The Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network exists to provide information on people imprisoned for actions in defence of the earth and its inhabitants. We include people, animal and earth liberationists, those fighting on anti-nuclear and peace issues, indigenous struggles, anti-fascists, MOVE prisoners and more. Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter, Spirit Of Freedom, by emailing us and asking to be added. Subscribe to ELP Extra! to be emailed the latest breaking news.

From the Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan:

On Monday, July 14, Daniel appeared in federal court in the Western District of Wisconsin (Madison) before Judge Barbara Crabb and was found in civil contempt for his refusal to answer questions before a grand jury.

Since he is already in custody for his existing prison sentence, this means that his clock of time being served has stopped. An appeal has been filed by his lawyer to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as a motion for bail (in his case since he wouldn't be released, to start his federal time moving forward again). Right now, until the grand jury is dismissed or other agreements are made within that case and things are resolved, his time will not count as time served. It is unknown whether he will remain in county jail for the full extension of this period.

So, for now, please continue to write to Daniel with positive thoughts, funny stories, and well wishes, as this has been a particularly stressful and difficult time. Letters are key to time passing quickly inside.

Write Daniel at:

Daniel McGowan
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, Wisconsin 53901

His federal ID number is not needed for letters there. You may send a few pictures in your letters (no polaroids), but he can only receive magazines from subscriptions and books directly from the publisher.

Thanks for your continued support,
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
ffi: supportdaniel.org

ELP has been sent translations of four open letters, from three of the Austrian Animal Rights prisoners. Please feel free to reproduce these letters and publish them in magazines and on websites:

+++++++

Letter from Kevin Kroemmer (dated 4th July):

"Over 6 weeks have passed now since masked units with drawn guns have
stormed into my flat, searched everything, put the dog that was living
with me into an animal shelter and finally arrested me. Only bit by bit
i realized the extent of those massive reprisals and that 23 flats were
stormed and wrecked and 10 persons including good friends were arrested.
Those massive interferences with privacy and lives were made possible by
the dubious construction of a "criminal organisation"/§278a which we are
rumored to have built and to be member of, respectively.

Only shortly after my arrest i noticed protests for the first time. But
after i found out a few days later about how much solidarity was shown
coming from many countries, it gave me great strength in here. I was
very happy to see that such a criminalization of a social movement is
not just taken and that people from most different political
circumstances are getting active together and demonstrate solidarity.

The can is different than i had imagined and even if i miss freedom,
friends, "my" dog and many more, i'm alright according to the
circumstances. Spending 23 hours a day on few square meters, suddenly
having to live a boring life without any autonomy, incarcerated behind
metre high walls was something of a changeover i had to learn to adapt
to. This succeeded somewhat good and so the recent extension of
pre-trial detention couldn't really throw me off track.

In the meantime i got TV, radio and a CD-player in my cell. In addition
i was allowed to receive books for my schooling so i can also use my
time for learning. But food bundles, books, magazines and CDs are
restricted to be sent to me and can only be bought over the prison. At
present letters arrive at me with a delay of sometimes 1-2 weeks. I try
to answer to them promptly but letter contact is difficult with such
delays.

The supply with vegan food and vegan products has become acceptable in
the meantime. Like this for example it's possible for me to buy soymilk
and the like once per week.

I'd like to wholeheartedly thank everybody out there who organized
demos, presentations, solidarity-parties or took part in them, those who
printed shirts/patches and much else, sent letters and postcards, became
hosts for the affected animals, repaired apartment doors, cleaned up
apartments, payed rents and bills and much much more! Solidarity is more
than just a word, you showed that clearly! Many thanks for that! ...and
I will probably never forget how the can silence was disrupted for the
first time with the parole "Solidarity - you are not alone"!

Also many greetings from here to the others incarcerated and to all the
people out there who do not close their eyes and put themselves out
everyday once again for a different solidary world!

In a society where animals have no right to live and be unharmed at all,
where they are incarcerated in livestock farms, laboratories and
so-called furm-farms by the billions, murdered in the slaughterhouses,
their bodies dissected and made commodities... no, I won't be silent
about that and stop opposing it. Not even faced with massive repression,
never! For every single one of them!"

+++++++

Letter from Sabine (written end of June)

"Hello my dear ones,

On this way a sign of life from me and first off a giant big thank you
for your wonderful support. It's beautiful to know that many people
think about me and it gives me a lot of strength here.

Being isolated and locked away from my social circle, my friends and my
family, separated from my dogs that wait for me every day in vain is an
awful feeling. But I try to think positively at all times and it
comforts me immensely to know that my animals are alright. A special
thanks to the lovely people who take care of Amigo, Leia and the rats,
financially and emotionally looking after them and doing everything for
them to feel fine despite this difficult situation. Thanks for the many
encouraging letters, postcards and photos and I enjoy it everytime I
hear you demonstrating just outside the prison. You are great and I wish
you lots of strength and endurance further on.

Thinking about you, see you soon, SABINE"

+++++++

Letter fro Jan (written at the beginning of June):

"Despite the walls are high, thick and barbwired, the windows grilled
and the steel doors closed, i feel the solidarity and support from
outside in here!

