Support the Eco-Prisoners, Easter 2007

Spirit of Freedom
(Easter 2007)
Produced by
EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

"I thank you all dearly for writing”
(Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the Easter 2007 edition of Spirit of Freedom. First off I’d like
to apologise in the delay in publishing this edition of Spirit of Freedom.
A lot of things have been happening recently for ELP’s volunteers and a
delay was inevitable. However, despite the delay in publication ELP has
some fantastic news. For the first time in ages ELP is able to bring some
good news! A lot of the ‘Il Silvestre’ prisoners have been released! Marco
Camenisch has had his sentence reduced at appeal! Jeff Luers may have his
sentenced reduced! Rod Coronado has been released! Garfield Gabbard has
been released! And long-term prisoner Dave Blenkinsop has been released!!!
This is all brilliant news. However despite our celebrations, ELP has also
seen a number of new prisoners added to our list. So lets celebrate the
good news of our friends and then lets support the news prisoners. Also
before we end this editorial we’ve been asked by Joyanna Zacher to remind
everyone on ELP’s policy towards police informants. We do not support them!
Regardless of how long they are jailed for, we do not support them.
Regardless of who they are, we do not support them. A police informant
relinquishes their right to be regarded as an eco-prisoner as soon as they
inform. ELP supports eco-prisoners, not police informants. But remember,
no matter where you are in the world, support the real eco-prisoners and no
compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

COURT REPORTS & LEGAL UPDATES

MARCO CAMENISCH APPEAL NEWS
In mid March 2007 ELP received some news from Switzerland that at his
appeal, Marco Camenisch, has had his 17-year prison sentence, for allegedly
killing a Swiss boarder guard, reduced to 8 years.
The Appeal Court ruled that the original Judge had not taken into account
Marco’s time spent in prison in Italy for destroying electricity pylons, nor
had the Judge fully considered the outstanding prison sentence Marco had to
serve for destroying electricity pylons in Switzerland. Added altogether
(39 years), the prison sentence was excessively long and so was reduced so
now Marco is serving an 18-year sentence.

JEFF LUERS APPEAL UPDATE
On Valentines Day (Feb 14th) the American media announced that the Court of
Appeal has declared Jeff ‘Free’ Luers, 22+ years prison sentence is too long
and suggested it should be reduced to between 11+ to 13+ years. ELP will
bring you more news as we get it.

ARRESTS IN MEXICO
On the 30th of November 2006 two Mexican anarchists, Oscar Santa Maria Caro
and Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, were arrested for as yet unknown
reasons.
Oscar is a well known animal rights activist who is involved with RATA
(Resistance Against Animal Torture).
Reports are coming out of Mexico alleging that both Oscar and Sacramento
have been tortured whilst inside. There are also reports alleging that
their interrogators have threatened to rape female political prisoners if
the two men do not confess to their alleged crimes. ELP is trying to obtain
more information about these arrests and will bring you more news as we get
it.

ROD CORONADO UPDATE
In late March, American Earth First! activist, Rod Coronado, was released
from prison having served his sentence for sabotaging a mountain lion hunt.
ELP has learnt that Rod’s trial for "demonstrating the use of a destructive
device," relating to a speech he gave in San Diego in 2003, is scheduled to
begin in June.

FINNISH ‘GREEN SCARE’
ELP has learnt that the authorities in Finland appear to be copying American
tactics and are targeting known animal rights and environmental activists.
No matter how minor the ‘offence’ the Finnish police seem determined to
prosecute. One person ended up in court for ringing the doorbell of an
animal abuser whilst on a demo. The activist was fined for "disturbing home
peace".
Another activist was questioned for ‘criminal damage’ after they allegedly
spat on a fur shop window!
Two more activists were raided and questioned for allegedly putting a
leaflet through a post box and putting a sticker on the window of a fur
shop. The police accused them of ‘criminal damage’.
ELP’s Finnish friends, who wish to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, say
these are just a few examples of the types of police activity happening in
Finland at the moment.
ELP is informed that the police have set up a special unit to
investigate animal rights activists and the unit has said intend to get
activists involved in the early stages of activism “before it gets more
serious”. Translation, the police want to intimidate people away from
activism.

SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME!
Every so often ELP brings you stories of ridiculous prosecutions of
non-violent activists under Britain’s new “Serious Organised Crime”
legislation. Who can forget the fines imposed on two peace activists for
reading out the names of the British war dead, killed in Iraq, whilst
standing next to Britain’s main war memorial!
Sadly the courts have now moved beyond just fining people and have started
to hand out prison sentences to activists under this new law.
In early March three British animal rights activists were jailed for
between 15 months to 4 years for their part in a non-violent campaign
against Huntindon Life Sciences.
According to the BBC, the three were accused of being key
figures in a campaign against companies with links to HLS. They were
accused of entering the offices of the companies and demanding that those
companies cut their links to HLS. They were also accused of organising loud
demonstrations against the companies buildings. Plus they were accused of
taking photos of the people who worked for the companies.

MAN ARRESTED IN AMERICA
At the end of March the American media reported that a 24-year old man,
Grant Barnes, had been arrested accused of setting fire to SUV’s in Denver,
CO. The media quoted the cops as saying incendiary devices were used to
damage the vehicles and one of the vehicles had ELF spray painted on it.
The police also stated they did not believe that Grant Barnes was a member
of the ELF.

IL SILVESTRE UPDATE
At the end of February 2007 the Italian courts ruled that Silvia Guerini and
Federico Bonamici should be released under house arrest. This means that
only three Il Silvestre members are currently imprisoned. They are
Benedetta Galante, Francesco Gioia and Costantino Ragusa.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Fadalla Idris Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on
remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the
construction of a dam.

Mohamed Ahmed Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on
remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the
construction of a dam.

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216
Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada. On remand accused of
involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned
by a sand & gravel company. Both arsons occurred in the USA. Tre is
fighting his extradition to the USA.

Grant Barnes #1533241, PO Box 1108, Denver, CO 80201, USA. On remand
accused of setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles
the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #1663667, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401,
USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a
Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted
involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18
years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons
leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a
Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ‘02 Marco completed a 12-year
sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 - Iruñez –
Pamplona, Navarra (España), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for
sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Benedetta Galante, Casa Circondariale, Contrada Capo di Monte, 82100 -
Benevento (BN), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months
for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial
accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at
nuclear energy.

Francesco Gioia, Via Maiano, 10, 06049 Spoleto, Italy. Il Silvestre
activist sentenced to 5 years 2 months for promoting & participating in COR
direct action. Also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State St. Salem, OR 97310, USA. Serving
22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of
an oil truck.

Ali Mohamed Alhassen Massad (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on
remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the
construction of a dam.

Eric McDavid X-2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 "I" Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. On Remand accused of planning to destroy the
property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera
(PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 7½ years. 1) Five years for
promoting & participating in COR direct action. 2) 18-months for burgling
and firebombing a multinational company. 3) 12-months for organising an
anti-GM protest. Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of using
explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

John Wade #38548-083, FCI Petersburg Low, Satellite Camp, PO Box 90027,
Petersburg, VA 23804, USA. Serving 37 months for a series of ELF actions
against a number of targets including McDonalds & Burger King; urban sprawl;
the construction industry; and an SUV dealership.

Joyanna Zacher #1662550, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401,
USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a
Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted
involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

Madeline Buckler PR7492, HMP Morton Hall, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT,
England. Serving 2 years for sending hate mail to a family who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

Jacob Conroy #93501-011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional
Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months
imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Donald Currie TN4593, HMP Whitemoor, Longhill Road, March, Cambs, PE15 OPR,
England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual
years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection
industry including HLS.

Josh Demmitt 12314-081, FCI Safford, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O.
Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548, USA. Serving 30 months for an ALF arson on a
University animal testing facility.

Darius Fullmer #26397-050, FCI Fort Dix Satellite Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Fort
Dix, NJ 08640 USA. Serving 12 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA
campaign.

Lauren Gazzola #93497-011, FCI Danbury Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road,
Danbury, CT 06811 USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise
the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England.
Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the
damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science.

Joshua Harper #29429-086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution,
P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for
helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Joseph Harris TN5728, HMP Bullingdon, Patrick Haugh Road, Arncott, Nr.
Bicester, Oxon, OX25 1WD, England. Serving 2 years for damaging the
property of people associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences. (His original
sentence was reduced on appeal).

Kevin Kjonaas #93502-011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072
USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA
campaign.

Josephine Mayo PR6508, HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ,
England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

Trish Portwine, TM7153, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England.
Serving fifteen months for her role in loud demonstrations outside the
offices of companies with links to HLS.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399-050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional
Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for
helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Mark Taylor TT6636, HMP Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0UB,
England. Serving four years for organising loud demonstrations outside the
offices of companies with links to HLS.

