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Conflict Gypsy Website Makes Rare Animal Rights History Available

August 14th, 2011

http://www.conflictgypsy.com/2011/03/stronghearts/

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Kevin Kjonaas Released!

August 3rd, 2011

Kevin Kjonaas, the last remaining member of the 'SHAC 7' incarcerated, was released from prison today. For more information on his case, visit

www.greenisthenewred.com

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Minneapolis Movie Benefit Night

September, 2010

Time
September 26, 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Location
Ethique Nouveau
317 West 48th Street
Minneapolis, MN

Info
Screening the Secret of NIHM, all ages welcome! $5.00 suggested donation, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Support Vegans in the Prison System is a volunteer based group working to help vegan individuals live a healthy vegan lifestyle, which is an expression of their deeply held ethical values. We act as a crucial link between the incarcerated community and the Bureau of Prisons, provide information about veganism to the prison population, and are working for formal recognition of veganism as a protected ethical position within the BoP.

Scott DeMuth, a Minneapolis activist, has been indicted for conspiracy to violate the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, apparently in relation to a 2004 Animal Liberation Front raid at the University of Iowa. He faces up to 5 years in prison. His indictment marks a continued expansion of the scope of the new terrorism law, which has already been used to target activists who release mink from fur farms, and the AETA4, who are accused of protesting and chalking on public sidewalks.

The indictment comes after DeMuth and another local activist, Carrie Feldman, were found to be in contempt of court refusing to cooperate with a federal grand jury investigated that ALF burglary and vandalism. They were handcuffed and taken to jail for refusing to testify about their political beliefs and political associations.

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Letter From Jailed Activist Walter Bond

August, 2010

8/10/10
Jason Miller, Press Officer
North American Animal Liberation Press Office

I recently wrote a letter of support to Walter Bond, a political prisoner and the accused A.L.F. 'Lone Wolf.'

Here is his response:

Jason,

Thanks so much for your letter of support. While obviously I cannot talk about my case, the government of the United States will not scare me into submission nor will I be silenced. I have already written to Peter about the day of my arrest as to clear the record and set straight the media's lies about BBQ's and what not, so I will not reiterate it here. I let Peter know to share that info with any interested party.

I am facing some very serious charges and allegations at this time and if convicted, sentencing could be quite severe. Nevertheless, I am in good spirits. Having the privilege of being a United States prisoner, I still have it better than most 3rd World people do in their homelands. And nothing they do to me could even come close to the plight of animals.

For my part, I shall never relent in the fight for their total freedom. Any activist that is truly effective at resisting or disrupting these horrible blood trades may face persecution. There is no cause to despair in any of this. When you are trying to change the status quo, self-sacrifice is the price of admission.

In the end our cause will win. Either humanity will perish after having ruined the biosphere and our Mother Earth will heal and continue without us or those who profess to be Earth and animal warriors will prove it and change the current of world history, as so many social justice movements before us have done.

However, we will not win simply because we are right. Progress only occurs because of courage and confrontation.

Feel free to share this letter with any interested party, in whole or in part. I hope to hear from you soon. I can receive literature and media (news articles, etc), but only printed from the computer. No newspaper clippings, magazines, etc. I forgot to mention that to Peter. If you could pass that along I would appreciate it. Also, any monetary support would be much appreciated as well.

Regards,

Walter Bond

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Walter Bond In Need of Help

July, 2010

Walter Edmond Bond has been arrested and accused of several arsons. He is accused of being the A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, and has pleaded “not guilty” to charges he burned down a Sheepskin Factory, the Tandy Leather Factory, and foie gras restaurant Tiburon. The judge in this case has ordered Bond be held without bail until trial.

Please send letters of support to Walter Bond in jail:

Walter Edmund Bond
PO Box 16700
Golden, CO 80402-6700

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Jesse James Forrey Update

April, 2010

Jesse James is now out of jail!
Thanks to all who called

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Jesse James Forrey In Need of Help

March, 2010

Jesse James Forrey, now incarcerated in California, has requested to receive a vegan diet at the Elmwood facility. They are giving him a vegetarian diet and telling Jesse that they do not provide vegan options. A couple days have passed since Jesse has put in his request, so on Friday March 5th friends should call the Elmwood administration number at (408) 957-5300 and politely request that Jesse receive meals that contain no meat or dairy (no animal products). Folks can ask to talk to the head of Elmwood, Captain Wong and put forth this request. Remember to be polite since Jesse is obviously in a vulnerable position.

