STATEMENT MADE BY PETER YOUNG IN COURT

The following is Peter Young's statement to the court at his sentencing on November 8th, 2005. As Peter did a large amount of improvisation, the below text is not a verbatim record, but an approximate account based on his notes and the memory of supporters in the courtroom:

This is the customary time when the defendant expresses regret for the crimes they committed, so let me do that because I am not without my regrets. I am here today to be sentenced for my participation in releasing mink from 6 fur farms. I regret it was only 6. I'm also here today to be sentenced for my participation in the freeing of 8,000 mink from those farms. I regret it was only 8,000. It is my understanding of those 6 farms, only 2 of them have since shut down. I regret it was only 2.

More than anything, I regret my restraint, because whatever damage we did to those businesses, if those farms were left standing, and if one animal was left behind, then it wasn't enough.

I don't wish to validate this proceeding by begging for mercy or appealing to the conscience of the court, because I know if this system had a conscience I would not be here, and in my place would be all the butchers, vivisectors, and fur farmers of the world.

Just as I will remain unbowed before this court- who would see me imprisoned for an act of conscience- I will also deny the fur farmers in the room the pleasure of seeing me bow down before them. To those people here whose sheds I may have visited in 1997, let me tell you directly for the first time, it was a please to raid your farms, and to free those animals you held captive. It is to those animals I answer to, not you or this court. I will forever mark those nights on your property as the most rewarding experience of my life.

And to those farmers or other savages who may read my words in the future and smile at my fate, just remember: We have put more of you in bankruptcy than you have put liberators in prison. Don't forget that.

Let me thank everyone in the courtroom who came to support me today. It is my last wish before prison that each of you drive to a nearby fur farm tonight, tear down its fence and open every cage.

That's all.

We are very happy to announce that we have signed to CATALYST RECORDS and REFUSE RECORDS and plan to release our first full-length album in 2008 on CD and LP!

Both labels have been around longer than most other hardcore labels of today and have kept true to there roots, something that we respect highly and feel is very important in these shallow times! They have been a big influence for us as persons through the years, and released many of our favourite bands, such as Day of suffering, Point of no return, Culture, To kill, Gather(Catalyst) Champion, Seein red, New Winds, and Liar.(Refuse)

Right now we are writing songs and getting prepared for upcoming tours, we are really excited about what is yet to come in the nearest future! Stay in touch and make sure to check out our tour dates and of course, these fine labels!

love & struggle 
ANCHOR

http://www.refuserecords.prv.pl 
http://www.myspace.com/refuserecords

www.xcatalystx.com
www.myspace.com/catalystrecords

so, we're back home again, sixteen days, thousdands of km's, one van breakdown, countless injuries, illnesses and great times and amazing new friendships later. safe and sound in the end.
we'd like to take this time to extend not only a thank you but all of the best wishes we know to everybody who came out to see us and hang out with us. all the promotors for showing energy on us.
and of course, RITUAL, the coolest band and the best people on this planet!

our lovestory is however far from over as we'll be doing a handful of shows with these lovely blokes in the land of the thousand lakes, Finland in early August.

Stay tuned and 'til next time, disco sucks, fuck everything!