Colleagues:
PLEASE FLOOD THE PHONE LINES IN TEXAS TO HELP SOME FRIENDS OF MINE IN
BIG TROUBLE for just trying to SAVE THE PLANET. Numbers are below. I
will try to get the fax numbers for the Sheriff in Texas as well, and post
them tomorrow, in the meanwhile you can call their directly.
Thanks,
Michael Dorsey
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 20:36:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Kretzmann <steve@moles.org>
Subject: CLEAN ENERGY ACTIVISTS HELD BY OIL TOWN SYSTEM!!
WATCH THIS SPACE TOMORROW FOR UPDATES AND WHAT YOU CAN DO...
PROJECT UNDERGROUND RAINFOREST
ACTION NETWORK
Media Advisory - September 17, 1998
Press Contact - Mark Westlund: (713) 523-3777 #430
Steve Kretzmann, Shannon Wright: (281) 235-4339
PRESS CONFERENCE * PRESS CONFERENCE * PRESS CONFERENCE * PRESS CONFERENCE
BANNER-HANGING ACTIVISTS CURRENTLY HELD ON $1,000,000 BAIL:
DEFENSE TEAM TO ADDRESS MEDIA AT 11 AM TOMORROW.
WHAT: The defense team representing the five environmental activists
arrested Wednesday for hanging a banner off of a crane adjacent to the
meeting of the World Energy Council's Congress, will address media
subsequent to their criminal court hearing with justice Jan Krocker. The
five peaceful protesters currently are being held on on charges of felony
criminal mischief, with bail set at $1-million total. The banner read:
"Houston, We Have a Problem - No New Oil Exploraton!"
The defense team is Houston attorneys Terence O'Rourke, John Wells, David
Kiatta, Frank Svetlick and Rachel Capote. Steve Kretzmann of Project
Underground and Shannon Wright of Rainforest Action Network will also speak
at the press conference.
WHEN: 11AM, Friday September 18.
WHERE: In front of Harris County Courthouse, 301 San Jacinto Street, Houston.
__________________
ATTN NEWS MEDIA: Attorney Terence O'Rourke has authorized Harris County
Sheriff Tommy Thomas's office to grant media access to the defendants. The
Sheriff's main office is at 1301 Franklin Street; please call 713/755-6044
to arrange access.
ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT:
TERENCE I. O'ROURKE
Case Status Report: State of Texas v. John Sellers, Genevieve Raymond, Danny
Kennedy, Jon Callender, and Troy Jones. Criminal Numbers: 793022-793026
Five environmental activists hung a banner off a crane outside the World
Energy Council meeting yesterday in Houston. The unfurled banner read,
"Houston, We Have a Problem - Stop New Oil Exploration!"
They were arrested and charged under Texas law with a serious felony crime,
"Criminal Mischief". If convicted, the environmental activists could face
years in prison.
Outrageous and excessive bail was set.
The average bail for murder in Houston is $20,000; these nonviolent
environmental activists demonstrating to save the rainforests and global
habitat from oil drilling have had their bail set at $200,000 each!
Here in Houston, the "oil capital of the world" the district attorney is
overreacting to a free speech message which many people do not want to
hear..."Oil exploration and production is destroying the global habitat".
This morning I appeared before Judge Jan Krocker of the 184th Criminal
District Court where the charges are pending. She set my motion to reduce
bail for tomorrow Frida at 9:00 AM in her court.
I authorize Harris County Sherriff Tommy Thomas' office to grant access to
members of the news media for interviews.
####
_______________________________________________________
Steve Kretzmann 510-705-8982 - office
Oil Campaign Coordinator 510-705-8983 - fax
Project Underground
Supporting communities threatened by the mining and oil industries
1847 Berkeley Way http://www.moles.org
Berkeley, CA, 94703, USA
_______________________________________________________