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Indybay Feature
Rod Coronado Takes Plea Deal
As many of you have already heard, it is true that Rod did take a plea in the San Diego case. Of course, there are many, many emotions equated with this, but for the most part you can all guess how we feel. Up until the very end, we were wavering, but it is now after the fact and we are resolved to make peace with the upcoming journey we face. This was not a victory by any means, but a way to move on with our lives and give our kids the time they need and deserve with a present dad. We could have gone on fighting, but in the end our little ones would have paid the biggest price….. It is, so they say, an achilles heal.
Below is a open letter from Rod that he released to the public to share why he made his decision:
Below is a open letter from Rod that he released to the public to share why he made his decision:
“Dear friends and supporters~
On December 14th, before Judge Jeffery Miller in Federal Court in San Diego, I entered a guilty plea to one count of distribution of information related to the assembly of explosives and weapons of mass destruction. This was the one count I have fought for almost two years now and for which I faced approximately five to ten years in prison if found guilty at trial. In September of 2007, a jury instead voted 8-4 for acquittal and in the ensuing weeks, prosecutors in the case informed us that they would seek an additional indictment in Washington D.C., for a speech I delivered at American University in January, 2003. In exchange for a guilty plea in the San Diego case, the U.S. government has agreed to ask only for a one year prison sentence, drop pending charges in Tucson for my possession of raptor feathers and not to indict me in D.C. I am not required to testify against anyone else in any other investigations, and hopefully this plea agreement will once and for all grant me closure in a well-known campaign of repression against me for my past involvement, association and support for covert campaigns against environmental destroyers and animal abusers. It has long been my desire to put my past behind me and instead build a sustainable existence for myself, my wife, Chrysta, and two children, Anheles and Maya. This decision to take a plea bargain comes only after much careful consideration and a sincere desire to do what is best for my family. Such unconstitutional assaults on my free speech beg for a continued legal battle and defense, but I am instead choosing to reach a settlement that will allow me to move on with my life rather than face years of litigation that might lead to many years in prison.
My children need me. I am a father first and foremost, and have given 20 plus years to the battle against corporate and government policies which destroy our Earth. Now it is time to give of myself to the purpose of raising a family in these troubling times.
For the Earth, and all of her Children,
Rod Coronado ”
Thank you for all you have done for us, and continue to do! To everyone who has been there with us, know that our hearts have continually been put at peace with your support and kindness. There is no doubt that love and truth are the strongest powers, we are constantly reminded!
Chrysta
On December 14th, before Judge Jeffery Miller in Federal Court in San Diego, I entered a guilty plea to one count of distribution of information related to the assembly of explosives and weapons of mass destruction. This was the one count I have fought for almost two years now and for which I faced approximately five to ten years in prison if found guilty at trial. In September of 2007, a jury instead voted 8-4 for acquittal and in the ensuing weeks, prosecutors in the case informed us that they would seek an additional indictment in Washington D.C., for a speech I delivered at American University in January, 2003. In exchange for a guilty plea in the San Diego case, the U.S. government has agreed to ask only for a one year prison sentence, drop pending charges in Tucson for my possession of raptor feathers and not to indict me in D.C. I am not required to testify against anyone else in any other investigations, and hopefully this plea agreement will once and for all grant me closure in a well-known campaign of repression against me for my past involvement, association and support for covert campaigns against environmental destroyers and animal abusers. It has long been my desire to put my past behind me and instead build a sustainable existence for myself, my wife, Chrysta, and two children, Anheles and Maya. This decision to take a plea bargain comes only after much careful consideration and a sincere desire to do what is best for my family. Such unconstitutional assaults on my free speech beg for a continued legal battle and defense, but I am instead choosing to reach a settlement that will allow me to move on with my life rather than face years of litigation that might lead to many years in prison.
My children need me. I am a father first and foremost, and have given 20 plus years to the battle against corporate and government policies which destroy our Earth. Now it is time to give of myself to the purpose of raising a family in these troubling times.
For the Earth, and all of her Children,
Rod Coronado ”
Thank you for all you have done for us, and continue to do! To everyone who has been there with us, know that our hearts have continually been put at peace with your support and kindness. There is no doubt that love and truth are the strongest powers, we are constantly reminded!
Chrysta
For more information:
http://supportrod.org
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The ground has changed considerably in the past two years. The fight is different. Al Gore and climate scientists got a Nobel Prize. The message that eco-activists have been fighting for, and getting beat down by the state and corporations for, is finally making it out into the mainstream. Rod Coronado isn't just a hero. He was, and is, right. History will vindicate anarchists like Rod Coronado, for having the right ideas, and for taking action before anyone else.
Whenever someone laments the damage to the environment, and says we need to change quickly, mention the name of Rod Coronado, and tell about how he took action.
Whenever someone laments the damage to the environment, and says we need to change quickly, mention the name of Rod Coronado, and tell about how he took action.
Rod was a hero, but except for the extremely rare activist, we all need to move on with our personal lives at some point. Hundreds or thousands of hours of volunteer work must give way to building a sustainable life for ourselves, as Rod said. Younger people must then step up to take our places. If that doesn't happen, the movement will collapse. It's up to the youth, there's no one else.
I saw two of Rod's speeches at the National Conference on Organized Resistance. They were incredible, though I will not discuss the content online if the Feds are so interested. He has done heroic deeds against the destroyers of Earth and of Native American culture-deeds that more of us need to emulate. Now he has found it necessary to take a plea for whatever reason. Since he is not taking a deal involving sharing information on anyone else, this is as valid a choice on his part as any other.
For all you Feds reading this, here's what I've got to say. I stand in solidarity with Rod Coronado and all our POWs. Their enemies are my enemies-the FBI, the snitches, all of them. Don't even think about trying to subpeona me about the speeches-I will not comply and will defend myself by force. I'm right here-go ahead-make my day you motherfuckers!
For all you Feds reading this, here's what I've got to say. I stand in solidarity with Rod Coronado and all our POWs. Their enemies are my enemies-the FBI, the snitches, all of them. Don't even think about trying to subpeona me about the speeches-I will not comply and will defend myself by force. I'm right here-go ahead-make my day you motherfuckers!
Someone posted re: Coronado apparently retiring "it's up to the youth." Are you FREAKIN' KIDDING?? The "youth" parade with puppets and celebrate pot as a "culture!" They protest only when they drag their lazy buns out of their mother's den. They eat vegetarian unless a friend invites them to McDonalds. They spend as much time in front of the TV as any suburban kid (since they were ALL suburban kids before being "turned" by some lunatic greybeard college prof in their freshman year). They Ipod and cell phone down the street as much as any yuppie. Let's get REAL, folks. Today's "activists" (at least the ones under 30) with RARE exceptions are neohippies more into growing dope as a living than trying to take the biosphere back from the corporate/governmental complex. Earth First! is a perfect example. When the so-called "cowboys" ran the joint things got done. But that was too "patriarchal" and "sexist," so we got feminized white males in dreadlocks and Birkenstocks ranting about "social justice" while not bathing for weeks. If you think these politically correct rastaheads will save the planet and are the "future" of social reisistance I have a tamed tiger to sell you. It loves kids. Just needs to be potty-trained.
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