FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2006
Resisting the “Green Scare”

December 7, 2005, marked the beginning of the largest roundup of
environmental and animal rights activists in U.S. history. There have now
been nearly 20 arrests and many Grand Jury subpoenas.

The nation-wide sweep of arrests, dubbed “Operation Backfire,” has been
described by the FBI as a major hit to environmentalists and animal rights
activists who engage in destruction of property as a means to defend wild
lands and lives of animals. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stated in
January that, “Investigating and preventing animal rights and
environmental extremism is one of the FBI’s highest domestic priorities”.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) said. "The Oklahoma City bombing
killed 168 people. The attacks of 9/11 killed 3,000. Since 1993, there
have been at least five fatal attacks on doctors who performed legal
abortions. Eric Rudolph recently pleaded guilty to placing a bomb in a
public area during the Olympic Games in 1996, as well as bombing a
Birmingham women's clinic and a gay nightclub. All of these cases involved
the loss of human life. To date, not a single incident of so-called
environmental terrorism has killed anyone."

Despite the lack of human injury in any of these actions, the government
is threatening extraordinary sentences, ranging from 30 years to life plus
335 years. Similar crimes committed without political motivation receive
far shorter sentences and even different charges. For example, a string
of nine recent church arsons are being described by the authorities as
“youthful pranks”.

Environmental activist Jeff “Free” Luers received a disproportionately
long sentence (22.8 years) after confessing to attempting to burn three
SUVs at a Romania dealership in Eugene, OR. At trial, Jeff clearly stated
that his action was a desperate attempt to bring awareness to the
destruction of the Earth by this unsustainable form of transportation and
its external costs of global warming, pollution, and war for oil. Because
of his stated political beliefs, “Free” received an extremely long prison
sentence; he is charged with a Measure 11 crime despite the fact that this
fire did not endanger any life; and he continues to suffer harassment by
the Department of Corrections due to his designation as a member of a
Security Threat Group’.

June 2006 marks the sixth year that “Free” has been in prison as well as
the 3rd year of International Days of Solidarity with him. The focus of
international events this year will be on “Operation Backfire” and what
many are calling a “Green Scare” campaign of government repression.

For more information, http://www.freefreenow.org

Call for Weekend of Resistance Against the "Green Scare" June 9 - 11, 2006

by Jeff Free Luers

This June marks my 6th year in prison. From behind these walls I have strived to remain an active part of this struggle; from contributing to the dialogue and discussion of tactics, to furthering the debate on climate change in the public. Perhaps most importantly I am proof that prison cannot crush the spirit of resistance.

This year has seen an increase in state repression against activists and radicals alike. It is truly a scary time. We all know about the "Red Scare" - the government's attempt to justify repression by labeling dissidents "communists" back in the 1950's. Today we see their "Green Scare" attempt to crush resistance by labeling them "eco-terrorists."

For the last three years, June 11th has been celebrated as an international day of solidarity with me, Jeffrey Luers. I have been overjoyed with a sense of love & pride at the support I have received from around the world. My deepest and sincerest thanks go out to all of you.

Right now there are more than a dozen people sitting in American jails (or on strict bail release) accused of Earth/Animal Liberation Front actions. Six people were originally arrested. These arrests were based almost entirely on the testimony of one police informant, Jacob Ferguson. Bill Rodgers - accused of multiple arsons - took his own life in a jail cell. Unfortunately, several of those arrested are now cooperating with the state.

These defendants are facing ridiculous charges and a draconian amount of time.

This June, I ask you to show them the solidarity that you have shown me. I ask that foremost in your mind be the thought that the state is trying to break this struggle with repressive and intimidating arrests and sentences. I hope you understand that it's not just those of us in prison being punished with these sentences; they are designed to be examples to you, to frighten you into compliance. This June I'm asking you to demonstrate that you can't be intimidated. Celebrate your dissent, give it voice. Be loud. Be visible. If you have the ability, organize a reclaim the streets party or a critical mass.

If you are going to host a fundraiser or venue event, I ask that you donate all proceeds to the legal defense of those recently arrested who maintain integrity in the face of repression, whether they are innocent or guilty.

This June, show the world that the voice of truth will not be silenced by fear.

Contact Friends of Jeff Luers, PO Box 3, Eugene, OR 97440 USA or email freefreenow@mutualaid.org for organizing resources.

For a list of planned events, click here.


June 9 - 11, 2006, is a Weekend of Resistance Against the Green Scare. There is no central organizing body or group to check in with but the Jeff Luers Support Network can help by providing you with flyers, graphics, and merchandise such as videos, zines and stickers about Jeff and allies in the struggle. Begin planning your event now. Read more about the Green Scare defendants here. Plan an action that makes sense for your area: a demonstration, treesit, music festival, teach-in, stenciling campaign, rally, protests at an American consulate/embassy overseas or public forum. Circulate petitions. Contribute to the legal defense for the defendants. Do what you think is appropriate. But please remember when planning an action or event think about how it could affect the upcoming court cases. Ask yourself: does this help or hurt the defendants? Does this strengthen the movement or weaken it in the long-term?