During the last police attack against the Atlanta Forest Defenders, six people were arrested and sent to jail on terrorism charges for simply sitting in treehouses to stop the felling of trees for the building of a new police training city and a sound stage.
We have received the news that after multiple court appeals, all the arrestees have been granted bail and will be able to come back out to loved ones instead of spending any ,more time in jail until their case is heard in court.
We have taken down the mailing information about the defendents, but remember that many other prisoners remain locked up. Please write a letter to someone today:
We could not be happier to hear the news and want to send all the love and support to everyone who have had to endure the prison system for the protection of the Atlanta Forest.
Welcome back to the woods.
PS: Atlanta Defence Fund is still up and in need of support, the defence work will still need to carry on until court and lawyers fees are expensive. If you can afford it, please drop them some coins:
“In Atlanta GA USA 5 people have been arrested and charged with Domestic Terrorism for their alleged connection to Defend The Atlanta Forest movement in USA.
These arrests were notoriously brutal, included the deployment of chemical weapons repeatedly, and placed unfounded charges against them in an effort to torture, terrorize, and brutalize.
We want every prison to burn, every prisoner to be free, and the violence of the state to be destroyed. We must stand in unflinching solidarity with all those arrested, and be committed to absolute resistance to any current or future state investigation, no matter what it requires of us. Anything less is unconscionable.
Send them mail here:
Francis Carroll – #X2210240 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Nicholas Dean Olson – #X2210239 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Serena Hertel – #X2210242 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Arieon Robinson – #X2210252 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Voiselle Leonardo – #X2210238 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Mail must be a pre-stamped postcard, letters/envelopes are not allowed. Photo postcards are allowed but no obscene or violent images. Books must be softcover, shipped from a reputable supplier (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.), Nothing “violent, pornographic, or obscene” …
In the days following the arrests of Atlanta forest defenders a San Francisco Wells Fargo Bank was attacked in solidarity.”Mitch Graul, a Lead Business Execution Consultant at Wells Fargo, sits on the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Police Foundation.” www.indybay.org/newsitems/2022/12/15/18853422.php
From the West Coast, love and rage to the imprisoned Atlanta 5,
Mel Broughton, a dedicated activist from the UK, has been in prison since last month. He does not wish for his charges to be discussed publicly, but he would love the support and love you folks can show by sending mail to him.
Whilst he had a tumultuous few days at the beginning of his remand, with little to no vegan food and problems with being able to take medication, he has now settled and is doing a lot better. He is working in the library and has actually asked for books, specially about animals and nature.
From Peterborough Prison’s website, this is how mail (and books!) are handled:
“We accept books for prisoners sent directly from friends or family, or via our approved retailers. These are Waterstones, WH Smith and prisons.org.uk – we do not accept books purchased via Amazon. All books are subject to security protocols and must be sent separately, they cannot be accepted as part of a property parcel.”
Magazines, electronics, cash, food parcels and anything directly from Amazon is not permitted by the prison.
Of course, you can also send letters! Remember that he is on remand, so you SHOULD NOT discuss any legal maters and certainly you should assume that all mail is monitored by the screws, so do not put yourself (or him) at legal risk by discussing things you really shouldn’t!
Video and some of the information by Unicorn Riot.
‘On Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th , SWAT teams and other armed police officers from eight different federal, state, county, and city police agencies conducted a raid on those camping out in the Atlanta forest in hopes of preventing the construction of a 85-acre police training facility that opponents have dubbed “Cop City.”
During the raid, police shot tear gas and plastic bullets and forced people out of the forest at gunpoint. Police in Bobcats and other heavy equipment destroyed treehouses, a communal kitchen, and other infrastructure built by those dedicated to the defense of the forest.
By the end of the two-day operation, a total of 12 people were arrested, according to police. At least six of those have been charged with a host of felonies, including state-level domestic terrorism charges, according to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund.
At a hearing Thursday, Magistrate Judge Claire Jason denied bond to five of the arrestees charged with felonies.
“Each of you have been charged with domestic terrorism,” Jason said, appearing to read from a document on her screen. “Generally the information that I have on the affidavit of warrant…You did participate in actions of DTAF, Defend the Atlanta Forest, a group that’s been classified by the United States Department of Homeland Security as a domestic violent extremist group.” ‘
Once again, the police abuses their power in order to acquire further political power. They want to destroy the forest that keeps Atlanta city from flooding in order to practice how to kill people in their own private playground. Folks who oppose the destruction of the wild and the privatisation of public spaces get thrown in jail with domestic terrorism charges.
We all should do our very best to show solidarity to the arrestees and to ensure that cop city (and blackball studios) are not built in the Atlanta Forest or anywhere else for that matter.
