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Climate threat demands action

By Jeffrey Free Luers

It seems nearly everywhere I turn these days climate change is being discussed. It is in the news, magazines, and science journals. Global warming is being discussed in social circles high and low.

The U.S. Congress recently passed a bill to reduce U.S. contributions to greenhouse emissions 17% from 2005 levels by 2020 and a further 83% by 2050. Their effort is to be applauded; however, as is usually the case with controversial bills major concessions were made weakening the bill significantly before its passing. The bill which still faces an uphill battle in the senate is a far cry from the proposed reductions stemming from the Kyoto accord, in 1997, the world’s first attempt at addressing climate change.

It appears to be reoccurring trend that as consequences of climate change grow worse, government responses to the threat become weaker. Granted, the last decade has seen little significant action taken to address climate change. Yet, now that action is finally being taken it falls short of that which is needed.

Global warming is already responsible for more than 300,000 deaths a year. Its effects are being felt by 300 million people around the globe; with economic losses coming to more than $125 billion a year according to a report by the Global Humanitarian Forum, led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The report was calculated from information provided by some of the world’s largest and most influential organizations including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the Potsdam Institute for climate Impact Research.

The Global Humanitarian Forum warns that almost two-thirds of the world’s population is classified as “vulnerable” to climate change; 500 million of those people are said to be at “extreme risk”.

Oxfam International has reported that climate related hunger may become the defining human tragedy of this century. The report says that without immediate actions all development gains made in the last 50 years are under threat. In much of Sub-Saharan Africa and most of India maize yields, one the world’s most important crops, are predicted to decrease by 15% or more in the next 10 years.

The Oxfam report also documents rising temperatures in conjunction with the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon in cities that can raise local temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) more than the surrounding area. The report suggests a “six-fold increase in heat-related deaths in Lisbon by 2050, and a five-fold increase in greater London, two to seven times more deaths in California and a 75% increase in deaths among older people in Australian cities.”

A recent gathering of Nobel Prize winners called on politicians to take the drastic and immediate action necessary to avoid a global catastrophe. The St. James Palace memorandum signed by 20 Nobel Laureates asserts that “[There needs to be] a peak of global emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2015 and at least a 50% emissions reduction by 2050 on a 1990 baseline. This in turn means that developed countries have to aim for a 25% - 40% reduction by 2050.”

Current action being taken at government levels is not enough. The world needs a stronger and more immediate response; we need a stronger and more immediate response. The numbers and statistics reflected in these reports do not represent abstractions. They represent you and me. We are the ones at risk. Global warming is not just the greatest environmental threat of our time it is the greatest humanitarian threat of the century.

This December governments of the world will meet in Copenhagen to discuss what actions to take on climate change. This is our time to demand real action, action that can limit the severe consequences of climate change. On
 

join us in an international Day of Solidarity in demanding action on climate change. Join our International General Strike for Climate Justice.

www.StrikeforClimateJustice.org

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Jeffrey Free Luers is getting out of prison! Help him by donating money or crucially needed supplies to get him settled into life on the outside as quickly as possible. Following his release in December 2009, Jeff will be beginning classes in landscape architecture, maintaining a job, and spending time with friends.

June 2009 Day of Solidarity with Jeff Free Luers and all Eco-Prisoners Celebrate our victory of helping to bring Jeff home!

March 2008: Prison Dispatch from Jeff "Free" Luers

What a long and strange journey this past year has been. I have been riding highs and lows as I have been struggling to regain my freedom and find a balance between my desires for this movement and my own personal happiness.

I’ve made no secret of my often conflicting emotions or my disappointment in radical struggles here in the United States. Yet, despite my confusion about my own part in this messy struggle that now sees so many of us locked behind bars—so many split once again into factions, while many others hearts are broken by the betrayals of friends and former heroes—I have strived to remain true to the ideals in which I believe. It is often difficult to carry your head high when the rest of your life feels like you are falling apart, but we must continue to do so because it is only with our heads high that we can meet the eyes of our enemy and let them know that while we may be afraid we are not cowards; that while we may be hurting we are not broken, and most importantly, that while we may be small we are not weak, we are still defiant and we can still be dangerous.

As many of you are aware, I was resentenced on February 28th, after years of fighting for a reduced sentence. I will soon be making the terms of my contract with the state available.

