COINTELPRO, Provocateurs, and Prisoners: An Interview

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I recently did an interview with Vegan Police that is timely and worth reposting. The interview covered subjects that have become increasingly relevant with recent events, including: provocateurs, critics, informants, COINTELPRO, how to deal with suspected informants, and much more.

Reposted from Vegan Police.

Your website has been inter woven in Walter Bond’s case, with Walter allegedly telling an informant to check Animal Liberation Front-Line (formerly Voice of the Voiceless) to see “what he has been up to.” Do you feel a burden of responsibility knowing that the site is that well known and a hub or is that how you measure effectiveness?

This question became more relevant in the last 24 hours, after the FBI raided my home for the second time in five months yesterday. The new search warrant named certain communications to Animal Liberation Front-Line as among the items to be seized. This is the second time VOV has been mentioned in an FBI document in recent months.

Since its launch, Animal Liberation Front-Line has focused on original content. I rarely repost articles, or post anything that isn’t offering some value, some insight or layer to the story no other source is offering. The internet is well past the point of data saturation, and I don’t want to add to it with unoriginal or redundant content.

The burden of increased site-traffic comes in having to be increasingly cautious in my reporting. Several times in recent months the media has picked up on stories that I’ve broken on Animal Liberation Front-Line, and I’ve become much more hesitant to post any exclusive / breaking information without being 100% certain it is 100% accurate.

As an example, for weeks there was fairly solid speculation that the mystery informant in Walter Bond’s case was his brother. I was 95% certain based on what I was hearing, but I held off on reporting this until getting confirmation from Walter himself. Within minutes of posting, I was getting calls from the media, reporters who would likely never look at the site again if they were to catch me in one inaccuracy. Before Animal Liberation Front-Line was getting decent traffic, I would have been less likely to hold myself to professional standards.

The burden comes in having to hold back on the stories I want to write. I’m sitting on several bombshell pieces of info that I’ve been waiting for 100% confirmation on before reporting. Were I doing just another blog, I would not have to be so restrained.

After Walter was charged by the FBI I was expecting a show of support from the vegan community. Instead I got a lot of criticisms about his personal appearence (face tattoo’s) as well as his adherence to straight edge and his past arson convictions. A “vegan” celebrity can endorse and promote products which brutally test on animals and be revered as a God, but an activist with a face tattoo allegedly sets three fires (which harm no human or animal life) and is ostracized. Do you think there is a larger comment on appearance based activism at work here?

One thing I learned early on: There are people who do, and people who criticize. And those two character types rarely overlap. The critic-to-doer ratio is easily 20-to-1. Anyone who steps up and brings their beliefs into action – whether as a grassroots activist or A.L.F. operative – subjects themselves to the attention-seeking chatter of the other 98%. I don’t think those critics are relevant because they don’t do anything. And I think in activism, you forfeit your right to have an opinion about what others are doing when you don’t do anything yourself.

That is my opinion of anyone who would deny an A.L.F. prisoner support because of a tattoo. Critics do damage with their hit-and-run internet slander assaults and whisper-campaigns. They exist because they know they can escape being confronted about what exactly they are contributing to the movement. When I see people who only show up at meetings to obstruct everyone else’s ideas, or make a name for themselves slandering people, I think they should either show us what value they are offering animals, or be shown the door.

Along those same lines, Walter has entered a plea of “not guilty” and IS innocent until proven guilty, however, many people feel like he MUST be guilty because of his appearance, past history, etc. Why are we so quick to internalize the messages authorities and major media send out about people in our own communities?

(more…)

Breaking: FBI Raids Utah Activist House for the Second Time

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The FBI raids my home for the second time in five months.

Today I awoke at 9am to FBI & ATF agents raiding my home in Salt Lake City. This is the second time my home has been raided in an A.L.F. investigation in five months.

Ten agents with the FBI and ATF corralled myself and my roommates into the living room, handed us a search warrant, and spent the next five hours removing belongings from our home.