Many thanks to all the people that care about us, take care of the
animals we live with, take care of kicked-in doors, plants and rents,
that we receive laundry, letters, visits and money, that we regularly
hear solidarity demos - and many thanks to everbody putting themselves
out for a domination-free and solidary society without violence!

I'm alright despite the adversities of monotony in the can, but I miss
freedom and especially a lot of beloved humans and animals! I get vegan
food, meanwhile (after weeks) even soymilk, spread and margarine. The
only possibility for movement is yard-exercise - 1 hour per day 50 steps
in a circle. Apart from that there are not many options left to occupy
oneself, reading for example, letters and TV. I have contact to
throughout sociable prisoners, at the moment I'm in a cell with 5
others, the contact is mainly solidary, conflict rarely happen.

At the moment I don't dare to make a political or legal estimate, since
I'm widely cut off from information and completely from the other
victims. The only sure thing is that prison has lost a lot of the horror
it inhered for me thanks to the broad solidarity and support from
outside but also through my experiences inside the walls.

I hope you are going well out there! For a domination-free society
without prison and cages!

JAN"

++++++++

Letter from Jan (written beginning of July):

"Meanwhile I've been imprisoned for over a month, at what as the only
"reason" for this my political engagement is brought up. The similarity
to the repression against the anti-G8-movement 2007 is obvious. All the
more I'm happy about thousands of people who are going to protest in
diverse ways against this year's coming G8 summit in Hokkaido. On this
way I'd like to send all of them solidary greetings, especially to those
who'll be or already are again victims of repression.

I'm very happy about the solidarity-actions taking place - especially
about the big anti-repression-demo on the 21st of june, including the
climbing action on Mariahilferstraße [big central street in Vienna,
translator], the more so as in this context state-racissm was thematized
(at the Marcus Omofuma memorial) and different forms of state repression
were addressed. I'm also happy about the expression of solidarity during
the anti-ESCADA-protests in Muenster on the 4th of june.

I get mail from lots of people - even if the letters sadly often take
long (up to 4 weeks!!) until they finally reach me (it seems somebody is
reading them... tststs).

Very dear greetings to the Animal Rights Festival in Bremergarten (that
sent me a very cool photo as a postcard), and also to all supporters
that stick to their guns and do everything to get us out of there again.
Also a very big thank-you to the people taking care of our dogs and
rats. Furthermore greetings to the other imprisoned political activists
with whom unfortunately I may not have direct contact. I'm thinking
about you a lot - together we will manage this!

Until every cage and every prison is empty…

jan“

+++++++

To keep up to date with all the information on all ten Austrian prisoners check out http://www.vgt.at/index_en.php (this site is written in both German and English)

ELP has just learnt that American animal rights activist, Albert 'Ali' Kamemian, has been jailed for 30-days for resisting arrest during an action where a bear-trap was tampered with. Please send urgent letter of support to:

Albert Kazemian #100034
Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility
41 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860
USA

Below is a maintsream article about Ali.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1215837324188710.xml&coll=1

Animal-rights activist receives 30-day sentence
Saturday, July 12, 2008
BY JOE MOSZCZYNSKI
Star-Ledger Staff

A Superior Court judge upheld a municipal court ruling yesterday and sentenced a Sussex County animal-rights activist to 30 days in jail for resisting arrest during a bear-trap tampering incident last year.

Refusing to issue a stay pending appeal, Judge N. Peter Conforti ordered that Albert "Ali" Kazemian, 51, begin serving the term immediately. Kazemian was then handcuffed by two sheriff's officers and whisked away to the county jail.

"His conduct has been consistent to violate the law," said Conforti, noting that Kazemian's most recent conviction in Vernon was his third conviction for resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.

Kazemian, of Vernon, was most recently arrested on July 17, when he was caught by the state Division of Fish & Wildlife officers when he was allegedly pouring human urine from a gallon jug near a bear trap that had been set up on his neighbor's property. He allegedly poured the urine near the trap to deter bears from entering the trap.

Kazemian pleaded guilty in Vernon Municipal Court to obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, and was sentenced on Dec. 18 by Judge C. William Bowkley to 30 days in jail. At the time, Bowkley had said a jail sentence was warranted because it was Kazemian's second conviction in Vernon for a similar offense.

In 2006, Kazemian was convicted in Vernon of resisting arrest and obstruction of justice for interfering with hunters during New Jersey's 2005 bear hunt.

But Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Robin Lawrie pointed out -- and Conforti agreed -- that in addition to Kazemian's two convictions in Vernon he was also convicted of the same charges earlier in South Hackensack.

"Three times and you're out," said Lawrie.

The affirmation of the municipal court ruling against Kazemian came despite pleas for a reduced sentence from his attorney, Gina Calogero, and another animal-rights activist, Susan Kehoe.

Kehoe, 57, is herself facing disorderly conduct charges after being videotaped allegedly providing bags of sunflower seeds to bears in the backyard of her Vernon home in violation of a state law against feeding bears.

