by Sacramento Prisoner Support
Friday, Nov. 02, 2007 at 6:12 PM
Hearings, fundraising, sentencing and more...
Dear friends and supporters,
Please see below for the latest news on Eric’s case and how you can continue to support him.
New Trial Motion Hearing
On November 15, at 10:00 am, Eric will have a hearing before Judge England (the same judge that presided over his trial) on the motion that Mark filed to request a new trial. The basis for the motion is the long list of egregious errors made by the court during Eric’s trial. The motion is now posted in its entirety on the website, so please take a minute to check it out. If the motion is granted, Eric will receive a new trial, which could take months. If the motion is denied, then the court will proceed with sentencing on December 6 and we will begin the process of appeals. Either way, Eric will continue to live in captivity for a very long time. Please keep up all the amazing support you have offered for the last 22 months!
Sentencing
Eric’s sentencing is set for December 6. This will be a critical and stressful time for Eric and his loved ones. Please consider coming to court on this day to show your support for Eric. He needs to know we are with him, and will continue to be with him, throughout this ordeal.
There is one more very important thing you can do to help with sentencing. Please take a few minutes and write a letter to the judge, urging a minimal sentence for Eric. The US Attorney is still indicating that they will be pushing for the maximum sentence of 20 years. The judge needs to hear from Eric’s friends and family – he needs to know that Eric is a well-respected, honest, compassionate, non-violent person. It is important for Judge England to know that the acts charged in the indictment are out of character for Eric. Some things you might mention in your letter include:
(1)How long you have known Eric
(2)How you met him and how you know him (i.e. school, work, mutual friends, etc.)
(3)Any experiences you have had with Eric that demonstrate what you think are important aspects of his character
Address your letter to:
Judge England
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California-Sacramento
501 “I” Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Please DO NOT send your letter directly to Judge England. Instead, please send them directly to Eric’s lawyer:
Mark Reichel
555 Capitol Mall, 6th Floor - Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
Please mail your letter with your original signature as soon as possible. Again, letters should be sent to Eric’s lawyer, Mark Reichel, and not to the judge.
Vegan Food
Eric is still not receiving vegan meals. PLEASE continue calling the jail and requesting that they give him vegan food. We realize this can be a frustrating process, but it is very important for Eric’s health and morale. Be aware that the person who answers the phone may very well lie to you about what is actually happening, or give you a prepared response (such as “we are aware of the situation”). If the jail were to give Eric vegan food, you would be the first to know! And if they give you a prepared response that only means that enough of us are calling to at least annoy them. But not enough of us to change the situation – so keep calling!
The person who made the decision to cut off Eric’s food is Lt. Ilg, and the person who oversees him is Scott Jones. Feel free to request to speak to either of these people when calling the jail.
It’s always helpful to have Eric’s x-reference number handy when calling the jail, in case the person you are speaking with asks for it. Eric’s x-ref is: x-2972521. You can call the jail at :
916-874-6752
916-874-6905
Fundraising
Yes, the ubiquitous fundraising plea… We realize this one can start to feel a little monotonous and tiresome. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most important things we can do for Eric right now. To appeal Eric’s case to the 9th Circuit will cost approximately $35,000 in legal fees, a number that can seem overwhelming and distant. But with everyone’s help we have no reason to believe that it cannot be accomplished. Please start organizing your next fundraiser now.
To make an individual donation online (via Paypal) visit Eric’s website at www.supporteric.org. Or you can send a check/money order made out to Sacramento Defense Fund to:
SPS
PO Box 163126
Sacramento, CA 95816
Please remember to make it out to Sacramento Defense Fund, otherwise we won’t be able to deposit it.
And speaking of fundraisers, some folks in DC have put together a really amazing event. If you are going to be in DC on November 17, don't miss it! Details are at the end of this email.
New Flyers
New flyers have been created (thanks to the fellow who helped make that happen!) and will be posted soon on Eric's website. Please make copies and distribute them at your next event, at your favorite infoshop or coffee shop.
T-Shirts
Support Eric t-shirts are still available online from the great folks at In Our Hearts. They are $10 in person or $15 for national mail order. See Eric’s website for more details.
Reminders
Eric says he is currently doing fine with reading material and has asked that everyone wait to send him any books you have in mind until further notice. He will not be able to bring anything with him when he is transferred to a federal facility, and will probably not need any more books before that time.
Also, please remember that if you would like to visit Eric, you should contact him first so he can put you in touch with his family. He has very limited visit times and would like to make sure they are used in the most effective/efficient way possible.
Thank you all for your continued support!
Yours,
SPS
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Fundraiser in DC
State Repression in the Era of the War on Terrorism
A discussion of the Criminalization of Animal Rights and Environmental Activists and the Continued War on the Black Liberation Movement
Featuring:
Ashanti Alston, former political prisoner and Black Panther
Ramona Africa of MOVE
Gideon Oliver, Civil Rights Attorney, member National Lawyers Guild
Will Potter, Journalist and creator of GreenIsTheNewRed.com
Saturday, November 17 at 7 p.m.
at St. Stephen's Church
1525 Newton Street NW
Washington, D.C.
Join journalists, attorneys, and former political prisoners at a forum discussing the links between past and present instances of state repression of social justice movements. From the targeting of animal and environmental activists being dubbed by many as the "Green Scare" to the 37-year-old charges being brought against former Black Panthers in San
Fransisco, hear how history is repeating itself as state repression intensifies in the era of the "War on Terrorism" -- and what we can do to fight it.
$5-10 sliding scale donation to benefit:
Eco-Prisoner, Eric McDavid (www.supporteric.org)
and the Jericho Movement (www.thejerichomovement.org)
NO ONE TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF FUNDS.
For further information and updates, go to: www.dcinfoshop.org
Or call, 202-986-0681
Co-Sponsored by: Brian MacKenzie Infoshop; Red Emma's Bookstore and
Coffeehouse; Friends and Family of Daniel McGowan; Black August Planning
Organization; The National Jericho Movement
www.supporteric.org