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NEWS AND UPDATES
02.21.07 PETER'S SUPPORT SPONSORS In preparation for Peter's release, numerous companies, individuals, and bands came together to provide support for Peter to rebuild his life after prison. Donations included everything from food home delivery to skateboards. We would like to take this time to thank Peter's sponsors for making his transition back to life outside the prison gates as easy as it was!
Alternative Outfitters www.alternativeoutfitters.com Vegan Essentials www.veganessentials.com Food Fight Vegan Grocery www.foodfightgrocery.com Cosmos Vegan Shop www.cosmosveganshoppe.com Vegin' Out-Vegan Home Delivery Service www.veginout.com Blackspot Shoes www.blackspotshoes.org No Sweat www.nosweatapparel.com Good Clean Fun www.myspace.com/goodcleanfun Strike Anywhere www.strikeanywhere.org Tofurkey www.tofurky.com Earth Crisis / Path Of Resistance www.myspace.com/pathofresistance Stay Vocal / Alex www.stayvocal.com Shalom Printing 15145 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-3344 Telephone: 818-905-6413. Playfood www.playfood.org Pirates Press www.piratespress.com 108 / Rob Fish www.weare108.com Rise Against / Tim www.riseagainst.com Tamora www.tamorakills.com Ashbury Images / Kevin www.ashburyimages.org Leaf Resturant www.leafcuisine.com The Vermont Vegan Straight Edge Uncle Eddies Vegan Cookies www.uncleeddiesvegancookies.com New Eden Records www.newedenrecords.com And while we wish all their products were vegan... we would like to thank VANS donating a box of shoes and clothing www.vans.com ] TOP [ 02.21.07 ] TOP [ DONT'T FORGET ABOUT THE OTHER PRISONERS Peter asked that we remind everyone to not forget other animal liberation prisoners and those facing charges for crimes of concience. They still need your support! Find more addresses for political prisoners at ecoprisoners.org. Below are the addresses for the SHAC 7. Darius Fulmer # 26397-050 FCI Fort Dix PO Box 2000 Fort Dix, NJ 08640 Jacob Conroy # 93501-011 FCI Victorville Medium 1 Federal Correctional Institution PO Box 5300 Adelanto, CA 92301 www.supportjake.org Lauren Gazzola # 93497-011 FCI Danbury Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road Danbury, CT 06811 www.supportlauren.com Joshua Harper # 29429-086 FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution P.O. Box 5000 Sheridan, OR 97378 www.joshharper.org Kevin Kjonaas # 93502-011 FCI Sandstone PO Box 1000 Sandstone, MN 55072 www.supportkevin.com Andrew Stepanian #26399-050 FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution PO Box 1500 Butner, NC 27509 www.andystepanian.com ] TOP [
] TOP [ South Dakota Charges Dismissed FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS S.D. not prosecuting convicted mink farm raider SIOUX FALLS, S.D. S.D. (AP) -- A man who became an idol to animal rights activists for releasing mink from mink farms has himself been released from federal prison, but he won't be returning to South Dakota to face state charges for a 1997 raid near Kranzburg. In fact, if Peter Daniel Young follows the terms of an agreement he made with prosecutors, he won't ever return to South Dakota. "We are not proceeding with the South Dakota charges," Dawn Elshere, Codington County state's attorney, said Monday. She said that under the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement with Young, "he won't be allowed to return to the state -- ever." Elshere said authorities decided there was nothing more to be gained by prosecuting him in the state. Young, of Mercer Island, Wash., was sentenced to two years in a federal prison in California after pleading guilty in Wisconsin to animal enterprise terrorism for releasing mink at farms in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. On Oct. 17, 1997, someone cut a 20-foot section of fence and released about 3,000 mink at the former Turbak Mink Ranch near Kranzburg. The mink -- valued at $90,000 -- got loose early in the morning. Some were recaptured; many died before they could be corralled. The former owners said the loss played a part in the eventual closure of their business. Elshere said restitution was part of the federal case. "Whether or not they've