Adam Carpinelli will interview Daniel McGowan. Daniel is an environmental and social justice activist from Queens, NY. He was charged in 2005 with 15 counts of arson, property destruction and conspiracy, all related to two actions in Oregon in 2000, claimed by the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). Daniel was facing a minimum of life in prison if convicted when he accepted a non-cooperation plea agreement. He received a 7 year sentence and did most of it in two Communications Management Units. His arrest was part of what the US government dubbed Operation Backfire; a coordinated, multi-state sweep of over 15 activists by the federal government who charged the individuals with practically every earth and animal liberation action in the Pacific Northwest left unsolved. Many have considered this round up indicative of the government’s ‘Green Scare’ focus which had activists being arrested and threatened with life in prison. Many of the charges, including Daniel’s, were for crimes whose statute of limitations were about to expire. Daniel was released from prison in December 2012 and was on probation for three years until June 2016. He has worked with NYC Anarchist Black Cross, the Civil Liberties Defense Center and the National Lawyer Guild's Parole Preparation Project and PP Committees. Daniel is on the Certain Days: Freedom for political prisoners calendar collective.
For more information:
- KBOO