Peter Young Speaking in Olympia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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