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We are happy to report that despite a mind numbing amount of red tape and drama from the probation dept. and the associated electronic tether, Marie was released from jail Tuesday. She is under house arrest at a relative’s house and only able to go outside with permission 2 hours a week. She also needs special permission to see her lawyer because his office falls outside the western district. There is a tentative trial-date set for May 27, 2008, but we have been informed by her attorney that this date will almost certainly be pushed back as there has not been adequate time to prepare the case.
Marie is under strict rules from the court as to who she can be in contact with. Because of this we are encouraging anyone who wishes to be in contact with her EMAIL your contact info to freemarie@riseup.net and we will pass it along. Please DO NOT attempt to contact Marie directly without first ensuring it is ok to do so.
In a recent phone call she wanted to express gratitude for all the letters of support and offers of help saying “Please let everyone know how much I love them and how thankful I am for all the support. When I was locked up I was basically cut off from the world and had no idea what was going on outside. The letters were especially helpful shining light during those dark times.”
We are grateful to all who have donated to Marie’s legal defense fund. If you haven’t already we would like to encourage you to support Marie. We are also happy to announce that the magazine Fifth Estate is matching donations dollar for dollar up to $1000. In order for Fifth Estate to match your donation, it must be sent through their mailing address. Please send cash, check, or money order made out to the Fifth Estate at POB 201016, Ferndale MI 48220. This matching offer is only good through April 15. Please give generously, we need your help.
Also, the General Defense Committee of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) has issued a $10 assessment stamp for members, the proceeds of which will go to Marie and the other non-cooperating defendants. Additionally, any individuals who choose to join the GDC in March, April, or May can choose to have their entire one-year membership fee ($25 donated to the support of Marie and the other non-cooperating defendants. We are encouraging individuals to join and specifically choose to have their membership fees donated to this support effort. You do not need to be a member of the IWW to join the GDC. For more information on the GDC and how to join, look to http://www.iww.org/en/projects/gdc
thank you all again for your support.
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
It has come to our attention that the F.B.I. are actively attempting to contact people involved in support work for these defendants. We would like to remind everyone that they are under no obligation whatsoever to speak with law enforcement under any circumstances without an attorney present. Additionally, if you do choose to speak to law enforcement, and are found later to have been untruthful in any way, this constitutes basis for criminal prosecution.
The National Lawyers Guild has established a hotline, 888-NLG-ECOL, for individuals arrested, subpoenaed or questioned for offenses related to environmental or animal activism. We encourage people to call the NLG hotline if you are contacted by law enforcement and would like to consult with an attorney on these
matters.
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
Marie’s arraignment was today. She was granted release on a $75,000 unsecured bond pending pre-trial services setting up an electronic tether. She is restricted to the Western District of Michigan and may have no contact with anyone whom, to her knowledge, is or ever was involved in criminal activity related to environmental causes. She will also face other travel restrictions. We realize this requires some explanation.
As to the “unsecured bond”, this means that no money is required up front but that Marie agrees to appear in court or else face the penalty of paying $75,000. The electronic tether is as yet unclear. The full
implications of the other travel restrictions are as yet unclear other than the fact that she will need approval of pre-trial services to travel anywhere outside of the Western District of Michigan. Right now Marie is being held until the electronic tether is established and then she will be released. She has a place to stay in Western Michigan already.
We understand and appreciate that there are a lot of folks out there who care about Marie and wish to be in touch with her. Nevertheless, we all must be considerate and careful to act in Marie’s best interest. Due to the restrictions of the bond, we are asking that no one attempt to contact Marie directly. If you wish to be in contact with Marie, please E-MAIL us and give us your contact information and we will pass it along.
We would also like to address another issue that has been of some importance lately. We (Got Your Back) deal with a huge number of e-mails and phone calls on a daily basis. The release of our phone numbers to certain individuals was done on basis of necessity. If we have given you our phone contacts, please do not release them to anyone without consulting us. If you wish to be in contact with us or to ask a general question, please email us.
We have received many emails requesting information related to Frank Ambrose. We have not been in contact with Frank since his indictment, and we do not support him in any way. We will continue to release all relevant information as it becomes available.
In the Struggle,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
We have just been made aware that Frank Ambrose, one of Marie Mason’s co-indictees has plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Arson. Page 10 point 7 of Franks plea agreement states in part that “The defendant agrees to fully cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the signatory US attorneys offices in their investigation of the charges contained in the indictment as well as the investigation of crimes for which they have actual or apparent jurisdiction.”
The complete plea agreement is here. We will continue to release any and all confirmed relevant information as it becomes available.
Love and Rage,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
#mce_temp_url#We were able to see Marie on Sunday, March 16 for the first time since her arrest. We use the word ‘see’ loosely as her two 20 minute visits per week at Butler County Jail are conducted via video conferencing. This means that three of us packed into a small metal cubicle around a 12″ monitor with a small camera and telephone. Only the top portion of Marie’s face was actually visible and only the person with the telephone is able to speak with her, further adding to the impersonality and segregation. This style of “visitation” is another tactic of the state to isolate, alienate, and degrade prisoners and their loved ones on the outside.
