ELP Bulletin: Chico, Calif. Activists Need Your Help

January 27, 2004
TWO ACTIVISTS CHARGED WITH LYING TO FBI & GRAND JURY
ELP Information Bulletin

Dear friends

ELP has been contacted by two young American activists who have been investigated as a response to an Animal Liberation Front arson attack against two McDonalds restaurants. There is no evidence to suggest they were involved with the arsons, but instead have been accused of lying to the FBI and a Grand Jury who were investigating the arsons. Here is their story........


In 2003 Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front activists visited the town of Chico, California, USA. The visits culminated with the ALF sloganising and firebombing two McDonalds restaurants. The FBI investigated the arsons and interviewed the local radicals, some of whom appeared before a Grand Jury.

Also in 2003 there was an autonomous anti-war action in Chico. As a result of the anti-war activities some of the local radicals, who'd already been questioned about the ALF arsons, were arrested for this anti-war action. Two of those arrested for the anti-war action, Harjit Gill and Robert Brooks, had publicly supported the ALF and the ELF and appeared to be prime targets for the FBI because of this outspoken support.

This desire to get these two local radicals increased when it is alleged by a police informant that Harjit and Robert had lied to the Grand Jury. As a result of this informants lies, Harjit and Robert have both been charged with 2 counts of lying to a federal officer and 1 count of lying to a federal grand jury. There is no evidence that either Harjit or Robert were involved with either the ALF or ELF actions and are merely being prosecuted because of their outspoken support for the ALF & ELF and because they refused to assist the Grand Jury with its investigations.

ELP recognises these charges are politically motivated and born out of the police's failure to catch the activists who torched the two McDonalds. It's a case that if they can't get the activists involved, they'll get the people who spoke up for the activists.

To fight this case Harjit and Robert are in desperate need of support (especially financial support) and we ask that people send whatever donations they can afford to:

Harjit Gill & Robert Brooks Defence Fund
c/o 44 Galaxy Avenue
Oroville, CA 95966, USA

Please make all donations payable to Harjit Gill. Letters of support can also be sent to the same address or e-mailed c/o ELP4321 [at] Hotmail.com (please make clear in the subject bar that the e-mail is for Harjit and Robert)

http://www.earthliberationfront.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Prison is a weapon used by the State to crush individuals who step out of line" (Michael Collins - former Mayday 2000 prisoner)

Support All Animal & Earth Liberation Prisoners

Spirit of Freedom (Earth Liberation Prisoners)
c/o Cornerstone Resource Centre, Leeds, LS7 3HB, England E-Mail: earthlibprisoner [at] mail.com http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
E-Mail: naelpsn [at] graffiti.net