Striking Blows in Defense of the Earth: An Evening with Jeffrey “Free” Luers and Leslie James Pickering
*Saturday, December 11, 2010
*5pm, Walker Community Church, 3104 17th Ave S, Minneapolis
*childcare provided

(Flyer here.)

Earth liberation movements have worked tirelessly for many years to bring a revolutionary perspective to the environmental movement, to build solidarity with prior struggles and political prisoners, and to prepare today’s activists for state repression. More recently, however, while state repression has intensified, we have seen a decline in major earth liberation movement activities. Luers and Pickering will analyze these trends, their consequences, and readdress the issues that activists were fighting for a decade ago, which made the movement such a formidable social force.

Jeffrey “Free” Luers is a political activist who served a ten-year prison sentence for arson in the state of Oregon. The arson was an act of protest against climate change and excessive consumption. Before serving time, Luers was already well known for his participation in tree-sitting campaigns to save old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest.

Leslie James Pickering is a founder and former spokesperson for the North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office. He is the author of two books: “Earth Liberation Front 1997-2002” and “Mad Bomber Melville,” the biography of Vietnam War era revolutionary Sam Melville, a key figure in the Attica Prison Uprising of 1971.

Event co-sponsored by: EWOK!, Scott and Carrie Support Committee, Women’s Student Activist Collective, MN NLG, UofM Sociology Dept., UofM Geography Dept., UofM Political Science Department, Scholars for Academic Justice, MN Global Justice Project

This event is a part of the “National Anti-Prison Groups Day of Action.”

**Statement of Solidarity with Activists Raided and Subpoenaed on 9/24/10**

The raids and grand jury subpoenas against antiwar and international solidarity activists on the morning of Friday, September 24, 2010 are not just an attack on particular activists, but on our movements for social justice as a whole. With a united voice, we condemn this repression; we demand the federal government cease its investigation and withdraw the subpoenas immediately; and we vow to continue our work for true justice.

We reject the allegation that the government’s investigation into our movements is based on “material support for terrorism” in any form. This allegation is particularly ludicrous considering the terror tactics the U.S. government engages in on a daily basis, both globally and domestically. Aimed against valued members of our community, the raids against activists on Friday morning were particularly offensive to us. However, we recognize that they are unexceptional instances of repression when compared to the daily crimes against humanity carried out by U.S. imperialism.

We refuse to let the accusations of a notoriously untruthful, repressive government divide us in any way. Because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, we resolve to set any ideological or other political differences aside and respond in solidarity with one another. Our struggle will continue.