seen any of that money, I don't know," she said. The sentencing judge ordered $254,840 in restitution. Young also was given one year of supervised release and 360 hours of community service. In federal court, Young had said his mink farm raids were acts of conscience. Although Young was a suspect in the October 1997 release of 5,000 mink and 100 silver foxes from a Sioux City farm, he was never charged in that case. The mink and foxes, valued at more than $100,000, were released from their cages on the farm near Stone State Park, at 3701 Memorial Dr. Federal investigators have said they believe Young was connected with the Animal Liberation Front, a radical group that has attempted to destroy animal-related industries it considers inhumane. The original South Dakota charges were third-degree burglary, intentional damage to property and animal enterprise trespass. Convictions on the first two carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The third charge has a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Elshere said she's sure some of the mink farmers are disappointed Young won't be facing the South Dakota charges. But she added that part of the decision was based on "whether we could have a successful prosecution." ] TOP [ PETER YOUNG'S EMAIL ADDRESS If you would like to contact Peter please send him an email. He would very much so like to keep in touch with all his supporters and new friends. peterdanielyoung@yahoo.com *Be safe: Assume ALL EMAILS are read by the authorities!* 02.05.07 PETER YOUNG'S RELEASE PARTY!!  ] TOP [ 02.05.07 PETER YOUNG RELEASED!! Its been a long two years for Peter, but finally on February 01, 2007 at about 9am - he was released! A small gathering of supporters greeted him outside the prison doors and wisked him away to a much quiter and loving enviroment. That evening Peter was able to enjoy dinner with his friends as he unwound from prison. Already his supporters have planned a little party to welcome him back [details will be posted]. Peter Young's story and actions have served as a motivation and inspiration to many working towards the most urgent cause of animal liberation. These two years have seen numerous twists and turns, both for the better and for the worse, and many of those reading this have been there through it all. Along with the urgency of the animal liberation struggle, Peter has also been consistently vocal on the quality of prison support he has received during the last 22 months. This is one last THANK YOU from the Peter Young Support Committee for every effort ever carried out on his (and the animals' behalf) – from liberations to bake sales. Our gratitude is endless. Look for these bulletions in the coming days: *Statement from Peter * Full and complete update on the South Dakota charges -The Peter Young Support Committee- ] TOP [ 01.22.07 "PRISONER OF WAR: Benefit For Peter Young" The cd we've all been waiting for is finally OUT! You can buy your copy here!  "Prisoners of War" is an effort by the underground music communities best bands to do it's share to lend support to imprisoned animal rights activist Peter Young. The CD features original artwork by the acclaimed tattoo artist Haubs and a statement from Peter. This diverse mix of music in solidarity with Peter Young features tracks from Remembering Never, Good Clean Fun, Dead to Me, Propaghandi, The Loved Ones, Good Riddance, Bouncing Souls, The Laugh Riots, The Rachets, International Noise Conspiracy, Himsa, 7 Generations, Cherem, Tamora, Jared Paul,The Falcon and Jonah Mantranga as well as previously unreleased tracks from 108,Strike Anywhere, With Honor, Goldfinger, None More Black and The Unseen. You can order a copy now by going to: myspace.com/directachtung The CD is available for limited release now through mailorder or other locations (under "Various Artists") such as: Amoeba Records (Los Angeles), Streetlight Records (Santa Cruz), and Food Fight Vegan Grocery (Portland). Thanks to upcoming major label distribution, it will be available in stores nationwide on April 10th! Many thanks to Pirates Press for discounted printing and Issa GCF for free mastering. 01.05.07 View South Dakota Indictment Click image to enlarge.  