It is important that Elmwood be flooded with calls so they take this seriously. Please spread the word and encourage folks to call (408) 957-5300 and to ask to speak to Captain Wong on Friday March 5th with the request that Jesse receive meals that contain no meat or dairy products. You can also fax (408) 957-5921

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Support VIPS Talks With Representative Ellison

March, 2010

Aaron Zellhoefer (Support VIPS), Scott Demuth (accused of violating the AETA), and US representative Keith Ellison

After running into and sitting next to US congressional representative Keith Ellison (at a former political prisoner speaking event, none-the-less), support VIPS followed up with Ellisons offer to talk at lenght about vegan political prisoners, and the need to recgonize vegan on common fare in prisons. Ellison has shown his support for former political prisoner (by attending a speaking event of a former BLA member). We are hoping that he will support vegan prisoners as well.

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Steve Murphy Update

December, 2009

Steve is in prison, awaiting trail for an anti-development attempted arson. (steve is vegan)

Update as of December 18, 2009, from http://supportsteve.org

As of today, Steve has been in custody for 2 months and 19 days. He is still at the Central Detention Center of the San Bernardino County Jail. Two motions have been submitted by Steve's attorney on his behalf and the government recently requested additional time to respond. The government's responses to the motions are due by December 21 and the defendants reply is due by January 4, 2010. The final hearing on the motions is set for January, 11. Steve's trial date was originally set for January 12, 2010, but a recent motion to extend has been filed and approved for February 9th. Again, none of these dates are set in stone and, as they tend to do, they can and will change frequently.

Steve continues to maintain his innocence. His attorney has hired a private investigator and a DNA expert. If you have any information that might be helpful for Steve's case, please let us know so we can put you in touch with his attorney.

Phone calls are extremely expensive and these expenses are adding up quickly. In addition, Steve's girlfriend lives in Texas and traveling to visit Steve is a huge expense. All indications lead to the unfortunate probability that she will have to travel several more times before an outcome is reached - which even then is only the beginning. These phone calls and visits are incredibly important to Steve and help him keep his spirits up in a horribly dark time.

Please consider giving a donation atsupportsteve.org to help Steve and his partner defray these costs - perhaps in honor of a loved one, a perfect gift. While people are celebrating the holiday season, Steve will be alone. Even if you can't give monetary support, please keep writing Steve and all political prisoners during this difficult time. Letters are a lifeline to folks who are so physically cut off from their communities and loved ones. You can write Steve at:

Steve James Murphy
0910300841
Central Detention Center
630 East Rialto Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92408

Visit Steve's support website at: http://supportsteve.org

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Daniel Wilson Update

December, 2009

Thanks to the calls and support, Daniel is now getting vegan food. Calls work.

If you would like to write Daniel, here is his address:
DANIEL KYLE WILSON
c/o Thurston County Corrections Facility
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502

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Help Needed for Daniel Wilson

December, 2009

from:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20091215231109773

Help an Olympia anarchist get vegan food in jail. Daniel Wilson is currently being held in the Thurston County Jail in Olympia, WA without access to vegan food. Daniel has attempted to obtain the food he needs only to be told that he wasn't malnourished or sick enough yet, despite having lost over 20 pounds in 19 days. Some of Daniel's friends have called the jail to request that he recieve vegan food, which has led to the jail threatening to punish him. However, Daniel has requested that people do not stop calling the jail, but instead continue to flood the phone lines in hopes that the jail will gbvju. Daniel is being charged with various misdemeanors related to the 2008 May Day riot in Olympia and for allegedly vandalizing a pro-life group's vehicle later in the year. To show your support, please call: Thurston County Jail 360-786-5510 Ideally between the times of 1:30 to 4:30 PM PST. Calling the administration office, medical wing, and food staff would be great, but if even one of these wings gets an extra phone call, you'll be helping out Daniel. Solidarity!

