For the first time in Genesis history, there was a tie for the Brigitte Bardot International Award: The Cook Report for "Carte Blanche " shared the award with Countryside Undercover for "It's a Dog's Life." Also: Guests of Honor were California Senator Barbara Boxer and Capt. Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and defender of marine wildlife on the high seas. Watson brought the crowd to its feet by renouncing his Canadian citizenship because of that country's continued seal hunting.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/activistcash/org_detail.cfm?ORG_ID=347Here Is A Little Information On The PirateWho's Actions The HSUS Supported By It's Lawsuit Against The Makahs.........A FRIEND OF THE HSUS?
Animal-rights activist
arrested
Case shines light on FBI's
efforts to dismantle liberation fronts
An agent with the FBI's domestic terrorism squad arrested an animal rights activist yesterday for allegedly lying to a Seattle federal grand jury investigating an arson attack on an Olympia forest-product company.
The complaint against Allison Lance Watson provides a rare window into the FBI's efforts to dismantle the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front, which the bureau considers to be among the greatest domestic terrorism threats facing the nation.
Watson faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if she is convicted on the charge of making a false statement to the grand jury. Led into the courtroom in shackles, Watson was released without having to post a cash bond pending a preliminary hearing next month.
She is the wife of Paul Watson, most well-known in Washington state for leading the protests in 1999 when the Makah Tribe resumed hunting gray whales.
The government's case laid out in Special Agent Fernando Gutierrez's complaint reveals how the FBI is working to find the perpetrators of such actions as the 2001 firebombing of the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington. To date, the bureau has cracked few cases involving the Animal Liberation Front or the Earth Liberation Front because the groups work in small, well-disciplined cells that communicate with others through secure Internet channels.
But to crack more cases, federal investigators are focusing on members of environmental and animal-rights groups outside the mainstream who claim they don't participate in violence such as arson and vandalism. Yesterday demonstrators from some of those groups gathered outside the federal courthouse in Seattle to protest what they believe are repressive tactics of government investigators.
In May 2000, the Watsons were hauling equipment between the Southern California office of Paul Watson's Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the organization's office in Friday Harbor. For that purpose, said Paul Watson, they rented a Penske truck.
About 2:30 a.m. on May 7, 2000, a fire ripped through the headquarters of Holbrook Inc., an Olympia timber company. Three weeks later, the Earth Liberation Front issued a communique claiming credit for the crime on behalf of a previously unknown group called "Revenge of the Trees."
That same night, someone broke into the Dai-Zen Egg Farm in Burlington and stole 228 chickens. The Animal Liberation Front issued a communique saying the chickens had been placed in "loving homes." The Seattle grand jury is also investigating that raid.
At 8:30 a.m. on May 7, 2000, a Penske rental truck pulled into the AM/PM Mini Market in Rochester, about 12 miles south of Olympia. According to employees of the store, "the occupants of the truck dumped a number of plastic bags containing clothes in a Dumpster behind the store," the complaint says. It had the same license plate as the one rented by Allison Watson, the document asserts.
A Thurston County sheriff's deputy subsequently called to the scene found five bags containing "three sets of dark clothes, two black ski masks, three pairs of gloves, a wrapper from a pair of bolt cutters and a wrapper of wire ties." The clothes were wet and covered with grass. The FBI obtained footage from the AM/PM's surveillance camera and identified two people in the truck, Gina Lynn and Joshua Trentor.
"Both Lynn and Trentor have lengthy histories of involvement in animal rights activism, including having participated in animal releases, and, in Trentor's case, being arrested in connection with ALF-claimed vandalism. Thus I believe that the AM/PM Mini Market surveillance film captures evidence of Lynn, Trentor and the other male disposing of evidence of crimes that they had committed earlier on May 6-7, 2000," Agent Gutierrez wrote.
Last August, Watson was called before the grand jury and refused to answer questions by invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Paul Watson said her refusal was based on the conviction that grand juries are repressive "Star Chamber" proceedings in which people are stripped of their right to be represented by an attorney. And he declared that Sea Shepherd is dedicated to enforcing international legal protections for marine life and is not associated in any way with the so-called liberation groups.
But last Oct. 23, Allison Watson was called again, given immunity from prosecution and compelled to testify or face contempt of court charges , according to the complaint.
Watson was asked to answer what must have seemed like innocuous questions. After her arrest, Paul Watson sat holding the jewelry his wife was forced to surrender before becoming a prisoner. He said they asked her questions like, "Do you know this person or where were you on such a date."
