Statement of Grand Jury Resister Nadia Winstead

Nadia Winstead's Statement of Resistance, June 22, 2005

My name is Nadia Winstead, I was served with a subpoena on May 24th 2005 by federal agents to appear before a grand jury in San Francisco. I refuse to participate in these grand jury proceedings. They represent a violation of my constitutional rights and are nothing more than government sponsored harassment.

Throughout history the US government has targeted movements that challenge the status quo. This grand jury is yet another example of the government applying pressure on activists who dare to use their first amendment rights. During the abolitionist period, anti-slavery activists were called before grand juries in efforts to intimidate and destroy their movement. Time and time again grand juries have been used as a tool to silence the voices of change.

Today animal advocates, prisoner support activists and members of the greater progressive community are the targets. People who promote compassion and challenge industries that profit from both human oppression and animal slavery are being subject to the wrath of the State. We are being targeted because our views, and our willingness to express them, pose a threat to corporate profiteers.

The federal government is willing to use every trick in the book to silence our dissent, but we will not be silenced.

I refuse to participate in their modern day witch hunt. I will not cooperate with this grand jury or any other in the future.