Strength In The Midst Of Adversity

(The Lee Incident 2003)

By Tony Adams AOR

Greetings Kinsmen and Kinswomen!

For those of you who may not be familiar with the incident at the United States Federal Penitentiary at Lee, I would like to stress a few points and boast on behalf of myself and my co-defendants, on the sincere solidarity and support we have enjoyed from Kinfolk throughout this ordeal.

When original indictments were served here at Lee to Odinists for a simple brawl, my first thoughts were: to what lengths would the prison administration and the Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Abington, VA go? And, why would they push overzealous charges for a brawl that happens weekly at your local bar?! Better yet, why would they push so hard for a case involving Odinists, while steadily rejecting any and all identical altercations involving other ethnic and religious groups?

Since the incident of October, 2003, the Odinist community here has suffered constant and unrelenting scrutiny and harassment, beginning when prison staff refused to allow nationally known and recognized Odinist Prison Ministry Kinswoman (and personal Shield-maiden to Einherjar Kindred) Laurel Owen entry into Lee, citing such bogus excuses as; "security issues" and "gang activity"!!

During the Grand Jury proceedings, the Office of the USDA (obviously desperate to somehow justify their case) dragged Laurel hundreds of miles away from her home, in hopes of pumping her for information.

As an Odinist man, I cannot stress strongly enough the distaste and revulsion I feel for those cowardly tactics; targeting our women?

In April 2005, myself and my co-defendants (Lonnie and James) were finally able to secure the Grand Jury minutes and other "discovery" that would be used against us. It's hard to put into words the intensity of pride we all felt upon seeing for ourselves that all of the Brothers and Sisters involved showed courage and loyalty to the end!

This is the heart of Odinism; the true face of the Ancestors endorsed in the 9 Noble Virtues, which drive us daily to be beautiful, brave and true - not for personal interest - but for the one thing that even the clutches of death cannot seize from you: Honorable Memory!!!

Hail The Gods!
Hail the Einherjar!
Hail the Goddesses!
Hail Laurel Owen!

Co-Defendant: Case/ concerning the incident at USP Lee, I just wanted to capitalize on the loyalty and support we received from the Kindred and Sponsor Laurel Owen. They are truly Folk - not only worthy in word - but also in deed! - Lonnie Case-

Co-Defendant: Wignall/ Hailsa! I am writing this to express my great pride for my Kindred (The Einherjar) here at USP Lee, and for our former Sponsor/Shield-maiden Laurel Owen. Throughout this entire ordeal, they stuck with us, lending support wherever possible; steadfastly resisting efforts by the opposition to use them against us. I was honored and vindicated to so witness the true application of the Odinic Code and Folk Loyalty by our own until the end!!! Do Good - Fear Nothing! - James Wignall-