10.28.06 Federal Prison: The Nine Month Report Little has been written of Peter's daily life in prison or the conditions of his incarceration, and so as Peter approaches his 9th month in federal prison, the Peter Young Support Committee assembled this report; "Federal Prison: The First Nine Months". FCI Victorville II is a medium security federal facility located 85 miles NE of Los Angeles. It is part of a larger complex of prisons on the site that includes a maximum security prison, a second medium, and a minimum security women's facility. The prison is among the newest medium security facilities in the federal system, having opened in the summer of 2004. It remains unfilled at only 2/3 capacity with 1000 prisoners. Because of the length of Peter's sentence, its non-violent nature, and his minimal criminal record, it was expected by most – including his lawyer and probation officer – that he would be designated to a minimun security federal camp. These facilities are for low-risk, non-violent offenders and allow for greater freedoms and comforts. However, in calculating Peter's custody level after his sentencing, the BOP rather erroneously doubled his custody points and increased him two security levels for a nine year old misdemeanor warrant stemming from a 1997 UC Davis primate center protest. The warrant was dismissed within weeks, lowering his custody level to minimum security, yet the Victorville prison authorities have not yet transferred him to a facility that reflects his security status. FCI Victorville II, like other medium security federal facilities, houses inmates with elevated custody levels due to factors such as a history of violence, extensive criminal history, or sentences longer than 20 years. Peter estimates that gun possession, drug, and immigration/border crossing violators represent 95% of the inmates. According to one guard at the prison, the acverage sentence at FCI Victorville II is 15 years. Daily life, as Peter describes it, has none of the boredom or drama one might associate with time in prison. He stays occupied every working moment, with a daily schedule comprised almost entirely of reading books and writing letters. We took this encapsulation of his routine from a recent interview with Abolitionist Online "I awaken at 8 AM. In federal prison all prisoners are required to work, and this work runs the spectrum from swinging hammers for 8 hours to turning on a sprinkler valve once daily. My work assignment is at the latter end. I am responsible for emptying exactly 4 trash cans once daily, which I can do at 8 AM. Many have asked about food Peter's vegan diet. While the food situation is not stellar, it is by far the most accomodating place he has been since his arrest (7 jails and 1 prison total) and Peter is unwilling to complain after the 10 months spent in county jails. Peter always makes clear his veganism is "non-negotiable", and this commitment has not endured without much struggle over the past 18 months, and he has at times gone 12 days without a full meal. Nowhere has eating cruelty-free been less of a struggle than at Victorville. The Bureau of Prisons is surprisingly liberal in regards to food, and requires each prison to serve a meatless alternative at each meal. This is said to be vegan "about half the time". Otherwise a self-serve bar offers AYCE salad and beans at every meal, with other rotating items such as corn, salsa, potatoes, and more. In addition to the dining hall, commissary (the prison store) offers many items, including soy chorizo and organic granola. Because of Peter's friends and supporters, he has been able to occupy his time on the weekends in the visting room. Visits in Victorville are 6 ½ hours: Fri/Sat/Sun; and are held in large room, face to face, without the glass partitions that plagued visits during the first 10 months of Peter's incarceration. Mail, as always, plays a central role in Peter's life. He re-stated that his favorite items to recieve at the 5:15 mail call are photographs and news articles (printed from the internet – newspaper clippings are not allowed), and we encourage everyone to keep these in mind next time they write. Even better, don't wait to write and send him old photos and internet stories now! Random Victorville details: There are no prisoners of superstar status, but "The American Taliban" John Walker Lindh is at the FCI next door. The prison has banned "Support Peter" shirts from the visiting room and sent one person wearing one home. Very few items beyond food, paperwork, books, and toiletries are allowed in federal prison. Peter takes much pleasure in his most cherished possession - his radio, which he refers to as his best friend. He tells us the music he prefers never makes it on the radio, so he must settle for the San Bernadino "alternative" station, and a lot of talk radio. He describes the time as moving quickly, thanks in no small part to the support of all those who have sent books, letters, and commissary funds. Peter wants everyone to know that what could have been a difficult time has been a time of relative comfort and ease by the outside support – support which ahs brought him an adequate vegan diet, material with which to further his education, and countless new friendships via correspondence. He intends to thank every one of you in person someday. Until Peter is free, let's remember our obligation to ALL imprisoned creatures tonight and do our part to ensure he steps into a better world than he left behind. THE PETER YOUNG SUPPORT COMMITTEE 10.03.06 UPCOMING CD BENEFITS! Two of the most ambitious efforts in the incredible world-wide fundraising campaign for Peter’s Support and Legal Defense are slashed for release in the near future! Both are punk rock and hardcore CD compilations, featuring bands supportive of Peter and all animal liberation prisoners. Check out the lineups and available info below but be sure to check back for an announcement on each of the CD's release dates! Compilation 1:  TITLE: V/A - "Prisoner of War - A Benefit for Peter Young" Bands: 25 Release date: Early November 2006 Label: Direct Achtung Available at: National Distributor TBA. Will be available at Hot Topic among many other stores. Proceeds: All proceeds go to the Peter Young support fund.
