Voice of the Voiceless

Police to media: A.L.F. tactics shut down Astoria, Oregon mink farm

When activists set fire to equipment and a barn at the Ylipelto Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon tuesday, police say the farm had been closed for over six months. And the farm didn’t go the way of a graceful retirement, police say - two previous mink liberations forced the farm to shut down.

The following quote from Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin is among the best endorsements of direct action ever offered. Referring to the Ylipelto Fur Farm’s closure:

“They had all kinds of incidents out there,” Bergin said. “They got rid of all their minks because they had been released twice. There’s been all kinds of crazy stuff. They are an older couple. They said, ‘We’re tired, we’re done.’”

The Ylipelto Mink Farm has been the site of two mink liberations in recent years. The first occurred in October 2008, where 1,500 mink were released.  The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released. The farm closed in December, 2009, two months after the second raid.

In the past, mink farms have made statements to the media claiming to be closed (presumably to escape being targeted by activists), only later to be found to have lied. Only an independent on-site investigation of the farm will confirm its closure, but if closed, the twice-targeted Ylipelto Fur Farm showcases the power of militant intervention in animal exploitation.

The Ylipelto Fur Farm is another victory in the Animal Liberation Front(and other anonymous groups)’s clandestine war to save animals from exploitation where legal means have failed. We must give gratitude to the heroes who brought this sick business to its end.

- Peter Young

Walter Bond pleads “not guilty”, judge orders him held without bail until trial

In a court appearance today in Colorado, Walter Edmund Bond, the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, pleaded “not guilty” to charges he burned down a Sheepskin Factory store in April. The fire did $500,000 in damages to the uninsured building and its contents.

The judge also ordered Bond held without bail until trial.

Bond is also a suspect in two other Animal Liberation Front arsons: the Tandy Leather Factory arson in Salt Lake City ($20,000 damages), and foie gras restaurant Tiburon in Sandy, Utah ($10,000 damages).

The average federal case takes 14 months to run its course. It is expected Bond will be held for the duration of his case. Please send letters of support to Walter Bond in jail:

Walter Edmund Bond
PO Box 16700
Golden, CO 80402-6700

- Peter Young

Received anonymously by above-ground activists in the U.S.: A communique taking credit for an arson at the Ylipelto Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon (read the full story of this action in this morning’s post here.)

The full communique is as follows:

“We delivered eight incendiary devices to the lovely folks at Ylipelto’s Fur Farm, at 92659 Simonsen Loop Road in Astoria on the morning of July 27th. It is nice to see that the enslavement, torture, and death of thousands of innocent creatures affords certain people luxuries like boats, nice cars, and various (expensive, no doubt) “farm machinery, and we were more than happy to alleviate them of these. A careful attack sent structures up in flame both in the front and rear of the property, simultaneously. We hope that this can leave an impression on our friends, Veikko & Eeva, that making such a living off of the subjugation of sentient creatures (for something as selfish and disgusting as the fashion industry, no less) will not be tolerated. We hope that others ike them will also consider where their priorities lie (the nearby Wilkinson & Stunkard farms, to name a couple), and decide whether or not they’d like to be next. –Don’t think that you’ve be given a choice; your actions serve as your voice. “

Fire and explosions tear through the twice-raided Ylipelto Mink Farm in Oregon

After two successful raids, activists may have once again visited the Ylipelto Mink Farm in Oregon - this time to burn it down.

In the early hours of July 27th, a boat, car, two forklifts, front-end loader, and a barn were all damaged by fire. investigators have not yet ruled it arson, but have noted the farm has been targeted by the Animal Liberation Front in the past.

Owner Henry Pelto stated he awoke at 3 am to the sound of explosions, and found several pieces of equipment on fire.

The owner revealed new information after the fire: after being targeted twice by activists, the Ylipelto farm shut down in December 2009. While the there may be numerous contributing factors in the closure, it may be largely or wholly credited to the A.L.F.

This marks the second Oregon fur farm to apparently shut down after an A.L.F. raid. The S&N Fur Farm in Scio, Oregon was found to be empty in a summer 2009 investigation as part of the Fur Farm Intelligence Project (although there is conflicting evidence indicating the farm may still be open, or reopening in the near future). That farm was raided by the A.L.F. in September, 2008.

