Jeff Luers

from email, updated 7 October 2009: "Many of you have been offering your support and are asking what you can do to help Jeff. As you have likely heard by now, on October 2, 2009, Jeff was released from prison after a supplemental judgment granted Jeff an additional reduction in his total incarceration time. He had served almost 9.5 years of what was originally a 22.5 year prison term (reduced to 10 years on appeal).

After tasting freedom for a few short hours, he reported to his probation officer in Eugene as directed, and was taken back in to custody, apparently as a result of a "mistake" by the Oregon Department of Corrections..." more

from email, 2 August 2009: "Last week I went to my first “release class”. It is odd that when you come to prison you go to classes about how to do time, how to avoid conflict with staff and inmates, how to avoid disease, sexual assault and other pitfalls. Then just before you leave you go to classes to relearn how to be free. In between the two, you forget that you were even a part of the free world..." more

from email, 10 June 2009: "The June 2009 Day of Solidarity with Jeff Free Luers and all Eco-Prisoners events list has been updated. We hope to see you out at one of the events! Thank you for your support! If you are able to donate to Jeff's release and education fund.." more

from email, 14 May 2009: "This June will also mark my 9th and final year in prison as my scheduled release date in December 2009 draws steadily closer. The years have left their toll on me both physically and emotionally. I came to prison an idealistic young man of 21 and I will be leaving a hardened, more cynical man in my early 30’s..." more

from email, 9 April 2009: "On December 11, we must unite for a day of international solidarity; we must demand immediate and real action on climate change, not more false promises. We must strike for climate justice. This is an urgent call to unions, workers and concerned citizens around the world. Organize in your workplace, in your union halls, on your streets. On December 11th, we must unite..." more

from email, 24 February 2009: "Jeff is now less than 10 months away from release - his current release date is December 16, 2009. It is possible that date might change slightly, but one thing for sure is that Jeff will soon be free! In the meantime, please contribute to his release fund which will help him settle back into life on the outside as well as pay for tuition for classes Jeff plans to enroll in soon after his release..." more

from email, updated 5 February 2009: "A new article written by Jeff, focusing on the need for alternative energy in our communities... +++ "We use energy everyday. It is easy to dismiss our use of electricity with romantic notions of primitivism or dismantling the capitalist system by dismantling the electric grid. But, these thoughts do not reflect the reality that over a third of all energy use in this country is residential..." more

from email, 17 December 2008: "This was so much easier to write in my head than it is now that I’m here with pen and paper in my hand. Turning 30 is supposed to be this big milestone. I remember when both my older brothers turned 30 when I was still a teenager. I remember my older friends turning 30 when I was just hitting twenty. It was a big deal to them. I think that in our society you are supposed to be somewhat settled by 30; have some idea of what you are doing with your life. Perhaps that’s why 30 doesn’t seem like such a big deal to me. I knew what I was doing with my life when I was 20: trying to make this world a better place and remind people what it means to be human living on a living planet..." more

from email, 8 December 2008: Jeff asked that his interview with political prisoner Grant Barnes be sent out in lieu of dispatch this month. Grant Barnes is currently serving a 12-year sentence in Colorado for setting fire to several SUVs. The interview will also be appearing in the upcoming January/February issue of the Earth First! Journal, so be sure to check that out as well. more

from email, 14 November 2008: On December 5, 2008 Jeff Luers will celebrate his 30th birthday and the beginning of his final year in prison. This is Jeff's 8th birthday in prison. Please take a moment to send Jeff a birthday card and a letter of support (address below). In addition, Jeff has requested the following books, so this would be the perfect opportunity to give him a gift. more

from email, 30 October 2008: "As beautiful autumn weather brings us closer to 2009, Jeff's release date in December 2009 seems all the more palpable. And all the friends and family that have visited Jeff these past few months have noticed a huge change in Jeff's demeanor as he too realizes he will once again enjoy the pleasures that we on the outside all take for granted. Please help us build a release fund for Jeff to help pay for his education and costs associated with rebuilding his life..." more

from email, 12 September 200: For the last several months I have been having these amazing conversations mail with someone who is as heavily involved in forest defense as I was once was. The stories and pictures she has shared with me of the campaigns to protect the Weld Valley in Tasmania has been a tremendous inspiration (to learn more about how you can help, look up the Huon Valley Environmental Center [HVEC] on Myspace)[or go to http://www.huon.org/]. I have been invigorated by the exchange of ideas and strategies, becoming so excited I even sent diagrams of tree-sits I used to build. more

from email, 11 August 2008: Over the years these writings have served as a window into my life. I did not begin them with that intent. They started as a way to demonstrate to the world and myself that no cage could break my spirit. However, they have become so much more. Through these dispatches, you the audience have gotten a feel for what it is like to be a political prisoner. Not the celebrity that so often accompanies those of us locked up for direct action, but the deep heartfelt sorrow that is being locked up for an act of protest. more

from email, 20 April 2008: Daniel McGowan is an an environmental and social justice activist from New York City, currently serving a 7 year sentence for 2 actions involving arson in the Pacific Northwest. Daniel was, and still is, a major source of support for Jeff. We wanted to share an article with you that Daniel wrote about Jeff, recently posted on his blog: http://supportdaniel.org/blog/?p=30 Please read and share, and please also offer support to Daniel as he has done for Jeff over the years.  more