None More Black International Noise Conspiracy Dead to Me Cherem Good Clean Fun Propagandhi The Ratchets Tamora Good Riddance The Unseen Himsa Paint It Black Bouncing Souls The Falcon Remembering Never Goldfinger Jonah Mantranga The Laugh Riots The Loved Ones With Honor 7 Generations Strike Anywhere Jared Paul 108
7 Generations (USA) Alguna Vez Fui Ciego (Mexico) Attrition (USA) Birthright (USA) Cherem (USA) Confronto (Brazil) Day of Suffering (USA) Eye of Judgement (Netherlands) Gather (USA) New Winds (Portugal) Overstate (Brazil) Purified in Blood (Norway) Requiem (USA) Rusen (USA) Socialized Crucifixion (USA) Swords (Germany) This Time Tomorrow (USA) NOTES: Compilation consists largely of vegan hardcore bands, and includes an unreleased Gorilla Biscuits cover by Peter’s favorite band on the CD: Day of Suffering. Also out-of-print song by Trial is rumored to be among the tracks.
] TOP [ 7.31.06 In March, we released a call for help: new legal funds were required and time was short. Hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst in a movement already streched so thin, we asked for your assistance. And the response was incredible beyond measure--benefit shows, screened t-shirts, ebay auctions, Myspace drives, and benefit CDs. It all came together where we are now. The money has been raised--over $10K in 4 months! While the money to cover all Wisconsin debts and the much larger current legal expenses is not yet in hand, several ambitious benefits--including a 25 band CD and more--are a sure thing in the near future, and with the estimated proceeds from these upcoming fundraisers, in several months we will have the full amount needed. So while expenses are not yet secured, we are comfortable at this point announcing a victory. Although we have reached the bare minimum point to cover anticipated legal expenses and our debits, please know that the support funds for ongoing expenses such as: stamps, paper, vegan food, and phone calls are always needed and very much appreciated! Peter relies entirely on donations for day to day comforts and the necessities in prison. So please always consider a donation to Peter's commissary account.
Below are 3 opinions to continually help Peter, you can "subscribe" to a weekly, bi-monthly, or once a month donation via Pay-Pal. All you have to do is click!