The warrant indicated they were seeking evidence in recent Animal Liberation Front arsons, including two in Utah.

View the search warrant here.

The warrant called for seizure of the following (language borrowed directly from the warrant):

“Documents, correspondence, or computer files relating to:

• communications regarding criminal acts or plans to commit criminal
acts in the name of animal rights;

• claims of responsibility for criminal acts, including correspondence
between Walter Bond and animal rights extremist groups, such as the
Animal Liberation Front, the North American Animal Liberation
Press Office, and Animal Liberation Front-Line (formerly Voice of the Voiceless);

• individuals or groups involved with illegal animal rights extremist
acts;

• the arsons at the Tandy Leather store and Tiburon restaurant in Salt
Lake County, Utah, and the arson at the Sheepskin Factory in the
Denver, Colorado area;

• animal rights extremism tenns, such as “go vegan,” “straightedge,”
“A.L.F.,” or the moniker “Lone Wolf;”

• correspondence between Walter Bond and Peter Young;

• mechanisms, tools, and field guides/instruction manuals used to
facilitate illegal animal rights extremism acts; and

• evidence that Walter Bond lived at the residence in 2010.”

(Note: Walter Bond is in jail in Colorado, accused of burning down a Sheepskin Factory store in Denver).

The warrant also sought “evidence of accelerants used in the arsons in Utah”, computers, phones, and all electronic storage media.

Every member of the house was taken outside by an FBI agent individually and asked if they wished to “cooperate”. As every member of the house responded with some variation of “no comment”, an FBI agent asked questions including: if they had information to provide about Walter Bond or the “Lone Wolf” arsons, inquiries about other roommates, and offers to have seized items returned quickly in exchange for informing on Walter Bond and others. One female at the house was told “you could really help us” by accepting an informant role and secretly providing information about me.

(In a post next week, I will cover my experiences with the FBI using women as paid informants to target male activists.)

Also mentioned repeatedly by agents during their attempted questionings was their belief that Walter Bond was a one-time resident of the house (the assertion is completely false).

Every person questioned was told in various ways that, while Walter Bond was the ostensible target of the warrant, an unstated target was myself. One roommate was told – “I know what the warrant says, but you know who we’re really here for. We want Peter Young”.

During their attempted questioning of me, an FBI agent stated he realized the chances of me cooperating were “not very good”, but that it was “time for (me) to grow up” and “put this behind (me)” by giving them information for their investigation. I was also told erroneously that because I was not under arrest, I did not have the right to speak to an attorney.

As stated, this is the second raid of the residence – an established Salt Lake City activist house – in five months. The first sought evidence in the 2004 Animal Liberation Front raid of the University of Iowa, in which 401 animals were rescued. The FBI attempted to link me to the action, both tangentially, and by assumptions of very poor footing. They successfully argued probable cause to a judge who granted a warrant, and in March the FBI spent 7 hours searching my home.

The warrant indicated that the Animal Liberation Front-Line reporting done on the recent A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” arsons may be a factor in the raid. The warrant specifically calls for seizure of “documents, correspondence, or computer files” relating to “communications between Walter Bond and…. Voice of the Voiceless”.

When the raid concluded, the FBI severely damaged the rear of their vehicle when exiting the driveway by hitting a pole.

– Peter Young

“Self Sacrifice is the Price of Admission”: A Letter From Walter Bond

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The following is a recent letter from Walter Bond, jailed in Colorado on charges of being the A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”.

Reposted from Thomas Paines Corner.

“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

After being denied bail, Walter Bond will likely remain in Jefferson County Jail (Golden, CO) until his trial. Write Walter Bond a letter of support:

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

“Leave No One Behind”: Support Activist Bryan Monell

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Animal Liberation Front-line was created to spotlight under-covered news in the animal liberation movement. Among the core missions of the site is to bring attention to activists who find themselves in legal trouble fighting for animals. I strive to avoid redundancy and not contribute to  the info-overload of the internet age by avoiding reposts,  yet this commentary on the recent case of a dedicated activist named Bryan Monell is worth spotlighting.

