GreenIsTheNewRed.com» Prisoner Support

Breaking: Jeff Free Luers Released From Prison Early

Will Potter — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:43:56 +0000

Jeff “Free” Luers was released from prison early today after a Lane County Circuit Court Judge signed a supplemental judgment granting him an additional 30 percent reduction in his total incarceration time. In 2001, Luers was sentenced to 22 years, 8 months in prison for burning three SUVs in the name of defending the environment. In 2007, an appeals court reversed and remanded the decision. And in 2008, he sentenced was reduced to 10 years. In short, this has been a very, very long time coming.

When someone is released from prison, they have to start over. They must immediately secure housing, employment and essential things that we all take for granted, like shoes and bed sheets. It’s important that political prisoners receive support from the activist community to make this difficult, overwhelming transition as easy as possible. You can donate to Jeff Luers support committee, or purchase something from his wishlist.

As I write this, it is surreal for me to see Luers, a (former) political prisoner, on the REI gift registry. It makes perfect sense, of course: for an environmentalist locked up for 9 years, the first thing he wants to do is experience the natural world. It’s just so bizarre to think that while people are using the same registry for weddings or birthdays or college graduations, activists are using it to welcome home Luers, who has been labeled an “eco-terrorist,” from prison. We live in such indescribably strange times.

UPDATE: Six hours after being released, Luers was taken back into custody. According to the Civil Liberties Defense Center, it was an error by the Department of Corrections, not Luers. That’s all I have right now. Unbelievable. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to step outside the prison walls, feel the sunshine and take photos with friends, and then be forced to leave it all once again.

Animal Rights Protesters Face Higher Sentences than Racist Cross Burners

Will Potter — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:00:38 +0000

Four animal rights activists are facing charges under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act for chanting, demonstrating with masks covering their faces, and chalking defamatory slogans on the sidewalk. If convicted, the “AETA 4,”—Joseph Buddenburg, Maryam Khajavi, Nathan Pope, and Adriana Stumpo—could be sentenced to 5-10 years in prison.

The AETA 4 case is a startling example of how federal terrorism laws are being used to create new crimes targeting political activists, and astronomically increase sentences for existing crimes. For instance, Marie Mason was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for setting fire to empty buildings and taking precautions to not harm anyone.

Meanwhile, during a Congressional hearing on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, the Justice Department proclaimed “we are apolitical in this.” But this is anything but apolitical. Animal rights activists could receive 5-10 years in prison, as terrorists, for not harming anyone or attempting to harm anyone. Meanwhile, take a look at what some others are facing for much more serious crimes:

Burning at a cross at the home of an African-American man, close to his home, while his family is inside: 3.5 years.
Threatening president-elect Obama with statements including, “I’m going to assassinate the new president of the United States of America. PS you have 48 hours to stop it from happening”: four years probation.
Setting fire to a hotel with people inside: 1 year.
Police officer rapes a girl in juvenile custody: 8 months.
Assaulting black men on election night because Obama was elected president: about 5 years.
Enron exec guilty of $7 million in wire fraud and securities fraud: 16 months.
Possessing child pornography: 4 years.
Tying up a black student and taunting him with racial epithets as part of a high school graduation party: six months.
Mailing anthrax threats to the IRS: one year.
“Using the Internet to threaten to destroy buildings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by fire or explosives”: one year.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth kills a construction worker while driving drunk: 30 days.
Threatening to bomb an Air Force base: one year.
Drunken man drives over his brother during an argument: 1.5 years.
Scheming to defraud an insurance company through arson: 2 years.
Mailing anthrax threats to an assistant U.S. attorney: up to 5 years.
Manufacturing and selling home-made explosive devices: 5 years probation
Sending 65 anthrax hoax letters: four years.
Dumping nearly 13 million gallons of untreated liquid waste: 15 months.
Threatening to bomb the Oklahoma city federal building: up to 5 years.
Setting a dog on fire and burning 50 percent of his body: 45 days.

According to the government, high sentences for animal rights activists are intended as a deterrent, they are intended to send a message.

What kind of message do you think this sends?

Note: Funds are needed for the AETA 4 legal defense. Please make a contribution. Go to Paypal.com and send a donation to support@aeta4.org. Or you can make a tax-deductible donation through the National Lawyers Guild Foundation. The mailing address is 132 Nassau Street, Suite 922, NY, NY 10039, please indicate AETA Defense Fund on your check.