News of the Ylipelto farm’s closure sheds doubt on police claims the fire may be the work of activists. Because a closed farm is an unlikely A.L.F. target, an insurance fraud motive should be suspected by investigators. Whoever is behind the fire, it would appear unlikely activists would target a closed mink farm, unless there was strong reason to believe the farm would reopen again in the future.

Watch TV news coverage of the fire here:

The Ylipelto Mink Farm has been the site of two mink liberations in recent years. The first occurred in October 2008, where 1,500 mink were released. The raid was claimed by the “Vegan Straight Edge”.

The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released. At 1:23 AM that morning, a farmer reported to police that someone was “releasing her mink”, indicating the liberators were spotted in the act, but escaped un-arrerested. No group took credit for the raid.

Astoria is the largest mink farming town in Oregon, home to five known mink farms (and another possible farm that is unconfirmed).

No claim of responsibility has yet been made for the fire, and investigators have not yet ruled it arson.

The A.L.F. continues to strike major blows to the Oregon fur industry, which has already seen seven fur farm raids - and now, possibly its third A.L.F. arson.

- Peter Young

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

After five days of his whereabouts being unknown, we have learned Walter Bond, the alleged A.L.F. “Lone Wolf”, is being held at a county jail in Golden, Colorado. Please write him a letter of support during this trying time.

Walter Edmund Bond
PO Box 16700
Golden, CO 80402-6700

Please remember all mail is opened and read. Mail restrictions posted below.

Mail rules (reposted from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Personal Incoming Mail
All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband and incoming funds.  There are no restrictions on the number of letters you may receive, but there are size and content restrictions.  Letter and legal size envelopes are acceptable.

Outgoing or incoming mail may be rejected and returned to sender if there is reason to believe that it may contain inappropriate materials, including but not limited to:

• Plans for the introduction of contraband.
• Plans for criminal activity.
• Threats of extortion.
• Instruction for the manufacture of weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, explosives or alcohol beverages.
• Plans for escape or unauthorized entry.
• Codes not understood by the scanner, to include gang graffiti or “tagging”.
• Plans for activities in violation of facility rules.
• Information, which if communicated, would create serious danger of violence and/or harm to any person.
• Mail which contains potentially infectious and/or offensive materials (body fluids, etc.).
• Sexually explicit photographs.
• Material which promotes racial conflict or discrimination.
• Materials which may disrupt the operation and/or safety and security of the facility.
• Illegal gang materials.
• Items not authorized for retention, ie., stickers, stamps, envelopes, blank paper, laminated plastic, newspaper/magazine clippings, musical cards, cards larger than 8″ x 11″, or Polaroid pictures.
• An excess of three pictures, or pictures larger than 4″ x 6″.
• Money orders sent, other than the allowable U.S. Postal or International Postal money orders.
• Any book or magazine.

The detention facility is not responsible for delays or errors on the part of the U.S. Postal Service in the daily delivery of mail.  If any item is denied it is returned to sender and the inmate is informed in writing.

Acceptable Property to Receive by Mail

• Photographs may be received in personal correspondence or package. No Polaroids.  Only 3 photos at a time.
• Incoming funds that are mailed to the facility for you must be in the form of U. S. Postal and International Postal money orders or certified funds made payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (J.C.S.O.).  No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted.
• The jail will no longer accept books or magazines by mail.

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

Media coverage of the A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” arrest

The arrest of the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” Walter Bond has generated nationwide media coverage which has forced the issue of animal suffering into the minds of millions. Countless online and print articles have brought the overlooked issue of cow skin products into the conscious of the general public, in addition to the general issue of animal oppression. Excerpts from the Lone Wolf communiques have also brought the issue of animal suffering to a mainstream audience.

The first TV news segment focuses on Bond’s “folk hero” status after being the subject of a song by the vegan straight edge band Earth Crisis. The band’s song “To Ashes” was inspired by Bond’s 1998 prison sentence for arson. Bond was convicted of burning down a meth lab owned by a drug dealer who was selling to his brother. Earth Crisis wrote a song celebrating this brand of militant anti-drug action.

View the CBS Denver affiliate coverage, titled “Sheepskin Fire Suspect Has Vegan Militant Ties“.

View here.

The next story features a reporter in front of the burned down Sheepskin Factory, and interview clips with the owner and police:

And the Earth Crisis video inspired by Walter Bond’s 1998 arson arson conviction:

News on the ever-evolving Walter Bond story will be posted as it is available.

