The anarchist community in Los Angeles has been under increasing repression and disruption by city, state, and local authorities. Sherman Austin is an activist and webmaster based in Los Angeles. He was recently sentenced to a year in federal prison for the simple act of making a link on his website that the government didn't like. This page is for those people who wish to learn more about Sherman Austin, for those who want to show their support and solidarity, and for those who want to stop the government from trampling on our rights.

Sherman's website: Raisethefist.com

Recent News

Free Sherman Austin!
Though only a teenager, Sherman Austin was still quite capable of communicating his politically progressive ideas. After all, he was raised in Los Angeles by his mother, Jennifer, to feel free to speak his mind about any issues of the day. In January 2002, about 25 heavily armed FBI agents raided the Austin home, ransacking it while interrogating the terrified teenager for over five hours. The FBI seized the whiz kid's network of computers in order to take down his rabble-rousing website, accusing him of disseminating bomb-making information.

SHERMAN AUSTIN LEGAL BATTLE NOT OVER
The Federal Public Defenders Office informed me today that the FBI will not return property seized from my home on the day of the raid (jan. 24, 2002). The property will be turned over to STATE authorities pending further investigation and possible prosecution. This is NOT Double Jeopardy. A person may be prosecuted twice for the same offense as long as the second proceeding takes place in a separate sovereign's court.

Sherman Austin - action alert
Sherman Austin, a Los Angeles based web designer and African-American activist, has received a one-year sentence in federal prison for having an “illegal link” on his website, www.raisethefist.com. The link provided readers with instructions on the use and production of bombs. Austin was prosecuted under a 1997 law sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein that makes it illegal to distribute information related to explosives with the intent to use that information in a “federal crime of violence.”

The U.S. Government Wanted To Make An Example Out of Me: The Story Of Sherman Austin
September 3, 2003—The 20-year-old webmaster of a California-based site called raisethefist.com is to begin a year-long prison term today. And when he gets out of prison next year, he will be banned from associating with anyone who wants to “change the government in any way.” Sherman Austin was arrested over 18 months ago. Federal officials charged that Austin had illegally distributed information about how to build Molotov cocktails and "Drano bombs" on his web site.

Sherman Austin Needs Help
Sherman Austin has been moved into protective custody at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center. The guards moved Sherman into isolation because of death threats against him by white supremacists. In order to secure Sherman's safety we are demanding his immediate transfer to a permanent facility.

Los Angeles Indymedia Center Interviews Sherman Austin
Enjoying the hospitality of Jennifer Martin's cozy Sherman Oaks apartment, and the playful affections of her spotted dog, with its radiantly pleasant disposition, was a warm beginning for this somber occasion. Martin's twenty year old son, Sherman Martin Austin was recently unjustly convicted for posting bomb making information on his website, with intent to further an act of violence. We were there to get their side of the story; conspicuously absent from the mainstream media's reports on the case. With us that afternoon, were Sherman's longtime friend, Chantel, and his girlfriend, Lupe.

A Webmaster's 25th hour
Declan McCullagh, CNET News.com
Sherman Austin is looking forward to a year in federal prison with the kind of equanimity that most people reserve for a trip to the doctor's office. The 20-year-old anarchist was charged with distributing information about Molotov cocktails and "Drano bombs" on his Web site, Raisethefist.com. Under a 1997 federal law championed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., it is illegal to publish such instructions with the intent that readers commit "a federal crime of violence."

RaiseTheFist.com: "It's time to wake up and get free" [La Haine]

RaiseTheFist.com: "Es hora de despertar y liberarse" [La Haine]

Sherman DID NOT Author the Reclaim Guide

Lady Liberty Shot in the Foot...Again

Linking Dangerously [Slashdot.org]

Activist Gets Year in Jail for Hosting, Link to Bomb Info by the Electronic Frontier Foundation

News from the Corporate Press

Man jailed for bomb sites

Anarchist Web Site Lands Man in Jail

News Archive

RTF webmaster/founder, Sherman Austin potentially facing 20 years

Support Sherman Austin

Sherman is out of prison!

CONTACT SHERMAN

Sherman Austin 51565-054
FCI Tucson, 8901 South Wilmot Road
Tucson, AZ 85706

DONATIONS

Please send donation to Sherman's family at:

Ms. Martin
12115 Magnolia Blvd. #155
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Jmi4678@netscape.net

On September 3rd of 2003 Sherman Austin of http://www.raisethefist.com must turn himself in at the MDC Federal Jail in Downtown LA. He will serve a sentence of 1 year, 3 years strict probation with restricted computer use as well as other harsh restrictions for having an "illegal link" on his site. He was also fined $2,100 retribution taxes. The brotha needs help paying off the fine, so on August 30th we'll be having a going away benefit show for him to raise funds. We'll also throw more shows for Sherman until his fines and legal expenses are paid off and any money raised over the amount needed will go to other political prisoners. We'd like anyone that wants to support Sherman and other political prisoners to attend this event or/and pass out info about his case and upcoming events for him.

Sherman Austin Railroaded
by charles amsellem
Friday August 08, 2003 11:48 AM
blackreb@earthlink.net