Fur Farmer Meeting Backfires: New Mink Farm Exposed

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Fur farmers attending a county council meeting to support a Morgan, Utah anti-fur farm protest ordinance hadn’t considered one thing: by being present, their names were now public record. As an unintended consequence, one previously unknown fur farm unknowingly exposed its location to the world: 1340 Island Road, Morgan, Utah.

15 mink farms are known to be operating in Morgan, the largest fur farming town in the country. Yet available fur farm lists only identified the addresses of 14. As shown in information provided to Animal Liberation Front-Line, the County Council meeting minutes have made public the location of the last unknown Morgan mink farm.

Activists obtained the meeting minutes for the Country Council meeting, attended by many mink farmers upset by the upcoming Fur Free Saturday march past their farms. The minutes were made public. At the bottom of the document was a list of everyone in attendance, including known fur farmers such as Smoky Dillree and Bryan Boyce. Also on the list were many unrecognized names.

This week I received the results of a cross-referencing of the list of attendees against existing fur farm address lists. The result: One of the names brought to light a previously unknown mink farm, just north of downtown Morgan at 1340 Island Road.  By the short-sightedness of fur farmers, the animal rights movement now has one more farm to protest on November 28th. (more…)

The Belly of the Beast: Nationwide Convergence on Fur Farm Capital

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Activists will from across the country will be converging on Morgan, Utah for Fur Free Saturday (November 28th). Morgan is the largest fur farming town in the country, with 15 active mink farms. In the spirit of the march to Birmingham in 1965, this convergence will climax in a one mile march through the heart of fur farm country, past two of Morgan’s mink farms.

Just the threat of this event is already generating immense media coverage in Utah. Through this coverage, it is clear it is not a peaceful protest they fear, but the power of crowds, and militant intervention of protesters who may escalate the protest. Farmers are fearful the event will result in daylight raids of their farms, citing past protests in West Jordan and West Haven which resulted in the daytime release of animals.

The next chapter came when the Morgan County Council amended their protesting ordinances specifically in fear of the convergence, requiring protesters to stay 1000 feet from all mink farms. In a town of 13 mink farms, it effectively makes the entire town of Morgan a “protest-free zone”. Almost. The head of the Morgan P.D. contacted local activists this week to inform them their city engineers had identified one location not within 1000 feet of a fur farm: The sidewalk in front of the police station. Protesting anywhere else, he said, would result in arrest.

For local mink farmers, their attendance at the ordinance meeting had an unknown consequence. The meeting minutes, obtained by activists, reveal the names of all in attendance, many of whom are mink farmers. This list contains the name of the owner of at least one previously unknown mink farm. While farmers work to conceal their names and addresses from activists, they made a clumsy error by allowing their names to be recorded on the county meeting minutes, and become public record.  A future post will cover what was learned from the list of names.

The flagrant stifling of protest activity lead the local Ogden, Utah paper to publish an editorial condemning Morgan officials for their anti-free-speech ordinance.

Morgan is clearly a town contemptuous of the constitution and steeped in the tradition of murder. Two lawsuits and numerous news headlines later, activists remain committed to march on Morgan November 28th, and are calling on activists nationwide to join them.

This event is likely to be legend.

More info at The Fur Free utah Website.

-Peter Young

Last Minute Pardon: 300 Mink Released in Oregon

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300 mink were released the night of October 4th in Astoria, Oregon. At 1:23 AM, the farmer reported to police that someone was “releasing her mink”, indicating the liberators were spotted in the act, but escaped unarrerested. The release comes just weeks before pelting season, when every mink on every farm in the country is killed and skinned.  The Ylipelto Fur Farm was also the site of the release of 1,500 mink in 2008. The Animal Liberation Front (or other group) has not claimed responsibility for the recent raid.

The Astoria area, on the Northwestern Oregon coast, is a fur farm hotbed. In the small town of Svensen, there are three known fur farms (a fourth was recently confirmed to be closed – see upcoming issue of Bite Back Magazine). And in Astoria proper, another mink farm / feed supplier operates from a waterfront property. Nearby in Seaside, another newly discovered farm may also be in operation almost directly on Highway 101.

