Matthew DePalma’s rant posts fill blog, online journal
Shannon Murphy
The Flint Journal
September 23, 2008FLUSHING, Michigan — Eerie postings fill an online journal — entries that become increasingly angry as the writer vents about being a misunderstood anarchist.
“Now I’m ready to watch the world burn,” a post dated April 18 reads. “I always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt about how they understand me. Most people don’t, hell, even I had to figure out myself from scratch.”
The online musings are believed to be written by Matthew DePalma, a Flushing native who has been federally charged in a plot to bomb the site of September’s Republican National Convention. The journal is written by a person who uses the name “Shades Mcgee” on MySpace, which a friend confirmed is DePalma…
NB. “yeah i got hurt a little last night. Narrowly leaving a party without being severly [sic] beaten or shot. (loaded weapons cocked and ready captained by drunken rednecks)” — is the sentence removed by Shannon. Meaning that the entry is titled ‘Now I’m ready to watch the world burn’, and the first few lines are: “yeah i got hurt a little last night. Narrowly leaving a party without being severly [sic] beaten or shot. (loaded weapons cocked and ready captained by drunken rednecks) well now, I always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt about how they understand me. Most people don’t, hell even I had to figure out myself from scratch…” In other words, Matthew’s readiness ‘to watch the world burn’ was triggered by his belief that he narrowly avoided being beaten or shot by drunken rednecks: not all that surprising, really.
…DePalma was charged by federal authorities Aug. 30. According to a Department of Justice release, the FBI began investigating DePalma in July after he attended an anarchist convention, called CrimethInc., in Wisconsin. While there, he told an FBI informant he wanted to “makes some bombs” and “blow up” things during the convention, according to the release…
Uh-huh. That’s what the FBI are claiming — on the basis of the testimony of a paid informant. Of course, misrepresenting Matthew’s blog entry adds to the public perception that Matthew really was ‘ready to watch the world burn’; or at least, a little part of it in Minneapolis anyways…
The “anarchist convention, called CrimethInc., in Wisconsin” is a reference to a “decentralised anarchist collective” called CrimethInc., and the 2008 Convergence organised by CrimethInc. which took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: the seventh such event organised by the collective. An account of the fifth such convergence, in 2006, is provided in ‘Mississippi Drift’ by Matthew Power (Harper’s Magazine, March 2008 [PDF]). One of those who attended the convergences in 2004 and (it appears) 2005 was “Anna”; “Anna” played a key role in convicting Eric McDavid to twenty years jail.
Sentencing Notes
May 11, 2008Dear friends,
Yesterday was a difficult day. We all knew what Eric was facing, and we understood the vehemence with which the government was pursuing this case. But nothing could ever fully prepare us for the kind of heinous sentence that Eric received. It is clear from the reports in the media and the statements made by the US Attorneys that Eric was entrapped and used as an example to anyone who dares to dream of how things could be different in this world.
After passing through the metal detectors downstairs, everyone attending Eric’s sentencing was required, by order of Judge England, to pass through a line of Marshall’s outside the courtroom and undergo the metal detector wand, as well as a complete search of any bags. This ridiculous spectacle was clearly an attempt to harass Eric’s friends and loved ones who came to show their support.
The courtroom was nearly full of Eric’s family and friends. There were not enough seats behind the defense table to accommodate everyone, forcing others to spill over into the prosecutor’s side of the court. Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday.
It was clear from the first few sentences spoken by the judge that his mind was already made up. The same lies that were used at trial to convict Eric were repeated over and over again throughout the sentencing hearing. The government even had the audacity to claim that Eric had never had a re-ocurrance of pericarditis – despite the fact that his lawyer filed a memo with the court in November detailing Eric’s worsening condition. Despite the fact that the jail received so many phone calls from Eric’s supporters during that time that they posted a note on their website specifically asking people to stop calling. They had the audacity to claim that Eric was at no risk of harsh treatment in prison – despite the fact that he has ALREADY undergone 2 1/2 years of isolation at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
Despite the fact that probation recommended a sentence of 156 months (13 years), Judge England deferred (as usual) to the government’s recommendation of 235 months (19 years and 7 months). The length of Eric’s sentence was due largely to the application of the Terrorism Enhancement. The government has argued quite vociferously all along for this enhancement. The basis of their argument is that Eric’s targets included government facilities (such as the IFG) – a point which was never proven during trial, and was, in fact, denied by the government’s own witnesses. But the judge applied the enhancement anyway. The judge ordered 3 years of supervised release after Eric’s sentenced is served, the collection of a DNA sample and registration as an “arson offender”.
Now is the time to be outraged and make noise. The government just sentenced Eric to 20 years for a crime that was never committed. This is the longest sentence we have heard of in an American environmental case. Eric’s case and sentence have illustrated the lengths the government goes to, and how much they can get away with, in their pursuit of those who voice their dissent – who maintain their integrity and stay true to their principles and all that makes them human. Please help spread the word about Eric, his case, and it’s implications for everyone who cares about effecting real change…
