Operation Backfire

“My Brother, The ‘Terrorist’”

Check out this oped in The L.A. Times by Caroline Paul, whose brother Jonathan is one of the defendants who faces “terrorism enhancement” penalties for environmentally-motivated property crimes: in this case, an arson against a horse slaughtering plant. An interesting sidenote is that Caroline was a San Francisco firefighter for 13 years. Here’s an excerpt: […]

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Closer Look at Court Ruling on Applying “Terrorism Enhancements” to Activists

“Terrorism enhancement” penalties may apply to a group of activists charged with property crimes in the name of protecting the environment and animal rights, a U.S. District Court judge ruled Monday. But the burden will be heavily on the government to “present clear and convincing evidence” during sentencing in order for the T-word to apply. […]

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Breaking News: Judge Rules That “Terrorism Enhancement” May Apply to Activists

A U.S. District Judge in Oregon just ruled that “terrorism enhancement” penalties may apply to environmental and animal rights activists in the “Operation Backfire” cases. I’m sifting through all this now and hope to post more tonight. Stay tuned.

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Government Seeks “Terrorism Enhancement” for Environmental Activists

They’ve been “terrorists” from day one. Since their arrest for a string of property crimes against corporations they believed were destroying the planet, a group of environmental activists from the Northwest have been relentlessly branded “eco-terrorists” and “domestic terrorists” in government press conferences, Congressional hearings and in the media. On Tuesday, though, in federal court […]

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“Terrorism Enhancement” Hearing Rally and Press Conference

Just received this, about the “terrorism enhancement” hearing for the Operation Backfire cases. Activists are also holding a rally at the same time, outside the courthouse… MEDIA ADVISORY For Immediate Release: May 10, 2007 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 Defendants […]

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Activists Organizing Worldwide Against “Eco-terrorism” Rhetoric and the Green Scare

It was inspiring to come back from two speaking events in Minneapolis and find an inbox full of emails about Green Scare events around the world. To highlight just a few… From activists in Durban, South Africa: In response to the call for a global day of action in solidarity with Greenscare indictees, people in […]

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Activists Organize Against Green Scare: 42 Events in 29 Cities This Week

Around the world activists are organizing events this week to raise awareness about all the “eco-terrorist” scare-mongering, harrasment and legislation. Here’s an update from GreenScare.org that includes a full listing of all the events. See if there’s one near you, and get involved: Update on December 7: An International Day of Solidarity with Green Scare […]

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Activist Resisting Grand Jury Witch Hunt Released From Jail

Jeff Hogg was released from jail this week, six months after refusing to cooperate with a federal Green Scare grand jury investigating “eco-terrorism.” Hogg, 33, is a longtime environmental activist and nursing student from Eugene, Ore. He was jailed on Thursday, May 18, when U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan found him in contempt for refusing […]

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“Operation Backfire” Plea Bargains: Admission of Guilt, or a Survival Strategy?

Two more Green Scare defendants pleaded guilty this week to involvement in property crimes claimed by the Earth Liberation Front, including a 2001 arson at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture. In return for the pleas, and for cooperating with the Feds in a broader investigation, Lacey Phillabaum and Jennifer Kolar received significantly […]

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National Lawyers Guild Calls Green Scare Tactics Unconstitutional

The National Lawyers Guild has called the FBI’s “Operation Backfire” unconstitutional, and part of an orchestrated campaign to silence dissent. The group’s press release issued Monday is the first time I’ve seen the guild, which prides itself on liberal-to-leftie politics, come out against these witch hunts. It’s a great step in the right direction, and […]

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