In the months preceding my resentencing I was faced with numerous obstacles and forced to make difficult decisions. Upon my arrival at Lane County Jail, I learned that not only had Judge Lyle Velure come out of retirement to resentence me but that the state was threatening to seek a 20-year sentence again. Judge Velure began suffering severe prostate problems and had to retire again. Upon receiving a new judge my luck began to change and for the first time I thought I just might have a chance.

Now, I must say that my original opinion of Erik Hassleman, the prosecutor assigned to my case, was that he is an evil prick. And as I’m sure he will read this, I want to say that in the end he impressed me and that I respect him as a person and an opponent.

As negotiations progressed it quickly became apparent that the state had a bottom line—I was not going to receive a sentence below 10 years. As part of that agreement the state wanted a written apology from me for my crimes. I wrote a statement acknowledging I was wrong to believe that arson could achieve the change I desired, though I added I was not ashamed of nor did I regret my actions.

My attorneys promptly edited and reworded my statement until it resembled a watered-down version of polite discourse. While many of the things I wanted to say were there the heart of my statement—that I was wrong but essentially not sorry—was missing. With some disgust I swallowed my pride and signed the damn thing and I will admit it is one of the harder things I’ve done because it made me feel defeated.

After all negotiations were said and done the state came back with a final offer of a 30 month sentence followed by a 90 month mandatory minimum, essentially a sentence of a guaranteed 9½ years. After I reluctantly agreed to this as the best I could get, Erik then maneuvered a restitution of $14,000 on top of the $56,000 judgment I just learned Romania has against me.

In a frantic and somewhat pissed off effort my attorneys spent the next month trying to get the restitution dropped without success. In the final days with my head admittedly hanging much lower than usual I decided I would have to accept the states offer, restitution and all.

Come February 28th, however, I would be surprised beyond my wildest imagination. Not only had Hassleman agreed to dismiss the restitution but he had decided to grant a sentence modification in my favor. The sentence would now be 90 month followed by 30 months run out of order so that I may qualify for programs and possibly be released later this year!

During the course of sentencing, Erik spent some time describing my progression as a person and even as an activist during my incarceration. He talked about my subtle shift from a fiery radical to one that acknowledged the failures of some aspects of radical struggle—my words not his—by embracing more mainstream methods of change. All of which is true.

He then went on to describe how I viewed and continue to view my actions as a necessary evil similar to acts such as the Boston Tea Party. Surprisingly, he seemed in agreement with this analogy and even admitted that good arguments have been made about the legitimacy of sabotage and arson to protest ecological destruction. But, he went on to say these acts are still crimes and need to be punished accordingly.

After Erik was done I was given an opportunity to read my statement, this time unedited except for some suggestions from my friend and attorney (in that order), Lauren Regan. Upon finishing my statement I looked to see a somewhat stunned Judge Billings. Admittedly, my first thought was "well I pissed off another one." But, then by far the most surprising and ever vindicating thing happened.

Judge Billings told me that in his 35 years as an attorney and judge that my statement was the most sincere and passionate he’d ever heard. He told me he was impressed with me. He then went on to say that while some people might disagree, pointedly looking at Erik, that in many ways when I get out I would be considered an "elder statesman" or a "veteran returning from an ugly campaign." He agreed that we desperately need change and said that I may be one of the people that have the ability to help create that change but that I needed to do so in a way that would keep others and me out of prison. He finished by wishing me the best of luck.

By far the most astonishing of the day was the atmosphere of the hearing. Last time I was sentenced I was condemned as an evil terrorist who needed to be locked away. The difference this time was quite frankly shocking. I was no longer a terrorist but someone respectable. My message was no longer one of rhetoric but one that needed to be listened to.

What I took away from that day is that in a subtle and elusive way our actions have had an impact on the conscience of the American public, and even on some of those who are our natural enemies. For sure it isn’t just our actions, but the truth behind them that has come to be understood. Messages about environmental dangers that years ago seemed fanatical are now accepted science.

There is a shift occurring in this country and it is one that we have very much helped shape. It is not a radical shift and is not enough of a change to correct society’s many wrongs. But it is a noticeable shift we must embrace and continue to push in the right direction.

Since my last dispatch many months ago people have written and expressed concern that I have retired from activism. That is a misconception. I have not retired I have simply sought a different way to create the change I want to see.

I still believe direct action and militancy have their place. But I also see quite clearly its failures and our failures. I’m also quite aware of the failures of mainstream channels of activism. We must find ways to overcome barriers and the obstacles that come in our path. It seems nearly impossible but it isn’t.

