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May 3, 17

FBI is Harassing an Activist’s Friends and Family in Asheville, NC

In early April, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents began contacting friends, acquaintances, and the family of an activist and Earth First!er in Asheville, North Carolina.

Beginning on April 4, the agents—specifically an agent named Miriam Oviedo-Clark—started contacting people in the activist’s personal life. When those being questioned asked what the questions were about, the FBI agent vaguely responded that it was about an investigation and encouraged them to pressure the activist to contact the FBI. Upon hearing this, the activist contacted their lawyer, informed people close to them about what was happening and that they should never talk to the police or federal agents. The FBI then started harassing the activist’s family, calling their parents’ home persistently to try and get information out of them. The activist’s lawyer then called the FBI and told them that the activist is not going to
cooperate and is going to remain silent.

The activist being targeted has refused to speak with law enforcement throughout this process, and will continue to do so.

Remember, if an FBI agent contacts you, you do not have to speak to them—and you never should. They are trained to lie to you, and to try to trick you, and any information you give them, no matter how seemingly innocent, could cause serious harm to you, your friends, your comrades, and any movement of resistance of which you are a part. If an agent knocks, do not answer the door, as them to leave their card at the door and to leave, then contact an attorney immediately.

Look at these resources for more information on what to do if an agent contacts you or people you know:

“If An Agent Knocks” booklet by the Center for Constitutional Rights

“Know Your Rights for Activists” article and video by the Civil Liberties Defense Center

If you have questions or information about FBI harassing or contacting activists in North Carolina or in your area, contact the Earth First! Journal at collective [at] earthfirstjournal.org

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The Earth First! Journal is the voice of the radical environmental movement. Published quarterly, it contains reports on direct action; articles on the preservation of wilderness and biological diversity; news and announcements about EF! and other radical environmental groups; investigative articles; critiques of the entire environmental movement; book and music reviews; essays exploring ecological theory and a sometimes-lively letters to the editor section. The Earth First! Journal is an essential forum for discussion within the Earth First! movement. It is meant to be bold, controversial, amusing and diverse in content and style. You won’t find hard-hitting news like this anywhere else.

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