Prisoners

A Bank of America's atm slots were superglued, and a nearby vacant condo development was decorated with graffiti reading:

NO CONDOS, NO PRISONS, FOR CHILE (A)

An outside hose was also left running into a sliding door in order to flood the lower level.

DWELL Development tears down existing homes and replaces them with expensive "eco-friendly" condos that further the gentrification of Seattle's neighborhoods. We find it ludicrous that these condos are located mere blocks from one of the most recent sites of Nickelsville, Seattle's tent city. And, in a world of dying ecosystems, the construction of "extremely energy efficient and environmentally friendly" condos means absolutely nothing.

From Belarus Indymedia

Sept. 3 about 6 o’clock in the morning seven non-government activists were arrested by law enforcement bodies of Belarus. Six of them are held 38 hours in custody in the detention center of Minsk. The detainees were interrogated about their involvement in the pelting Molotov cocktails at the embassy of Russia in Minsk. Young people jointly rent an apartment in one district of Minsk. At 6-20 am a doorbell rang , one of the young men opened the door and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes immediately burst in the apartment.

All were present at the time in the apartment were taken to GUBOP Interior Ministry for questioning, the apartment was searched, five computers, two laptops, mobile phones, money, posters and magazines were confiscated. One of the detainees had been interrogated as a witness in a criminal case of an attack on the embassy of Russia and released about 19 hours. Another six people – Bogachek Igor, Khotina Valeria, Slusar Serge, Dedok Nicholas, Zhingerovsky Alexei and Franzkevich Alexander – are still in the detention center of Minsk in the street Okrestsin. Relatives and friends are not able to contact them. The maximum period of detention without charge in Belarus is 72 hours.

From Crimethinc

What kind of world do the G20 leaders want to create? They showed us a sneak preview at the G20 summit in Toronto last June: a billion-dollar security budget, 20,000 security personnel, secret laws, pre-dawn house raids, indiscriminate attacks with batons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Over 1100 people were arrested, most of whom were never charged.

If this is the future, who can blame people for resisting?

Since the G20 protests, we’ve waited breathlessly for a comprehensive account of the charges and investigations stemming from the summit. Despairing of finding one, we finally prepared this report. It’s not all-inclusive; there is a tremendous amount to keep up with, and many important details are still being forcefully withheld.

A roundup of recent FBI visits, subpoenas, and other government assaults on the animal liberation movement in August:

From Voice of the Voiceless

New AETA 4 DNA warrant

This week, Joseph Buddenberg of the AETA 4 was the target of a warrant for his DNA. A quote from the agent who authored the affidavit: 

"I believe probable cause exists that Buddenberg was involved in the February 24, 2008 altercation at the L.H./J.R. residence in Santa Cruz.... The samples from the bullhorn found in Khajavi's vehicle will yield evidence that Buddenberg was involved in force, violence, and threats involving animal enterprises, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 43 & 371"

Victory! Freedom for all political prisoners!

Press release from Climate Collective

The Copenhagen City Court has today ruled that Natasha Verco and Noah Weiss are innocent. The two climate activists were charged for organizing illegal activities during the COP15 summit in Copenhagen in 2009. But the charges didn't stand in court. The verdict discredits the violent methods adopted by police during the climate summit, when politically active people were denied their democratic right to criticize the climate negotiations.

Natasha Verco feels that the entire process has been absurd:

Tags:
OLYMPIA - An Olympia woman convicted of kicking a police officer when she was arrested during an anti-police-brutality march in downtown Olympia was led from court in handcuffs Thursday to begin serving a one-month sentence at the Thurston County Jail.

On Tuesday, a Thurston County jury convicted Margaret Belknap, 23, of one count of third-degree felony assault of a police officer. The jury acquitted her of an additional count of third-degree assault of a police officer.

Belknap addressed the court, held by visiting Pierce County Superior Court Judge Susan Serko, before being sentenced Thursday. In a hushed voice, Belknap said that contrary to a prosecutor’s statement, she is remorseful for what happened the night of her April 8 arrest.

From Rocktown Rebel

"Violent attacks on the high seas without lawful authority have always been piracy under the law of nations" -Benjamin Hatch, lead prosecutor in the Norfolk, VA piracy trial (quoted in the WSJ, August 14th, emp. added)

"I think the military and the government have some things that should be kept secret. [...] There is no 'right to know' secret information." -Jim Hanson, a right-wing blogger, counter-protesting a "Free Bradley Manning" demonstration in Quantico, VA (quoted in CNN.com, August 9th, emp. added)

From Twin Cities - by Emily Gurnon

From a bang to a whimper.

The criminal case against Republican National Convention protester Erik Oseland was resolved this afternoon, when he pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property, a gross misdemeanor.

The other charges against him were dismissed.

The former member of the RNC 8 admitted to talking with several other people before the 2008 event about knocking over newspaper boxes, thus "impeding the flow of convention traffic," said his attorney, Ted Dooley.

Tags:
It is with heavy hearts that we regretfully inform you that on August 25th a jury returned a guilty verdict for each of five counts against our friend David Japenga. Citing him as a high flight risk and a danger to the community, his bail was revoked and he was taken into custody pending his formal sentencing, which was scheduled for November 23rd. David's lawyer filed a Petition for Bond the same day and we are awaiting a hearing on the motion. In the meantime, David can receive mail sent to:

David Japenga 153760
950 Second Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - by Paula Reed Ward

A jury today found David Japenga guilty of breaking the windows of three businesses in Oakland during the G-20 summit last year.

Mr. Japenga, 21, was charged with three counts of criminal mischief and one count each of possessing instruments of crime and making false identification to law enforcement.

The case hinged on the testimony of a state trooper who witnessed the incident. He testified about the suspect, including a detailed description of the his gait, sloped shoulders and shoes, but not his face, which was covered.