Government challenges release of A.L.F. activist, citing letters to former animal liberation prisoner

In early-April, lawyers for William Viehl (sentenced to two years for an A.L.F. mink liberation) filed a motion for his release pending the appeal of his sentence.

Last week, the government challenged the motion, citing letters from Viehl seized during the March 15th FBI raid of my home. The government claims an alleged correspondence between myself and Viehl makes him a “danger to the community”. In the response to the motion, the government states this about the letters:

hand-written correspondence from the defendant to Peter Young illustrating a close, ongoing personal relationship founded upon animal rights extremism.

It is true: among the many boxes of items removed from my home were numerous letters from animal liberation prisoners. Also true: I once served prison time for actions similar to Viehl’s. But what is the significance?

The government asserts that, solely because of alleged letters between a former and current animal liberation prisoner, Viehl is a “danger to the community”. This is worth repeating: the government is citing letters alone as reason to label William Viehl a “danger”.

“Terrorists” like Viehl break into farms to rescue animals, do so in the middle of the night to avoid conflict with their captors, and do so unarmed. The FBI breaks into my home to steal property that is not theirs in broad daylight, and does so brandishing lethal weapons.

The true “danger to the community” is clear.

- Peter Young

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