US Settles For $2 Million In Bari "Eco-Terror" Bombing Case

[hatrack]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The federal government has agreed to pay $2 million to settle a lawsuit filed by two environmental activists who were arrested and branded eco-terrorists by the FBI 14 years ago. Darryl Cherney and the estate of the late Judi Bari, who died of cancer in 1997, will divide the settlement and a separate $2 million settlement from the Oakland City Council last year.

The two activists from Earth First! were arrested by the FBI when a pipe bomb exploded in their car in Oakland on May 24, 1990. Bari, who was driving, suffered a crushed pelvis and Cherney was cut. The two were arrested within hours and their homes and vehicles were searched. Authorities at the time said they believed that Bari and Cherney had been carrying the bomb in her car and that it had detonated accidentally.

The two activists later sued the FBI and Oakland police investigators, alleging false arrest, illegal search, slanderous statements and conspiracy. They claimed officials lied to try to make a case and ignored evidence that would have cleared them. Attorneys for Bari and Cherney said investigators didn't try to probe an anonymous letter sent to The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa shortly after the bombing. The letter detailed the construction and placement of the bomb and included information about a different bombing that damaged a Cloverdale lumber mill the same month.

The writer, claiming to be "the Lord's avenger," said the bomb was retribution for Bari's participation in an abortion rights demonstration. At the time of the bombing, Bari and Cherney were organizing a series of protests against the logging of old-growth forests."

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