Marie is still not being given an adequate vegan diet. Up to this point, jail officials have been at least outwardly approachable about our concerns. Jail officials have been returning phone calls in regards to Marie’s need for a vegan diet seeking details. We want to reaffirm that Marie is subsisting almost entirely on oatmeal, an unhealthful situation that will only be exacerbated by the passing of time. Therefore, we are
repeating our request that people call the jail and politely express their concern for Marie’s health and their conviction that she should receive a vegan diet. Listed below are the relevant numbers at the Butler County Jail. Please note that we are now asking for calls to be made to the Medical Department of the jail.
Medical Department
513-785-1127
Warden’s Office
513-785-1015
Sergeant’s Office
513-785-1104
Administration
513-785-1000
On a more inspiring note, the General Defense Committee of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) has issued a $10 assessment stamp for members, the proceeds of which will go to Marie and the other indictees. Additionally, any individuals who choose to join the GDC in March, April, or May can choose to have their entire one-year membership fee ($25) donated to the support of Marie and the other indictees. We are encouraging individuals to join and specifically choose to have their membership fees donated to this support effort. You do not need to be a member of the IWW to join the GDC. For more information on the GDC and how to join, look here.
We want to encourage everyone to keep us updated on any events being planned in support of Marie so that we can help to get the word out. Marie sends her love to all who have contributed in any way to her wellbeing in these troubling times. To send funds in the form of a check or money order made out to “Books for Prisoners”. Please put in the notes section Marie and/or include a letter detailing that the enclosed funds are for Marie Masons defense.
It’s all About the Struggle,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
We have just confirmed that Marie has been transferred to Newaygo County Jail in White Cloud, Michigan.
At this time we are requesting that everyone cease contacting the Butler County Jail as she is no longer being held there. If you have written Marie in the last few days your letter will likely be returned. Below you will find instructions on how to write Marie at the Newaygo County Jail. We have also confirmed that she will be appearing at the U.S. District Courthouse for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids, MI at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2008.
Address any letters to Marie as follows:
Marie Mason
Newaygo County Jail
P.O. Box 845
White Cloud, MI 49349
Please see our previous posts on this site for general jail correspondence guidelines.
It is especially urgent now as this situation heats up that anyone who is able donate all they can towards Marie’s legal defense. These proceedings will go forward on a timeline dictated by the state, not us. Therefore, it is paramount that we are able to secure legal representation NOW.
Send funds in the form of a check or money order made out to “Books for Prisoners”. Please put in the notes section “Marie” and/or include a letter detailing that the enclosed funds are for Marie Mason’s defense.
In The Struggle,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
With all thats been going on its hard to comprehend its only been 5 days since our friend Marie was kidnapped from us. Over the past few days we have have received an avalanche of emails, phone calls, and even a few visits seeking details on Marie and her case. In order to better utilize our energy and support efforts for Marie we will continue to release updates and information through public statements that will be
disseminated through the freemarie@lists.riseup.net. We encourage folks to contact us with their own support ideas, projects, and offers to help but due tho the sheer volume will likely be unable to answer each individual question put to us.
Got Your Back, the loosely based collective formed to support Marie. We all agree on one thing we want Marie home and back into our community yesterday. She is our friend and we got her back. That being said it is important to note that we do not claim to speak for Marie in any shape, way, or form.
We do not want to imply in anyway that the other known four are somehow undeserving of support. Preliminary reports suggest they are all standing strong and we hope to make contact with them soon. We also hope to see others help fill the void of support for Frank, Aren, and Stephanie. Strong support now will help them better face any coming stress and hardships. Its important that we do not allow the state to isolate our brothers and sisters. If you are organizing such support please let us know we would love to share resources, combine and coordinate our efforts. If we have ANY confirmed information about anyone in this case we will make that public without delay. At this time we have no such relevant information.
Understand that we have to be very mindful of what we say. Regardless of their accuracy or relevance prosecutors have used statements made by supporters against activists in bail hearings, during trials, and at sentencing. To get a reminder of the lengths to which the state will go, recall that the Federal prosecutor using song lyrics from a CD insert against Sadie and Exile during the west coast Green Scare trials. In the face of another round of government repression let us not practice in the politics of shadiness. We cannot emphasize the point enough that we want to encourage people to avoid any speculation, rumors or hearsay. The FBI has already attempted to spread disinformation amongst supporters when they contacted a Cincy local claiming to be passing on information on Marie’s behalf. We understand people have questions. Believe me we have questions too, but the best thing everyone can do for Marie right now is channel your energy into the various support efforts and projects. If you have not written Marie yet please take the time to do so, and if you have, please write her again. In a recent phone call Marie wanted to express thanks for the outpouring of support and wanted to let everyone know that she loves you all.
