GMW:_FBI_ABDUCTS_ARTIST_IN_GM_DETECTION_CASE

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GMW:_FBI_ABDUCTS_ARTIST_IN_GM_DETECTION_CASE

" GM_WATCH "

Wed, 26 May 2004 11:02:28 +0100

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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if all aspects of this report are exactly as stated, then this is an appalling

story

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FBI ABDUCTS ARTIST, SEIZES ART

Feds Unable to Distinguish Art from Bioterrorism

Grieving Artist Denied Access to Deceased Wife's Body

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

[lots more links here]

 

DEFENSE FUND ESTABLISHED - HELP URGENTLY NEEDED

 

Steve Kurtz was already suffering from one tragedy when he called 911 early in

the morning to tell them his wife had suffered a cardiac arrest and died in her

sleep. The police arrived and, cranked up on the rhetoric of the " War on

Terror, " decided Kurtz's art supplies were actually bioterrorism weapons.

 

Thus began an Orwellian stream of events in which FBI agents abducted Kurtz

without charges, sealed off his entire block, and confiscated his computers,

manuscripts, art supplies... and even his wife's body.

 

Like the case of Brandon Mayfield, the Muslim lawyer from Portland imprisoned

for two weeks on the flimsiest of false evidence, Kurtz's case amply

demonstrates the dangers posed by the USA PATRIOT Act coupled with

government-nurtured terrorism hysteria.

 

Kurtz's case is ongoing, and, on top of everything else, Kurtz is facing a

mountain of legal fees. Donations to his legal defense can be made at

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

 

FEAR RUN AMOK

 

Steve Kurtz is Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the State

University of New York's University at Buffalo, and a member of the

internationally-acclaimed Critical Art Ensemble.

 

Kurtz's wife, Hope Kurtz, died in her sleep of cardiac arrest in the early

morning hours of May 11. Police arrived, became suspicious of Kurtz's art

supplies and called the FBI.

 

Within hours, FBI agents had " detained " Kurtz as a suspected bioterrorist and

cordoned off the entire block around his house. (Kurtz walked away the next day

on the advice of a lawyer, his " detention " having proved to be illegal.) Over

the next few days, dozens of agents in hazmat suits, from a number of law

enforcement agencies, sifted through Kurtz's work, analyzing it on-site and

impounding computers, manuscripts, books, equipment, and even his wife's body

for further analysis. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Health Department condemned his

house as a health risk.

 

Kurtz, a member of the Critical Art Ensemble, makes art which addresses the

politics of biotechnology. " Free Range Grains, " CAE's latest project, included a

mobile DNA extraction laboratory for testing food products for possible

transgenic contamination. It was this equipment which triggered the Kafkaesque

chain of events.

 

FBI field and laboratory tests have shown that Kurtz's equipment was not used

for any illegal purpose. In fact, it is not even possible to use this equipment

for the production or weaponization of dangerous germs. Furthermore, any person

in the US may legally obtain and possess such equipment.

 

" Today, there is no legal way to stop huge corporations from putting genetically

altered material in our food, " said Defense Fund spokeswoman Carla Mendes. " Yet

owning the equipment required to test for the presence of 'Frankenfood' will get

you accused of 'terrorism.' You can be illegally detained by shadowy government

agents,

lose access to your home, work, and belongings, and find that your recently

deceased spouse's body has been taken away for 'analysis.' "

 

Though Kurtz has finally been able to return to his home and recover his wife's

body, the FBI has still not returned any of his equipment, computers or

manuscripts, nor given any indication of when they will. The case remains open.

 

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED

 

A small fortune has already been spent on lawyers for Kurtz and other Critical

Art Ensemble members. A defense fund has been established at

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/ to help defray the legal costs which will

continue to mount so long as the investigation continues. Donations go directly

to the legal defense of Kurtz and other Critical Art Ensemble members. Should

the funds raised exceed the cost of the legal defense, any remaining money will

be used to help other artists in need.

 

To make a donation, please visit

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

 

For more information on the Critical Art Ensemble, please visit

http://www.critical-art.net/

 

Articles about the case:

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW-2.html

http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW.html

 

On advice of counsel, Steve Kurtz is unable to answer questions regarding his

case. Please direct questions or comments to Carla Mendes

(CAEdefense).

 

Link: http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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