As she sat before the grand jury in October, one of those questions was whether she knew Gina Lynn. Watson described Lynn as a friend with whom she speaks regularly.
Then the federal prosecutor asked her whether the rental truck was always in her possession. She said yes. The prosecutor followed up by asking whether she had lent it to anyone. She said no. And Watson was asked whether Lynn was ever in the truck. Again, Watson said no. All these answers were lies, according to the complaint.
Outside the courthouse, about a half-dozen demonstrators passed out a flier titled "Grand Juries, Modern Day Tools of Political Repression." The flier notes that "the grand jury system, long since abolished in most democratic nations, denies an individual her most fundamental of civil rights."
Paul Watson, a celebrated defender of marine mammals and founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, spoke proudly of how his wife had not long ago been released from a Japanese jail were she was imprisoned for a short time for freeing numerous dolphins from nets. Watson said Sea Shepherd paid an $8,000 fine for his wife and one other activist. "That came out to about $600 per dolphin. We thought it was a good deal."
And Stu Sugarman, a Portland attorney representing Allison Watson, called Agent Gutierrez's complaint "extremely one-sided. The truth will come out."
polluter" and "We (heart) pollution." In West Covina, there was a fire at a GM dealership, destroying and damaging several SUVs, including several Hummers. A fire also destroyed a warehouse at the dealership. Messages left there included "I (heart) Pollution," "American Wastefulness" and "ELF".
S-3359.1 _____________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6114
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 58th Legislature 2004 Regular Session
By Senators Stevens, Winsley, Oke, Schmidt, Honeyford, Mulliken,
Parlette, Finkbeiner, Deccio, Swecker, Zarelli, Morton, Hewitt and
Sheahan
Read first time 01/12/2004. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to criminal offenses involving animals or natural
resources; amending RCW 9A.82.090, 9A.82.100, 9A.82.120, and 9.94A.535;
reenacting and amending RCW 9A.82.010; adding a new chapter to Title 9A
RCW;
prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Animal" means any warm or cold-blooded animal or insect which
is
lawfully being used in food, fur, or fiber production, agriculture,
research,
testing, or education. "Animal" does not include any animal or insect
held
primarily as a pet.
(2) "Activity involving animals" means any lawful activity involving
the
use of animals or animal parts, including:
(a) Hunting, fishing, and trapping;
(b) Food production, processing, and preparation;
(c) Clothing manufacturing and distribution;
(d) Medical or other research;
(e) Entertainment and recreation;
(f) Agriculture; or
(g) Any other services involving the use of animals.
(3) "Activity involving natural resources" means any lawful activity
involving the use of a natural resource with an economic value, including
mining, foresting, harvesting, or processing natural resources.
(4) "Animal facility" means a vehicle, building, structure, research
facility, nature preserve, or other premises where an animal is lawfully:
(a) Housed, exhibited, bred, or offered for sale, including a zoo,
amusement park, or preserve, or a location at which a circus or a rodeo
or other
competitive event is held; or
(b) Used for scientific purposes, including research, testing, and
experiments.
(5) "Animal rights or ecological terrorist organization" means any
association, organization, entity, coalition, or combination of two or
more
persons with the primary or incidental purpose of supporting any
politically
motivated activity through intimidation, coercion, fear, or other means
that is
intended to obstruct, impede, or deter any person from participating in
an
activity involving animals, activity involving natural resources, animal
facility, research facility, or the lawful activity of mining, foresting,
harvesting, gathering, or processing natural resources.
(6) "Effective consent" means consent by the owner or by a person
legally
authorized to act for the owner. Consent is not effective if it is:
(a) Induced by force or threat;
(b) Given by a person that the offender knows or reasonably should
have
known is not an agent for the owner; or
(c) Given by a person who by reason of youth, mental disease, or
defect,
or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is known by the offender
to be
unable to make reasonable decisions.
(7) "Natural resource" means a material source of wealth, such as
timber,
fresh water, or a mineral deposit, that occurs in a natural state and has
economic value.
(8) "Political motivation" means an intent to influence a
governmental
entity or the public to take a specific political action, or to protest
the
actions of a governmental entity, corporation, organization, or the
public at
large.
{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 2. (1) An animal or ecological terrorist
organization or any person acting on its behalf or at its request or for
its
benefit or any individual whose intent to commit the activity was
politically
motivated is prohibited from:
(a) Depriving the owner of an animal or natural resource from
lawfully
participating in an activity involving animals or an activity involving
natural
resources by:
(i) Obstructing the lawful use of an animal, natural resource, or
other
property from the owner permanently or for such a period of time that a
significant portion of the value or enjoyment of the animal, natural
resource,
or property is lost to the owner;
(ii) Taking or detaining an animal, natural resource, or other
property and
agreeing to restore it only upon reward or other compensation; or
(iii) Damaging or disposing of an animal, natural resource, or other
property or to so alter its condition or usefulness that the value of the
animal, natural resource, or other property is substantially reduced.