Love and Rage,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
We were able to speak with Marie briefly (her phone calls are limited to 15 minutes a couple of times a day). Despite all thats happening she remains in good spirits and is thankful for the love and support from
everyone.
Marie is presently being held in the Butler county jail awaiting transfer to Michigan. Marie is a vegan and is not being provided with access to a sufficient healthy vegan diet. In a recent phone call Marie described that
she was eating what she could and mentioned she was surviving on little more than oatmeal. This is unacceptable. It is the jail’s responsibility to provide Marie with a healthy balanced diet. We are asking supporters to call the Butler County Jail and explain Marie has strong ethical convictions against the consumption of animal products and politely request Marie be given access to a proper vegan diet. Listed below are the various phone numbers to contact Butler County Jail.
Attached is a flier folks can download and get the word out about Marie’s current situation. Please distribute far and wide.
Warden’s Office
513-785-1015
Sergeant’s Office
513-785-1104
Administration
513-785-1000
Love and Rage,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
Here is the actual indictment of the 4 known Michigan Greenscare Defendants.
At this time there’s a lot we don’t know. Please understand speculation, rumors, and hearsay help no one. We will be forthcoming with confirmed information on the current situation as it becomes available.
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
First we want to thank everyone who has expressed interest in supporting recently arrested Eco defense organizer Marie Mason. Below you will find the an overview of what we know as well as the latest updates about Marie’s case and current situation and ways you can help support Marie. A listserv has been established to keep supporters updated. To subscribe send an email to:
freemarie-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
Send Marie your letters of support!
MARIE MASON #134001
Butler County Sheriff’s Office & Correctional Complex
705 Hanover Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
If you send Marie a letter and it gets returned to you, please let us know about it so we can add any other restrictions to the guideline list. When writing please use your common sense; don’t write about anything that is likely to get a prisoner in trouble in any way. Avoid discussing any details of her case and/or any potential charges against her.
Please do NOT send in any books/zines to Marie yet. We are in the process of getting a system going for her to receive books. If you would like her to receive books we would prefer you donate money. We will be releasing a list of books Marie would like in the very near future.
When writing Marie, Do NOT ever write “legal mail” or anything implying that you are an attorney unless you are.
Complete jail mail rules can be found here
UPDATE
We were able to briefly speak with Marie Monday night (3/10/0 
and that is when we found out she was in the Butler County Jail and was promptly placed on suicide watch on arrival. We were able to assure her that her daughter was safe (her 16 year daughter was at Marie’s home when the FBI, Homeland Security, and local Police served a search warrant and detained her for over an hour), that her pets were being looked after and several other personal affairs would be attended to.
Several of us drove to the Butler County jail the next day (3/10/0 with the intention of putting money in Marie’s commissary account. Apparently prisoners with the first letter of their last name k-z can only get visitors Thursdays and Sundays. To make things more difficult the prisoner must add visitors names
to a pre-approval list prior to the visit and prisoners are only able to update their visitors list once every 30 days. We quickly wrote Marie a letter detailing all this and that we had deposited funds into her commissary account as well as a list of friends #s she can call collect at any time and dropped it off at the post office a few blocks from the jail in hopes she would get the letter before visiting day.
We got a call from Marie’s Mother (3/12/0 today who had received a collect call from Marie. Marie told her that she needed funds to obtain vegan food as well socks and basic toiletries in prison. She asked her mother to contact us to and request we put money in her jail commissary account. This news was frustrating to us as we had already driven up to the Butler County Jail and deposited ample money in her account and was told she would be given a receipt of its deposit detailing her current balance and she would have access to it by 3pm of the day of deposit. Since we have not heard from her since Monday we assume she has not gotten our letter with all the contacts yet and that as of 2pm today had not been given access to the funds we placed in her commissary account. The last thing we want is Marie to feel alone during all this. We will be driving up to the Butler County jail tomorrow in hopes of seeing her and at
the least depositing more money into her commissary account. We will keep everyone posted.
How you can help
1. We are currently collecting funds for Marie’s legal defense. One lawyer told us it will likely cost between $20,000 – $60,000 to represent a case like this. Its important we begin our fund raising immediately. We are in the process of setting up a website (freemarie.org coming soon) where folks will be able to use PayPal to donate direct but until then ask folks to send funds in the form of a check or money order made out to “Books for Prisoners”. Please put in the notes section Marie and/or include a letter detailing that the enclosed funds are for Marie Masons defense.
We are grateful to have been contacted by an anonymous donor who will match dollar for dollar up to $1000 for Marie’s legal defense fund. This offer is good up until April 15.
2.We are looking for artists who are willing to donate their talent and time to the cause.
3. If you know of any activist attorneys in the Grand Rapids, MI area please pass along their contact info ASAP.
4.Write Marie! Mail will be a life line for her during these troubling times.
Its all about the Struggle,
Got Your Back
Friends of Marie Mason
P.O. Box 19065
Cincinnati, OH 45219
freemarie@riseup.net