Signed,

(All organizational affiliations listed are for identification purposes only unless otherwise noted)
*Adam Briesemeister*
*Adam Greeley*
*Alicia Ronney*
*Amy Selvins, AFSCME 3800*
*Andrea Palumbo*
*Andrew Carhart, AFSCME 3800*
*Andrew Somers, Students for a Democratic Society*
*Angel Buechner, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Angella Khan, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Anne Benson*
*Bill Sorem*
*Brandom Madsen, Socialist Alternative*
*Brett Hoven, UAW 879, Socialist Alternative*
*Brian Payne*
*Bruce Berry, Vets for Peace*
*Bryan Berry, Junkyard Empire*
*Bryan Jones*
*Catherine Salonek, Socialist Alternative*
*Chante Wolf*
*Charlene Wilford, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Charles Underwood*
*Christopher Clauson*
*Christopher R. Cox, Junkyard Empire*
*Chuck Turchick*
*Cian Prendiville, Socialist Party–Ireland*
*Coleen Rowley*
*Colleen McGilp, Women Against Military Madness*
*Communities United Against Police Brutality (organization)*
*Cynthia Clark*
*Dan DiMaggio, Socialist Alternative*
*Danny King, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Darryl Robinson, Communities United Against Police Brutality*
*Dave Bicking, Green Party*
*David Keuhl, Anti-War Committee*
*David Riehle, United Transportation Union*
*Deb Konechne, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Deborah Howze, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Dori Ullman, Communities United Against Police Brutality*
*Doug McGilp, IBT–Retired*
*Earl Balfour, Mayday Books*
*Earth Warriors are OK! (organization)*
*Elizabeth Raasch-Gilman, RNC 8 Defense Committee*
*Eric J. Angell, Our World in Depth*
*Erik Zakis*
*Eryn Trimmer, RNC8*
*Garrett Fitzgerald, RNC 8*
*Gary North*
*Gaylyn Bicking*
*Greg Gibbs*
*Hallie Wallace*
*Heather Haymond*
*Jaime Hokanson, RNC 8 Defense Committee*
*Jane Franklin, Twin Cities Indymedia*
*Janelle Colway, Communities United Against Police Brutality*
*Janet Nye, Green Party*
*Jean Heberle, Women Against Military Madness*
*Jennie Eisert, Anti-War Committee*
*Jim McGuire, Industrial Workers of the World*
*Joan Feakins*
*Joann Gonzalez, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Joanne Schubert*
*John Everett Till*
*John J. Braun, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Pax Christi USA*
*John Kolstad*
*Joyce Wallace, Women Against Military Madness*
*June C. Conner, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Karen Redleaf, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network–Twin Cities, Our World in Depth*
*Karthik Ramanathan, Minnesota Cuba Committee*
*Katie Molm*
*Katrina Plotz, Anti-War Committee*
*Kieran F. Knutson, Industrial Workers of the World*
*Kimberly A. DeFranco, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Kira Downey*
*Kristen Keuhl*
*Kurt Seaberg*
*Linda Leighton, IPAC, SEIU 284, Industrial Workers of the World–Twin Cities*
*Linden Gawboy, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Lucas de Gracia*
*Luce Guillén-Givins, RNC8*
*Marie Braun, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, WAMM*
*Max Specktor, RNC 8*
*Melinda McGowan*
*Melissa Hill, Twin Cities Indymedia*
*Mia Overly, Univ. of Minn. Students for a Democratic Society*
*Michelle Gross, Communities United Against Police Brutality*
*Michelle Mandeville*
*Mickey Patterson, Women Against Military Madness*
*Minneapolis Autonomous Radical Space (organization)*
*MK Davis*
*Monica Bicking, RNC8*
*Nicole Duxbury*
*Phil Grove*
*Phillip Lickteig*
*Phyllis Walker*
*Polly Kellogg, Professor, St. Cloud State University*
*Rachel E.B. Lang, National Lawyers Guild–Minnesota Chapter*
*Rebecca Zaremba*
*Riva Garcia*
*RNC 8 Defense Committee (organization)*
*Robert Heberle, Veterans for Peace*
*Roger W. Cuthbertson*
*Roshaun White, Communities United Against Police Brutality*
*Sandra K. Bandli*
*Scott & Carrie Support Committee (organization)*
*Socialist Alternative (organization)*
*Stephen Abraham*
*Sue Ann Martinson, Women Against Military Madness*
*Susan Kolstad*
*Susanne Waldorf*
*Suzanne Linton, Green Party of Minnesota*
*Theodros Shibabaw, Socialist Alternative*
*Thomas Dooley, Mayday Books, Veterans for Peace*
*Timmy Ramone, Usual Suspects*
*Tom Schumacher, Boneshaker Books*
*Tonia Secor*
*Treana Mayer*
*Ty Moore, Socialist Alternative*
*Virginia Amy Weldon, Welfare Rights Committee*
*Welfare Rights Committee (organization)*

If you would like to add your name and/or organization to this list, *please email ActivismIsNotTerrorism@gmail.com*.

(Note: not everyone who signed on 9/24 is yet reflected in the list below; check TC Indymedia for an updated list of signatories)

His agency informed him that people from the “Federal Government” (FBI) wanted to meet at the agency office the following morning before he clocks in at work.

This was an odd request, because he worked in a different location than where his agency’s office was located. He also didn’t want to miss work. His start time was before the open hours of his employment agency.

Jeremy declined to set up the meeting and immediately sought the counsel of an attorney.

An attorney has contacted the FBI and left messages inquiring why they wish to speak with Jeremy. At this time there has been no response from the “Federal Government.”

Unfortunately, this is not a new experience for Jeremy. The FBI have a history of harassing him at work.

On the morning of October, 23, 2003 two agents approached Jeremy Dunbar at his place of employment.

Two agents (Identified as Agent Millicent Tompa and Officer Erik Swanson) approached
him at work and requested to interview him regarding an investigation that they claimed centered around the suicide death of his ex-partner, Angie Davis. Angie was the mother of his then five-year-old daughter.

Historically, Jeremy has always chosen to exercise his right to not speak to police and government officials. Because of the nature of their supposed concern, he granted time to the two police agents and allowed them to briefly interview him at his work.

That was a mistake. In the middle of questioning about Angie, the agents made a 180 degree spin and turned the focus from Angie’s suicide to questions regarding philosophical and political opinions he or other people may have. They had used the suicide death of Angie to get their foot in the door, and turned it into an excuse to politically profile someone who had
done nothing wrong.

This is a not-so-great example of the great lengths the FBI and other police organizations will go to in order to intimidate people.

Visiting someone at their temporary job for FBI questioning could easily be viewed as unsettling by an employer who is not familiar with their employees.

Further, visiting someone who is not only mourning the loss of his child’s mother, but trying to stay emotionally stable enough to work and support his child is very shallow and callous, especially after a family crisis such as suicide.

