Bari v FBI - Environmental Leaders Stand Behind Legal Challenge to FBI Civil Rights Violat

Judi Bari v. FBI, May 1, 2002

Environmental Leaders Stand Behind Legal Challenge to FBI Civil Rights
Violations; Press Conference Thursday, 2 pm, Oakland Federal Courthouse

Wednesday’s Testimony Reveals Huge Gaps in FBI Paperwork

The Late Judi Bari May Testify by Video, Thursday

Contact: Jean Eisenhower, Kathy Glass, Steve Christianson 510-663-6330;
http://www.judibari.org for background and photos. Artist renderings from the
courtroom available.

OAKLAND, CA—Following the trial hearings on Thursday, a press conference
will be held in front of the Oakland Federal Courthouse (1301 Clay St.)
featuring members of the Judi Bari Solidarity Coalition:

· Medea Benjamin, Global Exchange
· Randy Hayes, Rainforest Action Network
· Gar Smith, Earth Island Institute
· Juliette Majot, International Rivers Network

The speakers will voice support for the plaintiffs in the current lawsuit
and discuss the larger implications for civil rights in America. After the
FBI and Oakland Police Dept. accused Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney of
knowingly transporting the bomb that nearly killed them in 1990, there was
an outpouring of support from many national environmental, social justice,
and progressive groups, as well as elected officials as they all stood in
solidarity with Earth First!. Today their message carries even more
relevance and urgency as political groups are branded as terrorists when
carrying out constitutionally protected activities. The speakers will
underscore a broad commitment to non-violence and the building of alliances
with a wide spectrum of those seeking social and political change.

In addition to the speakers, written statements of support will be provided
from Bonnie Raitt, Holly Near, Jello Biafra, and many other public figures.

In Wednesday’s testimony, William Simpich, plaintiffs’ consulting attorney
who filed the original lawsuit, testified regarding items not found in
approximately 15,000 pages of FBI files on the investigation. Although the
following subjects have constituted much of the defendants’ case, there is
no paperwork in FBI files to indicate the following: report of the FBI/OPD
briefing the night of the bombing; communication of the “heavy hitters” tip
that a bomb was coming to Santa Cruz; the questioning of the Seeds of Peace
members; analysis of fake, discrediting documents attributed to Earth
First; DNA testing that had been requested by the FBI on 5/31/90;
comparison of typewriter samples collected; comparison of fingerprints;
analysis of “elimination” fingerprints; follow-up on anti-abortionist
leads, other than Bill Staley; communication with the manufacturer of the
paper identified in the watermark on the “Lord’s Avenger” letter which took
credit for the bombing; communication with makers of bomb parts such as
Duracell and Westclox; analysis of chemicals in the explosive material to
identify manufacturer; calls to attorney Susan Jordan to arrange
appointments of key witnesses; that bags of nails claimed to incriminate
Bari and the exonerating undamaged rear car seat were sent to the
laboratory; any analysis of original death threats provided by Bari’s
attorney Susan Jordan. The FBI also had no explanation for the renumbering
of files to give the impression that nothing was missing.

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