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7.21.06 Under mysterious circumstances Peter was called to the lieutenant's office the morning of June 27th and was placed in “the hole”. Peter was told only he was "under investigation" by S.I.S. (Special Investigations Supervisors), a branch of prison security. Inmates are frequently placed "under investigation" when there is suspicion of misconduct, and are held until they are found guilty of an infraction or cleared of the wrongdoing. While not an uncommon occurrence in federal prison, the timing raises suspicion; Peter was placed in the hole the day after filing 3 formal complaints with the warden against S.I.S. for serious misconduct including missing mail and harassment. Furthermore, it comes just one hour after delivery of a formal request for disclosure of his S.I.S. file citing the Freedom of Information Act. Inmates can be held under investigation for 90 days. If at that point S.I.S. wishes to continue, the "investigation" can be renewed for an additional 90 days. Peter wanted us to mention that he is still having major letter with-holding problems. If you have written to him but haven’t received a reply, chances are your letter has not yet reached him and is still being held in the mailroom basement. He apologizes to those people whose letters have gone unanswered and hopes to receive all of them. Please don't feel discouraged by his lack of correspondence; keep writing, keep mailing, keep in touch! Continue checking
in for updates. ] TOP [ Thanks from Peter for the flood of birthday wishes and photographs that came in during the birthday "photo drive”. He didn't want to pick favorites but reluctantly gave the "Best Present" award to the 1 year sponsorship of Merlin the Turkey at the Ching Farm Sanctuary in Peter's name. The "Best Photo Award" goes to the front-door shot of the Saturn Cafe in Santa Cruz, CA. Almost 100 photos came in during the days leading up to his birthday, giving Peter a rare window to the world outside. Thank you to everyone
who contributed! ] TOP [ 5.22.06 Due to your enormous outpouring of support, we have narrowed the gap to covering Peters South Dakota legal fees to $3,500!! We're almost there! Please check previous updates for the simple ways you can help. We thank everyone who has worked overtime to get us as close as we are. We expect the legal fight to begin shortly so keep checking in. Some of the most successful fundraising efforts we've seen have included: passing a hat around at punk, hardcore, and other DIT shows, as well as online auction benefits, and myspace bulletins linked with Peter Young support pay-pal accounts. Email the site or his myspace with other creative suggestions. info@supportpeter.com ] TOP [ 5.01.06 "To all those who refuse to give in, ] TOP [ 4.28.06 4.25.06 (These new charges are by far more serious than those for which he was Citing discontent over the relative shortness of Peter's federal sentence, Once again, Peter is fighting for his freedom. Your help proved invaluable Here's what we can do to help him. One, organize a benefit. Set up a show, host an auction, organize a film showing, screen a t-shirt...be creative. If you know someone who runs a record label, ask them to release a benefit record. If you know someone in a band, ask them to play a fundraiser. If your hands are full - and with so much injustice in the world, we hope Lets make this time right here right now count for Peter. Remember the 4.25.06 NOTES: Sentences can run consecutive at judge's discretion, bringing PERTAINING TO: 4.24.06 ] TOP [ 4.23.06 The deposit must be in the form of a money order made out to the The sender's name and return address must appear on the upper left hand corner of the envelope to ensure that the funds can be returned to the sender in the event that they can not be posted to the inmate's ] TOP [ 4.17.06 ] TOP [ 1.16.06 ] TOP [ 12.29.05 ] TOP [ 11.16.05 ] TOP [ 11.15.05 Young was accused of liberating 1000's of mink from Mid-Western fur farms during the fall of 1997. Similar acts of solidarity were planned nationwide for this week. 12 activists gathered in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego to demonstrate at Millards Fur Service. Hillcrest, known as a progressive and liberal neighborhood, stands out as an anomaly--housing one of the few remaining fur-related storefronts in San Diego County. Activists armed with bullhorns and placards reminded neighbors, passers-by, and local business owners of the atrocities committed by the fur industry. They also pointed the finger at the complicitous companies that support and profit from the needless slaughter of animals for "fashion." Upon arrival of the activists, Millards quickly closed and locked their doors. Shortly thereafter, five uniformed police officers arrived --- but their presence did not interfere in the slightest with the activists’ noisy but peaceful demonstration. Annually, 40 million animals are killed in North America for their skins. Wild animals are caught in indiscriminate leg-hold traps (which often catch dogs and cats). More typically, though, they are bred and housed in tiny cages in which they pace endlessly over an area of just a few square feet--when nature has prepared them, instead, to traverse hundreds of acres. These animals are then killed by being drowned, gassed, anally electrocuted, or having their necks