"A jail sentence (for Kazemian) doesn't make any sense to me," she told the judge. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."

ELP has been sent the following message from friends of Dr Martin Balluch, who is one of the Austrian animal rights prisoners, wrongly arrested for crimes they did not commit during police raids which were illegal!

+ + + + + +

Message to the international animal rights movement regarding my hunger strike on my 43rd day of incarceration

I suppose you will know by now that 43 days ago, Austrian police undertook 28 armed raids on homes of animal rights activist and on offices of 7 animal rights groups all over Austria. 10 people were put on remand, and still are, one of them being me. Because these police actions were completely out of any proportion and no well – founded reasons for the raids and arrests were forthcoming, I immediately went on hunger strike. I used my last means of protest against this unbelievable level of police terror and state repression.

Initially, I had no access to fruit juice or sugared tea, and then only after days of no food or drink other than water, I felt already nauseous and weak. I had to move slowly to avoid a blackout. After a week on hunger strike I was given sugar and fruit juices, which I chose to drink. The prison doctor did warn me that a water only hunger strike very rapidly leads to brain function impairment. As I need my brains to defend myself and to show these terrorists for what they are I chose to drink juice.

I still lost weight very rapidly, about 1.5 kg a day. On my 13th day of the hunger strike – I was down 18kg by then – I was moved to the hospital wing of the prison. Actually, I was moved from Wiener Neustadt prison to the one where I am now in Vienna because this prison has a hospital wing.

On the 15th day of my hunger strike I passed out for the first time. From then onwards, I would have to stay in bed.

Since on day 17 I was to be put before a judge to decide whether my prison stay was to be extended, I ate 2 pieces of fruit and a muesli bar in the morning, so that I could travel. I immediately felt a lot better. But the court appearance was a farce. The judge had her decision ready before I entered the court room, and – contrary to the law – she did not allow me to give a statement to my defence. Indeed, till today, neither police nor prosecutor nor the judge have questioned me at all or given me the opportunity to give a statement, although my solicitors have been requesting this for weeks!

After the court, I was moved back to the prison hospital and resumed hunger strike. Over the next days I felt a lot stronger, although I had only eaten once and such a little bit, but from day 22 onwards, my state of health deteriorated.

On the 25, authorities started to force feed me. I allowed them to do that without physical resistance.

The force feeding prevented me from dying. However, it does not stop the deterioration of my health, it only slows the process down. Doctors informed me that they did not have proper vegan food to force feed me with.

On day 36 I reached a new low point, which gave me near death experiences. I had this strong impression of being suspend above a complete void. I was about to fall into it. I pictured my situation as being up to the neck in a crevice, standing on such thin ice that could not hold my weight much longer. I could not get out anymore by myself.

My solicitor had appealed the outrageous decision of the judge and I was asked by him to give a statement to support my case. I needed to concentrate. Also, in a few days I have my second court appearance, which would have been impossible in my state.
So, on day 39 I decided to try and bring some strength back into my body by eating a little. Since I was still on hunger strike, I was given no food into my cell at the hospital wing. I managed to take a little orange from the hospital kitchen bin, and I tried to eat it. It was terrible. I just couldn’t. I could not swallow properly – I just sucked on it – and I got unbelievable stomach pains and had diarrhoea.

I asked to speak to the chief doctor of the hospital wing.

Incidentally, this guy is a paid up member of our animal rights group! He said to me that now he is a criminal too – because he is funding a criminal organisation. And he supported me. If I was to defend myself and appear in court, I needed to get back to health at least somewhat. We set up a plan, and from day 40 onwards, I had a little ground up fruit and porridge with soya milk.

What a strange feeling to have food in my mouth after such a long time! And one little spoon full of porridge filled up my stomach completely. Apparently, it had shrunk to the size of a pea. In any case, I am at the movement slowly moving back to being alive. I still cannot eat much at all. I am also not hungry. And I have not been on a toilet for 43 days and still have 24kg less body weight than before my arrest. My hunger strike has not ended yet, though. I will go to court and defend myself. If the new judge and the appeal court both decide to keep me in prison, I will have to make a decision. Either I will stop my hunger strike, or I will resume it and drink water only.

Nothing inbetween anymore. In the latter case I will actively refuse being forcibly fed too, as long as I am able to. Those responsible for this police terror shall face the consequences.
The prosecution and police have produced absolutely no evidence against me whatsoever, although they had agents in our group and listened to all my phone calls, read all my mails, filmed the entrance of my home and followed me around. So they tried to fabricate evidence. They went to a person, who they know had animosities against me, and tried to push him to say that I am likely to have committed arson. He has gone public with that and revealed how police have tried to influence him and put words in his mouth.

Police also made up an arson attack and tried to blame it on me. Although their own expert found no evidence of arson, but rather that it was an accident with a poorly insulated oven, and that the owner indeed had been careless. Police fabricated an animal rights communiqué claiming responsibility for the arson. In addition, police shifted the date of accident to 2 days later, in order to blame it on me, since I was indeed 2 days later in the region!