All we must do is seriously evaluate how each of us can make a difference; how we can each contribute to the changes that need to occur. In order to do that we must leave the rhetoric behind; we must step away from pigeon-holding ourselves into no-win situations. We have to recognize when to stand our ground and when to compromise. We must move beyond our comfort zones and embrace strangers as potential allies.

The very simple truth of the matter is that the environmental crisis facing us is going to affect all of humanity regardless of color, creed or political affiliation. It is the one thing that we must challenge together; if we fail in that we all fail.

If I’ve learned nothing else in the past 8 years, I have learned that we ourselves have to open our minds. We have to expand our thinking because our ways are not always right and even when they are right they might not be the best way for creating change.

We must learn to recognize our failures and learn from them. We must learn to think strategically, focusing on the larger picture, while also being willing to evolve and change. If change is going to start with us we must embrace the fact that we too must change.

There is lots of work to be done. There are many wounds to be healed. We have to start picking up the pieces and putting them back together. We have to remember our strength and face the challenges ahead. We have to again find our passion to act, our willingness to sacrifice, and increase our capacity to understand. There is no roadmap for us to follow. We are trailblazers in this and as such we must rise to the challenge.

I myself am confused but I’m not lost and I haven’t given up. Despite the ache in my heart I still have faith in us. I still believe we can fix these problems facing us if only we would act with determination and courage. I’m still here and I am not quitting.

- Jeffrey "Free" Luers

www. freejeffluers. org

Write to:

Jeff Luers
13797671
CCCF
PO Box 9000
Wilsonville, OR 97070

Jeffrey (Free) Luers Resentencing Hearing, Feb. 28, 2008

Statement of Jeffrey Luers to Judge Billings at Sentencing

It has been many years since I first stood in court to be sentenced for these actions. I now not only have the benefit of hindsight but also possess the knowledge and understanding that comes from leaving the naiveté of youth behind.

I can now say with all honesty that I was wrong to think that arson would inspire social change. But, my failure in understanding that does not mean I have changed my opinion of radical activism.

Mr. Hassleman has a written statement from me in which I have acknowledged being wrong. I have also committed to living the life of a law-abiding citizen and promoting my activism through legal means and channels. Understandably, the prosecutor has expressed some skepticism of my sincerity. I wish to lay those fears to rest.

I am truly excited about my future. Through the love and support of my family, friends and many people I do not even know, I have numerous options available to me. I am looking forward to furthering my education, and pursuing my goals through hard work. I am ready to share my life with my loved ones and I am dedicated to giving back to the community that has shown me so much love and support through these years of imprisonment. That is not the lip service the prosecutor may fear, but my sincere desire to move on with my life.

However, choosing to take a new path and recognizing my mistakes and failures does not make me ashamed of them. I am sorry if my actions instilled fear or the sense of victimization in the Romania family. That was never my intent.

I sought to promote change through radical struggle. I viewed the refusal of our government and corporate institutions to address the issues and dire consequences of global warming as legitimate reasons for direct action. I still believe that government and corporate inaction is a legitimate reason for direct action. Yet, I recognize that militant struggle has failed to create widespread social change for many reasons. And I'm not sure if it is even capable of creating the change we desperately need.

We are witnessing a mass extinction event taking place in our life times. The world's top scientists are warning that by the middle of this century, 30 to 50 percent of all living species could be extinct. There are predictions of 250 million people, or more, dying for lack of water and food. Fears that melting glaciers in Alaska and Greenland could catastrophically raise global sea levels. While here at home our leading climate scientists have been censored by our government. Their reports edited by Bush appointees who now work for some of Americas biggest oil companies. We have been deceived by the very people responsible for our well-being.

Fortunately, the veil has been lifted and many Americans are now demanding that action be taken on climate change and other environmental issues. Indeed many states are now confronting our federal government on the topic. However, so far all legislative attempts to solve the problem have failed or have lacked the necessary backbone to accomplish anything meaningful. The time for change has to be now. We no longer have the luxury of passing our problems off to the next generation. We must be vigilant in our determination to create change and find solutions to what is arguably the greatest threat humanity has ever faced. It is the people in this courtroom, the citizens of this country, this state and this country that must carry the responsibility for creating change. For if we can't change our own lives how can we expect others to change theirs?

I'm ready and willing to change so that I can help find real solutions to our problems. I'm ready to help find methods that aren't limited to rhetoric. Doomed to failure by symbolism or rendered meaningless by corruption. I choose to take a new direction because not only is a new path sorely needed in my own life, but a new direction is sorely needed by our country. I recognize that if I'm not helping to create that change, I'm just standing in the way. We are all in this together whether we are labeled radical, conservative or liberal. And together is the only way we are going to solve this problem.