Please read about the arrest and serious charges Bryan Monell faces on his support site.

Reposted from Vegina:

“A recent arrest in Southern California has been added to the list of repressive arrests. It inspired me to write this post.

Please read and consider donating to help this activist, Bryan Monell. (Read his bio on this page to see the sort of dedication we should all aspire to). And most importantly, don’t forget the punchline: WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT STOP YOUR WORK. DO NOT BE SILENCED. THE ACTIVISTS & ANIMALS NEED YOU.

It is imperative that activists support other activists. If we don’t support each other in times of need our movement will die… and if our movement dies the animals have no hope.

Intimidation tactics, false arrests, harsh sentences and the genesis of laws that violate the first amendment are all attempts to silence activists. If our voices are silenced, the goals we have can never be met. We must, as a movement, combat this repression. (See Will Potter’s journalism to get caught up on repression of the environmental and animal rights movements).We cannot react by silencing ourselves. When our compatriots are harassed or imprisoned we need to be pro-active and support them with all we’ve got.

The repression we face can be scary, but we cannot let fear override the work we need to do. By creating a supportive community in which we all know that, no matter how bad it gets, our community will love us and support us, we can all bravely move forward.

Part of working in solidarity means we leave no one behind, alone or without support. When an activist arrest happens, we need to help by donating/and or raising funds for good legal council, by writing letters to judges on their behalf, by refusing any coercive techniques, such as grand jury testimonies, and by keeping up with our activism. When activists are in jail we need to hold vigil by writing to them, keeping financial support coming their way, and giving them all the support they need when they are released.

Another way to be pro-active is to be prepared. Though you may never do anything illegal there is always a chance you can be arrested or questioned by authorities. Check out The Informed Activist for a 411 on how you can protect yourself and your fellow activists.

Please don’t let down the movement or the animals by giving up and letting tactics of repression win out over doing what is morally correct.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT STOP YOUR WORK. DO NOT BE SILENCED.

THE ACTIVISTS & ANIMALS NEED YOU.”

(Reposted from Vegina)

Warning: Green Scare Informant Runs Computer Security Company

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Updated August 9th, 3:04pm PST

Activists beware: FBI informant Darren Thurston now a “computer security” expert

After Darren Thurston’s release from prison, the informant in the Green Scare A.L.F. / E.L.F. case has resurfaced as a computer security consultant.

A warning to anyone who has received computer security services from someone going by hard_mac, or rad_boy: Your consultant was once working for the FBI, and may still be.

Thurston became an asset for the federal government in the Green Scare case after his arrest on arson charges for the 2001 torching by the Animal Liberation Front of a BLM wild horse holding barn in Susanville, California. In exchange for reduced charges, he implicated several others in serious arsons. Among them was Justin Solondz, who is serving a three year sentence in China on unrelated charges after being arrested there while a fugitive.

There is additional information about Thurston that may be of concern to activists. From Vancouver Anarchist Online Archive:

“Vancouver lawyer Peter Edelmann (who sometimes works for activists) confirmed in early 2010 that Darren Thurston has been working for him in his legal office since sometime not long after Thurston’s return to Vancouver in late 2008. This opens the possibility of breaches of lawyer-client confidentiality, given Thurston’s signed and sealed agreement to give information on other activists to the FBI.”

One point bears repeating: Thurston entered into a plea agreement which remains sealed, and which he himself has never made public. The terms of the plea agreement are unknown, and may include working for the FBI / Canadian authorities after his release.

Thurston’s computer security consulting site can be viewed here.

Perhaps not by coincidence, there is information another government informant, Justin Samuel, has also gone into the computer security field. Samuel provided 86 pages of testimony, and perhaps additional undocumented information, to prosecutors investigating mink releases in 1999.