Animal Rights Activist Jailed at Secretive Prison Gives First Account of Life Inside “CMU”

Will Potter — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:49:25 +0000

This morning Andy Stepanian and I were on Democracy Now talking about secretive political prisons called Communications Management Units. Stepanian is believed to be the first inmate ever released from one of the secretive facilities; he is one of the SHAC 7, a group of animal rights activists convicted of “animal enterprise terrorism” for running a controversial, and effective, website targeting an animal testing lab called Huntingdon Life Sciences.

I was invited back on the program to talk about my reporting on CMUs, and about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. [The previous program focused on Daniel McGowan's case and the Earth Liberation Front arrests of Operation Backfire.]

Thanks to Democracy Now for continuing to focus much-needed attention on these secretive prisons. The Obama administration needs to reverse the unconstitutional policies of the Bush administration, and provide accountability and transparency. Secretive political prisons have no place in a democracy.

Daniel McGowan: “Tales from Inside the U.S. Gitmo”

Will Potter — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:58 +0000

The Huffington Post has published a letter from Daniel McGowan about his transfer to a Communication Management Unit without notice, without explanation, and without due process for appeal. [Here is some background on Communication Management Units, if you are unfamiliar.]

Here’s an excerpt from Daniel McGowan’s essay on the Huffington Post:

Many of the men here (both Muslim and non) are considered political prisoners in their respective movements and have been engaged in social justice, religious organizations, charities and humanitarian efforts. Another conception of the CMU is that it is a location designed to isolate us from our movements and to act as a deterrent for others from those movements (as in “step outside the line and you too will end up there”). The intended effect of long-term housing of this kind is a profound sense of dislocation and alienation. With your mail, email, phones, and visits monitored and no human touch allowed at the visits, it is difficult to feel a connection to “the streets.” There is historical evidence of the BoP utilizing political prisons — despite the fact that the Department of Justice refuses to acknowledge the concept of political prisoners in US prisons, choosing to call us “criminal” instead.

The Lexington High Security Unit (HSU) was one such example. Having opened its 16-bed facilities in 1988 and housing a number of female political prisoners, the HSU functioned as an isolation unit — underground, bathed in fluorescence, and limited interaction with staff. In the opinion of Dr. Richard Korn, speaking on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union, the unit’s goal was “…to reduce prisoners to a state of submission essential for their ideological conversion. That failing, the next objective is to reduce them as efficient, self-directing antagonists. That failing, the only alternative is to destroy them by making them destroy themselves.”

Communication Management Units on Democracy Now, Will Potter Interviewed

Will Potter — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:51:50 +0000

I was on Democracy Now this morning talking about my investigation of Communication Management Units, secretive prison facilities housing inmates of being tied to “terrorism” groups. They overwhelmingly include Muslim inmates, along with at least two animal rights and environmental activists. Here’s the video from the segment.

It was really an honor to be on the award-winning program, one of the few media outlets that have consistently broken and reported critical investigative stories. It’s really amazing what Amy Goodman, Mike Burke and all the staff put out on a daily basis. Please check out the whole program (the first half has a great interview about the Bush administration’s torture policies). My segment starts at about the 30 minute mark.

“Good Time Bill” Could Reduce Prison Times for Environmentalists and Animal Rights Activists

Will Potter — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:15:32 +0000

Two federal Green Scare prisoners, Jonathan Paul and Daniel McGowan.

I have sat through so many sentencing hearings for environmentalists and animal rights activists when the judges and prosecutors have noted, and even applauded, how activists are not like “typical” defendants. By this, they mean that the defendants have solid education backgrounds (some even pursuing law degrees and master’s degrees while incarcerated), they have supportive family and friends, and they frequently have letters of support from professors and clergy.

By all accounts, judges and prosecutors often say, there is every reason to believe that these activists can, and should, be leaders in their communities.

That’s exactly why new legislation called the Good Time Bill (H.R. 1475) is so vitally needed. It will reduce the sentences of people in federal prisons by increasing the “good time” credit they can receive. The bill would impact all federal prisoners (except those serving life sentences), but Green Scare prisoners would be some of the ideal candidates.