What is happening here to me and the other activists imprisoned, is a violent crime of extreme proportions. I ask you to keep putting pressure on Austria and its government in whatever way you can. The case is crumbling, there are signs of this all over the place.

Senior prosecutors have already admitted that there is no concrete evidence and that the police raids were unlawful. They still insist on keeping us on remand, because by our mere (legal!) activism we prove to be companions in crime of ALF activists, and hence all form a huge criminal organisation – even if we don’t know each other! Police and prosecutors are trying to hold out as long as they can. Let us pull together and push them over the cliff. They must be publicly shown to be the criminals they are. And they must be prosecuted themselves for what they have done!

Martin Balluch, political prisoner, cell 75 / 05 hospital wing of JA Wien – Josefstadt, on the 2nd July 2008

ELP has just learnt that British animal rights activist, Sarah Whitehead, was today sentenced to an outragious two years imprisonment.

Sarah has been found guilty of entering a house where a puppy was being abused and removing the puppy, rehoming it with a loving family. Sarah has never revealed where the puppy was rehomed and the puppy remains safe. However rather than being given an RSPCA Medal for active compassion, tonight she sits in a prison cell.

At the point of her trial Sarah was serving a 9 month suspended sentence for other animal resuce actions. Following the guilty verdict Sarah was sentenced to two years imprisonment (15 months for the puppy rescue and the revoking of the suspenion of the previous 9 month sentence).

At the trial two other activists were found Not Guilty.

Besides her current prison sentence, Sarah is also awaiting trail accused of charges relating to her alleged SHAC campaigning activities.

Please send urgent letters of support to:

Sarah Whitehead, VM7684
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford, Middx
TW15 3JZ
England

Sarah is a vegan and the British based Vegan Prisoners Supporters Group are assisting her to secure vegan food.

ELP has just learnt that the Japanese police have arrested two Greenpeace activists for exposing a whale meat scandal involving the government-sponsored whaling programme.

The two activists, Junichi Sato, 31, and Toru Suzuki, 41, are being investigated for allegedly stealing a box of whale meat which they presented as evidence.

Learn more information check out:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/activists-arrested-200608

Briana Waters (www.supportbriana.org) has been sentenced. Below is a mainstream news article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008006678_apwaecoterrortrial1stldwritethru.html

6-year sentence for ecoterror arson at U. of Washington

The woman convicted in an ecoterror attack at the University of Washington has been sentenced to six years in prison.

TACOMA, Wash. -The woman convicted in an ecoterror attack at the University of Washington has been sentenced to six years in prison.

KIRO-TV reports that Briana Waters asked for mercy because she has a 3-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year sentence. Her lawyer asked for no more than a year-and-a-half.

Waters was taken into custody after Thursday's sentencing in federal court in Tacoma. She had been convicted March 6 of arson, and her lawyer is working on an appeal.

The 32-year-old from Berkeley, Calif., was an Evergreen State College student who acted as a lookout in 2001 when others set fire to the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. The Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility because it believed, mistakenly, a researcher was genetically modifying poplar trees.

ELP has received the following e-mail from Eric McDavid's support campaign. As everyone is aware, Eric is an American vegan eco-activist who is serving just under 20 years for THINKING about maybe, in the future, carrying out an ELF action...

> From: sacprisonersupport@riseup.net
> To:
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Yesterday we finally heard from Eric. He is settling in at Victorville,
> and adjusting to his new surroundings. He applied for a job assignment at
> the library and is waiting for the paperwork to be processed. In the
> meantime, he's playing softball (they put him in left field, which kept
> him busy), guitar, and readjusting to the feeling of stepping foot outside
> without shackles on. After 2 1/2 years of not feeling the earth and grass
> beneath his feet, he is excited to be experiencing these new sensations
> (apparently there are also many huge crows in the area, and Eric has been
> enjoying their presence as well). He is hopeful that soon he will also
> have access to email. The prison seemed prepared for his dietary needs,
> and he has been receiving vegan food since his arrival.
>
> For some unknown reason, his commissary account has not followed him to
> Victorville (it's possible that this is because all prisoner's commissary
> accounts are processed through an office in Des Moines, which is currently
> experiencing massive flooding). If you would like to donate to Eric's
> commissary account, you can do so through Western Union. For information
> on how to deposit funds, visit:
>
> http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/money.jsp#Quick_Collect
>
> You will need Eric's name and registration number (16209-097). Please
> read the instructions carefully, as there are a number of specific steps
> you need to take when calling or making payments online.
>
> Thanks to everyone for their continued support.
>
> Yours,
> SPS
>
> www.supporteric.org

The following letter from Il Silvestre prisoner, Paola Gori, has been published on Indymedia. ELP thought people might be interested in this letter. Please note: Paola can read English as well as Italian, so please send her a letter of support today.

> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401070.html
>
> Letter from Paola Gori in prison, Italian Eco-Anarchist
>
> They have not let at least a month pass from the last acquittal... and a
> new process, the same arguments, the same references, the same attempt
> is already ready to paralyze. Stupid guards continue spying and
> listening on me. What a pity they do not have a breadcrumb of brain..
> because if they had it, by force of listening they would understand, by
> the minimum to at least realize they are servants of a system in which
> they themselves are meat to the slaughter house. But probably if a
> servant is born, he remains a servant and although it seems stupid it is
> made voluntarily if it is created to have a little power.
>
> In any case if one tries not to be a passive spectator of a devastated
> world but actor of a radical change the repression is not a surprise,
> but something that sooner or later arrives. At the moment the conflict
> exists and is concrete, it is in our hand to be next to those rebels in
> front of the authentic enemy of everyone and each of us, the State,
> expression of Capital, the devastation, the exploitation... in a word,
> dominion.
>
> What I am living now and that other comrades have lived and are living,
> it is an attack on our struggle and ourselves, and that is why it must
> be a stimulus to intensify the fight.
>
> The tortures inflicted to millions of animals are not acceptable,
> prisoners in deposits, slaughter houses and laboratories, the continuous
> and incessant domestication of Nature and the Earth is not acceptable,
> it is not acceptable the exploitation of the towns, neither the security
> measures of Capital, nor bombs against defenseless populations. It is
> necessary to act and not to pause.
>
> Until the total liberation
>
> For the anti-speciesism.
>
> Paola
>
> Prison of Livorno (Italia) 2/06/2008
>
>
> Paola Gori
> Via delle Macchie 9
> 57124 Livorno
> Italy

ELP has learnt that the American prison authorities have developed a new trick. They are using black marker pens to hide some of the addresses of people who are writing letters of support to vegan Earth Liberation Front prisoner, Grant Barnes.

If you have written to Grant recently and not received a reply, its not a case that Grant is ignoring your letter, it could be that your letter was one of the ones that was censored by the prison authorities. So please do write to Grant again.

Grant is especially keen for Courtney to write to him again, as apparently he wants to reply to your letter but can't because your address was obliterated by the authorities.

As always letters of support should be addressed to:

Grant Barnes #137563
San Carlos Correctional Facility
PO Box 3, Pueblo
CO 81002, USA.

Well known American eco-activist Tre Arrow pleaded guilty to two counts of arson. In exchange for his Guilty plea, Tre is expected to be sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment. However the court will also acknowledge the four years he has already served on remand, in Canada, fighting his extradition to the USA.

Below are two articles about the plea. Firstly a news item published on the web and then a statement from Tre himself.

ELP totally supports Tre in his decision to plead guilty and we encourage everyone to continue to offer him all their support.

++++++

http://www.katu.com/news/local/19494614.html

Tre Arrow pleads guilty in firebombing case

PORTLAND, Ore. – Radical environmentalist Tre Arrow on Tuesday pleaded
guilty to arson charges as part of a deal with prosecutors that will
keep him behind bars for more than two years.

Arrow, who legally changed his name from Michael Scarpitti, was charged
with firebombing three cement trucks at Ross Island Sand & Gravel in
Portland and setting fire to logging trucks and a tractor near Estacada.

On his Web site, the 34-year-old said recently he did not want to risk
receiving a life prison sentence and called the plea deal an offer he
"couldn't refuse."

On Tuesday, he entered a guilty plea to two counts of arson during a
hearing in federal court in Portland.

As part of the deal, he agreed to receive a sentence of 6-1/2 years in
prison. However, he will be given credit for the four years he spent
behind bars in British Columbia following his arrest in 2004.

The deal also restricts Arrow from associating with so-called
eco-terrorist groups, including the Earth Liberation Front and Animal
Liberation Front.

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Arrow will serve his time at a medium-security federal prison in
Sheridan in Yamhill County.

+++++++

June 3rd, 2008

A warm blessing to you all – i thank you for your support and for being here
today. Some may look at this non – cooperation plea agreement as a victory.
Some may see it as a defeat. It's really neither! It's simply another step in
this journey as i walk my path of conscience. You see, it's never been about
me. From before the days of the ledge-sit, right thru 'til today, this has been
and will always be about the commitment to leave our Earth Mother in a
healthier, more beautiful state then when i arrived. This is about taking back
our power from the government and corporate entities that would have us believe
that monetary wealth and the acquisition of material objects is more important
than the health of the planet, it's people and the billions of life forms with
whom we share this home. This is about being a voice for the trees, our animal
friends, the waters, mountains and blue skies. This is a calling to consider
our children grandchildren and the generations to follow. This is living up to
our divine potential. This is an opportunity to be a voice for truth,
compassion and respect in the face of profound corruption and disregard for the
sanctity of life that permeates the governments and corporations of the world.

Now, more than ever, the desperate need to be thoughtful stewards of this earth
is upon us. The reality of the enormous detriment impact humyns have on the
planet can no longer be ignored. In honor of our Earth Mother and all her
sacred creatures (big and small, plant and animal, humyn and non – humyn), i
ask you to take a deep, hard look at your life and ask yourself this one
question:

"Is this what really matters?"