- Peter Young

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

Informant used in arrest of Walter Bond for “A.L.F. Lone Wolf” arsons

News is emerging, but the FBI has arrested a man in connection with the A.L.F. arson at Sheepskin Factory in Denver, Colorado. Walter Bond, 34, was arrested by federal agents Thursday.

The FBI alleges Bond admitted to an informant to setting two additional fires - one at Tandy Leather Factory, the other at Tiburon (foie gras restaurant), both in Utah. In anonymous communiques, “A.L.F. Lone Wolf” took credit.

The criminal complaint outlines the case against Walter Bond, and alleges the following:

*On July 1st, investigators received a call from a confidential informant wishing to provide information on the Sheepskin Factory and Tandy Leather Factory arsons. The informant stated Bond had told him/her in a telephone call from the Salt Lake City library to refer to Voice of the Voiceless and scroll down to an article on the Sheepskin Factory arson to learn what he’d “been up to”.

*On July 22nd, the confidential informant arranged a monitored conversation with Walter Bond in a Ramada Inn in Denver, Colorado. Investigators allege Bond was heard admitting to three arsons: Sheepskin Factory, Leather Factory, and Tiburon. Bond was arrested subsequent to the conversation.

The arrest follows three months of A.L.F. activity in which three businesses (in UT and CO) were targeted by arson. “A.L.F. Lone Wolf” took credit for all three arsons in two communiques. Coverage of the arsons can be read at:

Sheepskin Factory arson story

Tandy Leather Factory arson story

Tiburon restaurant arson story

To date, Bond is charged only with the Sheepskin Factory arson. The crime carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in federal prison. Additional charges for the two Utah arsons are possible.

The suspect also served prison time in 1997 for an arson at a meth lab in Iowa. Bond received notoriety when the vegan straight edge band Earth Crisis wrote a song about Bond and the arson titled “To Ashes” for their 2009 album “To The Death”.

The criminal complaint makes note of the term “Go Vegan” used in one of the Long Wolf communiques, and Bond’s “Vegan” neck tattoo (see below).

The timeline of events leading to Walter Bond’s arrest, as outlined in the criminal complaint, are as follows:

April 30th, 2010

Fire destroys Sheepskin Factory store in Denver, Colorado. The uninsured building is destroyed, causing $500,000 damages.

Investigators review security camera footage showing an individual wearing a hooded sweatshirt and backpack near the building around the time of the fire.

June 5th, 2010

The Tandy Leather Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah is broken into and a fire is set causing extensive damage.

July 1st, 2010

The FBI receives a call from a confidential informant, stating Walter Bond had admitted to him/her he was responsible for two fires: the Sheepskin Factory arson, and a second fire at Tandy Leather Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. The informant stated he/she believed Bond contacted him/her from a payphone at the Salt Lake City Library. When asked what he had been up to lately, Bond reportedly told the informant to visit www.voiceofthevoiceless.org, and that that’s what he’d “been up to”.

July 3rd, 2010

Tiburon, a restaurant serving foie gras in Sandy, Utah, is set on fire. Damages estimated at $10,000.

July 22nd, 2010

The informant arranges a meeting with Walter Bond at a Ramada Inn in Denver, Colorado. The meeting is recorded and monitored by the ATF. Agents state they hear Bond admit to setting the fires at Sheepskin Factory, Leather Factory, and Tiburon. Bond reportedly stated it angered him the business made a profit from animals. Agents also report he stated he intended to burn Sheepskin Factory down again “in a couple of years”.

Subsequent to the monitored conversation, agents arrest Walter Bond. On his person they allegedly find a copy of “Declaration of War - Killing People to Save Animals and the Environment“.

Bond remains held in a Denver jail.

More news on the arrest will be made available as it emerges.

-Peter Young

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

From Dusk ’til Dawn: A.L.F. / animal liberation movement history book out now

I’m happy to announce the release of the revised U.S. printing of Keith Mann’s 722 page history of the animal liberation movement.

After last year’s limited U.S. pressing, I have done a layout revision  and full printing of Keith Mann’s instant animal liberation classic. Previously available only as an import for nearly $50, From Dusk ’til Dawn is now available in the U.S. at a reasonable price for the first time.

Order From Dusk ’til Dawn.