The raid comes near the end of one of the slowest years in recent history for direct action, with only a small handful of significant actions having been carried out in 2009.

The raid highlights that farmers are defenseless against hit-and-run animal releases,  and that even when liberators are “caught”, rarely are they truly caught.

-Peter Young

Possible A.L.F. Investigation: Activist Refuses to Testify

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University of Iowa A.L.F. Raid

On October 16th, a Minneapolis activist appeared before a grand jury and read a statement that she was refusing to testify.  It is looking increasingly likely the grand jury is investigating the 2004 Animal Liberation Front raid of the University of Iowa, in which 401 animals were liberated. The activist, Carrie Feldman, was issued another subpoena to appear.

I am personally applauding Carrie Feldman for taking the only both practical and noble response to a grand jury: total non-cooperation.

As covered in the last update, it would seem the federal statute of limitations (this is a federal grand jury) for the University of Iowa A.L.F. action would expire on November 14th, 2009. However this grand jury convened on October 12th and will remain in session for 12 months. This would indicate the grand jury is investigating crimes other than the U of I liberation, or prosecutors believe one of several factors which can freeze or extend the statute of limitations may apply.

– Peter  Young

This is the statement from Carrie Feldman:

“Today I had my first appearance before the federal grand jury in
Davenport, Iowa. I was represented by a federal public defender (although
he could not be present in the grand jury with me). After reading a brief
statement expressing that I would not testify, I was released with a
subpoena to reappear before the grand jury again on the 17th of November
at 9:00 A.M. It is likely that at this time I will be held in contempt of
court for continuing to remain silent, and could face jail time up to the
length of the grand jury (it convenes for 12 months total, which leaves 11
remaining after my November appearance). We are still looking into legal
questions regarding how long they could hold me. (more…)

SHAC 7 Defendant: Letter Regarding Jake Conroy

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Longtime animal rights activist and current SHAC prisoner (and the best man on the megaphone at some of the earliest protests I ever attended) Jake Conroy is slated from release November 6th. Below is a letter from Jake’s partner on Jake’s release and what we can do to help.

I recall how significant employment was in preparing for my release from prison. Jake is seeking to be released to the San Francisco Bay Area.  When prisoners wish to be released to cities where they have no family, and do not have a long history, they must make a strong case to the Bureau of Prisons as to what ties they have to the region. Having pre-arranged employment is crucial. And, the sooner Jake has employment, the sooner he will be out of the halfway house and back out with us.

If you have contacts, or are in a position to hire Jake, contact andrea@nocompromise.org.

– Peter Young

“Dear Friends,

Activist Jake Conroy is set to be released from prison to a halfway house
on November 6th. In order to be allowed to leave the halfway house for
“home visits” and, ultimately, to come home quickly, he needs to obtain a
full time job.  Jake is going to be sent to a halfway house in the Bay
Area in California. (more…)

Justice Denied: The AETA 4 and You

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The following is a letter just released by one of the lawyers defending the AETA 4, Bob Bloom. The letter captures both the absurdity of the charges, and the significance of the case for the animals and all of us. For a blunt and succinct explanation of how far the FBI is willing to go to crush the more effective tactics employed by the animal liberation movement, read on.

-Peter Young
A new client of mine, a young man named Joseph Buddenberg, is one of four principled, dedicated, and non-violent animal rights activists who have been indicted in federal court in San Jose, California under a new federal statute that was intended by Congress to target unlawful and violent conduct.

The statute, effective as of 2008, is known as the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), and each of the four defendants is facing five years or more in federal prison because they are alleged to have engaged in, literally, picketing at the homes of researchers they believe cause laboratory animals to be subjected to inhumane experimentation that causes suffering, pain, and death.

Congress was cautioned that the statute would be subject to overreaching by the FBI and by prosecutors. Predictably, this case that targets non-violent and non-criminal speech is the very first prosecution the government has chosen to initiate under this new statute. (The statute can be found by Googling 18 U.S.C. 43).