This government with its many devices of power and control has constructed the
Prison Industrial Complex, not as a means for healing and benefit to society,
but as a form of institutionalized slavery that garners big-business contracts.
Most are worse off when they leave prison than when they arrived. Instead of
rehabilitation and true opportunity for self improvement, the Prison Industrial
Complex is largely a political tool to crush dissent and keep the status- quo
in place. No being deserves to be locked in a cage, no matter what their
"crime". Many government and corporate officials are responsible for the most
heinous crimes yet never spend a day behind bars.

I say to those who try to keep the voice of dissent squelched: you may cage my
body, but you will never succeed in trapping or containing my mind and spirit!
The deeper the oppression, the stronger the light radiates. And so i declare
with confidence and passion: As long as i am able, i will do what i can to help
preserve the last remaining wild places while helping to restore the damage
this one race has caused.

Someday, in the not-so-distant future, i will meet you on the outside of the
prison walls and fences, and together we will heal this Earth.

Blessings,

thank U

NAMASTE

tre arrow

ELP has just been sent the following update about the Austrian prisoners.

> Hi ELP,
>
> just wanted to update you on the situation in Austria. Yesterdy the remand was extended for all ten activists. This is a routine closed court proceedure in Austria and means they will be inside for at least another 4 weeks. After this, the remand may be extended for two months at a time. The reasons given for the remand are danger of concealment of evidence, because some of the arrested communicated using pgp and danger of further offences because some have been active in the animal rights movement for several years. This could result in them being remanded for up to a year.
>
> They have been charged with membership of a criminal organisation. This offence was created to deal with organised crime like money laundering and mafia activities and has never been used for political activists before.
>
> As far as I know, only three are on hunger strike now. And their physical situation has deteriorated greatly. Force feeding is allowed in Austria, but it is not known at what point. The situation with vegan food isn't great, with them getting bread and jam for breakfast and in the evening. For lunch they get something warm, but it's not much. The legal aid group in Vienna are really good and are sorting out as much as they can but it's difficult. Visits are restricted with glass wall and phone and are often not allowed as they are being recorde and listened to by someone, so they are only allowed when ths person has time. They are only half an hour, twice a week at best. Phonecalls are not allowed because of the danger of concealment allegation. Nothing is allowed to be brought in or sent except letters, which generaly take between 2-4 weeks to get through to Austrian remand prisoners.
>
> They all want letters but most do not want their complete names published
>
> Christoph, Jan, Kevin Kroemmer, Leo, Martin Balluch, Sabine.
>
> Antirep 2008, Postfach 101, 1070, Vienna, Austria
>
> Letters will be passed on by the soli-group.
>
> Would be good if you could spread this around a bit.
>
> All the best

More info: www.antirep2008.tk or www.tierbefreier.de/soli-oesterreich

British vegan animal rights activist, Sean Kirtly, was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for running a website which encouraged LAWFUL protest against the vivisection company Sequani Ltd. Please send urgent letters of support to:

Sean Kirtley WC6977
HMP Birmingham Prison
Winson Green Road
Birmingham
B18 4AS
England

For more info on Sean check out the following websites

http://supportsean.wordpress.com
http://www.myspace.com/supportsean

For more info on the campaign against Sequani visit www.sequani.wordpress.com

American vegetarian animal/earth lib prisoner, Rod Coronado, has been told that some of his mail is "too radical" and consequently it is not being passed onto Rod.

It is not yet clear what mail is and isn't getting through to Rod, but for the time being his support campaign are asking "Please no materials regarding ALF, ELF, animal liberation, um…. what else, radical anything. Until further notification, I would suggest these guidelines be followed".

Unradical letters of support should be sent to:

Rodney Coronado #03895-000
FCI El Reno
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. BOX 1500
El Reno, OK 73036
USA

ELP has just learnt that American eco-activist, Tre Arrow, has reached a non-cooperation plea agreement with the authorities concerning the ELF charges against him. Below is a statement which his support campaign has circulated.

At this momenet, no further details are held by ELP about this plea agreement. As everyone knows Tre is a raw energy vegan who asks that letters of support are sent on either the re-used scrap paper or on tree-free paper.

Once ELP has more news we will circulate it.

Forwarded message from tre@riseup.net
From Tre Arrow:

Blessings to all of you.

Perhaps you've heard that I'm set to take a plea bargain on June 3rd. In
the aftermath of Briana Waters' and Eric McDavid's trials, I have
weighed the options and decided that i don't want to take the risk of
potentially being convicted and spending the rest of my life in prison.

I want you all to know that this is a non cooperation plea agreement: I
am in no way selling my soul just to receive a sweet deal from the
prosecution. By this I mean I am not giving them any information about
anyone or any thing which could lead to others being prosecuted. They
offered me a deal I couldn't refuse, which takes into account the time I
served in Canada. For those who supported me through all of this, I
thank you deeply.

I continue to stand firm in my commitment to being a voice for the
Earth. I speak for the trees, for our fellow co inhabitants, and for the
voices commonly ignored. This is our home, our one and only Earth
Mother. Just as I will protect my birth mother from violation and harm,
I am dedicated to being a force to stop the unnecessary and egregious
assault on this precious planet. To this end I devote my music, my
passion, my life. I look forward to seeing everyone on June 3rd.

