SHAC 7 Defendants Sentenced This Week

Trenton, NJ—The SHAC 7, who were convicted in March of 2006 under
the contentious Federal Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992, labeled “domestic terrorists”,
and “allegedly operat[ed] a website that reported on protests against the
investors, stockholders, and customers” of Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), were
in court on September 12 and 13 for sentencing.

Throughout their trial, the defendants maintained their
actions constituted free speech and that their 1^st Amendment rights
had been violated by the US
government. Because of the convictions, the State now has legal precedence to go after any
activist or organization that is effective in their actions and speech for
social justice causes.

The seven defendants—SHAC USA Inc., Kevin Kjonaas, Lauren
Gazzola, Jake Conroy, Josh Harper, Andy Stepanian, and Darius Fulmer—4 of which
received sentences ranging from 3 to 6 years on the first and second days of
sentencing with the last two defendants to be sentenced next week, were greeted
to a packed courtroom of some 150 activists from around the country with another
50 or so waiting outside at the Trenton Federal Courthouse. Soon after her late
arrival, Federal District Court Judge Anne E. Thompson, the presiding judge
over this case for the last two years, began the proceedings.

SHAC USA Inc. was sentenced to 5 years of probation, full
disclosure of finances, ordered to pay an assessment of $2,400, and have its
computers monitored, among other demands.

Kjonaas was labeled the “leader” of the SHAC campaign by
Assistant US Attorney Charles McKenna. He described Kjonaas as the mastermind
of the group—a person “drunk on power”—someone who was able to manipulate
people into committing acts of “terror” and “violence”. Judge Thompson agreed
wholeheartedly with the State stating that regardless of his compassion and
intentions, “[T]he means used; the harm imposed warrants serious punishment.”
Kjonaas was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years probation.

When given his moment to speak in court, Kjonaas, on the
brink of tears, stated, “I am humbled.” He went on to say that this case was a
“traumatic experience; a learning experience” not only for himself, but for his
family and friends as well.

Gazzola, also fingered by the State as a “leader” of SHAC USA,
spoke eloquently yet humbly. She said she had learned her lessons and wanted to
use her talents in the future as a legal advocate. As with Kjonaas, the judge
sided with the State and chastised Gazzola for choosing the wrong path to use
her talents. The judge sentenced her to 54 months in prison and three years
probation.

Conroy declined the comment after his lawyer finished
pointing out his commitment to social justice and his principled political positions.
The judge sentenced him to 48 months in prison and three years probation.

All seven defendants were ordered to pay joint restitution
to the “victim,” HLS, in the amount of $1,000,001.00, among other stipulations
such as self-surrendering to the appropriate authorities within 30 days.

Sentencing for Harper was rescheduled till the next morning
due to time constraints.

On September 13, Harper arrived at the courthouse greeted by
50 or so activists for his sentencing. Judge Thompson was tardy to court again.
Harper mingled with supporters and then paced slowly, his head down, in
seemingly deep contemplation.

Once the judge arrived and the proceedings began, Harper’s
lawyer described his client for the record. Unlike the other defendants, Harper
wasn’t born into privilege. He grew up in an abusive working class home with an
autistic sister, a hardworking mother, and a father who was an alcoholic and a Vietnam
veteran.

In his statement to the court Harper explained how he was
almost beat to the point of death by Nazi skinheads for demonstrating against
homophobia and declined to call his father or go to a hospital for fear that
his own father would side with the skinheads. After getting some attention and
eventually heading home, he witnessed his father beating his dog. Witnessing
his father and coupling it with his own beating earlier in the day fully
awakened him to the grim reality that animals endure everyday. He knew the pain
the dog was feeling was the same pain he was feeling—regardless of the fact
that the dog couldn’t speak. This experience changed everything for him.
Instead of perpetuating abuse, he actively sought to resist the abuse inflicted
by humans onto animals and other humans, which lead him to the SHAC campaign
and animal rights.

Harper further apologized to the children of an HLS home
demo target when activists harassed children arriving to their home. He said
that he was ashamed he didn’t step forth and do something to stop the other
activists’ actions because, unlike many of the people around him, he saw the
fear in their eyes and knew what it felt like after growing up in an abusive
home. Finally, he stated, “I do continue
to support direct action and animal liberation.”

After his statement to the court, the judge sentenced him to
36 months in prison and three years probation.

The last two defendants—Andy Stepanian and Darius
Fulmer—will be sentenced next Tuesday, September 19, at 9AM in Judge Thompson’s
courtroom located at the Trenton Federal Courthouse, 400 East State Street,
Trenton, New Jersey.