It is possible the FBI has found the perfect niche for former activists who have switched sides: giving them “expert”-status and putting them in charge of sensitive data on others computers. Warrants may be unnecessary when the FBI has a “man on the inside”.

– Peter Young

Informant Revealed: A.L.F. Suspect Set Up By His Brother

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In his first written statement from jail, the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” reveals new details about his case

In a new letter from jail (excerpts posted below), Walter Bond addresses several lingering questions surrounding his A.L.F. case. Among them, the circumstances of his arrest, quotes made about him by “friends” to the media, and: the identity of the informant who set him up.

Bond sits in jail on arson and Animal Enterprise Terrorism charges, accused of being the Animal Liberation Front “Lone Wolf”, responsible for three arsons at animal abuse targets in Utah and Colorado. To date, Bond has been charged only in the Denver Sheepskin Factory arson.

The informant

Walter Bond was arrested after what court documents say was a set-up by a friend. The “friend” allegedly enticed Bond into a monitored conversation in which Bond allegedly admitted to three A.L.F. arsons. This set-up was orchestrated by the ATF. The informant had only been identified to date as someone Bond had not seen in 12 years. In his letter from jail, Bond reveals the identity of the informant, and other details of his arrest.

Excerpts from Walter Bond’s jail statement

The details surrounding his arrest:

“The day of my arrest I was on my way to see my brother. We hadnt’ seen each other for 12 years, and he had told me that he was coming to Denver to help our half-brother [name redacted] move. He had told me that he was bringing my nephews I had never met. I left [location redacted] thinking I was going to begin healing the very deep wounds of my shattered family. I was wrong. My brother [name redacted] had been working for the ATF since July 1st.

On my way to the hotel he was at, the police stopped me because I was on a ‘bulletin’. They quesioned me mostly about veganism, and my tattoos. I refused to say anything except ‘I have nothing to say’. They searched me and let me go. I later realized I was only released so that I could walk down the street and into an ATF set-up.”

On statements made to the media by “friends”:

“I found out from a visitor today that Billy Jo has been spinning fanciful tales about me. First off, I was not at her house. Next, I am vegan as everyone that has ever met or known me can attest. I was not at a BBQ nor was I even at Jim and Billy Jo’s house. I was simply arrested on their front lawn. In two years time I have spoken to Billy Jo a grand total of perhaps two-dozen sentences…. My guess is that given her shady nature the ATF scared her into trying to discredit me. Altogether predictable and honestly of little consequence to me. Those who know me know what I stand for.”

On vegan food and support:

“I am being fed a vegan diet and of course the food is less than desirable. I have no money on my books and I can really use some for ramen noodles, envelopes, etc. Other than money and letters of support I don’t need anything from the outside.”

On animal liberation:

“Obviously I can not talk about my ongoing case / cases, but I will say this: the charges I face are serious. Accordingly so is the time that goes along with them. However nothing they can do to me can ever compare with what animals endure at the hands of speciesist human oppressors. Please use any means at your disposal to use whatever [illegigble] surrounding my case to bring awareness to the plight of animals. I am vegan and an animal liberation activist, and shall never relent in the fight for the total freedom of non-human animals.”

Support

After being denied bail, Walter Bond will likely remain in Jefferson County Jail (Golden, CO) until his trial. Write Walter Bond a letter of support:

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

As soon as the procedure for donating money to Bond’s jail account is learned, it will be posted.

– Peter Young

A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”: New Charges Filed

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New indictment adds Animal Enterprise Terrorism charge against Walter Bond

With little notice from the media, the Department of Justice quietly issued a formal indictment last week against Walter Bond for the arson of a Denver Sheepskin Factory store. The indictment follows the less-formal “criminal complaint” which preceded it.

