Free Tim DeChristopher

Tim DeChristopher is a climate change activist and a member of the group, Peaceful Uprising. In 2008, he participated in a Bureau of Land Managment auction, despite having no money or credit to afford the prices, and bid on land only to deny access to that land to other bidders. As a result, he was arrested and, last July, sentenced to two years in federal prison. Most knowledgable commentators considered this term to be excessive. Additionally, he was briefly placed in solitary confinement due to the "request" of an anonymous Republican congressperson. Simply being in federal prison, it appears, opens Mr. DeChristopher up to all sorts of punishments beyond what even the harsh sentiments of the court required.

The BLM auction, however, was itself illegal, and had been manipulated to suit the needs of one William Koch, another powerful Koch brother with a vested interest in the energy resources minable beneath the lands being auctioned. Despite this, no one from BLM and none of the other participants, including Koch, has even been investigated.

Tim DeChristopher needs to be freed. He has spent eight months in prison, more than most white collar criminals. His case is under review for appeal and given the circumstances there is a good chance his conviction may be overturned. He should be allowed to participate freely in the review and appeal of his own case. He should be taken out of custody and removed from any further threat to his body or mind from any outside agents.