14 Jan 2002

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Frontline: National Day of Protests Called Against Ecoterrorism Hearing

Frontline Information Service - News 1/14/02

NATIONAL DAY OF PROTESTS CALLED AGAINST CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON ECOTERRORISM
OPEN CALL FOR DIRECT ACTION
___________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC - A national day of protests have been scheduled in the U.S. for February 12, 2002, the same day former Earth Liberation Front spokesperson Craig Rosebraugh has been subpoenaed to testify before a Congressional Subcommittee hearing on Ecoterrorism in Washington, D.C. Protest organizers have made an open call for direct action on or around February 12 against the Ecoterrorism meeting and in support of Rosebraugh, the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front.

Craig Rosebraugh, a spokesperson for the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) from 1997-2001, received a subpoena on October 31, 2001 to testify before Congress at a subcommittee hearing on Ecoterrorism to be held on February 12, 2002. Rosebraugh is commanded to appear before the Congressional Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health at 3:00pm in the 1337 Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

This latest subpoena is part of a long history of harassment that Rosebraugh has endured simply for passing on anonymous information and for expressing his opinion. Rosebraugh has already faced seven federal grand jury subpoenas and has had his home and businesses raided twice since 1997. Hundreds of items of property valued at thousands of dollars have been stolen from Rosebraugh by federal agents during these raids. For years he has been followed by federal agents and his communications have been monitored. Rosebraugh says he will not cooperate with the Congressional attempts at stopping the ELF.

A witness subpoenaed to a congressional committee is exposed to many of the same risks as someone called before a grand jury. One does not have the right to remain silent and can not take the Fifth Amendment unchallenged. If the witness refuses to answer any question, no matter how objectionable, they can potentially be sentenced to to prison for an indefinite length of time. Unlike the grand jury process when a judge ultimately decides if the witness is to be held in contempt of court, Congressional members themselves make the decision in Congressional committees and subcommittees. Since there is no judge or third party involved in the process, members of Congress can decide to hold Rosebraugh for not talking or for simply not answering in a way they find acceptable.

The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground organization that uses direct action in the form of economic sabotage to stop the destruction of the natural environment. Since 1997 in the United States alone, the ELF has caused well over $40 million in damages to entities profiting from the destruction of the environment. To date only a small handful of people have been arrested and charged with any crimes related to the ELF.

Protests on February 12, 2002 are already scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, and Portland.

Contact: Mobilization for the Protection of Civil Liberties (MPCL) 503.972.6764 Skisp@tao.ca http://www.protectcivilliberties.com

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