Environmental Witch-Hunt - ELF/ALF arrests in U$A

Posted 17:05 20 February 2006

On December 7, 2005, six activists were arrested across the US in a series of coordinated raids by Federal Marshals, in relation to a string of actions which took place between 1998 and 2001, claimed by the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

Several others were served with subpoenas to appear before a grand jury in Eugene, Oregon in March, 2006. Two of these served were later arrested in Medford, Oregon, and released on bail until October 31, when all eight will stand trial. Three of the eleven are 'at large'. All of the remaining activists, including the first snitch, Jake, are now facing life sentences if convicted. One of the accused has died in jail.

Three who were arrested are reportedly cooperating with authorities to lessen their prison terms. Friday, January 13, a planted FBI infiltrator named 'Anna', was responsible for the arrests of another three people in Auburn, California, who are accused of being an ELF cell. These arrests and subpoenas are part of a nation-wide effort to target activists in the US under new anti-terror legislation.

The ELF and ALF are clandestine groups and/or individuals with no leaders or members, who take direct action against private, corporate and federal businesses, industries, and institutions, who exploit the earth and its relations for profit. As a result of claiming hundreds of effective actions, in which not one life has been lost, these groups have reached the top of the FBI's 'Most Wanted Domestic Terrorist Group' in the US. The US attorney press office release states that the recent arrests come from nine years of investigations which included 'Homeland Security Agents' and 'Joint Security Task Forces'.

It is now known from evidence released in court, that police informants have given information about some of the people currently in custody from the 'Eco-Eleven Sweep'. Most notable is 'Jake the Snake', who after claiming responsibility for accusations against him worked hand-in-hand, and wire-tapped, with the authorities. Jake's informing work has been made publicly available, in the form of the actual arrest and search affidavit from FBI special agent J. Ferreira, Dec. 7th, 2005.

Dec 22, 2005, one of the indicted activists was found dead in his cell before being transferred to another prison. The authorities claim it was 'suffocation with a plastic bag' suicide. Bill Rodgers, 40, was a long-time community activist from Arizona where he ran the 'Catalyst Infoshop' bookstore out of his home. He was/is a truly amazing person, full of compassion and life. R.I.P.! Here are the last words he left behind for us:

'Certain human cultures have been waging a war against the earth for millennia. I choose to fight on the side of the bears, mt. lions, skunks, bats, saguaros, cliff rose and all the things wild. I am just the most recent casualty in that war. But tonight I have made a jailbreak-I am returning home, to the earth, to the place of my origins.'- Bill 12/21/05 winter solstice.

Stanilas Meyerhoff, one of the arrested, has agreed to testify against others charged. Kevin Tubbs, and Sarah Harvey are indicted and face serious charges, life or more in prison, but have been taken from the prison support lists for 'cooperating' with the officials after being imprisoned (although it is not sure the extent of the involvement or what it implies at this time). Sarah Harvey is out on bail.

Daniel McGowan, also to appear October 31, 2006, and facing 'life', has been released with $1.6 million bail, into the hands of his sister in N.Y, with the conditions he wears an electronic tracking monitor and reports weekly to pretrial supervisors. Suzanne Savoie and Jonathon Paul were released on bail Jan. 26. The two had arrest warrants after being subpoenaed for the December 7, Grand Jury. They will be tried with the others 11/31 for criminal complaint of arson at the office of Superior Lumber mill in Oregon.

Chelsea Gerlach was arraigned Dec.19, 2005, in front of a Federal Grand Jury. She was denied bail, and faces 290 years in Federal prison if convicted of all charges against her: arson at Childer's Meat Co., arson at Jefferson Poplar Farm, and destruction of a Bonneville Power Administration tower. Former Canadian ALF prisoner, Darren Thurston, is charged with possession of a false 'Green Card' and two counts of conspiracy. He is not requesting bail. Chelsea and Darren are the only two left out of the 'Eco-11' which are in prison and have not cooperated with the authorities. They need letters, books, cash, etc.

For information and to support Chelsea and Darren contact:
www.supportchelsea.org/
supportchelsea@mutualaid.org
freedarren@resist.ca

Write letters, NOW! Please write Chelsea and Darren on clean white envelopes and paper in black ink, with a return address on the envelope and inside the letter as well if you would like a response. All envelopes are thrown away before reaching them. Please write a lot! It is often mail is not received. Be careful what you write! Every letter is read! Do not make reference to their cases in any way.

Chelsea Gerlach #1308678
Lane County Jail
101 W 5th Ave
. Eugene, OR 97401 USA

Darren Thurston #701415
Multnomah County Inverness Jail
11540 NE Inverness Dr
Portland, OR 97220 USA

Auburn 3
On Saturday, January 13th, 2006, three environmental activists were arrested in Auburn, California and accused of being an ELF cell "plotting to blow up cell phone towers, power plants and US Forest Service facilities."

The latest news is the release of the FBI's affidavit in the case, which relies heavily on a deep cover, paid infil'traitor' named 'Anna', who went to Auburn with the defendants shortly before their arrests. According to the affidavit, 'Anna' has provided information in at least 12 anarchist cases since 2004.

As it stands, Lauren Weiner, one of the three arrested, has been released on bail. Zachary and Eric, her two codefendants remain in prison and desperately need you support! Eric was denied vegan food the day he entered jail, the 13th, and after over two weeks being denied vegan food, he decided to go on hunger strike.

It has now been weeks since he has eaten and his health is deteriorating rapidly. YOU! can write, contact and/or call the contacts below NOW! Demanding that Eric McDavid is given vegan food because his physical and mental health is in jeopardy!

For more information contact: sacprisonerssupport@riseup.net

Sacramento County Main Jail
651 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814 USA
001(916)8746752
001(916) 874 8984

Sheriff Lou Blanes
001(916)874 7146
001(916)8745352
sheriff@sacsheriff.com

Send letters today to Zachary and Eric using the same guidelines as stated earlier.

Zachary Jenson X-4198632 7E213A
Sacramento County Main Jail
651 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814 USA

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4W114A
Sacramento County Main Jail
651 I Street
Sacramento, Ca 95814 USA

For more information and to support other ELF prisoner, contact:
ecoprisoners.org
Indymedia Portland
North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network

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