For now, please write letters to the five folks locked up, who will really appreciate tales of the wild and unfortunate stories about the police.
Send them mail here:
Francis Carroll – #X2210240 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Nicholas Dean Olson – #X2210239 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Serena Hertel – #X2210242 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Arieon Robinson – #X2210252 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Voiselle Leonardo – #X2210238 Dekalb County Jail 4415 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 USA
Mail must be a pre-stamped postcard, letters/envelopes are not allowed. Photo postcards are allowed but no obscene or violent images. Books must be softcover, shipped from a reputable supplier (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.), Nothing “violent, pornographic, or obscene”.
Ladislav Kuc was arrested in Slovakia in 2012 and has been serving a prison sentence ever since. He was accused of illegal possession of arms, manufacturing explosives, and terrorism for a bombing in front of a McDonald’s on December 28, 2011, in which there were no injuries. During a house search police found materials related to ALF and components for another bomb.
His prison term is nearing the end but his case has not been publicised extensively so not many folks have heard about him, and he still has fines to pay upon his release. He is scheduled for release on January 1st, 2023!
Our comrades at PhillyABC have organised a “welcome home” fundraiser to try and help when he is released and they are in contact with a Slovak solicitor who might be able to help mitigate Ladislav’s upcoming fines.
If you can afford it, please donate to the crowdfunder for Ladislav, which you can find here: fundrazr.com/027Cec
All donations will be sent to Ladislav to help him with basic expenses adjusting to life outside of prison and welcome him back with his family and community. A prison sentence doesn’t just rob you of your freedom and can seriously impact your health and your finances. Supporting Ladislav right now is ensuring that he is able to find his feet after more than a decade in prison.
Consider chucking a few coins as a winter solstice present and share the fundraiser around as much as you possibly can! Lastly, it would be amazing if you could send one last letter to Ladislav, just to let him know that people outside are still thinking about him and that he has not been forgotten. Coming out of over a decade of prison can be a real whirlwind of emotions and knowing that people outside have his back will certainly help.
Write a quick letter or a postcard, pop it in the mail with fast delivery and lets all show solidarity to Ladislav as he is released from the jaws of the state.
ADDRESS:
Ladislav Kuc
Uutos
Gucmanova
19/670 Priečinoik 7
Leopoldov
92041
Slovakia
PS: Slovakian friends and comrades, if any of you is reading this, please get in touch! Let’s organise and ensure Ladislav has a local network he can rely on upon his release!
During the campaign to shut down Phil Kerry’s T&S Rabbits farm, folks organised a demo outside one of his farms. That particular demo heated up, and some of the people spontaneously decided to run in and take the rabbits away from the farm in the middle of the day. They would coin the date as Operation Easter Bunny on a later report.
A few activists were arrested during the demonstration, and even though they were outside of the perimeter of the farm, they were accused of theft.
On Wednesday 7th of December five people have a plea hearing in Leicester Magistrates (UK) at 11am. They would be glad to see support by the entrance of court, so if you can make it, go show solidarity!
That day saw thirty rabbits liberated from a fur farm in broad daylight, in front of a very busy nature reserve. Whilst the folks arrested might’ve not set foot onto the farm, there is no doubt that every single action, every effort, every demo and every placard played a crucial role to shut down T&S Rabbits for good.
Please show as much solidarity as you can for the Rutland 5, and if you cannot travel to court on Wednesday, ensure you leave a few encouraging messages on the comments below. Do remember that they have not been convicted of theft and that your comments should not imply that they are guilty of anything but caring for the Rutland bunnies.
Back in September, national and international news covered an arson attack at a meat packaging plant in Chile, where the refrigeration system and the trucks had been set alight by antispeciesist activists.
In November, four people were arrested and remanded to prison accused of the arson and under investigation.
Since then, the four comrades arrested have been adjusting to prison but their spirits are high and their political views are stronger than ever. They even managed to help rescue a cat and her kittens from inside of prison to release them to the free world to be seen by a vet. A true prison escape story!
They are going to need lots of support economically, but they should also receive emotional support and as many letters of love and support as possible.
Prosecution is asking for a minimum of 10 years in prison, but they will have a review of their case (and a reevaluation of their remand) in January 2023.
The four comrades arrested have chosen to remain anonymous and are using pseudonyms as names, they do not wish their photos to be published and will be receiving letters via an email address that is managed by friends outside.
RU/GATO is an anarcho-nihilist, vegan, straight edge prisoner. He is 28 years old, loves animals and hates drugs. He maintains his belief in illegal direct action as the tool to fight for animal and total liberation. He considers himself a proud political prisoner against the business that controls the Chilean territory.
