Supporters of convicted arsonist Jeff Luers are planning an international day of action in solidarity with the extremist who is currently serving a 22 year jail sentence. Luers was convicted for his role in a June 2001 arson at an automobile dealership and May 2000 incident in which he tried to set fire to a gasoline tanker.
According to the release being circulated about the June 12 day of action (emphasis added),
International Day of Action & Solidarity with Jeff ‘Free’ Luers June 12, 2004
June marks the fourth year that our friend and comrade, Jeff “Free” Luers has been imprisoned and held captive by the state. Sentenced to 22 years and 8 months for burning three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at Romania Chevrolet in Eugene, Jeff has continued to be active in prison and fight back with his words and inspiration. This June 12, we aim to strengthen his efforts by promoting a day of action and solidarity with Jeff throughout the world.
This day will mean many things to many people – we say do what fits your local situation and your desires. Some ideas are film screenings, protests at SUV dealerships, wheat-pasting campaigns, letter writing and outreach, music shows and direct actions. The important thing is that you ask yourself: will this action help Jeff’s situation? Remember that what we do on the outside has an impact on his life on the inside-sometimes its positive and sometimes negative. Consider this crucial bit of information when planning your event.
There is no central organizing body or group to check in with but the J12 Organizing Committees can help by providing you with flyers, graphics, and merchandise such as videos, zines and stickers about Jeff’s case. It is imperative that you be able to speak about Jeff’s case if you do a public event. Take some time and read about it on our website www.freefreenow.org
Jeff’s imprisonment and sentence is without a doubt, intolerable but keep in mind that his sentence is yours as well. It is meant as a deterrent to social and environmental movements all over. Let us not forget that when you fight with Free for his freedom – you fight for yourselves and your freedom.
There will be events in many US cities and potentially in countries as diverse as England, Australia, Finland, Brazil, Russia and more. There is already a large public outreach event planned for Eugene, which will involve speakers, music and more. If you choose to hold a public event, email us and we can include the event on the website as well as include your information in outreach materials. After the day, you can send us write-ups, photos and updates and that too can be posted online. Many people have emailed us about a desire to do more for Jeff -this is the perfect time to show your solidarity.
As has been pointed out before, rather than accept a plea deal, Luers decided to go to trial and was convicted on 11 of 13 counts. Based on those convictions, the judge in the case had no choice but to sentence Luers to 22 years and 8 months under an Oregon mandatory minimums statute for arson. This was not an attempt to send Luers or activists any message — in fact, Luers’ co-conspirator Craig Marshall received just a 5 1/2 year sentence as a result of a plea agreement.
Source:
Day of Action for Jeff Luers – June 12. Infoshop, April 23, 2004.