Andy was sentenced to 3 years in Federal prison over 1 year ago under the Animal Enterprise Protection Act which allows people to be placed in prison for exercising their 1st Amendment rights. Andy and 5 other activists (known as the SHAC 7) were sentenced together under conspiracy charges for an alleged connection to a website critical of the group Huntingdon Life Sciences. The activists had never met and many claimed to have no connection to the controversial website.

Regardless, Andy was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for which he served just over a year before being released this Monday. Andy is now free to spend the holidays with his friends and family as he currently resides at a halfway house in New York.

The Federal government created 6 heroes the day they sentenced the SHAC 7. Andy and his co-defendents are now legends of the animal rights movement and their sacrifice has inspired thousands. They have brought worldwide attention to the creulty shown toward animals like those at Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Welcome back Andy. We love you. Thank you.

Please don't forget Josh, Jake, Lauren, and Kevin who are still in prison this holiday season, they could use our support.

Josh Harper is an animal activist from the Northwest that has been sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for "free speech." Josh spoke out for the animals by talking about a tactic known as "black faxing." Black faxing essentially drains its victim of all the toner in their fax machine. Josh was convicted under the Animal Enterprise Protection Act which can put animal activists away for speaking out against the animal industry.

Josh was never convicted of an illegal act. Josh was convicted for talking about an illegal act. Black faxing used to be thought of as a prank but if your an animal activist, black faxing can be considered terrorism. Animal/environmental activists have been moved to the #1 spot on the domestic terrorist watch list, and are more prominent on the FBI's website than Osama bin Laden.

Josh spoke for those who had no voice and he paid the price. The US has not stifled the problem of vocal animal activists they have only created heroes and martyrs. From what i can tell, Josh used to be the average Joe; now he's a symbol. Josh stood by his belief in what was right and it will serve as inspiration for the movement forever.

I wish I could say this case is unique, but it's not. There are dozens of other activists that have been locked away. Caged like the animals they seek to protect. We understand what you've given for the cause and we will never back down, we will never compromise.

Please take the time to write Josh and the other prisoners and let the know you care.