Namaste,

Tre
Tre Arrow Defense Committee

As people may be aware, earlier in the week Austrian police raided and arrested ten Austrian animal rights campaigners. ELP has been trying to gather as much news on these raids/arrests as possible and if anyone has any further information about these raids please let ELP know. However, here is an Associated Press article about the raids.....

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/24/europe/EU-GEN-Austria-Animal-Rights.php
The Associated Press
Published: May 24, 2008

Austrian police question 10 'militant' animal rights activists suspected
of arson, sabotage

VIENNA, Austria: Austrian authorities say they are questioning 10 animal
rights activists suspected of arson, sabotage and other crimes.

Investigators said six of the suspects have been placed in pretrial
detention for their alleged involvement in "militant" animal rights
groups. Officials allege that the suspects are behind numerous arson fires
and vandalism targeting food, clothing, pharmaceutical and agricultural
companies.

Prosecutors said the 10 were arrested earlier this week after a months
long investigation into radical animal rights groups.

Austrian media reported Saturday that one of the suspects has begun a
hunger strike while in custody.

Investigators said the suspects used various aliases and allegedly had
links to an international network.

Canadian Animal Rights Activist, Gabriel Villeneuve, who earlier this year was jailed for allegedly breaching his bail conditions, has been found not guilty at his trial. Below is a mailout from the group that has been running his support campaign:

> Subject: MISE À JOUR DU PROCÈS DE QUÉBEC/ TRIAL UPDATE
>
> Gabriel Villeneuve found not guilty
>
> Last Tuesday was held the trial of the 4 activists arrested in Quebec
> while protesting against animal cruelty. The trial last almost all day
> long and 6 witness spoke about the event (4 employees and 2 cops). While
> watching the video footage taken by the activists at the protest, the
> Judge was able to see by himself that what an activist said was not
> 'Everybody down' has plead by the state prosecutor but something more
> likely to be 'Purolator'.
>
> Gabriel Villeneuve was found not guilty right away on every count.
> Remember that he was not at the protest and had to spend 27 days in jail.
> He now has to do legal procedures to bring the government to court to be
> to be compensated for what he went through in connection with his
> imprisonment.
>
> The three other activists have to go back to Quebec courthouse on July 15
> for their judgment. Because the trial went very well, everyone is very
> optimistic about the judgement.
>
> Thanks to everyone who supported the activists and we'll keep you informed
> in time.
>
> --
> SHAC Canada
>
> Canada west coast-VANCOUVER
> #102 - 2250 Commercial Drive
> Vancouver BC, V5N 5P9
> Canada
> 778-554-SHAC(7422)
>
> Canada East coast-MONTREAL
> PO 47579
> 1550 rue de Maisonneuve
> Montreal,QC
> H3G 2V7
> Canada
> 514-966-6460
>
> shaccanada@riseup.net
> www.SHAC.net

ELP is sad to report that we are receiving more information on the American police informant Frank Ambrose. Documents seen by ELP refer to an informant CS1 who is believed to be Ambrose. CS1 has suggested to the FBI that Marie Mason was involved with both ELF and ALF activities and CS1 allowed a telephone conversation between themself and Marie Mason, in February 2008, to be bugged.

Please note the date, CS1 was cooperating with the FBI in February 2008 before Ambrose and the others were arrested.

It is also being suggested that Ambrose may have named upto 15 people to the FBI as part of his cooperation agreement.

ELP will bring you more news on this as we get it.

An American 17 year old youth, Michael Sykes, has been arrested accused of setting fire to two newly constructed houses. The cops have told the media that Michael has admitted the arson attack saying he did it in protest against urban sprawl. The cops also state he has admitted to torching a supermarket and a string of vandalisms, including damaging an 80-foot utility pole, painting an anarchist symbol and burning the American flag.

Despite the cops claim that Michael has admitted these offences he has pleaded not guilty in court and has been remanded into custody.

Please send letters of support to:

Michael W. Sykes
100 East 2nd St
Monroe
Michigan 48161
USA

Below is a mainstream media article about Michael:

_____

Acused Arsonist May Get Plea Deal
Article published Thursday, March 27, 2008 - www.toldeoblade.com

MONROE - A plea bargain could be in the works to resolve criminal charges
against the Lambertville teenager accused of setting fires that caused
more than $500,000 damage to unfinished homes in Bedford Township, his
attorney said in court yesterday.

Michael W. Sykes, 17, of 7472 Canterbury Drive, appeared in Monroe County
District Court for a pretrial hearing on arson and home invasion charges
stemming from a March 14 fire that destroyed a house being built on
Brentridge Lane.

At the request of the youth's attorney, Judge Mark Braunlich waived a
preliminary exam scheduled for Monday.

The defense attorney, Andrew Peth, told Judge Braunlich that a preliminary
exam may not be necessary because he was in discussions with prosecutors
about a possible resolution that would avoid the case going to trial.
Judge Braunlich scheduled a pretrial hearing for April 9.

