Wishlist for Joseph Buddenberg!

From Support Nicole and Joseph:

Currently, Joseph Buddenberg is on house arrest and can only leave the apartment for very specific engagements, never to stray from the path taken to get there. Fortunately there is a supportive network that exists in the Bay area to pick up certain items he may need from week to week. Here is one more way we can support Joseph while he is going through this tough time. All you have to do is follow the link to his Amazon.com wish list that was set up, and find something that you might like to order for Joseph, or pass it along to a friend.

Thank you, and stay tuned for more updates on Nicole and Josephs case and ways you can plug in to support them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1HGPMNHJ7KB6B/

Kevin Olliff Pleads Guilty to Violating Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

from Chicago Sun-Times:

One of two animal-rights protesters accused of freeing 2,000 minks from an Illinois fur farm two years ago pleaded guilty Friday in connection with the case.

Kevin Johnson, who also goes by Kevin Olliff, pleaded guilty to “conspiring to travel in interstate commerce with the purpose of damaging an animal enterprise,” according to the plea agreement filed in federal court.

Johnson faces up to three years in prison when he’s sentenced Nov. 5.

Johnson and Tyler Lang — a pair of animal-rights protesters from California — allegedly released the animals from a mink farm in Morris, 65 miles southwest of Chicago in August 2013, then daubed the walls of a barn with the words “Liberation is Love.”

The pair are suspected of traveling across the U.S. to free caged animals, including those on mink farms and a fox farm in Roanoke, Illinois.

Both men are veteran animal-rights protesters and are soliciting financial support, according to a website called SupportKevinandTyler.com.

 The feds say that in addition to freeing the caged minks in Morris they also tore holes in a farm fence to aid the animals’ escape. They also allegedly vandalized two farm vehicles. The raid was touted on websites associated with the Animal Liberation Front, an organization the FBI has said poses a terrorist threat.

Though some of the farm’s animals were recovered, many died, according to neighbor Darren Caley.

“A lot of them got hit by cars, and a lot we found in a cornfield dead,”‘ Caley said. ”They were hand-reared and didn’t know how to hunt, so many of them starved to death.” [EF! Newswire Editor’s Note: See every other statement given by fur farmers after a raid for similar misinformation.]

According to Friday’s plea agreement: “Of the 2,000 released minks, approximately 600 died or were never recovered. The remaining minks lost their resale value because the breeding cards were removed and destroyed.”

But in a statement from Vandalia prison, published by supporters on his website in February, Kevin Johnson reiterated his support for animal rights protests.

“I have seen more animals languishing in cages than I can remember,” he wrote.

Illinois: Two Animal Rights Activists arrested for “possessing criminal tools”

From Animal Liberation Frontline:

Animal rights activists held in jail for allegedly possessing wire cutters.

Los Angeles animal rights activists Kevin Olliff and Tyler Lang have been arrested in rural Illinois, charged with felony “possession of burglary tools.”

These are the facts of the case that are known right now:

 

Kevin Olliff and Tyler Lang

The two were pulled over late at night in Roanoke, Illinois in what appears to be a routine traffic stop. When they refused consent to a search of the vehicle, the police searched the vehicle anyway. Inside, police allege they found bolt cutters, wire cutters, muriatic acid, ski masks, and cammo clothing.

 

Kevin Olliff and Tyler Lang were subsequently arrested for “possession of burglary tools.”  The police have not made any statement as to what they believe the intended “burglary” target was, and Kevin & Tyler were not arrested on anyone’s property. Their history as activists appears to be the sole basis for the charges.

Their new support site cautions that details on the arrest are still emerging :

“Many details are not known, and there are some we cannot post publicly yet.”

They face a maximum of 3 years in prison.

To recap

• The two were not arrested in the commission of a crime.
• The two were not arrested on anyone’s property.
• They were not arrested near the scene of any crime.

Their only “crimes” are being known animal rights activists in (alleged) possession of wire cutters.

Exorbitant bail amounts set

Shortly after their arrest bail was set. After the prosecutor asked for much lower bail amounts, the judge went beyond the prosecution’s request and set bail at $100,000 for Tyler Lang, and $200,000 for Kevin Olliff.

These amounts are far above normal. In Illinois, $15,000 is the standard bail for Class 4 felonies.

The two remain in Woodford County Jail, pending the outcome of a bail reduction hearing in the future.

How you can help

A support site has been set up to post updates on Kevin and Tyler’s case. Right now, here’s what you can do:

Repost their support site link: The Support Kevin and Tyler site is up and will be updated regularly.

Send books: Mail rules at the Woodford County Jail are considerably more reasonable than most larger jails. Anyone can put any book into an envelope and send directly to Kevin or Tyler (both softcover and hardcover). Their book wish lists are posted here.

Send letters: Anyone can correspond with them via email or written letters. With email, prisoners at Woodford County jail must send the first email. To start an email correspondence, tirst send a written letter with your email address and they will email you a response.

