[Ppnews] Eugene student jailed for resisting GJ

[Political Prisoner News]

From: Karen Pickett <<mailto:kp at igc.org>kp at igc.org>
Date: May 25, 2006 9:51:26 AM PDT
To: 
<mailto:grandjury-request at lists.riseup.net>grandjury-request at lists.riseup.net
Subject: Eugene press release about subpoenas


Don't know if this already was posted--sorry for delay. We sent this 
out later in the day of the previous press release about Jeff Hogg 
being called before the GJ, after he was found in contempt.   --Karen P.


Civil Rights Outreach Committee





For Immediate Release: May 18, 2006   4:45 p.m.


Contact:
Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, Eugene, OR: 541-687-9180.

Alejandro Queral, NW Constitutional Rights Center, Portland, OR: 
503-295-6400, 202-491-6204


Local Student Jailed for Resisting Federal Witch Hunt

Eugene Resident Jeff Hogg Sent to Jail by Judge Hogan for Refusing to 
Testify in Grand Jury Proceeding

Eugene, OR --   Local resident Jeff Hogg was held in contempt by 
Judge Hogan this morning after refusing to testify before a federal 
grand jury allegedly investigating the arson cases. Hogg walked into 
the federal courthouse this morning after making a brief statement 
before the media and supporters.

"I am being forced to choose between betraying social change 
movements or going to jail without committing a crime," Hogg 
said.  "It's not a fun choice to make and it makes you question 
everything you believe in."  Hogg, a first-year nursing student who 
works with autistic adults concluded:  "But I won't be coerced by the 
government to give up my principles."

After refusing to testify, Hogg was walked by federal agents to the 
courthouse for contempt proceedings before Judge 
Hogan.  Representatives from the Civil Liberties Defense Center, the 
NW Constitutional Rights Center, as well as friends and family, were 
not allowed into the courthouse after Judge Hogan unlawfully 
prevented supporters from attending this public proceeding.

"This is a further abuse of power where a judge, at his sole 
discretion and without any basis in law, excludes the public from 
what is supposed to be an open proceeding" said Lauren Regan, 
executive director of the Civil Liberties Defense Center.  "This 
exclusion of the public further exacerbates concerns that this 
investigation amounts to a 'kangaroo court.'"

Although Mr. Hogg is not charged with any crimes, he will remain in 
jail until September 30, 2006 unless his attorney, Paul Loney, is 
successful in filing motions for his release.

"Mr. Hogg has made it clear that he will not cooperate," stated Mr. 
Loney after the conclusion of today's proceedings.  "This is a misuse 
of the grand jury system.  The founding fathers never intended it to 
be used by the government to prepare their case for trial."

The grand jury in Eugene is investigating acts of sabotage linked to 
the underground Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation 
Front (ALF). There have been grand juries convened in San Diego, San 
Francisco, Seattle and Colorado affecting a broad sweep of 
environmental and animal activists suspected of property 
damage.  .  Despite the fact that no one was injured in any of the 
incidents, the FBI calls the actions "terrorism." Two additional 
people were charged in separate indictments in Washington and California.

A press packet of current related articles, background information, 
historical examples of sabotage in the U.S., and a history of F.B.I. 
repression of political activism is available. Please contact the 
Civil Liberties Defense Center at 541-687-9180.



The Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-9977
www.freedomarchives.org 
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