A look at the indictment reveals a new turn to the case: an added charge of doing more than $100,000 damage to an animal enterprise, in violation of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. To date, it is only the fourth time charges have been filed under the AETA.

Read Walter Bond’s full indictment here.

Bond was arrested on July 22nd, accused of being the A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, responsible for arsons at Sheepskin Factory (CO), Tandy Leather Factory (UT) and Tiburon (foie gras restaurant) (UT). An informant allegedly staged a recorded meeting with Bond in which he admitted to the three A.L.F. arsons. To date, Bond has only been charged in the Sheepskin Factory arson. He has been ordered held without bail until trial.

Additional charges against Walter Bond for the Utah A.L.F. arsons are possible.

– Peter Young

Please write Walter Bond during this difficult time:

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

Grand Jury Resister Pleads Guilty

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Jordan Halliday pleads guilty for his refusal to testify to a grand jury investigating the A.L.F.

Jordan Halliday has been under indictment for “criminal contempt” since last year for refusal to testify at a grand jury investigating mink liberations in Utah. The raids were claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. It is one of the only times in U.s. history anyone has been charged with “criminal contempt” for refusal to testify.

The little-used charge is unique in that the crime carries no maximum sentence. Sentencing rests on the judge’s discretion,and is entirely open-ended. Halliday’s sentencing is scheduled for October 19th.

Prosecutors say Halliday either responded with “no comment” to most questions or involved a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to innocuous questions.

Two men, Alex Jason Hall and William James Viehl, pleaded guilty to a mink release at the McMullin Fur Farm. Hall was sentenced earlier this year to 21 months in prison and Viehl to 24 months.

The arbitrary application of the charge has every appearance of an attempt to either coerce testimony from Halliday, or a tool of revenge for his defiance.

Background on Jordan Halliday’s case, from his support group:

“This particular grand jury was allegedly established for the purpose of investigating mink releases in Utah. However, the questions asked of Jordan went far beyond inquests on criminal activity. The prosecution is clearly using the grand jury as a witch hunt to investigate the activities of animal rights activists generally. These tactics are employed to chill free speech activities and intimidate people from standing up for the rights of themselves and animals. Jordan made a commendable principled stand for his refusal to cooperate with this abridgment of rights. He has committed absolutely no acts of violence or property destruction. The government has even expressed that he is NOT considered a suspect in the mink release or any other illegal activity. He was held in contempt simply because he refused to acquiesce to the abridgment of his First and Fifth Amendment rights. The government criminally indicted him now with criminal contempt of court to send a message to political activists that the weight and the authority of the government should not be resisted. This use of criminal law and federal subpoena power is a serious threat to our constitution rights of free association, free speech, and against self-incrimination.”

Jordan Halliday’s sentencing info:

October 19th, 2010 at 2pm
At the Frank E. Moss Federal Court House.
350 South Main St.
SLC, UT 84101

– Peter Young

VICTORY: Activists Shut Down Oregon Mink Farm

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Police to media: A.L.F. tactics shut down Astoria, Oregon mink farm

When activists set fire to equipment and a barn at the Ylipelto Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon tuesday, police say the farm had been closed for over six months. And the farm didn’t go the way of a graceful retirement, police say – two previous mink liberations forced the farm to shut down.

The following quote from Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin is among the best endorsements of direct action ever offered. Referring to the Ylipelto Fur Farm’s closure:

“They had all kinds of incidents out there,” Bergin said. “They got rid of all their minks because they had been released twice. There’s been all kinds of crazy stuff. They are an older couple. They said, ‘We’re tired, we’re done.'”

The Ylipelto Mink Farm has been the site of two mink liberations in recent years. The first occurred in October 2008, where 1,500 mink were released.  The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released. The farm closed in December, 2009, two months after the second raid.

In the past, mink farms have made statements to the media claiming to be closed (presumably to escape being targeted by activists), only later to be found to have lied. Only an independent on-site investigation of the farm will confirm its closure, but if closed, the twice-targeted Ylipelto Fur Farm showcases the power of militant intervention in animal exploitation.