Kevin Johnson #0327873943
WOODFORD COUNTY JAIL
111 E COURT ST
EUREKA, IL 61530-1252

Tyler Lang #0821889409
WOODFORD COUNTY JAIL
111 E COURT ST
EUREKA, IL 61530-1252

More updates to come

There are many details which will be coming out in the near future, and they will be posted here.

Grand Jury Resister Jordan Halliday Loses Appeal

Dear friends,We sincerely regret to inform that Jordan Halliday lost his appeal this morning. We have attached the 10th circuits ruling below.

It is crucial that we show solidarity and support for Jordan in everyway we can. We are calling for solidarity actions from January 21st – 28th, 2012 to show support for Jordan Halliday and grand jury resistance.

During the summer of 2008, the FBI approached Jordan at his place of employment; he refused to answer their questions and told them to leave. They warned him that they would return with a subpoena to testify before a grand jury and six months later they followed through with their threats. They subpoenaed both Jordan, and another ‘activist’ Nikki Viehl who chose to testify. Jordan, however, chose to resist the grand jury in protest due to its abusive and archaic nature.

In March 2009, Jordan appeared before federal grand jury investigating a series of underground animal liberation activities in Utah. He asserted his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination. The court jailed Jordan for nearly 4 months under civil contempt of court in an effort to compel him to testify. The day after Jordan refused to testify, the grand jury indicted Alex Hall and William James Viehl under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.

The week following his first grand jury appearance Jordan (still in jail) received a second subpoena, which he again refused. While in jail, Jordan also received letters of support from all over the world, made friends, and confidently reflected on his decision not to snitch.

Upon release the court charged Jordan with federal criminal contempt of court, to which he pleaded guilty in August 2010.

There are no sentencing guidelines for criminal contempt. However, the government decided to follow the guidelines of “obstruction of justice”, which has a 10-16 month sentence range. Fortunately, the court only sentenced Jordan to the low end of 10 months. However, Jordan and his attorney believed this was far too much, and appealed for a guideline range that more closely relates to his charge. They appealed to the 10th circuit court of appeals asking that the sentence be reevaluated under the guidelines for “failure to appear”, which has a 0-6 month sentence range.

In November 2011, Jordan’s attorney argued his case orally before the 10th circuit court of appeals in Denver, Colorado. The feeling of hostility and bias could be felt from the beginning and in an unusually fast ruling (it usually takes 3-6 months to rule), the 10th circuit denied Jordan’s appeal exactly a month and a day after his oral argument in Denver.

It is ironic to note, that also today, baseball legend Barry Bonds received a 30-day house arrest sentence which will likely be reduced for perjury, while lying to a grand jury regarding steroid use in December 3, 2003. It’s unfortunate that Jordan, who didn’t lie, rather just simply refused to testify, isn’t a celebrity.

United States history to be charged with criminal contempt of court after already serving time for civil contempt, for the same act of recalcitrance.

Over the past 20 years many animal rights, environmentalists, anarchists and otherwise radical activists and communities have suffered subpoenas and coercive incarceration, but rarely for more than a few weeks. But at present we are experiencing an increase of pressure. Shortly after Jordan’s incarceration an Iowa grand jury subpoenaed Carrie Feldman and Scott Demuth, and held them in civil contempt for four months. Fortunately, neither Carrie nor Scott has been charged with criminal contempt.

Jordan’s case sets a crucial new precedence in terms of grand jury resistance. While friends and family converge to show support and solidarity for Jordan in this time of great sadness, we are calling out for an eruption of many more moments, for acts of recalcitrance anywhere and everywhere, for actions that show solidarity with Jordan Halliday and grand jury resistance. We are asking that support and solidarity begin immediately. But we will also be focusing on and asking for massive global solidarity actions from January 21st-28th, 2012.

We are expecting Jordan to begin serving

For More information Visit:
http://www.supportjordan.com

*be advised, we have been suffering server-side issues with the support site and are working to address them. If the website fails to load, please keep trying back.

You can also visit his support page via tumblr:
http://supportjordan.tumblr.com

Donations can be sent to:
Jordan Halliday
West Jordan, Utah 84081

or via paypal: http://t.co/KgyaXV4G

-Support Jordan Committee

Copy of 10th Circuit Decision: http://www.scribd.com/doc/75893505/10thDenial

Support Grand Jury Resister Jordan Halliday

Email: SupportJordan@live.com
Website: http://www.supportjordan.com

Hey friends,

I know it seems like forever ago that Jordan Halliday was first called to a
Grand Jury which he resisted. In a way it was forever ago, he was first
approached by the FBI in 2008 regarding local mink farm raids in Utah. He
refused to cooperate with the FBI and was told he would face a subpoena to
testify in front of a grand jury. Six months later the FBI followed
through, Subpoenaing both Jordan and another ‘activist’ who chose to
testify. Jordan however chose to resist the grand jury in protest due to
its abusive and archaic nature.