It is easy for me to say these things. I doubt that my commitment to the environment or social change has ever been questioned. However, I am sure the court as well as many others, question whether or not I have truly left my militant past behind. To which all I can say is that I am ready to live my life. I'm ready to put the needs of my family first. And I'm also ready to find success where thus far radical struggle has failed. More than anything, I am just ready to move on."


To which Judge J.A. Billings responded that he has been a lawyer and a judge for 35 years and he has never received a statement from a defendant of such high quality. "I'm very impressed with you. I have no hesitation in accepting this sentence. I wish you only the best."

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2/28/08 Statement of Jeffrey Luers After Sentencing Hearing

Today I feel a great weight lifted off of me, and my loved ones. While I believe my new sentence is still more of a reflection of my activism and my dissent than my actual crimes; I am looking forward to my much closer release date.

I continue to stand by my actions and have no regrets about my choices. These last several years in prison have not deterred me from speaking my mind, following my heart or standing up against oppression and injustice.

I am proud of the many things I have accomplished while incarcerated, including reaching beyond oceans and borders to help raise awareness about global warming and to help combat social injustice.

I am thankful to my family, friends and the thousands of supporters and fellow activists from around the world who have stood by me since day one. And I'd especially like to thank my attorneys, and friends. Lauren Regan, Misha Dunlap and Shawn Wiley for never giving up on getting me out sooner than 22 years.

I am happy to say this journey is almost over and I'll be coming home soon.

Jeffrey "Free" Luers Sentence Reduced to 10 Years

This morning at 9:00am in Lane County Circuit Court the re-sentencing hearing for Jeffrey Luers took place in front of Judge Billings. This followed an Oregon court of appeals ruling in February 2007 that Luers original sentence of 22 years 8 months by Judge Lyle Velure was illegal, and the appeals court remanded the case back to Lane County Circuit Court for re-sentencing. Following the appeals court decision, negotiations have resulted in the decision today to reduce Luers sentence to 10 years, bringing his release date to late December 2009.

In June 2001, then 23 year-old Jeffrey "Free" Luers was arrested for the burning of three trucks at a Eugene car dealership. His stated purpose was to raise awareness about global warming and the role that SUVs and trucks play in that process. Despite the fact that this action hurt no one, caused only $28,000 in damages and the cars were later resold, Luers received the draconian sentence imposed by Velure.

Luers gained support locally as well as all over the world as a political prisoner. It is widely believed that Luers received such a drastic sentence because of the political nature of the action he took. Following his original sentence, Amnesty International and the Eugene Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued letters of support citing that the sentence appeared to be politically motivated. During the course of his trial, statements were made by the police and prosecuting attorney that indicated it was Luers' political views on trial, not merely his actions. His defense successfully proved that evidence had been tampered with, officers had lied and that the prosecutor had manipulated evidence to get a legal search warrant at his residence. Luers was given a sentence that attempted to send the message to environmental and social justice activists that even a merely symbolic act of property destruction could be punished more harshly than many crimes against persons.

Prior to his imprisonment, Luers was a very well respected community activist in Eugene, Oregon involved with forest defense and cooking free food for the city's homeless population. He has remained active from prison, often writing news articles and monthly dispatches to his growing list of supporters. With a release date on the horizon, Luers future is bright and he plans to pursue courses and looks forward to sharing quality time with his family and loved ones.

Statement from Jeffrey Luers:
"Today I feel a great weight lifted off of me, and my loved ones. While I believe my new sentence is still more of a reflection of my activism and my dissent than my actual crimes; I am looking forward to my much closer release date.
I am proud of the many things I have accomplished while incarcerated, including reaching beyond oceans and borders to help raise awareness about global warming and to help combat social injustice.

I am thankful of my family, friends and the thousands of supporters and fellow activists from around the world who have stood by me since day one. And I'd especially like to thank my attorneys, and friends. Lauren Regan, Misha Dunlap and Shawn Wiley for never giving up on getting me out sooner than 22 years.
I am happy to say this journey is almost over and I'll be coming home soon."

For more information, go to www.cldc.org and www.freejeffluers.org.

Dear friends,
We wanted to give you an important update about Jeff. He has been moved from OSP to Lane County Jail in expectation of his re-sentencing hearing(s).