Written by former Animal Liberation Front organizer Keith Mann, From Dusk ’til Dawn is a detailed account of the advance of the radical Animal Liberation Movement, from the English hunt saboteurs of the 1960’s, to the Animal Liberation Front of the 1970’s and 80’s, to the focused direct action campaigns of the 1990’s. Daring stories of masked liberators spiriting animals from labs in the middle of the night, militant vegans firebombing egg farm trucks, and the dramatic government response.

Fifteen years in the making, From Dusk ’til Dawn was born during Keith Mann’s lengthy prison sentence for Animal Liberation Front actions. His escape from custody in 1994 nearly scuppered the project but his determination to document the growth of the animal liberation movement ensured its completion. From Dusk ’til Dawn is a must-read for anyone wishing to understand why people break the law and give their lives to rescue animals from exploitation.

Order From Dusk ’til Dawn

722 pages

9 x 6 inches

ISBN 978-0955585005

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

Judge throws out indictment in AETA 4 case, new indictment possible

In a ruling issued Monday, a federal judge tossed out the Animal Enterprise Terrorism indictment against four activists. While a victory, this may not be the end for the defendants known as the “AETA 4″.

The dismissal of charges comes after a defense motion to dismiss, citing an unjustly vague indictment which didn’t specify what illegal conduct the four were accused of.  On Monday a judge agreed, and threw out the indictment.

Below is an excerpt from the judge’s ruling (from Green is the New Red):

In order for an indictment to fulfill its constitutional purposes, it must allege facts that sufficiently inform each defendant of what it is that he or she is alleged to have done that constitutes a crime. This is particularly important where the species of behavior in question spans a wide spectrum from criminal conduct to constitutionally protected political protest. While “true threats” enjoy no First Amendment protection, picketing and political protest are at the very core of what is protected by the First Amendment. Where the defendants’ conduct falls on this spectrum in this case will very likely ultimately be decided by a jury. Before this case proceeds to a jury, however, the defendants are entitled to a more specific indictment setting forth their conduct alleged to be criminal.

Yet defense attorneys believe the government will issue a new indictment, and the prosecution will continue to trial. Because the indictment was dismissed “without prejudice”, the option for the prosecution to refile remains open.

Joseph Buddenberg, Maryam Khajavi, Nathan Pope and Adriana Stumpo were arrested in February 2009 and charged with Animal Enterprise Terrorism. The indictment only alleged their participation in home demonstrations and the publishing of fliers with addresses of animal researchers.

The case, if charges are refiled, stands to potentially change the landscape of above-ground activism in the United States, making previously protected speech activity prosecutable as “terrorism”.

Read the judge’s ruling here.

- Peter Young

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.

A.L.F. Lonewolf strikes again: A Utah foie gras restaurant is set on fire, temporarily closes.

Overnight, Channel 4 news in Salt Lake City received a communique from “Lonewolf”, taking credit for an arson at Tiburon, a foie gras restaurant. The fire reportedly did $10,000 in damages, and temporarily closed the restaurant.

This is the second “Lonewolf” communique in recent weeks. The first took credit for two arsons: one at a Sheepskin Factory store in Denver, and the second a Leather Factory store in Salt Lake City.

The fire was first reported on by the Salt Lake Tribune on July 3rd. The coverage made no mention of a possible animal liberation motive.

Two and a half years ago another foie gras restaurant was targeted in Salt Lake City. A restaurant called The Metropolitan took foie gras off their menu as a result. The restaurant was quoted as saying they stopped serving foie gras after anonymous activists smashed their windows and turned off the gas main. The action cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

With these recent “Lonewolf” actions, and other communiques over the last 18 months, we see the A.L.F. abandoning the group model and working in a way that is both streamlined and minimizes risk: as individuals, working alone.

- Peter Young

Contact: info@voiceofthevoiceless.org or email VOV here.
Become vegan: Learn why a vegan diet is essential for the animals and this planet. Watch Meet Your Meat.
Twitter: Follow animal liberation movement updates on Twitter.
Email signup: Animal liberation news weekly updates. Subscribe to the Voice of the Voiceless email list.
Animal Liberation Front literature: A.L.F. Diary of Actions book, exclusive U.S. printing of Keith Mann's From Dusk 'Til Dawn, A.L.F. Communique Collection, and more at the Voice of the Voiceless bookstore.
Vegan hip hop benefit: 12 artist vegan hip hop comp CD to raise money for animal liberation prisoners.