From: aforum@moose.uvm.edu (Autonome Forum)
Subject: AF/ATS: grand jury resister jailed!!!
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: University of Vermont -- Division of EMBA Computer Facility
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 23:36:05 GMT

posted by: AF/ATS
--

Environmental Activist Jailed By Government Without Charges During
Secretive Investigation

Spokane, WA - A highly secretive federal grand jury investigation
here has begun jailing people in an apparent harassment campaign
of the animal liberation and environmental movements, according to
those close to the investigation.
     Environmental private investigator Jonathan Paul was jailed
November 3rd after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and
refused to answer questions concerning the activities of the animal
liberation and environmental movements in the U.S.
     Using an obscure federal statute, the government jailed Paul
under the grand jury practice of "encouraging" people involved in
political movements to talk, or face up to 18 months in jail. While
even those accused of violent crimes are almost always allowed
bail, political activists like Paul can be held up to 550 days
without the possibility of release. Civil libertarians say the
government's action is an abuse of the judicial process.
     "I will not feed information to this government that wants to
destroy political movements", said Paul before he was jailed.
     Dozens of activists have been called to testify at the Spokane
grand jury, and similar ones in Eugene, Oregon and in Michigan over
the past year.
     When Paul was taken away, his sister Caroline was also
wrestled to the ground and handcuffed as she shouted "this is not
right... this is a free (!! - typist) country." She was later
released, and was allowed to kiss her brother goodbye before he was
taken away.
     Attornies for Paul have stated they plan a series of appeals
to get him released.

Support Urgently Needed For Jailed Animal Liberation/Environmental
Activist

     On November 3, 1992, while many people were celebrating so-
called democracy, the federal courts and judicial system were once
again taking away the freedoms of another person. This time it was
animal liberation/environmental activist Jonathan Paul, who was
jailed for refusing to testify at a highly secretive grand jury
hearing in Spokane, WA. This grand jury is one of several over the
past year investigating the successful activities of the Animal
Liberation Front.
     Jonathan invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during the
hearing, but was granted immunity - a tactic used to "encourage"
witnesses to testify. Jonathan maintained his right to remain
silent and was jailed for contempt of court. He can be imprisoned
for a maximum of 18 months without bail and without a trial.
     "I will not feed information to this government that wants to
destroy political movements", said Paul, one of the founders of
Hunt Saboteurs in California, before he was jailed.

How To Help:

1. Send letters of support to:
     Jonathan Paul
     Spokane County Jail
     1100 W. Mallon
     Spokane, WA 99260

2. Send letters to the judge:
     Judge Fremming Nielsen
     U.S. District Court
     920 W. Riverside
     Spokane, WA 99201

3. Send letters to the editor:
     Moscow-Pullman Daily News
     107 S. Grand
     Pullman, WA 99163

4. Send money to help cover expenses. Make checks or money orders
payable to Activist Defense Fund:
     Activist Defense Fund
     P.O. Box 82373
     Portland, OR
     97282

Contact: Sara Meghrouni (415) 433 3623


******* November 10, 1992 *******

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