The Ylipelto Fur Farm is another victory in the Animal Liberation Front(and other anonymous groups)’s clandestine war to save animals from exploitation where legal means have failed. We must give gratitude to the heroes who brought this sick business to its end.

– Peter Young

Accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” Denied Bail

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Walter Bond pleads “not guilty”, judge orders him held without bail until trial

In a court appearance today in Colorado, Walter Edmund Bond, the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, pleaded “not guilty” to charges he burned down a Sheepskin Factory store in April. The fire did $500,000 in damages to the uninsured building and its contents.

The judge also ordered Bond held without bail until trial.

Bond is also a suspect in two other Animal Liberation Front arsons: the Tandy Leather Factory arson in Salt Lake City ($20,000 damages), and foie gras restaurant Tiburon in Sandy, Utah ($10,000 damages).

The average federal case takes 14 months to run its course. It is expected Bond will be held for the duration of his case. Please send letters of support to Walter Bond in jail:

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

– Peter Young

Activsts Take Credit for Oregon Mink Farm Arson

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Received anonymously by above-ground activists in the U.S.: A communique taking credit for an arson at the Ylipelto Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon (read the full story of this action in this morning’s post here.)

The full communique is as follows:

“We delivered eight incendiary devices to the lovely folks at Ylipelto’s Fur Farm, at 92659 Simonsen Loop Road in Astoria on the morning of July 27th. It is nice to see that the enslavement, torture, and death of thousands of innocent creatures affords certain people luxuries like boats, nice cars, and various (expensive, no doubt) “farm machinery, and we were more than happy to alleviate them of these. A careful attack sent structures up in flame both in the front and rear of the property, simultaneously. We hope that this can leave an impression on our friends, Veikko & Eeva, that making such a living off of the subjugation of sentient creatures (for something as selfish and disgusting as the fashion industry, no less) will not be tolerated. We hope that others ike them will also consider where their priorities lie (the nearby Wilkinson & Stunkard farms, to name a couple), and decide whether or not they’d like to be next. –Don’t think that you’ve be given a choice; your actions serve as your voice. “

Fire & Explosions Rock Former Mink Farm

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Fire and explosions tear through the twice-raided Ylipelto Mink Farm in Oregon

After two successful raids, activists may have once again visited the Ylipelto Mink Farm in Oregon – this time to burn it down.

In the early hours of July 27th, a boat, car, two forklifts, front-end loader, and a barn were all damaged by fire. investigators have not yet ruled it arson, but have noted the farm has been targeted by the Animal Liberation Front in the past.

Owner Henry Pelto stated he awoke at 3 am to the sound of explosions, and found several pieces of equipment on fire.

The owner revealed new information after the fire: after being targeted twice by activists, the Ylipelto farm shut down in December 2009. While the there may be numerous contributing factors in the closure, it may be largely or wholly credited to the A.L.F.

This marks the second Oregon fur farm to apparently shut down after an A.L.F. raid. The S&N Fur Farm in Scio, Oregon was found to be empty in a summer 2009 investigation as part of the Fur Farm Intelligence Project (although there is conflicting evidence indicating the farm may still be open, or reopening in the near future). That farm was raided by the A.L.F. in September, 2008.

News of the Ylipelto farm’s closure sheds doubt on police claims the fire may be the work of activists. Because a closed farm is an unlikely A.L.F. target, an insurance fraud motive should be suspected by investigators. Whoever is behind the fire, it would appear unlikely activists would target a closed mink farm, unless there was strong reason to believe the farm would reopen again in the future.

Watch TV news coverage of the fire here:

The Ylipelto Mink Farm has been the site of two mink liberations in recent years. The first occurred in October 2008, where 1,500 mink were released. The raid was claimed by the “Vegan Straight Edge”.

