horticulture center at the University of Washington five years ago. Waters, 30, is the 14th person to be charged in Oregon and Washington in a series of environmental sabotage actions in the Western U.S. in recent years. Waters was charged with arson and using or carrying a destructive device during a violent crime. If convicted, she would face at least 35 years in prison. Briana Waters appeared in court March 16 afternoon and pleaded not guilty. She was released with an electronic monitor. More at Portland Indymedia HERE and HERE.