I do not understate or attempt to mis-state the allegations against the defendants. One of the documents I enclose is an affidavit sworn to by the FBI agent in charge of this case. The affidavit sets forth the worst of what the FBI claims the defendants did (in fact, the affidavit mis-states the facts as to one event). As you will see from reading the affidavit, the defendants are accused of identifying and locating animal researchers and then loudly picketing on the sidewalks in front of their homes. The intent was, and is, to stop the torture and other mistreatment of animals by speaking out in a non-violent manner to shame the researchers by exposing them and their conduct to their neighbors. (more…)

SHAC Appeal Denied

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In loving memory of the U.S. Constitution

Almost three years since the imprisonment of the SHAC 7, the verdict has just come in from the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. With one dissenting opinion, their conviction has been upheld.

“The overarching issues in this appeal are whether the
AEPA violates the First Amendment, whether there was
sufficient evidence to convict Defendants of the various charges
against them, and challenges to the jury instructions. Because
we find that the AEPA is neither unconstitutional on its face, nor
unconstitutional as-applied to SHAC, Kjonaas, Gazzola,
Conroy, Stepanian, Harper and Fullmer, we will affirm their
convictions for conspiracy to violate the AEPA. In addition, we
find that there was sufficient evidence to convict Defendants on
all charges involving interstate stalking. Finally, we find no
flaw in the jury instructions, and we will therefore affirm the
Judgment of the District Court in all other respects.”

The sadness and injustice of this news will not be captured by words on a screen. I will forgo analysis, and leave anyone wishing to, to read the verdict themselves:

SHAC Appeal Decision

Possible A.L.F. Grand Jury Investigation: Iowa

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University of Iowa Labs Raided

On Tuesday, October 13th, a Minneapolis woman was pulled over by a black SUV and served a grand jury subpoena. It is not yet known what the grand jury is investigating, but evidence points to their interest being an incident in Iowa in 2004. A review of all  A.L.F. / E.L.F. actions show that during the period in question, the A.L.F. raided the University of Iowa psychology building, liberating 401 animals and doing nearly $500,000 damage to the labs.

The subpoena can be viewed here.

Grand juries are convened for the sole purpose of investigating a crime, indicting someone for the crime, and sending them to prison.

Statute of Limitations Looming

If the grand jury does relate to the University of Iowa raid, it is a move of desperation. The raid took place on November 14th, 2004. That means exactly 30 days from the time of this writing, the federal statute of limitations will expire, and (with certain limited exceptions) it will be impossible to prosecute anyone for the action. If this GJ is in fact investigating the U of I raid, it is their last desperate attempt to put in prison those anonymous activists who have 401 animals a second chance of life.

The FBI has displayed a similar pattern in past Animal  Liberation Front investigations. One month before the statute of limitations was to expire for the University of Minnesota raid (1999) in which 116 animals were liberated, and as much as  $4 million damage done to the labs, the FBI made a last minute flurry of home visits attempting to interview older activists in the area.

Statement from Minnesota Activist (more…)

New Vegan Prisoner Update: Steve Murphy

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As a follow up to the previous post, the news is now out: Steve Murphy is being charged with a 2006 E.L.F. action in Pasadena, CA. The criminal complaint accusing Steve of this action can be viewed here. Read the complaint to receive a glimpse into the investigative tactics of the FBI, and learn how people are linked to crimes (without speculating on the validity of the accusations here). In reading such documents, important lessons are learned.

Steve is a vegan, and is having difficulty with food in the jail where he is being held in Ft Worth, TX. In a phone call, he reported he had so far had only one meal of pasta and iceberg lettuce at the jail. He has asked the no calls be made on his behalf just yet while he attempts to remedy the situation from the inside. However, calls to the jail may be needed in the near future to secure Steve a vegan diet. Phone numbers will be posted here as soon as Steve and his support team decide this is the proper course of action.

Until then, write Steve a letter:

Steve Murphy #39013177
FCI FORT WORTH
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 15330
FORT WORTH, TX 76119

-Peter Young

Activist arrested on arson charges for Los Angeles ELF action

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Information is unclear at the moment, but this is what we have:
Steve Murphy, an animal rights activist, was arrested on Wednesday, September 30th, in Texas on federal arson charges. He is charged in the Central District of California (Los Angeles). The charges may or may not be related to animal liberation activity. Nothing is yet confirmed, but I feel it is important to get this information out as quickly as possible to support a fellow activist in jail.