That being said, this is an issue that impacts everyone, regardless of how you feel about environmental issues or animal rights, and regardless of how you feel about these defendants. Along the lines of my previous post, “5 Reasons Why Republicans Should Care About the Government Labeling Activists “Terrorists,” here are three reasons why every taxpayer should support the Good Time Bill:

Money. The bill could save taxpayers more than $2-billion per year. It costs about $40,000 per year to keep each federal prisoner behind bars. With the greatest economic crisis since the depression, this money shouldn’t be spent on prisoners with a long, demonstrated track record of good behavior and rehabilitation.
Safety. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is over 40% overcrowded and many facilities are operating at 100% capacity. Increased incentives for good behavior will keep prisons at a more controlled level, and make them safer prisoners and staff.
Priorities. Nearly three out of every four federal prisoners are serving time for a non-violent offense and have no history of violence. They aren’t the only ones who suffer from being locked up: they have children, spouses, and friends whose lives have been impacted. People in federal prison deserve a second chance to make positive contributions to society.

The bill was introduced last week, and has 11 cosponsors. It’s still early in the process, which makes it a great time to get involved and take action. Visit GoodTimeBill.info for a list of things you can do.

Environmentalist Sentenced to 21 Years as a “Terrorist”; Violent Racists Receive Half That

Will Potter — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:12:21 +0000

Marie Mason

I’ve written a lot of articles like this, when prison sentences are handed down to activists who have been labeled “terrorists” for property crimes, and instead of getting easier it just keeps getting harder. It’s getting harder to write about this rationally, calmly. These cases are getting worse, folks. The government is growing increasingly aggressive in its prosecutions, and increasingly transparent in its tactics.

Marie Mason, a longtime environmental activist and mother of two, was sentenced this afternoon to 21 years in prison, as a “terrorist,” for non-violent property crimes in the name of defending the environment. It’s a historic sentence, the longest yet for any of these Green Scare cases.

In the lead up to her sentencing, the FBI took their “eco-terrorist” scare-mongering to a new level. Mason’s friends and family were prepared to attend the sentencing hearing and support her at such a terrible moment in her life. So what did the FBI do? Agents had the audacity to warn the press that “terrorists” might be attending Mason’s sentencing. They said they “expect members of the eco-terrorist groups, the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front to gather and protest.” This, of course, is a bold-faced lie. Any FBI agents worth their salt knows that clandestine organizations like the ALF and ELF do not protest: they are illegal, underground groups. This was a calculated scare-mongering move meant to make normal, everyday people afraid of showing up to a public court proceeding, lest they be labeled as members of the “number one domestic terrorism threat.”

Let me reiterate this: The government made a concerted effort to demonize not just the defendant, but anyone who supports the defendant by attending a public court proceeding. Regardless of how you feel about Marie Mason, or the Green Scare more broadly, moves like this are antithetical to any semblance of a democracy. Intimidating citizens to keep them from attending a politicized court date is a defining characteristic of an out-and-out police state.

If that isn’t enough, let’s look at Mason’s sentence. Twenty-one years for arson that caused about $1 million in damage to genetic-engineering research at Michigan State University and didn’t harm anyone.

By comparison, on Monday the FBI put out a press release patting themselves on the back for the guilty pleas of four men who assaulted three African-Americans on the night of President Barack Obama’s election victory. [I've written previously about how the FBI is more concerned about environmental activists than presidential assassination attempts].

From the FBI’s news release:

Nicoletti drove the group to the Park Hill section of Staten Island, a predominantly African-American neighborhood, where they came upon an African-American teenager and assaulted him. Nicoletti struck the teenager with a metal pipe and Garaventa hit him with a collapsible police baton.

The expected sentences for racist, violent attacks meant to punish people for voting for a black man? Between 10 and 12 years. That’s about half of Marie Mason’s.

The government’s press release said that “this successful prosecution sends a clear message.”

What is the message that you think it sends?

Ron Arnold Defends Environmentalist Smeared as “Eco-terrorist”

Jeff Luers Speaks on the Green Scare, and Being Labeled an “Eco-Terrorist”

Will Potter — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:00:12 +0000

Jeff Free Luers

Over at Mostly Water, Marlena Gangi has an interesting interview with Jeff Luers. Jeff “Free” Luers was sentenced to 22 years and eight months for burning three SUVs at the Romania Chevrolet in Eugene, Ore. His case rose to international attention because of the aggressive attempts by the government to label him an “eco-terrorist,” and his outlandish sentence.