If you would like to write Daniel, here is his address:
DANIEL KYLE WILSON
c/o Thurston County Corrections Facility
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502

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Jake Conroy Free!

November, 2009

Support VIPS, is happy to hear the good news that we received today, that Jake Conroy, has now left prison in California, and is now at a half way house. Although this is not ultimate freedom, we and happy to hear that his day to day living standards are an improvement for Jake, his friends and family.

Jake was convicted in February of 2006 for illegally conspiring to shut down Huntingdon Life Science, by means of violating the Animal Enterprise Protection (Terrorism) Act.

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BJ and Alex Hall Back in Custody

Jul 25, 2009

from:
http://www.myspace.com/supportbjandalex
and:
http://www.supportbjandalex.com

BJ Viehl and Alex Hall were put back into custody for alleged "violation of their pretrial orders". The judge (an ex-prosecutor against "eco-terrorism") has ordered that they remain in custody pending trial.

Both are receiving vegan food.

Alex Hall
Inmate #2009-06304
Davis County Jail
800 West State St.
Farmington, UT 84025

And BJ Viehl's

William James Viehl
Inmate #2009-05735
Davis County Jail
800 West State St.
Farmington, UT 84025

more information at:
http://www.myspace.com/supportbjandalex
and:
http://www.supportbjandalex.com

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Dave Mahoney goes to Jail

© All rights reserved helpmkeflickr's photostream

July 9th, 2009.

David (aka Dave) Mahoney sent to the slammer. Dave started his sentence today. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, and will most likely serve under 60. Letters of support to this vegan resister:

David Terrence Mahoney
297 S. Century Ave
St. Paul, MN 55119

more information at:
http://helpmkethree.blogspot.com/

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Josh Harper is Free!

June 30th.

Josh Harper (SHAC 7) is out of Sheridan and in halfway house!

from:
http://www.foodfightgrocery.com/jharp/news.html

Official statement later, but... Josh is out. Happy as can be. He should be out of halfway house and in a nicer living situation in early July.

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Jordan Halliday Released and Indicted

June 29th.

from:
http://www.supportjordan.com

UPDATE: Jordan Halliday has now been federally indicted with felony contempt of court. He was released on bail on June 29, 2009. This charge carries no maximum penalty. If he is convicted at his trial, Jordan could be facing even more jail time, at the judge's discretion.

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Dave Mahoney Convicted

June 1st, 2009

(dave is middle in picture)

Anti-RNC activist Dave Mahoney pled guilty this morning to one count of second-degree assault. 30-40 supporters packed Judge Paulette Flynn's courtroom nearly to capacity, as Mahoney told the court he was guilty of the single assault charge in exchange for his other nine felonies being dropped. Under the plea bargain, offered only a week ago after a months-long demonization campaign by the prosecutor that saw his charges increase from two to six to ten, Mahoney will likely serve a maximum of 56 days in jail and then be able to return to his native England. His sentencing will be in the afternoon on July 9.

Dave is a vegan, and Support VIPS will be working with the jail to ensure that Dave gets vegan food while he is in custody.

Address for Dave to come on July 9th...get your letters ready in the mean time

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Jordan Halliday Update

May 25th, 2009

Jordan Halliday's had his hearing regarding his Grumbles motion.

In a nutshell and in simplified terms, a Grumbles motion states that someone being held in civil comtempt of court for not testifying (specifically in this case at a grand jury) will never testify, no matter what, so continuing to hold them serves no legitimate purpose for the court. Civil contempt detention can never be punitive - meaning we're doing this simply as a tit for tat punishment - but rather only coercive, to induce testimony. If the inducement of testimony is apparently impossible, then the person must be release.

First, Jordan's mother took the stand. She testified to the fact that Jordan is a deeply principled person who has been vegan since age 12 despite her pleadings. She characterized him as firm and at times stubborn, but always on his deep philosophical beliefs. She said that she has no doubt that Jordan will not testify, and said that even she tried to change his mind on this.