Investigators said the teenager confessed to the arson fire at the
unfinished home on Brentridge and admitted setting fire two days earlier
to a nearby condominium on Fountain Circle in a subdivision off Douglas
Road.

He was arrested March 16 when he attempted to siphon gasoline from the
vehicle of an undercover Monroe County sheriff's deputy, who was among
nearly a dozen officers working in a stakeout to catch the arsonist
responsible for the fires.

According to detectives, the Sykes youth, who is being held in the county
jail in lieu of a $1 million bond, admitted to setting the arson fires
because of his dislike for the development of new homes in the Toledo
suburb and the cutting of trees to build houses.

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Roehrig said later in an interview outside
the courtroom that discussions have been held with the teenager's attorney
to reach a possible resolution.

"But nothing has been reached at this date," he added.

In addition to arson fires that destroyed the homes, authorities said the
teenager confessed to setting earlier fires in the condo in Crystal Water
Villas and attempting to chop down an 80-foot utility pole along Sterns
Road on March 14.

The teenager also confessed to stealing an American flag from a residence
near Sterns and painting the anarchist symbol - the letter "A" inside a
circle - on it.

Mr. Roehrig said the investigation into the incidents was being reviewed
to determine possible charges, but a decision had not been made.

Sheriff's Detective Tom Redmond said the teenager also admitted to
committing arson fires when he was 15, including the January, 2006, blaze
behind the Kroger store at Sterns and Secor roads in Lambertville that
destroyed a semi trailer and filled the store with smoke.

The teenager's parents attended the court hearing. They talked privately
to their son as deputies were escorting him from the courtroom, where he
was to be taken back to the jail.

ELP is sad to report that American Earth First! activist Frank Brian Ambrose has pleaded guilty one count of conspiracy to commit arson. In doing so he has admitted his involvement in the 1999 ELF arson on Michigan State University. He has suggested that four other people (named in the original charge) were also involved with the arson. He has also admitted his involvement in an arson on a logging company in 2000, again suggesting the other four people named in the original charge were also involved.

In addition to this Ambrose has also admitted his involvement in eleven other ELF actions occuring between 1999 and 2003. The actions include arson, criminal damage and tree spiking.

Ambrose has agreed to cooperate with the FBI in their investigation into these and other ELF actions including an agreement to testify against others.

In exchange for his guilty plea of conspiracy to commit arson Ambrose will face no other charges. He now faces a sentence of between 5 and 20 years imprisonment.

For full details of Ambrose's guilty plea/cooperation deal go to
http://midwestgreenscare.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/plea-agreement-frank-ambrose.pdf

Following this cooperation agreement ELP is denoucing Frank Brian Ambrose as a police informant and we shall not be offering Ambrose any more support either now or at any time in the future.

Last week a group of Austrian and Czech animal rights activists broke into a chicken farm to as part of an open "ploughshares style" animal rights action.

However during that raid one of the Czech activists, Michal, fell from a ladder onto a concrete floor. He was knocked unconscious, he broke his leg and badly injured his back.

ELP did not reveal the news at the time as we wanted to make sure Michal was okay before breaking the news.

The latest news is Michal has had to endure 2 operations and is still in hospital. However he is recovering but is said to be feeling very depressed. Since the accident Michal has received a few messages of support, from people who were told about the accident and these are said to be cheering him up.

Because e-mails are helping to cheer Michal up ELP has decided to go public with this story and we ask that everyone please help aid Michal's recovery by sending him an e-mail of support. The address to e-mail is realita.tv@gmail.com

Oh and there is some good news about this action. At least one hen was rescued during this action, despite the accident.

ELP has just received the following e-mail from supporters of the American prisoners Laura and Kevin:

PLEASE RE-POST!!!

Kevin and Laura had a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. The
morning session started at about 9am and they were the last case called
(after 12pm). Before the case was called, there was some discussion
between Laura's PD (public defender) and the DA, and also between Kevin's
PD (public defender) and the DA. When the case was called, Kevin and Laura
came out and were visible to the audience sitting next to each other in
the front. The defense and DA agreed to continue the hearing (meaning to
reschedule it) to a later date, March 13. Both Kevin and Laura looked well
and were allowed to wave at the attendees on their way out. According to
Laura, there is a possible plea pending, but more on that after the next
pretrial hearing on March 13.

I visited Laura today, Wednesday, and she said that she is receiving a lot
of mail and books! In fact she has too many books and has asked people to
stop sending books (she is only allowed three per month!) She thanks
everyone for the support. The last time I spoke with Kevin, he also had
received some mail which was greatly appreciated. He has moved facilities
again, so the contact addresses below should work for whereever he is.

They both have limited ability to call and can call landlines much easier
than cell phones. If you would like a call, put your phone number in the
letter. Also remember to put your address in the letter in case they
aren't given the envelope.

The updated contact info for each: (please misspell Laura's name as shown)

Maura Michlle Lungarlli, booking #1167062
[released!]

Kevin Olliff, booking #1167029
Terminal Annex
P.O. Box #86164
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164, USA