(b) Obstructing or impeding the use of an animal facility or the use
of a
natural resource without the effective consent of the owner by:
(i) Damaging or destroying an animal or research facility or other
property
in or on the premises;
(ii) Entering an animal or research facility that is at the time
closed to
the public;
(iii) Remaining concealed in an animal or research facility with the
intent
to commit an act prohibited by this chapter;
(iv) Entering an animal or research facility and committing or
attempting
to commit an act prohibited by this chapter;
(v) Entering an animal or research facility to take pictures by
photograph,
video camera, or other means with the intent to commit criminal
activities or
defame the facility or its owner;
(vi) Entering or remaining on the premises of an animal or research
facility if the person or organization:
(A) Had notice that the entry was forbidden; or
(B) Received notice to depart but failed to do so; or
(c) Participating in or supporting animal or ecological terrorism,
including raising, soliciting, collecting, or providing any person with
material, financial support, or other resources such as lodging,
training, safe
houses, false documentation, or identification, communications,
equipment, or
transportation that will be used in whole or in part to encourage, plan,
prepare, carry out, publicize, promote, or aid an act of animal or
ecological
terrorism, the concealment of, or an escape from an act of animal or
ecological
terrorism.
(2) It is an exception to the application of subsection (1) of this
section
that the conduct is engaged in by:
(a) A government agency or an employee of a government agency acting
in the
course and scope of his or her employment;
(b) An employee of a financial institution or other secured party
acting
in the course and scope of his or her employment; or
(c) An employee of an animal control authority or a recognized
animal
shelter or humane society acting in the course and scope of his or her
employment.
{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 3. (1) A person convicted of an act that
violates
section 2 of this act and that results in five hundred dollars or less in
physical damage or destruction of property is guilty of a gross
misdemeanor and
shall be punished according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(2) A person convicted of an act that violates section 2 of this act
and
that results in more than five hundred dollars in physical damage or
destruction
of property is guilty of a class C felony and shall be punished according
to
chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(3) Any person convicted of an act that violates section 2 of this
act and
such act intentionally or negligently results in bodily harm to any
individual,
the penalty classification shall be elevated one degree.
(4) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also
constitutes an offense under any other law, the defendant may be
prosecuted
under either law or both laws.
(5) A person who is injured or whose property has been damaged as a
result
of a violation of section 2 of this act may bring against the person who
caused
the damage a civil cause of action to recover:
(a) An amount equal to three times all economic damages to include
the cost
of lost or damaged property, records, the cost of repeating all
interrupted or
invalidated experiments, loss of profits or other consequential damages;
and
(b) Court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 4. There is created the registry of animal
and
ecological terrorists. A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to
an act
that violates this chapter shall be registered with the attorney general
on a
form prescribed by the attorney general. The registry shall contain the
name,
a current residence address, a recent photograph, and signature of the
offender.
The offender is required to provide written notice to the attorney
general
regarding any change in name or residence address within thirty days of
making
the change. The attorney general shall create a website containing the
information set forth in this section for each person who is convicted or
pleads
guilty to a violation of this chapter. Information regarding an offender
shall
remain on the website for not less than three years at which time the
registrant
may apply to the attorney general for removal after a hearing on the
application
for removal.
<snip>
It has been proven over and over. Statistical data, case studies, psychologists, and even FBI Profilers show us the connection over and over again, and yet animal abuse crimes are not given nearly the weight that human crimes are given. Animal abuse clearly illustrates a lack of respect for life and some deep rooted psychological damage.
Source http://www.pet-abuse.com/connection/
Courtesy Tammy & Ken J.
Welfare Concerns Prompt AVMA Opposition to House Bill on Transportation and Processing of Horses for Slaughter
Schaumburg, IL The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes HR 857—The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act—could potentially harm more horses than it saves. An analysis by the AVMA reveals that HR 857, introduced by New York State Representative, John Sweeney, fails to address the welfare of affected horses, fails to ensure levels of funding required to properly care for horses when humane slaughter is removed as an option, fails to recognize professional judgment in the appropriate application of methods of euthanasia for horses, and fails to consider potential environmental concerns associated with disposal of these horses...........
Source http://www.avma.org/press/releases/040107_horse_slaughter.asp