Grand juries are called when the government lacks evidence to indict an
individual for a crime. Witnesses are subpoenaed to testify before the
grand jury in hopes of providing evidence to the prosecution. Little is
known about these secretive proceedings, because all information is
considered sealed and classified. A witness that is called before a grand
jury is not allowed to have a lawyer present with them in the grand jury
room.

In recent years activists have seen an increase in subpoenas to grand
juries. These subpoenas are often used to harass and intimidate legal
above-ground activists, like Jordan feels is the case, in his situation.
The prosecutor can ask any question and if you refuse to answer or if you
lie, you could be held in contempt of court or perjury. With no lawyer
present for the witnesses, prosecutors can often ask for information not
relevant to a crime in hopes to harass, intimidate or ‘fish’ for
information, in a secretive manner which many consider a modern day witch
hunt. Jordan said he was mainly asked information about his friends,
family, and general life and refused to answer any of them.

Will Potter on the Spanish 12

Last of SHAC 7 released as Kevin Kjonaas transfers to halfway house

The last of the imprisoned SHAC 7, Kevin Kjonaas, has been released from prison to a halfway house, having served nearly five years in a federal prison.

The SHAC7 are 6 activists and a corporation, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty USA Inc., that were found guilty of multiple federal felonies for their alleged role in campaigning to close down the notorious animal testing lab, Huntingdon Life Sciences. They were never accused of actually smashing windows, liberating animals or even attending demonstrations, but rather reporting on and encouraging others to engage in legal demonstrations and supporting the ideology of direct action.

Manuel Salas Receives Vegan Food, Ends Hunger Strike

Vegan prisoner and animal rights activist Manuel Salas‘ hunger strike is officially over.  The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WI DOC) has changed its policy, now allowing inmates to receive vegan meals.  However, Manuel writes that,

“the fight is not over as that was step one and step two is making sure inmates that want vegan food get nutritionally adequate meals.”

Manuel still needs support to help him reach this goal, but slowly things are improving. He also writes that

“I would like to thank my sister and animal rights activist and her baby Lily and all in Minnesota who have been helping me, Ms. Susan L. whose support has been very helpful with this fight, Clayton in Colorado who has helped me out, Vanessa whose letters and smiles have helped me go on, and my brother Phil and sister Jennie and all the others who have helped me.  Finally, thank you to the animals that I love so much; if it were not for you I would not fight.

There is still a long way to go but with a small victory in the war, the next one only gets easier.  Letters of support can be sent to me at the address below.

Thank you,

Manuel Salas”

Manuel C. Salas
#504212
Waupun Correctional Institution
PO Box 351
Waupun, WI 53963-0351

Vegan Prisoner Manuel Salas On Hunger Strike

The following is a communique from vegan prisoner and animal rights activist Manuel Salas.  He is currently locked up in the Waupun Correctional Institute in Wisconsin.  We heard from him again this past week and his spirits are up,  but his health is uncertain.  Any letters people can send are of great support right now.  His mailing address is 

Manuel C. Salas #504212
Waupun Correctional Institution
PO Box 351
Waupun, WI 53963-0351

Hello, my name is Manuel C Salas.  I’m a 24 year old animal rights activist and I’m having a lot of problems and because I feel my life is in danger/trouble, I’ve been on a hunger strike for over 25 days of this letter and I’m not stopping because the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WI DOC) will not give me my vegan food, denying my federal rights by not providing me nutritionally adequate meals and for violations of my rights for vegan food.

I’m hereby requesting any and all support to help me with my struggle.  If anyone is willing to help with legal work or sending information that could help with the case please send it to me at my address ASAP.  If any doctor or health care provider can help it would be greatly appreciated.  Your time time is greatly appreciated.  If anyone would be willing to be a penpal just for support and to help with what is going on it would be really helpful.

I’m either 1) going to die or 2) going to get what I got coming.  Either one is ok with me. Someone has to be willing to die for what they believe in before change will be made.  So if thatis what is to come then ok; it will make it safer for others to take over from where I left off.

Sincerely,

Manuel C. Salas

 

SHAC 7: Supreme Court refuses to hear case

From Green is the New Red:

The Supreme Court announced today that it will not review the case of the SHAC 7, a landmark First Amendment case in which a group of animal rights activists were convicted as “terrorists” for running a controversial website.

The campaign of the SHAC 7 didn’t involve anthrax, pipe bombs, or a plot to hijack an airplane. They ran a website. On that website, they posted news about the campaign — legal actions like protests and illegal actions like stealing animals from labs — and unabashedly supported all of it.

For this they faced a slew of conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to violate theAnimal Enterprise Protection Act and commit “animal enterprise terrorism.”

The defendants lost at the trial level, and were sentenced to between one and six years in prison. Upon appeal, the Third Circuit issued a sweeping ruling. It held that SHAC’s fiery rhetoric constituted a “true threat” (even though they were never accused of destroying property, or violence, or inciting such activity) because illegal conduct has taken place in the same campaign.

Full Story