PANDA is a straight edge, vegan anarchist prisoner. He is 26 years old. Enemy of the law and order forcefully imposed by the capitalist system. Loves nature, ecosystems, animals and simplicity. Proud political prisoner, honest with his politics and vehemently in favour of animal and human liberation from the business-territory so-called Chile.
ITA is a vegan, straight edge prisoner. She is 23 years old. She loves nature, animals and specially colours and cats! She opposed the system and the so called law and order. Proud antispeciesist political prisoner. She feels calm and patient with the consequences of the illegal fight against speciesism.
TORTU is a vegan, anarcho-nihilist, straight edge political prisoner. Hates the system, loves nature, animals and freedom for all. Proud political prisoner for animal liberation.
Please write to them, you can simply write an email specifying who you are sending it to [email protected]
If you can afford it, consider sending some cash to the support group, who will be redistributing funds between them for commissary but also will be helping with legal costs, solicitors and court costs.
The fight against HS2 has seen many activists working very hard to stop a high speed train construction that has destroyed and will continue to destroy miles of nature, murdering thousands of animals and decimating the very little habitat that they have in the UK.
Jellytot is a HS2 campaigner that was sentenced to 268 days in prison for breaching a HS2 injunction . He is in HMP Dovegate until 3rd Feb 2023 and is welcoming messages (via an email managed by some friends) and donations to his support campaign.
His first letter after going in was full of jokes and positivity. Send him a letter (via the email below) and let him know you’re looking forward to his release!
Email him at [email protected]. Donate: https://tinyurl.com/Hs2prisoner
Eric was sentenced to ten years behind bars after accepting a non-cooperating plea agreement to one count of “using explosive materials to commit arson”. Since the moment Eric was locked up, the system has been continuously torturing him, exposing him to nazis after feeding them information that he is an antifascist, beating him up behind out of camera view doors and even shackling him to a bed, naked and in solitary. He had to battle a new charge whilst in prison, accused of attacking a guard when he had been the one attacked by the corrections officer, who had taken him to a broom closed and beat him up. He was found NOT GUILTY of that charge, but because the Bureau Of Prisons has many different ways to keep punishing innocent people, he was transported to a supermax facility.
This means that Eric is now completely isolated, 24/7, if you don’t count the disgraceful treatment by the screws, although that changes very little compared to his previous locations, where he was locked up in SHU and also not allowed to interact. There are positives to his new location. Eric reports that he has not had any smack talk from screws yet, and he has a TV. He does mention TV being a double edge sword and a tool by BOP to shackle people to a screen. He also has more access to commissary now, and he is allowed to wear sweatpants and shoes.
With commissary being less controlled now, he should be able to access more stamps and respond to more letters. Write to him so that the BOP’s tactic of isolation to force his mental health to break does not have an effect. He likes talking about football (specially Manchester United!), he likes folk music, he loves hearing about animals punking humans, the misfortunes of officers/nazis and even Taylor Swift. Just drop him a letter, pain a smile on his face and remind him that the end of his sentence is nearing.
Eric King 27090045 USP FLORENCE ADMAX PO BOX 8500 FLORENCE, CO 81226 USA
Solidarity is our biggest weapon! Send solidarity to Eric today!
Smash Speciesism is a civil disobedience and direct action group in the UK. Earlier in the year we published about their NOT GUILTY verdict in their case for the Forge Farm Meats slaughterhouse blockade, which stopped the murder for almost the whole day and -as an unexpected win – took the climbing police resources away from evicting protestors who were blockading an arms factory known to sell weapons used to murder Palestinians. During their court case, the judge accepted that the blockade was justified due to the abuse and malpractice by Forge Farm Meats.
During the T&S Campaign, Smash Speciesism blockaded Phil Kerry’s quarry, raising alarm bells about the fact that major trades providers were making dealings with an animal abuser. That action would be the last nail in the coffin after a well thought out campaign by Shut Down T&S and Phil Kerry would announce his imminent retirement from rabbit fur farming. The two activists that blockaded the quarry would have their charges dropped as the cops had once again acted illegally and CPS was unable to build a case.
The group doesn’t shy away from even more disruptive actions. Last year they disrupted the Royal Vet vivisection awards, where alarms attached to helium balloons were set off, people booed and shouted at the speakers and ultimately someone would set off the fire alarm off, forcing the whole university compound to evacuate and the awards event to be cancelled. No activist was arrested as a result of that action.
They also organised another slaughterhouse blockade in 2020 at the gates of Tulip LTD in Manchester. Multiple lock ons and D-locks were deployed and no pigs were killed for the whole day. Last week, a judge acquitted all activists, effectively giving Smash Speciesism yet another win against the speciesist machine.
Whatever is next for Smash Speciesism, we would like to congratulate the activists and celebrate their wins once again. Disruptive, well thought out actions will topple the machine, and they have proven that multiple times.
