Third Anarchist Announces Refusal to Testify Before Grand Jury

Jail Likely for Grand Jury Resistors; Committee Against Political Repression Calls for Fax Petitions and Protests.

"My name is Matt Duran and I will do everything I can to resist this Grand Jury. I’m releasing this as it’s come to my attention that the strategy my lawyer and I have been working under will more than likely not work; the prosecution wants to grant me immunity before I even have a chance to testify." - Matt Duran

(PORTLAND, OR) - Matt Duran released an open letter today unambiguously declaring his refusal to cooperate. He is the third person subpoenaed to appear before a secret grand jury investigating the anarchist movement in Seattle, Washington.

A local demonstration will take place in Portland at the Federal Court House (1000 SW 3rd Ave) at 12:30 p.m.

"My name is Matt Duran and I will do everything I can to resist this Grand Jury," the letter begins. "I will fight with my political allies and for them with every fiber of my being." (The full letter appears below.)

Along with Duran, Leah-Lynne Plante has also been subpoenaed to tomorrow's hearing. This is the third time Plante has been called before the grand jury. Two previous hearings were delayed by a combination of legal maneuvering and her outright refusal to testify. It is expected that tomorrow she will be jailed for that refusal.

"So far as I can see, the authorities are just using these hearings to intimidate people, create suspicion, and collect information that they can use to disrupt political movements," said Leah-Lynne Plante, of Portland. "It isn't working. None of the subpoenaed activists have testified, and the support we've received from the broader community has been really overwhelming."

Hundreds of people from around the country will be faxing letters of protest to US Attorney Jenny Durkan today, demanding she call off the grand jury investigation of the anarchist movement. CAPR is asking supporters for fax their comments to Durkan's office at (206) 553-0882.

Supporters will also gather in front of the Federal Court House in Seattle at noon on tomorrow, the day of the hearing. A local demonstration will take place in Portland at the Federal Court House (1000 SW 3rd Ave) at 12:30 pm while other solidarity demonstrations will be held in Minneapolis and Oakland throughout the day.

Matt Duran's statement:

“

Statement in opposition to state, grand juries, and in support of its resisters Friends and comrades, My name is Matt Duran and I will do everything I can to resist this Grand Jury. I'm releasing this as it's come to my attention that the strategy my lawyer and I have been working under will more than likely not work; the prosecution wants to grant me immunity before I even have a chance to testify. I want to make it clear that I am in no way ever cooperating with the state now or ever. Anyone who knows me well enough to be a close friend knows that I will fight with my political allies and for them with every fiber of my being. If I ever did cooperate, it would bring an immeasurable amount of shame upon myself, my community, and my family as they have risked more in resistance than I have in my life so far. This is not the first time that the State has attempted to kidnap me, extort money from me, and take me away from my family, loved ones, and comrades. The last time, the State even went so far as to create lies in order to put me away. Bearing this in mind as well as the institutional racism I face every day, I have long ago accepted that I am going to go to prison at some point in my lifetime. This compounded with the fact that I have such an amazing amount of support, to the degree that I don't even know what to do with it, allows me to know that I am going to make it no matter what is thrown at me. People should know that this is more than likely not the end of this, the State will continue this Grand Jury well after my comrades and I locked up. Whatever happens, I want you to know that you are not alone and are more than capable of handling whatever is thrown at you. They would not be doing this if we were not successful in any respect; if we kept to our ivory towers debating what is more revolutionary and not actively creating conflict, we would not be facing this repression. Do not stop the struggle, keep organizing and fighting or they will have won. When the Haymarket massacre took place all those years ago and the martyrs were hung for their desire for a better life, the State attempted to crush all radicals. Clearly, this did not work then and it won't work now. If this was their desire, they have failed in every aspect of it as I have not seen anything other than flagrant disregard for them across the globe. Keep the struggle in your hearts and minds and do not bend to their will. They will never be able to destroy us no matter how hard they try. In solidarity, Matt Duran

”

Portland Tribune photo by L.E. Baskow

Order from Powell's

Michael Munk tries to glean important but overlooked items from the world media on the issues of the day and posts them on an irregular schedule. Although items can overlap, he also maintains separate lists for activists in Portland, Oregon and the Northwest, and special lists for: Labor, Latin America, Israel, Torture Taxis, Korea, and the Czech Republic.

Michael is a highly praised writer from an important generation whose book, the Portland Red Guide, has received high praise.

"City Commissioner Nick Fish gave me a copy. Sat down on my sofa and couldn't put it down until I finished. Fascinating!"
-- Tom Potter, Mayor of Portland 2005-2009

"Whoop! Whoop! I'm impressed by how many names from Portland's past have not made it into our official histories and public memorials. Some were good friends of mine. Local history is too often overlooked. Good work, Mike."
-- Bud Clark, Saloon keeper, Goose Hollow Inn, and Mayor of Portland, 1985–1992

Visit the new photo gallery on Michael's website: www.michaelmunk.com