Other examples of FBI and police intimidation include:

- Visiting your house, pounding loudly and continuously while “demanding” you to open the door, as if you have done something illegal, without a warrant.
- Using threats of “arrest for obstruction” of justice when refusing to talk to them.
- Not writing down the name and information of your attorney when you politely tell them that you are not interested in speaking to them without your attorney present.
- Not leaving your property immediately after you request them to. Sometimes even staying on your property for an extended period of time and ignoring your repeated requests for them to leave.

It is important to realize the power that we have as individuals to stand up for ourselves and for others.

If you are ever approached by the police: Remember that it’s best to say nothing, and be sure to tell the world about it!

Peace,

Dr. Toxic

If you are approached by law enforcement, remember that you DO NOT have to talk to them, even if they say you do or that you should. We encourage anyone who has been visited to consult a lawyer (call 888-NLG-ECOL if you need to find one), *and* to tell people about it. The FBI uses isolation as a way of coercing people into cooperation, and it behooves us all to expose their activities so we can build community support for targeted individuals.

If you have been approached or harassed by law enforcement, we also encourage you to let us know by emailing ewok@riseup.net.

Stay safe,
EWOK!

http://midwestgreenscare.org

———–
From Toxic:
Here’s what I recall about my encounter with the FBI today:

I was topping off a full tank of gas at the Holiday Gas Station in Plymouth (Rockford Road and HWY 169) at 10:28am this morning when two FBI agents approached me. They identified themselves. One was heavset with dark short hair. The other was skinnier with a go-tee and shorter dark hair. The skinnier agent did all the talking.

I mostly ignored their presence by looking at them and stating, “I have nothing to say to you guys.”

I then hung up my gas pump and walked into the Holiday Gas Station to pay.

The two agents followed me as I walked across the parking lot to pay inside the gas station. They stopped at the door and waited for me when I went inside to pay.

After I paid and exited the building, the two agents followed me to my vehicle. They were persistenly asking me to cooperate with them and repeatedly mentioned that they wanted to give me an “opportunity.”

Again, I ignored their presence as I walked to my vehicle, opened my door, and drove away.

It was 10:32am when I left the parking of the gas station. To my knowledge, they did not follow me.

They were standing by a red (metallic red) four door (pontiac?) with licence plate # MNB 615 (or a combination of those letters and numbers).

Dialogue I remember them saying to me as I was ignoring them:

“Dominoes are starting to fall all around,” and “we want to give you an opportunity,” and “it would be shame if you didn’t talk to us.” My daughter was concerned because she heard them say the word “kids” when I was getting into the car and shutting the door. I don’t know what exactly they said, but it was probably something to push my buttons.

My two children were with me when the agents approached me today. All three of us are fine now.

Feel free to pass this info on to any lists or groups that you wish.

Dr. Toxic
(Aka- Mike Nelson)

Communities United Against Police Brutality, along with local animal rights activists, are calling for a protest in front of Ribnick Furs on Wedensday, July 14 starting at 4:30 to protest the injustice to the First Amendment and the cruelty of the fur trade.

Isaac and Michael will also be sentenced at 8:15 AM on the 14th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center on the same day.

In addition, money is needed for their appeal, and more information can be found on their newly launched website: http://deathtrade.wordpress.com/

Come out and support Isaac, Michael, and the First Amendment. The trial will likely be more than one day but we don’t know yet.

Hope to see YOU there!!!

Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Government Center (415 South 5th Street, Minneapolis)
Check with the court clerk for the court room.

March 29- Drop the charges!: Call-in In Support Of Minneapolis Fur Protesters

When? Monday March 29th, all day

Who? Susan Segal, city attorney 612-673-3272

As fur protesters and avid animal lovers Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson stood chanting anti-fur slogans on the sidewalk outside of Ribnick’s Furs in downtown Minneapolis on March 4th, neither expected to be spending their evening undergoing booking at the Hennepin County jail.

They had been protesting in the same location, using the same chants for over 5 months –why would March 4th be any different? Officers (including sergeants) had often assuring them “You can chant as much as you want, scream to the top of your lungs for all I care, just don’t block the sidewalks”.

But March 4th took a turn for the worst; when two Minneapolis police officers who Peter and Lawson had never seen before arrived on the scene, entering into the storefront without attempting to engage in dialogue with either protester.

After speaking with owner Bill Ribnick, they exited, informing both protesters they were being charged with disorderly conduct for being “too loud”.

Both protesters attempted to tell the officers of the circumstances, and that previous officers had given them assurance that they were acting within their rights.

The male officer’s response was immediately that he “wasn’t interested.” Peter and Lawson were taken to the Hennepin County jail until bail was posted.

When it came time for their arraignment, it became clear that this was not an ordinary “disorderly conduct” charge. Bill Ribnick, owner of Ribnick’s Furs – who was not even a party to this case — was in attendance with a very expensive and affluent attorney by his side, talking with a city prosecutor, as she hugged him and gave him her condolences.

