Two Indiana residents (Hugh Farrell and Gina “Tiga” Wertz) were arrested on April 24 on misdemeanor and felony charges of intimidation, improper use of property, and corrupt business influence in the campaign against the I-69 “NAFTA Superhighway”. These charges are based on the premise that any activity designed to get companies to cease from environmentally or social destructive activity is equivalent to conspiracy, intimidation and organized crime. The direct actions referenced in the charges include a treesit, a lockdown blocking the entrance to an asphalt company, and moving office furniture out onto the street.

Bail was set outrageously high ($20,000 and $10,000, respectively), based on the defendants’ alleged disregard for the law (i.e., participating in multiple direct actions), use of “aliases” (also known as nicknames) and distribution of activist literature. They have both been released on bail, but funds are still needed to help pay for the costs of their legal defense.

We encourage everyone to support Hugh and Tiga throughout this legal ordeal, in whatever way they request. It’s not enough to fight infrastructure expansion — we need to lend our support to those who the state chooses to target in its inevitable backlash against our efforts.

This case is a clear attempt by the state to crush, once and for all, any opposition to the I-69 highway. Why? Because that highway is so important to the maintenance of the system.

Please visit Hugh and Tiga’s support web site at www.mostlyeverything.net.

Disclaimer: Opinions, statements or any information contained in this or any other communication from Root Force should not be taken as reflecting the beliefs of the defendants in any criminal or civil legal action, nor upon their guilt or innocence. Root Force posts, emails, and web site content reflect the perspective of Root Force only, unless explicitly noted.