The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released. At 1:23 AM that morning, a farmer reported to police that someone was “releasing her mink”, indicating the liberators were spotted in the act, but escaped un-arrerested. No group took credit for the raid.

Astoria is the largest mink farming town in Oregon, home to five known mink farms (and another possible farm that is unconfirmed).

No claim of responsibility has yet been made for the fire, and investigators have not yet ruled it arson.

The A.L.F. continues to strike major blows to the Oregon fur industry, which has already seen seven fur farm raids – and now, possibly its third A.L.F. arson.

– Peter Young

Acccused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”: Jail Address and Support

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After five days of his whereabouts being unknown, we have learned Walter Bond, the alleged A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, is being held at a county jail in Golden, Colorado. Please write him a letter of support during this trying time.

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

Please remember all mail is opened and read. Mail restrictions posted below.

Mail rules (reposted from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Personal Incoming Mail
All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband and incoming funds.  There are no restrictions on the number of letters you may receive, but there are size and content restrictions.  Letter and legal size envelopes are acceptable.

Outgoing or incoming mail may be rejected and returned to sender if there is reason to believe that it may contain inappropriate materials, including but not limited to:

• Plans for the introduction of contraband.
• Plans for criminal activity.
• Threats of extortion.
• Instruction for the manufacture of weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, explosives or alcohol beverages.
• Plans for escape or unauthorized entry.
• Codes not understood by the scanner, to include gang graffiti or “tagging”.
• Plans for activities in violation of facility rules.
• Information, which if communicated, would create serious danger of violence and/or harm to any person.
• Mail which contains potentially infectious and/or offensive materials (body fluids, etc.).
• Sexually explicit photographs.
• Material which promotes racial conflict or discrimination.
• Materials which may disrupt the operation and/or safety and security of the facility.
• Illegal gang materials.
• Items not authorized for retention, ie., stickers, stamps, envelopes, blank paper, laminated plastic, newspaper/magazine clippings, musical cards, cards larger than 8″ x 11″, or Polaroid pictures.
• An excess of three pictures, or pictures larger than 4″ x 6″.
• Money orders sent, other than the allowable U.S. Postal or International Postal money orders.
• Any book or magazine.

The detention facility is not responsible for delays or errors on the part of the U.S. Postal Service in the daily delivery of mail.  If any item is denied it is returned to sender and the inmate is informed in writing.

Acceptable Property to Receive by Mail

• Photographs may be received in personal correspondence or package. No Polaroids.  Only 3 photos at a time.
• Incoming funds that are mailed to the facility for you must be in the form of U. S. Postal and International Postal money orders or certified funds made payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (J.C.S.O.).  No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted.
• The jail will no longer accept books or magazines by mail.

A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” Arrest and the Media Firestorm

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Media coverage of the A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” arrest

The arrest of the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” Walter Bond has generated nationwide media coverage which has forced the issue of animal suffering into the minds of millions. Countless online and print articles have brought the overlooked issue of cow skin products into the conscious of the general public, in addition to the general issue of animal oppression. Excerpts from the Lone Wolf communiques have also brought the issue of animal suffering to a mainstream audience.

The first TV news segment focuses on Bond’s “folk hero” status after being the subject of a song by the vegan straight edge band Earth Crisis. The band’s song “To Ashes” was inspired by Bond’s 1998 prison sentence for arson. Bond was convicted of burning down a meth lab owned by a drug dealer who was selling to his brother. Earth Crisis wrote a song celebrating this brand of militant anti-drug action.

View the CBS Denver affiliate coverage, titled “Sheepskin Fire Suspect Has Vegan Militant Ties“.

View here.

The next story features a reporter in front of the burned down Sheepskin Factory, and interview clips with the owner and police:

And the Earth Crisis video inspired by Walter Bond’s 1998 arson arson conviction:

News on the ever-evolving Walter Bond story will be posted as it is available.

– Peter Young