Steve has an extradition hearing tomorrow at 1:30om central time. They are seeking to extradite him to California.

Steve is being held in the Tarrant County Jail in Texas. For information on his status, visiting times, etc, visit the Tarrant County Inmate Search Page, and search for Steven Murphy, CID #0758945

Please write him a letter of support immediately. The early days of an activist’s incarceration are the most crucial:

Steve Murphy CID #0758945
C/O Tarrant County Jail
100 N. Lamar
Fort Worth, TX. 76102

More information will be posted as it is available. I expect if this is related to animal rights activity, it will be reported in the media heavily in the coming hours.

Peter Young

A.L.F. Informant Jacob Ferguson Speaks

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Jacob Ferguson – core member of the A.L.F. / E.L.F. cell responsible for over a dozen large-scale arsons in the 90’s and early 2000’s – breaks his silence on this recent CNN clip. After turning informant, Ferguson wore a wire and approached old friends about previous arsons. This testimony was used to send over 10 people to prison, and sparked others to live underground as fugitives to this day.

Taking a revisionist view of history, Ferguson claims that when his cell was active they considered themselves a “terrorist cell” – a doubtful rewrite of history to pander to the interviewer, audience, and FBI. Ferguson is also strikingly inarticulate, casting into doubt his alleged role by the FBI as a charismatic ringleader charming young environmentalists into carrying out arsons on behalf of the Earth. The clearly not-vegan Ferguson has also gained easily 100+ pounds since earlier photos taken of him (Ferguson once joked to a Rolling Stone reporter that during a raid of a lab, his partners in the action, which he called “the vegans” were too weak to carry out the raid effectively). (more…)

“If An Agent Knocks” Know Your Rights Pamphlet Re-Released

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The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) has reissued the pamphlet “If an Agent Knocks” – a document written for activists likely to be targeted by the FBI. For the first time in over a decade, this classic “know your rights” pamphlet has been updated with the most timely and relevant information available.

I advise all activists to take a small amount of time to read this pamphlet. This is among the best investments you can make as an activist.

From the CCR descriptoin: “This guide includes both the timeless advice included in the original version and extensive updates to reflect the current state of the law and law enforcement tools. It also includes a comprehensive discussion of today’s technology, including cell phones, e-mail and Web browsing.”

Download the PDF here.

To obtain a free print copy, please email iaak@ccrjustice.org.

-Peter Young

Grand Jury Alert: Informant Frank Ambrose Talking to Indiana Grand Jury

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Its important to spread this information quickly when it comes in:

Frank Ambrose has reportedly been talking to another grand jury, this one in Indiana. It was also reported the grand jury brought in Ambrose when it failed to secure an indictment against another activist. That is all that is known at this time.

Ambrose is the informant who provided extensive information to the FBI regarding actions s such as the torching of chicken distribution center trucks and much more. His testimony lead to the sentencing of Marie Mason to over 20 years.

Grand juries are convened for the sole purpose of charging someone with a crime. People are subpoenaed to grand juries for the sold purpose of using that person’s testimony to put someone in prison. Inform yourself on grand juries and how to resist them:

http://grandjuryresistance.org/

Know the enemy:

Photo of Ambrose

The damage Ambrose has done:

http://freemarie.org/

-Peter Young

Primate Lab Addresses Revealed

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The dissemination of names and addresses is its own form of outreach. Injustice demands secrecy, and a place to do its work in private. The revelation of animal abuse facility addresses gives the injustice a fixed physical location, information which is vastly more actionable than a thousand philosophical tomes.

Providing a step towards the day we have the entire animal exploitation grid mapped, activists have launched PrimateLabs.com, featuring a drop-down search feature giving the addresses of all primate labs in a given state.

This information is worthy of a future volume of my Flashpoint series, which has so far put into print the addresses of research labs, lab animal breeders, slaughterhouses, and fur farms.

Find out what’s happening in your area.

Peter Young