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<font size=3><b>Free demands "recognition of political status for
our prisoners. All incarcerated and accused members of the Earth
Liberation Front and other earth liberation prisoners are political
prisoners. Our actions that brought us to prison are political in nature.
Our trials are about our politics. Our sentences are increased because of
our political motives."<br><br>
Agreed, but what about all of the other political prisoners in their 20+
or 30+ years?<br>
cm<br><br>
Jeff “Free” Luers Prison Dispatch, March 2006<br>
</b> <br>
<br>
Earlier this month, the Earth Liberation Front struck in Salem, Oregon. I
doubt many people outside of Oregon heard about this action. However, in
Oregon it was a hot news topic for days.<br>
<br>
What kind of daring action could garner such media attention? The words
"Stop building ant farms, ELF" spray-painted on a new housing
development.<br>
<br>
The first headlines were "Eco-terrorists strike again". Then
the speculations came. Was this an act of hardened terrorists or was it a
prank? The debate went on. The police didn't know. The media could only
guess.<br>
<br>
The only thing that remained concrete was those three red letters: E-L-F.
The difference came in how it was discussed. The media said "the
police are unsure whether this is the work of teenage vandals or seasoned
terrorists. If it was vandals they will be charged with criminal
mischief. However, if it turns out the graffiti was actually done by
terrorists they will be charged with federal anti-terrorist
laws."<br>
<br>
The "crime" remains the same but if it was committed for
political reasons the punishment is much worse.<br>
<br>
Recently, 3 college students were arrested in Alabama for the arson of
half a dozen churches, for more than a week. The fires made national
headlines. In some places burning a church is chargeable as a hate
crime.<br>
<br>
The three stated it was a prank that got out of control and all three
were released on $50,000 bail.<br>
<br>
Daniel McGowan, on the other hand, who was charged in two ELF related
arsons, was only released after posting $1.6 million bail.<br>
<br>
This is what a police state looks like, when laws are passed punishing
protest more severely than social crime; when a person can be labeled a
terrorist instead of a dissident; when the media uses the same language
as the rulers without question; when allegiance to ones country means
subservience to its rulers.<br>
<br>
~<br>
<br>
I am a warrior. I have never denied what or who I am. I have engaged in
actions contrary to the laws of the United States. However, before I ever
participated in illegal actions I employed every legal method available
to invoke change.<br>
<br>
I have met with business leaders, mayors, and members of congress. I have
had these people lie right in my face or tell me they were powerless to
do anything. I have seen corporate interests trump public interests time
and time again with government support.<br>
<br>
When people have no say in how they are ruled or what actions are taken
on their behalf, they are not free. It is not freedom to choose your
rulers if the method of rule remains the same. It is not freedom when
your community lives in poverty, polluted by toxic and chemical waste and
subject to abject police brutality, while your leaders and bosses live
like royalty. It is not freedom when social order is maintained through
fear and manipulation.<br>
<br>
In the face of such truths it becomes the duty of all able bodied men
& women to resist. It may be illegal but it is not wrong to fight
injustice. It is not wrong to challenge corporate arrogance. It is not
wrong to resort to force when diplomacy fails.<br>
<br>
~<br>
<br>
For years I and other earth liberation prisoners have received your
support. There have been letter-writing campaigns, fundraisers, protests,
direct actions and international days of solidarity. I am honored and
thankful for your love and support.<br>
<br>
Each of us know and believe our struggle is a legitimate one. We have a
right to clean air, water, and land. We have a right to rein in corporate
and government practices furthering climate change. We have a right to
resist oppression.<br>
<br>
However, if we are to succeed our struggle must be recognized as being
legitimate in the eyes of the world. Our resistance must be recognized as
necessary.<br>
<br>
One of the first steps in accomplishing that is by demanding recognition
of political status for our prisoners. All incarcerated and accused
members of the Earth Liberation Front and other earth liberation
prisoners are political prisoners. Our actions that brought us to prison
are political in nature. Our trials are about our politics. Our sentences
are increased because of our political motives.<br>
<br>
We need you to help us demand political status; by writing and calling
politicians, newspapers, and other media and demanding recognition; by
reaching beyond our borders to international organizations like Amnesty
International and other human rights organizations, as well as the United
Nations and other governments.<br>
<br>
The state says people like me are terrorists. They use the label to
instill fear and justify their repression. Only you can change that.<br>
<br>
Jeffrey “Free” Luers<br>
March 2006<br>
<br>
<br>
Write to:<br>
<br>
Jeff Luers<br>
#13797671<br>
Oregon State Prison<br>
2605 State Street<br>
Salem, Oregon 97310<br>
USA<br>
<br>
For more information:<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.freefreenow.org/">www.freefreenow.org</a><br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
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