Suzanne Taylor, TM7154, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England.
Serving two and a half years for helping organise loud demonstrations
outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA,
England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied
guinea pigs for vivisection.

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231-045, FMC Carswell - Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft.
Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused
on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The
actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court
and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½
years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning
$25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental
destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets
attached to Government & corporate officials.

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Brendan Walsh, 12473-052, FCI Allenwood Low, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA
17887, USA. Serving 5 years for an arson on an army recruitment office in
protest at the War on Iraq.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with “subversive association” accused of
damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash
machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the
multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists
in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or
released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave.
Marysville, OH 43040, USA. Serving 5 years for taking part in an
anti-fascist demonstration which turned into a riot.

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g.
Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for
stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP-1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic.
Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis.
His charge was "bodily harm". He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can
also write him short postcards in English.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98-200 Sieradz, Poland.
Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending
himself.

PARTY & PROTEST
Around the world there have been several massive protests against global
capitalism and its environmental impact. The following have all been jailed
in connection with the protests.

Jonathan Philip Robert, Crisp County Detention Center, 197 Ga. Hwy. 300
South, Cordele, GA 31015, USA (12 months)

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall
B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. The exact charges against Oscar are unknown
but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz,
Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. Co-defendant of Oscar Santa
Maria Caro.

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk
140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson,
criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya.
Due for release in 2009.

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA.
Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her
home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke
campaigner.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of
all life. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving
100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant,
Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine
Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave,
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI
Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426-0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.
William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI
Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA
15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of
MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to
death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in
2001.

MAPUCHE PRISONERS & OTHER LAND RIGHTS PRISONERS
Due to space limitation we cannot publish the names & addresses of the
Mapuche & Land Rights prisoners in this edition of Spirit of Freedom,
however if you would like a list please contact Spirit of Freedom.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions.
‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against
censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to
support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in
1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing
various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international bimonthly publication (available
via e-mail or in a paper version). If you would like to receive a copy
contact Spirit of Freedom, BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, England. Or
e-mail ELP4321 [at] hotmail.com

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e-mail service that distributes the names of any
new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e-mail
ELP4321 [at] hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters – ELP has a number of websites that provide news,
prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American ELP Website
http://www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
http://www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e-mail group that circulates the details of political
prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by
ELP. To subscribe to the list e-mail ELP4321 [at] Hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e-mail
elp_bel [at] hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco
Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105
Regensdorf, Switzerland.

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information
e-mail naelpsn [at] mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e-mail
yesilanarsi [at] yahoo.com

North American ELP Prisoner Fund. The North American ELP group has set up a
fund where people can pay money, for North American Eco-Defence and Animal
Rights prisoners, which will then be distributed to the North American
prisoners. For information about the Fund and how to make a donation please
contact naelpsn [at] mutualaid.org

DEDICATION
This Edition of Spirit of Freedom is dedicated to Russian antifa activist,
Stanislav Korepanov, who died in hospital on the 31st of March 2007, having
been attacked a few days earlier by an armed gang of neo-nazis.
Stanislav is the second Russian antifa activist to have been brutally
attacked in recent months. On the 14th of January 2007 vegan animal rights
activist, Ivan Elin, was surrounded and attacked by ten neo-nazis in St.
Petersburg after he had taken part in a weekly "Food not bombs" peace rally.
Ivan suffered 21 stab wounds and was rushed to hospital where he is making
his recovery.
Following on from the knife attack on Ivan, on the 4th of February, with a
small bomb exploded in Vladimirskaya Square of St. Petersburg, near to where
Food Not Bombs organise their weekly protests. The bomb was hidden in a
kiosk selling flowers. Luckily the bomb only damaged the kiosk and did not
injure anyone.
This is not the first time neo-nazis have used knives or explosives to
target Russian activists. On the 22nd of December 2006 a number of police
were injured whilst trying to defuse a device, which set to murder antifa
activists in Moscow. In August 2006 eleven people were killed in Moscow
when a neo-nazi bomb exploded in Cherkisovski marketplace.
The brutal murder of Stanislav Korepanov and the attack against Ivan are a
reminded of why fascism must never be allowed to go unchallenged.
ELP wishes Ivan Elin a speedy recovery from his injuries and we
congratulate the Russian ‘Food Not Bombs’ movement for not giving into this
neo-nazi intimidation.
Our thoughts and sorrow are with the family and friends of
Stanislav Korepanov who was only 18 years old when he died.