Victory for the Mink in the U$A
Sabrina | 08.02.2001 23:10
Press Release from the Collective for Activist Defense in Utah. (Yeah, I know this has nothing whatsoever to do with the UK, this is just to inform other animal lib folk about this tiny success.)
Victory for the Mink in the U$A
Charges Dropped Against Animal Rights Activist Accused of Freeing Mink
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2001, 7:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH-- Jeremy Lee Parkin, 19, of Riverton, Utah, has just seen all charges against him dropped today at a pre-trial hearing. Animal liberationists have declared this case a victory, both for the animals, and for their fellow activist.
On November 24th, 2000, Parkin was arrested at his home by a swarm of agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement officials. His warrant was signed into effect by Judge William Barrett, the same judge who sentenced mink freer Jacob Kenison to nine months in jail and 36 months probation.
Police charged Parkin with 5 felony counts relating to a protest at the Beckstead Mink Ranch on November 13 of 1999. During a protest by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, animals were allegedly liberated by unknown activists and breeding records for the animals were destroyed. Beckstead was previously the target of direct action by the Animal Liberation Front, an international underground organization that first made it's mark in Utah in 1992.
Jeremy Parkin soon began a hunger strike after the Salt Lake Valley Adult Detention Complex denied him vegan meals. Due to strong support from the outside, the jail was inundated with calls from concerned people around the nation demanding the release and/or better treatment of Parkin. With bail set at an extraordinary $100,000, bond could not be paid until a reduction hearing almost two weeks later. After spending 14 days on hunger strike and losing over 15 pounds, Parkin was bailed out by his parents.
The Collective for Activist Defense (CAD) has been working to publicize the case from the time of Parkin's arrest last November. Within 24 hours, a support website was online detailing the information about the case, which has receiving nearly 2000 hits. Even jail employees and court workers couldn't help but notice the flurry of action over the arrest of Parkin.
"Seeing the response to Jeremy's case and the immense love and support from the global activist community has been very powerful." said Sabrina Forsey, who has been acting as spokesperson and webmaster for CAD. "I have read inspiring
letters from animal and earth liberationists from all over the world wishing us luck and sending their strength to Jeremy. An injury to one is an injury to all, and activists responded accordingly."
"This also goes to prove that nothing can stop direct actionists from freeing animals and economically sabotaging animal exploiters. Warriors of the earth are raising bricks, spraypaint, and monkey wrenches against those who profit from destroying the earth and her animal nations. This is the war for life itself, and we are winning."
-30-
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Contact the Collective for Activist Defense:
Email :
activistdefense@hotmail.com
Website:
http://cad.uarc.com
Mailing List: http://activistdefense.listbot.com
See Jeremy Parkin's warrant: http://cad.uarc.com/images/warrant+status.pdf
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2001, 7:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH-- Jeremy Lee Parkin, 19, of Riverton, Utah, has just seen all charges against him dropped today at a pre-trial hearing. Animal liberationists have declared this case a victory, both for the animals, and for their fellow activist.
On November 24th, 2000, Parkin was arrested at his home by a swarm of agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement officials. His warrant was signed into effect by Judge William Barrett, the same judge who sentenced mink freer Jacob Kenison to nine months in jail and 36 months probation.
Police charged Parkin with 5 felony counts relating to a protest at the Beckstead Mink Ranch on November 13 of 1999. During a protest by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, animals were allegedly liberated by unknown activists and breeding records for the animals were destroyed. Beckstead was previously the target of direct action by the Animal Liberation Front, an international underground organization that first made it's mark in Utah in 1992.
Jeremy Parkin soon began a hunger strike after the Salt Lake Valley Adult Detention Complex denied him vegan meals. Due to strong support from the outside, the jail was inundated with calls from concerned people around the nation demanding the release and/or better treatment of Parkin. With bail set at an extraordinary $100,000, bond could not be paid until a reduction hearing almost two weeks later. After spending 14 days on hunger strike and losing over 15 pounds, Parkin was bailed out by his parents.
The Collective for Activist Defense (CAD) has been working to publicize the case from the time of Parkin's arrest last November. Within 24 hours, a support website was online detailing the information about the case, which has receiving nearly 2000 hits. Even jail employees and court workers couldn't help but notice the flurry of action over the arrest of Parkin.
"Seeing the response to Jeremy's case and the immense love and support from the global activist community has been very powerful." said Sabrina Forsey, who has been acting as spokesperson and webmaster for CAD. "I have read inspiring
letters from animal and earth liberationists from all over the world wishing us luck and sending their strength to Jeremy. An injury to one is an injury to all, and activists responded accordingly."
"This also goes to prove that nothing can stop direct actionists from freeing animals and economically sabotaging animal exploiters. Warriors of the earth are raising bricks, spraypaint, and monkey wrenches against those who profit from destroying the earth and her animal nations. This is the war for life itself, and we are winning."
-30-
----------
Contact the Collective for Activist Defense:
Email :
activistdefense@hotmail.com Website:
http://cad.uarc.com Mailing List:
http://activistdefense.listbot.com See Jeremy Parkin's warrant:
http://cad.uarc.com/images/warrant+status.pdf
Sabrina
e-mail:
activistdefense@hotmail.com
Homepage:
http://cad.uarc.com