Independent journalist Josh Wolf was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 1st at a hearing in San Francisco. He refused to testify or turn over unpublished video to a Federal Grand Jury that is investigating a July, 2005 anti-G8 demonstration. He was charged with civil contempt and has been jailed until further notice without being convicted of a crime. He could be held for up to 13 months (the remainder of the Grand Jury). He is being held in order to coerce him to testify and turn over his raw video to a federal grand jury. The GJRP believes that if people continue to struggle on Josh's behalf, he could be released before the end of the year.

The GJRP and others are keeping track of ways to support Josh. He is being held at FCI Dublin, and can receive mail and books there. Information about prison mail rules and tips on writing letters to a prisoner can be found on http://freejosh.pbwiki.com/. There is currently a resolution before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, aimed at resisting the federal government's intervention in the local investigation of the July 8th, 2005 G-8 protest and expressing support for the California Shield Law. The resolution is currently in committee and will be heard within the next two weeks. People are encouraged to call the Board of Supervisors and ask them to vote in favor of this resolution and to express their support for Josh.

A support Josh email list has been set up, and donations are being sought to pay for Josh's legal expenses and for his day-to-day expenses. Supporters are being asked to organize fundraising events. Read more

Past coverage of Josh Wolf's case