What interested me about the interview is when he’s asked about the Green Scare, Operation Backfire, and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act:

Marlena Gangi: First, what do you have to say about these draconian measures and second, do you have any words of encouragement for activists who have fallen to fear and retreated to the shadows?

Jeff Luers: Fear is the enemy of freedom. We fail to act because we fear the cost of living free. We live in a police state. The U.S. may be the kinder face of fascism, but it is still a fascist state. Yes, we have elected a man who may bring change, but the system that he upholds will still be a capitalist, imperialist monster. If anyone thinks that he isn’t going to protect the corporate interests at the extent of the people, they are wrong. We live in one of the few countries in the world where corporations are granted and guaranteed the same rights under our constitution. By design, our government is structured to uphold that rule of law.

I would rather be in prison or dead than blindly submit to a government I know is corrupt and wrong. I would rather dare to live free and fight against injustice than cower in silence and despair. I think many people feel the same way. We just have to be smarter in how we speak out and in how we act.

Breaking: Jeff Free Luers Released From Prison Early

Music Video by “Against Me!” About Eric McDavid and Anna the FBI Informant

Will Potter — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:58 +0000

This is Tom Gabel of Against Me! playing at the Nimbus Dam, the site Eric McDavid was allegedly plotting to blow up with Zachary Jenson and Lauren Weiner. An FBI informant named “Anna” provided the group with bomb-making recipes; at times financed their transportation, food and housing; strung along McDavid, who had the hopes of a romantic relationship; and poked and prodded the group into action.

Mark Reichel, McDavid’s attorney, said:

“There has never been a case in America that has involved this much entrapment, this much pushing by an informant, by the U.S. government and by the FBI behind it.”

McDavid was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

“Anna the Stool Pigeon”
by Tom Gabel

Eric, Ren and Jensen were activists
Heads loaded with theory, their hearts are filled with passion
Shared the same left wing politics
Liked the same music, they were part of the protest movement
Now, Anna presented herself as a feminist
Studied the way they talked and dressed
Fashioned herself an anarchist
Eric fell in love with Anna at the meeting of the CrimethInc conference
He didn’t know it but Anna was an FBI informant

Eric fell in love with an FBI informant
Shared his dreams of revolution
Now he’s sitting in solitary confinement
Be careful what you think
Be careful what you say
It might be used against you in court one day
Well Anna thinks she’s a hawk
She’s just a fucking snitch

The headlines called them the believers
Comparisons were made to a terrorist organization
Well Anna had the car, Anna paid the rent
Anna helped find the recipe to make the explosives
She encouraged her friends to follow through with their plans
They were gonna build a bomb and blow up the Nimbus Dam
Their conversations were being recorded
They didn’t know it but Anna was an FBI informant

Eric fell in love with an FBI informant
Shared his dreams of revolution
Now he’s sitting in solitary confinement
Be careful what you think
Be careful what you say
It might be used against you in court one day
Well Anna thinks she’s a hawk
She’s just a fucking snitch

Black suburbans and AR-15 rifles
Agents made their arrests in a K-Mart parking lot
Caught with the supplies for the bomb in hand
The three were charged with conspiracy against the government
Ren and Jensen traded testimony in exchange for leniency
Eric was sentenced to twenty years in the penitentiary
Eric, Ren and Jensen were activists
They didn’t know it but Anna was an FBI informant

Eric fell in love with an FBI informant
Shared his dreams of revolution
Now he’s sitting in solitary confinement
Be careful what you think
Be careful what you say
It might be used against you in court one day
Well Anna thinks she’s a hawk
She’s just a fucking snitch

How Corporate Provacateurs Made Fran Trutt an “Animal Rights Terrorist”

Video of Will Potter at Green Scare Benefit: “When They Knock Down Your Front Door, How You Gonna Come”

Will Potter — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:57:50 +0000

Thanks to Matt for posting this video clip of me speaking at a benefit for Green Scare prisoners in New York City. (Sorry for the audio quality but it was just really loud in there.)

In this clip I touch very briefly on Communications Management Units, which are high-security facilities that severely restrict inmate communications with the outside world. The government has moved some “eco-terrorist” prisoners to these facilities. Andy Stepanian, one of the SHAC 7, was recently released from a CMU, and Daniel McGowan is currently housed in one. Expect to see much more on these secretive facilities here in the coming months.