On Friday, November 17th, supporters of local animal advocate Nadia Winstead held a rally at 10am in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco. At a hearing afterwards, she was found in civil contempt by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston for invoking her constitutional rights and refusing to testify before a federal grand jury. Winstead’s attorney, Mark Goldrosen, immediately requested that Winstead be released on her own recognizance pending an appeal that will be filed with the Ninth Circuit Court. Instead, judge Illston stayed enforcement of the contempt order for two weeks to allow Winstead to file the appeal. Report

Winstead and fellow activists were subpoenaed in June to appear before the grand jury. They asserted their constitutional rights against self-incrimination and refused to cooperate with what they say is government-sponsored harassment. These activists have been targeted before; they were also subpoenaed last year by a previous grand jury investigating the animal liberation movement.

Grand juries are frequently used by the government as tools of political repression. People can be subpoenaed for virtually any reason, and they can be interrogated about their private lives and beliefs. Even misstatements caused by faulty memory can lead to perjury charges. Those subpoenaed to testify before grand juries are denied legal counsel during testimony. Witnesses who assert their right to remain silent can face indefinite imprisonment.

Winstead believes she is being targeted by this grand jury as part of the larger "Green Scare" that has rounded up animal and eco-liberation activists across the country in attempts to stifle their dissent against government-sponsored animal abuse and environmental destruction. Press Release

Past coverage of Nadia Winstead | More information about Winstead's case and grand juries in general at (No)FBIWitchhunt.com | Analysis of the SF grand jury from Green is the New Red | Zine: Grand Jury Investigations, FBI Harassment and Your Rights