Eric McDavid

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Eric McDavid, (born October 7, 1977), is an environmental activist and anarchist[1] convicted of conspiring to use fire or explosives to damage corporate and government property. While U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott has called McDavid the first person in the US to be prosecuted on Earth Liberation Front (ELF)-related charges,[2] it was revealed in the trial that McDavid's group had not decided whether or not to claim the planned actions in the name of the ELF.[1] On September 27, 2007, he was convicted on all counts.[3]

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[edit] Previous activism

McDavid had previously been involved in many protests, including a protest of the Biotechnology Industry Organization annual trade conference in Philadelphia, in June 2005. At trial an FBI source stated that he instructed other activists on the construction of Molotov cocktails, advocated violent protest, including a personal desire to kill a police officer, and expressed regret for not being involved in a fight between protesters and police that resulted in an officer's death.[4] (Although there is no evidence to support these claims and in fact it was revealed during trial that McDavid, along with others, only watched a movie in which Molotov Cocktails were used.) In July 2006, he attended a CrimethInc. Convergence – an anarchist convention – in Winona, Minnesota, where he threatened to kill the FBI source "Anna" if she was, in fact, working with law enforcement, before divulging his plans.[4][5]

[edit] Sabotage plans

Together with Lauren Weiner and Zachary Jenson, he allegedly planned acts of arson and sabotage of the Nimbus Dam and fish hatchery on the American River near Sacramento, the United States Forest Service Institute of Forest Genetics,[6] cell phone towers, electric power stations, and other targets. During testimony it was revealed that the group considered the killing of bystanders to be collateral damage,[4] although their plots were focused on property damage.

The fourth member of the group was actually a confidential source, referred to as "Anna", who had been working with the FBI since 2004. She encouraged their activities and provided them with bomb-making information, money to buy the raw materials, transportation and a cabin to work in, and produced consensual audio and video recordings of their activities.[5]

On January 13, 2006, the three were arrested outside a store where they had bought household chemicals, apparently for bomb-making. None of the three had prior convictions. Weiner and Jenson both plead guilty and testified against McDavid,[2] who has been found guilty on all charges. McDavid's defense has argued that he was the victim of entrapment.[7] They have been freed until their hearings, while McDavid remains in custody at the Sacramento County Jail facing 5 to 20 years years in prison.[8]

[edit] Hunger strike

On March 8, 2006, he formally declared a hunger strike due to the jail refusing to provide him with vegan food. He has been given vegan food off and on since. [1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Walsh, Denny (2007-09-28). Bomb plotter found guilty: He faces up to 20 years in prison for a scheme to damage targets that included Nimbus Dam.. The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  2. ^ a b Hedlund, Mark (2007-09-27). Eco-Terror Suspect Guilty in Bomb Plot. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  3. ^ ECO-TERRORIST CONVICTED: Sacramento federal jury convicts Eric McDavid with conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism. Federal Bureau of Investigation (2007-09-27). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  4. ^ a b c Eric McDavid - Court Report from 9/11 | Anarchist news dot org
  5. ^ a b Walsh, Denny. "Leader or led by the FBI?", The Sacramento Bee, The McClatchy Company, 2007-09-26. Retrieved on 2008-03-13. 
  6. ^ Rafer Weigel (2007-09-27). Man Convicted Of Plotting To Blow Up Nimbus Dam. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  7. ^ Weigel, Rafal (2007-09-27). Convicted Of Plotting To Blow Up Nimbus Dam. CW31. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  8. ^ Kouri, Jim (2006-07-21). Domestic Terrorist Pleads Guilty to Plot to Blow Up Power Plants. The Conservative Voice. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.

[edit] External links