While I'm doing things I didn't want to, here's something I really, really, didn't want to do. As I mentioned above, much of my time these days is taken up pursuing a Master's degree. My studies are focused on free expression/the First Amendment. This I am doing in lieu of (and, hopefully, in advance of) attending law school, which had been my plan before the SHAC 7 were indicted. Thankfully - and oddly - my conviction is not an absolute bar on practicing law, though it will make my effort to do so more difficult. I still intend to pursue my ultimate goal upon release, of defending activists who follow in the footsteps of the SHAC 7 (at least up to the point at which I succeed in having their cases dismissed in advance of trial! :), and contributing to developing a legal framework for increasing legal protections for non-humans. Earning my Master's degree during this time will bring this goal much closer to reality.

But I've gotten myself into a bit of a pickle. I climbed aboard without securing my ticket for the ride. That is, I don't actually have the funds to pay the tuition for grad school. A small portion of it was paid early on, but my last few quarters, though completed, have not been paid for. At this point, my account has been turned over to collections - and I'm guessing I don't get my degree until that minor matter is cleared up.

Since I began school in June 2007, friends and fellow activists have urged me to publicly solicit funds for this purpose, but I have consistently refused. The "public" whose ear I have is the Animal Rights Movement. And, while I hope my education will be a valuable long term investment for the animals, I feel quite uncomfortable collecting funds for this purpose when there is so much need on behalf of organizations and individuals working directly for the animals today, and especially after the SHAC 7, myself included, have relied so heavily upon the generosity of this movement for our legal expenses.

But a letter from a Collection's Agency has caused me to reconsider. As I have contemplated the best role for me to play in the future of the movement, I have concluded that my greatest talent is an aptitude for the law, that there is a need for such skills in our movement, and that I should not abandon an opportunity to use these skills for this purpose out of my own discomfort regarding the propriety of asking the movement to make an investment in them. Certainly people can decide for themselves whether such a contribution is worthwhile.

I did not come to this decision lightly. But come to it I have, and I now ask, reluctantly and humbly, for your contributions to keep my in school by getting me out of collections. My preference, and my hope, is that this plea reach those with the finances enough that they needn't choose between contributing for this purpose and donating to efforts directly on behalf of the animals. If you face this choice, please make you contribution to the latter. But I am distributing my plea broadly in the hope that is reaches the financially well off who I am unable to contact directly.

To be clear, I am not seeking to receive funds personally. Rather, I am looking for individuals who may wish to contribute directly to the University for the specific purpose of covering tuition for my Master's degree. If you are interested and able to do so - that is, able to contribute without impairing your ability to contribute to more pressing animal issues - I would be very grateful. My time in prison has only strengthened my resolve to focus my life's work on this cause, and your contribution today is an investment in my future work in its service.

Contributions may be made payable to:
Antioch University - McGregor
Memo Line: "Lauren Gazzola"

and mailed to the following address:
Lauren Gazzola's Education Fund
C/O Pattrice Jones
13981 Reading Ferry Rd.
Princess Anne, MD 21853

Donations will be held and bundled so checks may not clear right away. Please be patient and rest assured, all money donated will go directly towards paying for Lauren's college tuition.

Any questions, simply e-mail info@supportlauren.com
(this e-mail is checked with more regularity than the myspace, so please ask questions there)

Editors note: as a quick aside, Lauren wrote this before the economy of this country imploded and wanted to make it clear, that asking for monetary help at this time of economic strife causes her even further reservations, but again, she is desperate for help and in my opinion, fully deserving of it.