Notesonprison.Pdf

When Jeff and I decided to write something together, we really had no idea what we were wanting to express. We had vague notions of wanting to convey the difficulties and rewards at both ends of a political prisoner support relationship, but we didn©t know what that translated into. So we just started writing bits and pieces, and this zine is what we©ve come up with. Jeff is a natural writer, and he undoubtably has some pretty intense experiences to provide inspiration for his prison dispatches. He has been writing about his experiences and beliefs ever since he was sent down and he has inspired and moved many people all over the world with his words. While I have written a few bits and pieces before, I have struggled with trying to produce material for this zine. I kept on feeling that my experiences and knowledge in this field are incredibly limited, and that there were others who would be able to write about supporting political prisoners so much more competantly. It©s been a bit of a process of acknowledging that I have something to share, no matter how (in)experienced I am. It is strange to write about the rewards of supporting political prisoners through their time inside. Rewards are not something one usually associates with unjust incarceration and State persecution, but every cloud has its silver lining...right? I think one of the most rewarding things I©ve ever experienced was when Jeff told me that he felt like I was there with him, enduring everything he has to go through, even with the Pacific Ocean between us. To be able to help a prisoner not feel alone, in one of the loneliest experiences anyone could ever have, is an incredible feeling. But one of the hardships is that I do feel like I©m there with him and that is not always the easiest thing to be feeling on a daily basis. Engaging in political prisoner support has also helped me have more respect and appreciation for humanity. The other people that I have worked with in this field are some of the most wonderful, selfless people I have ever met or communicated with. It is exciting to be involved in a very important area of activism that actually makes you feel good about the inspirational potential of our species. One of the coolest things about writing to Jeff is that I get to read his letters. He is such a good writer! So, I hope you enjoy some of Jeff©s more recent writings, and the extra bits and pieces I©ve written or acquired and thrown in the mix. I can only hope, in these times of increased State persecution against eco and animal rights activists, that this zine can help reveal how important political prisoner support is, how we need to stick together, take care of each other, and let those in prison know how important they still are to us. Incarcerated activists are people who have rightfully acknowledged that a prison cell is a lot less frightening than the future our world faces, and they deserve our undying respect and support for the stand they have taken to highlight the plight of this beautiful planet we live on. Lilia Letsch (March ©09) We all do what we can So we can do just one more thing We won't have a thing So we've got nothing to lose We can all be free Maybe not with words Maybe not with a look But with your mind - Cat Power Life as a Political Prisoner No one in their right mind wants to go to prison, not even for a good cause. I certainly don©t want to be here, locked away from life and family. No amount of words can express the daily heartache prison life brings. Yet, despite the unyielding desire for freedom, I do not fret being here. As of this writing I have been locked up 8 ½ years, 6 of those spent in a maximum security prison. I have witnessed great acts of brutality. I have also, however witnessed great acts of and love and seen first hand the human spirit©s ability to overcome and endure. The experience of being a political prisoner is greatly different than that of a social prisoner. While I do not claim to speak for other political prisoners I know that I am not alone in experiencing this difference. My comrade Craig ªCritterº Marshall and I were the first eco-arsonists caught in the U.S, during the still clandestine days of the government©s green scare. Beginning as early as 1998 the federal government began a task force headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, focused solely on the activities of radical environmentalists. By early 2000, unbeknownst to me, I had been targeted for surveillance due to my activism. In court records and documents that are still unclear, no law enforcement agency has ever claimed responsibility for ordering the surveillance. Of the detectives involved in my case not one could ªrecallº during testimony what person or what agency had requested that they put me under surveillance. As late as 2005 the FBI and Department of Homeland Security denied having any records or files of my existance. Despite the fact that the year previous the FBI released a national security alert to every law enforcement agency in the country warning of ªpotential terrorist attacks done in solidarity with the convicted eco-terrorist Jeffrey Luers.º The alert was leaked to the media where it made national headlines for two weeks. While continuing harassment from law enforcement has severely impacted my prison life, my interactions with other prisoners has been markedly different. For many I am simply a rare breed of prisoner, one convicted of crimes that were committed for selfless and altruistic reasons. Among some, this alone has elevated my status within the prison population. Many fellow prisoners, knowing of my case, have taken the time to introduce themselves to me and shake my hand. Nevertheless, being in a logging state there has also been some animosity from those who dislike treehuggers. However, after one particular encounter with an individual who confused me for a pacifist the animosity quickly grew into grudging respect. Even the fascists and I got along, despite the fact that anarchists and nazis are natural born enemies. This event, too, stemmed from near violence. In fact, over time I developed relationships with several of the various prison gangs. Which not only helped me to better understand ªprison politicsº, it allowed me to continue doing what I did on the streets: organize resistance. My ability to move within the various factions proved extremely beneficial when it came to bringing them together in a common cause. The most rewarding relationships, however, came from those formed by true friendship. It comes as no surprise that most people doing time have done some bad things, yet there are a few with hearts of gold. I am honored to be able to call some of these individuals my friends and brothers. From the beginning I knew my time was going to be hard. I spent my first year awaiting trial on 22 hour a day lock down. My cell was searched near daily as I was considered one of the most dangerous inmates housed at the county jail. The day I was sentenced, rather than be transported to court, the jail was placed on lock down and I was sentenced there. Originally, no witnesses were allowed to be present until my lawyer threatened to walk out and go straight to the media. Immediately upon sentencing I was rushed by plainclothes officers, in an unmarked car, maintaining radio silence at 80 mph to the Department of Corrections intake center. Despite claims by the Oregon DOC that they had not singled me out for special treatment, I was assigned security threat group status for my known political affiliations. My security classification score (until just recently) was higher than those individuals doing life without parole for murder. Almost immediately my mail ceased and I began to receive it by the stack every 2-3 weeks. Ostensibly, my mail was being reviewed by Security Threat Group staff, which was true, but I would later learn that it was also being reviewed by the FBI. Some such letters would years later turn up in the discovery of the Operation Backfire case, where proof of friendship with me became reasonable suspicion of terrorist acts. At this same time my support was beginning to come fully on line. No longer restricted by awaiting for trial I was now able to freely share my thoughts and opinions in both my own writings and numerous interviews. Initially, prison officials were amused by the media requests for contact with me. No doubt, they thought the media in its 9/11 hysteria would portray me as the evil domestic terrorist I so obviously am. That may have been the original intent of some journalists. However, it is hard to argue against the facts: climate change is perhaps the single largest threat to humankind at present and requires immediate action. As such, the articles and news stories came out increasingly sympathetic and in some cases down right supportive, condemning the state for my draconian sentence of 22 years. By 2003, supposedly on orders from an outside agency, Oregon DOC was determined to shut me up. On June 13th, one day before the first ªday of solidarity with Jeffrey Luersº my cell was rushed by six guards. Just before the 10:30 am count our cell door slid open and in rushed the guards screaming ªdon©t fucking move! Don©t you fucking move!º At a complete loss my then cell mate and I froze.

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