Tre's trial reset for July 8, 2008.
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Tre's Latest Callout

MARCH 3, 2008

As i look out the window of this jail in downtown portland, i can see the sunrise gracing Wiyeast, the Willamette swirling its way to the columbia, and bicyclists crusin' past cars...It feels so good to be home!!

I've missed U all dearly and thank U for the amazing support throughout the last 4 years. One phase of this journey has ended and another is beginning. I am ready for the adventures ahead. I couldn't ask 4 a better legal and support crew!

No matter how the media or the fbi attempt to portray me, there are many who truly know what i stand for, where my heart lies and what my commitment is to this life. I am, and always have been, dedicated to helping this world thru peaceful means to transform this planet into a cleaner, healthier, happier and more free place 4 every being (humyn and non-humyn).

Planets are still hard to come by!! Think before U eat, think before U drive, think before U go to work...is this really the healthiest thing for me, my family, the planet? Is there another way? Is there a better way? We all can be part of the solution. Are U ready?

Thank U all very much for coming out today!

i greatly appreciate your support!
Namaste,
Tre Arrow

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Tre Back in Portland: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 29, 2008

From: The Tre Arrow Defense Committee (TADC), Portland, OR

Contacts:
Paul Loney, Attorney: 503-234-2694
Bruce Ellison, Attorney: 605-391-6884
Shawna Scarpitti, Family Spokesperson: 408-802-6910

Tre Arrow Arrives in Portland

Friends and Supporters Welcome Him Back!

Tre Arrow will be given a warm "welcome back" to Portland by his many friends, family and supporters. Tre is a grassroots activist, known foremost for his environmental protection work in the forests of Northern Oregon. Following several years of peaceful activism by Tre, the U.S. Government labeled him an "eco-terrorist" and charged him with multiple counts of arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and possession of destructive devices (i.e. incendiaries).

Tre has been a prisoner for four years in Canada fighting extradition to the U.S., fearing that he would not be given a fair trial in light of the "eco-terrorist" label. Tre is awaiting trial in Portland, Oregon, vigorously fighting his criminal charges. Tre states, "As winter holds the land in its grasp, the bare hardwoods stand strong and beckon the spirit of Spring. Likewise, as my life enters a new season, my strength and life force are flowing through my veins and invigorating my body, mind, and spirit for the upcoming challenges. The time has come to prepare for trial in Portland. I am returning from Canada ready to assist my lawyers in this process."

Tre has consistently denied any guilt and always asserted that he is innocent of all charges. Tre states, "I have maintained my innocence from the onset of this ordeal. My legal team presented my plea for asylum in Canada based on the political persecution I am facing. But, it is abundantly clear that the Canadian Government is complicit in the atrocities and injustices perpetrated by the US government. My faith in the Canadian authorities to act with a conscience in a fair and objective manner has not been realized. The time has come to prove my innocence once and for all."

Tre's indictment came only after three other individuals were arrested for the arsons and began to cooperate with the government. Tre's defense team stresses his innocence and asserts that the three cooperating individuals are directing the blame on Tre to escape punishment. Tre states, "I am innocent of the charges that the U.S. government is trying to pin on me. Just as many activists have experienced, the government is targeting me because I have chosen to challenge the status quo — not because I am guilty."

Tre continues to be known in Portland as the peaceful activist who climbed the ledge outside the offices of the Regional U.S. Forest Service headquarters in July 2000. Tre perched on that 9-inch ledge, 10 meters above the ground, for 11 days. This attracted local, national, and international attention to the former Eagle Timber Sale. Tre and other grassroots activists were ultimately so successful that the U.S. Forest Service canceled the Eagle timber sale. Today, the public continues to enjoy the forest in the Clackamas River watershed for its natural beauty. The forest functions as a back-up drinking water source for Portland and surrounding communities.

Tre's family, friends and supporters remark on his kindness, passion and positive approach to activism. Tre leaves a lasting impression on everyone who heard his simple, yet important, educational messages on social justice, the connection of people, animals, the earth, and how humanity should take care of the planet.

In addition to environmental activism, in Portland, Tre helped with animal abuse issues, worked as a childcare provider and ran as a Pacific Green Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. Tre's candidacy garnered more than 15,000 votes.

Tre's sister Shawna Scarpitti is the family's spokesperson. "My family's hope is to get Tre's story known by the public to add to the movement calling for him to be released. He is an innocent man facing a life sentence in prison. Tre has been fighting extradition for nearly four years in British Columbia, Canada, and is now returning to face trumped-up charges for crimes he did not commit," says Scarpitti.

Tre adds, "I thank the wonderful folks in Canada who have become part of my family and helped in countless ways with my legal and personal needs. I thank you from the depths of my being and we shall meet again! To all those in Oregon and beyond, to all those helping to mount the needed support — I am coming home and will see you soon. I will be free, and I will be vindicated! In the words of Caitriona Reed, I declare, 'For the power of my anger, transforming itself into love, for the beauty and integrity of all life-forms, and for the bright energy of my passion for justice and the health of all beings, I bow to you in gratitude and touch the Earth.'"

For more information and how to support Tre Arrow, please contact the website at: www.trearrow.org.

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Previous messages from Tre.

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Tre Arrow

Environmentalist and political prisoner, Tre Arrow has been incarcerated in Canada and the US since March 13th 2004. For almost four years, Tre was imprisoned while contesting extradition to the United States. Like the 125 000 American draft dodgers who came to Canada between 1964 and 1977, Tre came to Canada hoping to escape persecution in the United States. This became Tre's only option when his life in Portland, Oregon was unjustly turned upside down in the Summer of 2002. The US government is laying charges that could see him locked up for the rest of his life if convicted. After working tirelessly for years to protect some of the only ancient forests left in the North Western U.S., Tre had become an extremely well-known and important organizer. Like other peaceful organizers, Tre found himself at the forefront of an environmental movement which successfully interfered with industrial powers; he therefore became a target. Environmental journalist Tim Ream wrote in reference to Tre's case, "If you garner increasing popular support, you are a threat to everything the state stands for. You must be stopped."

Tre is now in Oregon, working with his defense team to demonstrate his innocence to a jury.

Read more about Tre Arrow

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