[Ppnews] 11 Indicted in Environmental Witch Hunt

[Political Prisoner News]

January 21, 2006
For Immediate Release

11 Indicted in Latest Round of FBI Environmental Witch Hunt

Washington, DC - On Friday the Justice Department announced that 11 
individuals were being charged in a 65 count indictment handed down 
by a Eugene, Oregon grand jury for a series of events from 1996 to 
2001. The indictment charged the individuals with a series of arsons, 
sabotage and vandalism that were claimed by the Earth Liberation 
Front and the Animal Liberation Front. These acts of eco-sabotage 
have been falsely labeled "terrorism" by FBI director Robert Mueller, 
even though no one has ever been 
harmed.

Adding to the buzz, news that one of the state's key witnesses is an 
informant who is disreputable, and a known heroin user, caused 
activists to speculate about how good a case the FBI could really 
have. Historically, the FBI has had very little success in 
investigating and prosecuting environmental and animal liberation 
activists because of the loose non-hierarchical structure of activist 
cells along with their penchant for a strong security culture, which 
serves to protect the identity of underground activists.

The indictments were announced just days after it was revealed that a 
tape had been received from international terrorist Osama Bin Laden, 
who promised a continued campaign of violence against the United
States.  The close proximity of today's announcement regarding the 
indictments caused many to wonder if this was a diversionary tactic 
meant to draw attention away from the FBI's failure in the international
terrorism arena and to distract the public from the current debate 
regarding illegal wire taps being perpetrated by the Government.

North American Animal Liberation Press Officer Dr. Jerry Vlasak 
observed: "The FBI has been known in the past to ramrod weak 
prosecutions based on inconclusive and highly questionable sources 
and evidence, especially when the suspect is an environmental 
activist".  In November, 2005 the FBI agreed to pay $100,000 and to 
issue a letter of regret to activist Josh Connole, who was arrested 
under suspicion of
being involved in a string of SUV vandalisms.

Another North American Animal Liberation Press Officer, Camille 
Hankins noted: "If you look at the backgrounds and professions of 
those indicted you will find that many of them work in professions 
that involve helping others. One is a firefighter, one works with the 
developmentally disabled, all have enlarged their circle of 
compassion to work to protect
the animals and the earth.  To label these people eco-terrorists is a 
terrible injustice."

For additional information, please contact:
North American Liberation Press Office
21044 Sherman Way #211
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 932-9997 Jerry Vlasak
(646) 267-9934 Camille Hankins
www.animalliberationpressoffice.org
<mailto:press at animalliberationpressoffice.org>press at animalliberationpressoffice.org

The Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-9977
www.freedomarchives.org 
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