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JACOB
CONROY the SHAC7
SUPPORT FUND DONATE
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS Q: What was Jake convicted of? A: Jake was one of three individual defendants, along with the organization, SHAC USA Inc., charged in all counts of the indictment. He was convicted of violating the Animal Enterprise Protection Act, Conspiracy to Stalk, three substantive counts of Interstate Stalking, and Conspiracy to Violate the Communications Act of 1934. Q: Wow - surely they must have assaulted someone, blew something up or smashed out a window, right? The government alleges that the defendants were in control of a webpage that encouraged others to engage in legal, and sometimes controversial, protest activity and support the ideology of illegal, yet non-violent, direct action. This was alleged to be primarily done by the posting of third party protest reports, news stories, and anonymous communiques. The government has not alleged that the defendants engaged in these activities, but rather that they circulated the information across state lines by using the internet, and in doing so violated federal stalking laws which prohibit interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in harassment. This is the first time that these laws have been applied to activists using the internet as a means of interstate "travel", and this is one significant element of the SHAC 7 case which makes it profoundly important in terms of the legal precendent it establishes. The government alleges that the goal of this web work was the closing of Huntingdon Life Sciences, a company known for its sloppy approach to science and had also been found guilty of numerous counts of animal cruelty by the governments of both the United States and Great Britain. Q: I need more information on the case. Where can I read more? More detailed information about the case is best found here. Q: Just who is Jake? Jake was born on February 3rd, and raised in Connecticut. After graduating high school in 1994, he moved to Seattle, WA. In 1992 he'd become involved in the hardcore/punk rock community, became straight edge in 1994, and involved with the animal rights community in 1995. When not doing activism, Jake spends a lot of time watching bad movies, listening to crappy music and eating as many vegan sweets as possible. He also is an avid hiker and camper. The SHAC 7 trial interrupted his plan to hike the John Muir Trail in California, but he is looking forward to the prison gym getting him in shape to tackle either the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Who knows, maybe both. Q: So he's an activist? In 1995 Jake became interested in animal rights after being exposed to the issues in the hardcore/punk rock community. Soon after, he became vegan, and in the summer of 1996 started attending demonstrations with the Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN). The next couple of years were filled with protests, civil disobedience, and assisting with vegan outreach through tables at various events 2-4 times every week. NARN was victorious in several anti-fur campaigns, including against the Bon Marche and local upscale retailer, Helen's, Of Course. NARN's ability to focus on a variety of issues and outreach programs made it one of the most influential grassroots groups in the Northwest. In 1998, Jake joined up with the Sea Defense Alliance (SeDNa) and later helped co-found Ocean Defense International (ODI), to be an active voice against the hunting of whales off the coast of Washington State. In 1999 Jake, with co-defendant Josh Harper, was arrested for the first whale hunt sab off the coast of the continental US. In 2001 Jake focused his attention on the campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). In 2003 the home he shared with other activists was raided by the FBI and in 2004 he was arrested on the current indictment. In March of 2006 Jake, along with his SHAC 7 co-defendants, was found guilty of allegedly spearheading the campaign against HLS. He is currently appealing the decision. Jake has also been active in environmental issues, Native American struggles, the movement against the death penalty, HIV/AIDS issues and a literacy program for inner city kids. Q: Why is there both a SHAC7.com and SupportJake.org website? Good question. Each of the defendants has specific needs - and in order for them to be taken care of, each defendant has their own support team. These needs include answering emails, printing out emailed letters and sending them to defendants in prison, making sure the defendants commissary account is funded and being a point person that each prisoner can turn to in order to handle questions, problems or requests. Jake's support team has opted to run an additional webpage to better help Jake during his prison stay, keep information up to date, accurate and in the public eye, and to address whatever additional needs may arise. Q: I don't know Jake. What should I write to him about? Jake's happy to hear from you about most anything. Tell him about your city, where you grew up, what you do for school/work, where you like to visit, hiking/camping trips, or you can review the FAQ to learn more about Jake and his interests and you can also check out the list of books he's been sent and maybe strike up a conversation about one of the books. Or, suggest a book and tell him a bit about it. At the end of the day, mail is the most important part of an activist prisoner's day. Even a simple note or card helps! Q: I have a considerable sized chunk of cash sitting around and I really want to pay off someone's student loans - or maybe just give out a no-interest loan. Have any ideas? Funny you should
ask! Jake took an extended break from paying back his student loans to
do activism full time and would love for someone to be his sugar momma. |
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