|
Art is Not terrorism! The Steve Kurtz case.
http://www.critical-art.net/biotech/index.html The agents seized documents, computers, and equipment used in three of CAE's projects, including scientific equipment for monitoring genetically altered food. The seized materials were to have been part of an exhibition and performance at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). All the materials are legal and commonly used for scientific education and research activities in universities and high schools. The New York State Commissioner of Public Health determined that the materials seized by the FBI pose no safety risk. Nevertheless, today Steve Kurtz faces a possible 20 years in prison. Art Case background.
On May 11, 2004, Steve Kurtz wife of 20 years, Hope, died of heart failure in their home in Buffalo. Kurtz called 911. Buffalo Police who responded along with emergency workers became alarmed by the presence of art materials in their home that had been displayed in museums and galleries throughout Europe and North America. The materials consisted of several petri dishes containing three benign forms of bacteria, and a mobile DNA-extraction laboratory to test store-bought food for possible contamination by genetically modified grains and organisms. Convinced that these materials were the work of a terrorist, the police called the FBI. The next day as Kurtz was on his way home from the funeral home he was stopped and detained for 22 hours by agents from the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force, who informed him he was being investigated for "bioterrorism." Even though laboratory tests showed that the bacteria were not used for any illegal purpose, the U.S. District Attorney conti nues to waste vast sums of money prosecuting this case. The artist and a scientist face possible 20 year sentences. On June 29, 2004, a federal grand jury charged Kurtz, not with "bioterrorism," as listed on the Joint Terrorism Task Force's original search warrant and subpoenas, but with two counts each of federal criminal "mail fraud" and "wire fraud." These are serious charges which carry the same potential sentence as the original bioterrorism charge would have: up to 20 years. Also indicted was Robert Ferrell, a former head of the Department of Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health, and a collaborator on several of CAE's projects. The charges concern technicalities of how Ferrell allegedly helped obtain $256 worth of harmless bacteria for one of CAE's art projects. The laws under which the indictments were obtained (Title 18, United States Code, sections 1341 and 1343) are normally used against those defrauding others of money and property, as in telemarketing schemes. The judge who issued the search warrants for Kurtz's home and office was unaware of the artist's lengthy, credible and complete explanation of what the harmless bacterial substances were being used for; nor was he aware of the fact that Kurtz tasted the Serratia in one of the petri dishes in front of an officer to prove it was harmless; nor that Kurtz was a professor and artist who had exhibited the materials at museums and galleries internationally. The judge was told of a photograph with Arabic writing beside it, but not of the photograph's context: an invitation to an art exhibition at MASS MoCA! The photograph, by artists The Atlas Group, was one of several exhibited pieces pictured on the invitation. A warning to artists. This case is precedent-setting, and will determine whether artists can be criminalized - in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution - for their ideas. What you can do to help. Kurtz is receiving international support from artists, scientists, and other citizens from 5 continents. Two forms of support needed: -Publicizing this precedent-setting case and its implications for artists. Any journalist who is interested is encouraged to contact the Defense Fund at: media@caedefensefund.org . -Should a trial occur, we will need scientists in the fields of biology, microbiology, and molecular biology to be expert witnesses, particularly in the areas of laboratory procedures, laboratory behaviors, and microbiology issues. We will also need curators and contemporary art historians and theorists to offer expert testimony on the cultural legitimacy of CAE's activities. If you are able to offer such testimony, or know anyone who may be, please contact: media@caedefensefund.org . For more information on how to help: www.caedefensefund.org
|
GET
YOUR BANGBROS NETWORK PASS NOW In
this section: just added : GF revenge wtf was she doing.. most viewed:
hot-business owner XXXopoly
- Adult Board Games visitors
since oct. 2005: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Movie Dollars >> use this coupon pay 8c per minute >>> Get 20 Free Minutes at hotmovies.com
|