broken. Too often, the animals are not dead and have their skins removed while they are still alive and fully conscious. ] TOP [ 11.10.05 Protestors held signs, passed out literature, and vocally let people know how wild fur-bearing animals are caught in steel-jaw leghold traps (left for up to a week, sometimes dying of cold and dehydration, not uncommonly chewing off their own limbs in an attempt to get free); and how wild caged animals like mink go crazy from stress, confinement, and boredom until they are finally anally electrocuted for their fur. Dogs and cats in China are slaughtered for their pelts (which are mislabeled and sold in the US; link to www.petatv.com). But the proprietors of these fur shops, and their bloated customers, seemed wholly unconcerned by what happens to the animals. Two freakishly made-up women confidently walked past protestors into Schumacher's, and then oddly became cowardly and asked for police escorts out of the shop. Apparently it's very easy to be part of victimizing tiny mink in cages, but it takes more guts to come face to face with protestors, even in the presence of a ridiculous over-show of police (aren't there any actual crimes going on in Portland?) than these fur hags can stomach. Another woman (who looked like a grotesque cartoon of the already cartoonish Liza Minelli) wearing a fur coat got out of her expensive car near the protestors, and seemed genuinely stunned that police didn't immediately arrest the protestors who dared to say anything about her clothing. Next, some of the protestors went to Leo D. Weisdorfer's Mink farm (11330 SE 272 Ave., Boring, OR), one of the largest (if not the largest) mink farms in Oregon. Earlier, some protestors had seen that one of his two friendly dogs had gotten out through his supposedly high security fencing (afterwards he kicked the dog). There was a hole under the fence big enough for a large dog to get under! It really makes one wonder how well the rest of the farm is protected. Leo is an elderly man, whose 40-plus year old son is uncertain about taking over the farm. Protestors gave him words of support to leave the animal torture business. And really, why would his son want to take over a business that is protested and constantly under threat of attack from people with a conscience and concern for those animals being hurt from miserable birth to miserable death? The reality is that liberations and sabotage close down fur farms. Leo, a paranoid and bitter person (talking to him recently made us think of what it would be like to talk to Ebenezer Scrooge), watched from a distance...once again, it's much easier to torture little animals than it is to face people your own size. What will it take for him to receive the message that it's certainly time to retire from his depraved work. After 30 plus years, this man is alone responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of animals! ] TOP [ 10.05.05 Peter would like the depth of his gratitude for all the support he's received to be known. He recently asked us to pass on this note to everyone who has helped in any way- from "Support Peter Young" wet cement graffiti to setting up a benefit. Read Peter's "Thank You" note here. Also, Peter is spending the next few weeks writing. Given the fragile nature of his legal situation, until recently it was impossible for Peter to safely comment publicly on anything related to his case. His recent guilty plea has freed him from this limitation, and he is working hard on several articles. Peter asked us to mention he will be slower about responding to mail, but he values every letter and asks everyone to keep writing. He will resume rapid-fire letter writing mode shortly. ] TOP [ 9.18.05 Letters can be sent to: For any questions, please e-mail info@supportpeter.com In other news, since being moved to Madison's "old jail" over the content of a piece of mail, Peter's mail has dropped by 1/3 and is regularly withheld for days at a time. In one recent week, Peter received only 10 letters, when his average has previously been 50. If you have written Peter in the last 2 months and have not received a response. please take a minute to make a polite call to the Dane County Jail to express your concern that 1) You believe your letter did not arrive and that Peter may not be getting all his mail and 2) Peter's mail is being withheld for days at a time so that he now only receives mail only three days a week. The number is (608) 284-6100. Only a light number of calls are necessary. enough to let the jail know they are accountable for every piece of mail sent to Peter. It is only necessary to call if you believe your letter did not arrive or is being withheld. Peter spends many hours a day maintaining correspondence. To a prisoner, letters are a true lifeline. Prisons take everything else from a person, don't let them take his mail. ] TOP [ 9.1.05 The legal battle is finally over. On August 29th, Peter signed a plea offer from the prosecution. On Friday September 2nd, Peter will plead guilty in Federal Court to two counts of animal enterprise terrorism charges. He is expected to receive the maximum sentence of 2 years. With 4 months in, and 2 months good time, Peter is expected to walk free in just over 18 months (March 2007). ] TOP [ 8.1.05 ] TOP [ 7.23.05 ] TOP [ 7.19.05 ] TOP [ 7.16.05 ] TOP [ 6.17.05
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