Then Jordan took the stand. Jordan has had pretty inadequate nutrition for over two months in jail now and he looked rather pale. His hands were cuffed and then chained to his shackled ankles. He was in his prison clothes. As though he's a violent maniac.

The judge ruled against Jordan in his Grumbles motion and expressed willingness to hold him for the statutory maximum term (18 months). Jordan, his friends, and his family are all now coming to grips with the very real possibility that Jordan will be held in jail until September 13, 2010.

The judge's reasoning, is very interesting to say the least. Through internet records and text messages (obtained through national security wiretaps), the prosecution showed that Jordan did prior research on grand juries upon receiving his subpoena, including going to the No Compromise website and their info on grand jury proceedings. It also showed that he knew of the "Grumbles" motion in advance, long before he was ever found in contempt. Judge Campbell basically stated that she believes that since he always knew he might get out on a Grumbles motion, that the government hasn't exercised its full coercive power. So she is going to take it to the fullest extent and extinguish any hope that he get out on a Grumbles motion. So, in other words, Jordan's prior legal research and his knowledge of his own legal rights was used against him in court. The fact that he knew the legal process, knew his rights, and knew that there was a possibility that Grumbles would release him demonstrated that he wasn't yet fully coerced into testifying.

Nothing will change with Judge Cambell's decision today. Jordan is truly an incredibly stand up person. Take the time to write to Jordan in jail, showing your support for his stance.

Cache County Jail
Jordan Halliday
Inmate # 24836
1225 West Valley View Highway Suite 100
Logan, Utah 84321

Here is a video on Jordan's case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo5BNJwRo0g

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Kevin Olliff and Linda (Lindy) Greene update.

May 5th, 2009

Kevin Olliff and Linda (aka Lindy) Greene were arrested in California on April 16th, 2009. They have been charged with 10 counts each--five for conspiracy, three stalking and two threats. The indictment is still sealed. They were given a gang inhancement. These charges seem unrelated to Kevin's past charges, though he does have a no bail hold due to his parole status. Lindy have bail set at or above $450,0000. Kevin currently has a no bail hold due to his parole status.

There are still very little known facts about the case, due to the fact that the indictment is still sealed. Kevin was taken into custody by UCLA police force and Lindy was taken into custody by Santa Monica police.

Please write to them:

Linda Greene, #1300927
Century Regional Detention Facility
11705 S. Alameda Street
Lynwood, CA 90262

Kevin Olliff, #1300931
TTCF 161 D-Pod
450 Bauchet St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Kevin and Lindy's next court date will be held Wednesday, May 20th, at 8:30am.

LA Superior Court Dept 102
210 W. Temple St.

Please show them support and dress conservatively.

AT THIS TIME THEY ARE NOT REQUESTING HELP WITH VEGAN FOOD.

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Jordan Halliday Update

Late March

Support VIPS is asking folks to stop calling the jail in Salt Lake concerning grand jury resister Jordan Halliday

After saying they received over 100 phone calls, the jail called Jordan's lawyer and said they will again resume feeding him his vegan meals. "Just please tell your animal rights people to stop calling," they said, or something to that effect.

Jordan spoke with someone tonight and confirmed that he is indeed once again receiving vegan meals. Phone calls work!

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Jailed Muscian Ira Black of Rock Band LIZZY BORDEN Claims Veganism Not Recognized By Facility As 'Valid And Sincere'

January, 2009

Current LIZZY BORDEN guitarist Ira Black, who has previously played with METAL CHURCH, VICIOUS RUMORS and HEATHEN, has gone on a hunger strike at the Los Angeles County Jail because he claims that veganism is not being recognized by the facility as "valid and sincere."

Ira was taken into custody the morning of January 3, 2009 on a misdemeanor charge (he apparently had a warrant out for his arrest for an unpaid fine) and is being held on $65,000 bail.

Black's fiancée says that the guitarist "has been in the system for over a week now and has had to survive on a miniscule diet. Ira has been a vegan for 15 years and it seems none of the local correctional facilities will accommodate any inmate with a vegetarian or vegan diet. They will give inmates with medical problems or religious beliefs a different meal, but there is no concern for the vegetarians/vegans.

full story:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=112242

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