At this point we don't know many details or even how long he will be at Lane County. His attorneys will know more after Wednesday (Oct 17) and we will be sure to give you an update after that. For background information on his legal appeal, please see http://freejeffluers.org/appeal.html

If you would like to write to Jeff at Lane County Jail, his address is:

Jeffrey Luers 1306729
Lane County Adult Corrections
101 West 5th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401-2695

Mail rules can be found here: http://www.co.lane.or.us/Sheriff_Corrections/MAILRULES.htm

Again, you may want to hold off sending anything until after we give an update on Wednesday or Thursday.

If you have considered donating to Jeff's legal defense, now is definitely the time. He is in the process of hiring another attorney to represent him at his resentencing and funds are greatly needed at this time.

Options for donating, including PayPal, can be found here:
http://freejeffluers.org/donate.html
or check/money orders made out to Free's Defense Fund can be mailed to PO Box 3; Eugene, OR 97440.

He is also still being represented by the Civil Liberties Defense Center if anyone needs to make a tax-deductible donation - see http://www.cldc.org/support.html

Thank you again for all your support, over the past few years and now, and thank you for considering donating at this crucial time. We will give you an update as soon as we know more information.
-Friends of Jeffrey Free Luers

homepage: homepage: http://www.freejeffluers.org
address: address: Free's Defense Network; PO Box 3; Eugene, OR 97440

by the way, we've added some "new" old pics of Jeff, past solidarity events, and Jeff's artwork. Check 'em out! on Jeff's profile


Here is an article that Jeff wrote for the new issue of the Earth First! Journal:

Walk With the Heart of a Warrior: A Response to Peter Young's "Federal Prison 101"
by Jeffrey "Free" Luers
Earth First! Journal Lugnasadh (July-August) 2007

I appreciated Peter Young's article on prison (see EF!J May-June 2007). I envy his quality of food. The vegetarian options here consist of beans, rice, and carrot and celery sticks, two meals a day, every day of the year.
Sadly, Young may be wrong about where the majority of our convicted friends will end up doing time. Let's keep our fingers crossed that all of our friends end up doing time at a camp. But for those who end up in a maximum security prison, like me, life will be very different.
Prisons get designated maximum security because they house the most dangerous offenders and, likewise, are the most strict and secure. Nowadays, most maximum security prisons are not old-school penitentiaries like Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP), but rather have smaller, more restricted units. Nevertheless, violence will be a near-daily occurrence.
In my six years at OSP, I have witnessed a murder, multiple stabbings, gang fights, severe beatings and have been in fights myself. Improvised weaponry is a very real threat, mostly in the form of homemade knives.
However, it is fairly easy to stay out of trouble and maintain a healthy air of respect. A fair amount of respect will come to activists simply because we have chosen to fight the system. The rest will be earned by carrying yourself well. Your honor and your word are the only things you have of value in the joint. Never tarnish them.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of any tension on the yard. Do one or more gangs have an unusual number of soldiers on the yard today? Is there racial tension?
Keep your head up, your back straight, and walk tall. Be about what you say you are about. If you find yourself in a confrontation, it is OK to try to resolve it, but do not back down from it. Never walk away from a fair fight. It is better to take a bit of a beating than to be a coward. Fighting back, win or lose, will earn respect.
If you think weapons may become involved, you have two choices. You can throw away your release date and try to stab the fucker first, or you can attack him on sight every time you see him, never giving him a chance to get his blade. After a couple of fights like that, the prison will usually declare the two of you enemies, and you'll be permanently separated.
If you find yourself in a situation where you fear for your life, you'll have to make a tough decision: fight or go into protective custody. Whatever choice you make, don't snitch; that will only add to your problems.
Finally, prison rape is real. Like anything, though, if you refuse to be a victim, you most likely won't become one. Predators prey on those they perceive to be weak.
I'm certainly not sharing this to scare the shit out of people. I honestly don't find doing time to be that hard physically. It's just the state of being locked up that is hard. One needs to be aware and guarded at all times. Most importantly, remember that if you are locked up for taking action, you are a warrior. Not a sign-holding activist—a warrior. So walk with the heart of a warrior.
P.S. No disrespect to sign-holding activists—I love you people!

Jeffrey "Free" Luers was sentenced in June 2001, to 22 years and eight months for arson at a car dealership and attempted arson of an oil truck. In February, the court of appeals reversed this sentence. Luers is currently awaiting resentencing. Write to him at Jeffrey Luers, ..13797671, OSP, 2605 State St, Salem, OR 97310, USA. For more information, visit www.freefreenow.org.