In a disgusting attempt to curb free speech, and a shocking example of a prosecution pandering to the interests of a wealthy businessman – the city offered to drop the charges on the condition that Isaac and Michael not be allowed to exercise their right to protest at Ribnick’s Furs for a year.

Both Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson refused the deal, citing outrage at the back-room bribery that had taken place and a undeterred dedication to the mink, fox, chinchilla, and other animals killed for fur.

Defendant Michael Lawson released this statement after the arraignment:

“If Ribnick thinks he’s the only person that can pressure the prosecutor, he’s wrong. We may not have the money or political connections that Bill Ribnick has, but we have a broader network of people committed to free speech and compassion towards animals than he could ever hope to have. The voice of the people will always beat back-room scheming”

Peter and Lawson can’t beat Ribnick in money, but they intend to beat him in community support.

That’s why we need compassionate folks to call prosecutor Susan Segal and tell her that scheming with Ribnick Furs and other businesses to criminalize legally-protected boycott and protest is unacceptable. They are now asking people to call the city prosecutors office and tell them to “Drop the Charges against Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson immediately!”

Call-in for Isaac and Michael

When? Monday March 29th, all day

Who? Susan Segal, city attorney 612-673-3272

What? Demand she drop the the charges against Isaac Peter and Michael Lawson and tell her that we won’t standby while our rights to free speech and peaceful protest is being thrown out the window. Please keep calls polite but insistent.

a talk by Dhoruba Bin-Wahad

flyer here

In November 2009 Dhoruba Bin-Wahad, a former U.S. political prisoner, leader the Black Panther Party, and member of the Black Liberation Army, was detained and deported from the West Bank of occupied Palestine by Israeli authorities. He had been invited to attend a conference on political detention by the Palestinian Authority.

Dhoruba spent 19 years of a life sentence in jail for a crime he did not commit. He was a target of the FBI’s COINTELPRO, was arrested in 1971 and had his conviction overturned in 1990.

He will discuss historic and current struggles against social injustice and state violence in the U.S. and in Palestine, with a specific focus on political prisoners and institutions that repress social movement mobilization within communities fighting oppression.

Join a wide array of Twin Cities organizations to hear this powerful speaker, who challenges conventional wisdom and inspires people to embrace social change.

***Schedule of Events***

**02/28, 7pm

Community Dinner with Dhoruba

Walker Church, 3100 16th Ave S, Mpls

Vegan/vegetarian options

$5 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds

flyer here

**03/01, 7pm

Lecture followed by Q&A

5 Blegen Hall, University of Minnesota

Free

flyer here

**03/02, 11:15am

Lecture followed by Q&A

Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University

1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul

Free

flyer here

**03/02, 6pm

Lecture and refreshments

Historic Pilgrim Baptist Church, 732 Central Ave, St. Paul (corner of Central and Grotto; enter on west side of building)

Sponsored by the St. Paul NAACP and Graybeard. Questions about event can be directed to the St. Paul NAACP at  651-649-0520.

flyer here

Sponsored by the American Studies Dept. (UofM), Black Law Student Assn. (Hamline), Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Criminal Law Student Assn. (Hamline), Critical Legal Studies group (Hamline), Dept. of African American and African Studies (UofM), Dept. of Political Science (UofM), EWOK!, Hamline Chapter of the National Lawyers’ Guild, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Latino Law Student Association (Hamline), Law Democrats (Hamline), MN Global Justice Project, MN Chapter of the National Lawyers’ Guild, RNC 8 Defense Committee, Scholars for Academic Justice, Scott and Carrie Support Committee, WAMM Mideast Committee, Women’s Student Activist Collective

“State Repression and Social Movements: Grand Juries, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, and Community Activism”

A talk with legendary radical attorney Stu Sugarman and Professor David N. Pellow

When: Saturday, February 20th, potluck at 6:30pm, talk at 7pm
Where: Social Science Building Room 1114, University of Minnesota campus

On the anniversary of the arrest of the AETA 4, join sociologists, attorneys, and community activists to learn about the history of state repression directed at activists and scholars involved in social change movements.

Information will be provided on the defense of the following activists:
-the AETA 4, four Santa Cruz activists facing “animal enterprise terrorism” charges for sidewalk-chalking and other 1st-amendment-protected activities
-Scott DeMuth, a grand jury resister now facing false charges of “animal enterprise terrorism”
-Carrie Feldman, currently in her third month of incarceration in Iowa for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury

Sponsored by Scholars for Academic Justice, Earth Warriors are OK! (EWOK!), the Coldsnap Legal Collective, the Scott and Carrie Support Committee, and the Minnesota Global Justice Project