Producer/Host: Amy Browne
In recent days the activist community in this part of Maine has been abuzz with reports that a federal grand jury has been convened in Bangor, and may be investigating local activists. We have been able to confirm the existence of a federal grand jury, and some information that indicates that it may be focusing on at least one person who has ties to the activist community. So far the parties involved have not come forward publicly. James McCarthy, the U.S. Assistant Attorney who issued the subpoena, has refused to answer our questions.
The Federal Grand Jury process has been used extensively in other parts of the US— most notably as part of the “Green Scare” witch hunt against environmental activists in the western states. Whether local activists are being targeted or not, attorneys who have dealt with this issue say it’s important to know your rights should someone knock on YOUR door with a subpoena. Today we’ll be focusing on that issue as we talk with Lauren Regan, an attorney who has represented many Green Scare clients through this process, and local attorneys Phil Worden and Lynne Williams, who have represented many of Maine’s activists.
FMI:
Lauren Regan, Attorney, Executive Director of The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC), www.cldc.org
Lynne Williams, Attorney, Executive Vice President of the National Lawyer’s Guild, (207) 288-8485
Phil Worden, Attorney, National Lawyer’s Guild, (207) 276-3318