bad ass.

I fail to see why one would change the title to “anarchist” the way infoshop does. Assigning a political position to someone based on an alleged theft/vandalism (confessed to under duress, no doubt) seems dubious at best, and not particularly useful. Would we care less if he self-identified as a Jain?

As I wrote elsewhere, the real question is, “Why isn’t the media trotting out the t-word in this case?”

Possible: 1) There were no claims/communiques like ELF actions, therefore no “intimidation” of the state or whatever 2) His age somehow evokes restraint on the part of the media, 3) They (cops) honestly believe he is mentally ill and have cautioned the media as such, 4) No accelerants or timing devices mean no terrorism.

Urgent ELP! Bulletin (27th of March 2008)

Dear friends,

An American 17 year old youth, Michael Sykes, has been arrested accused of setting fire to two newly constructed houses. The cops have told the media that Michael has admitted the arson attack saying he did it in protest against urban sprawl. The cops also state he has admitted to torching a supermarket and a string of vandalisms, including damaging an 80-foot utility pole, painting an anarchist symbol and burning the American flag.

Despite the cops claim that Michael has admitted these offences he has pleaded not guilty in court and has been remanded into custody.

Please send letters of support to:

Michael W. Sykes
100 East 2nd St
Monroe
Michigan 48161
USA

Below is a mainstream media article about Michael:

Acused Arsonist May Get Plea Deal:

MONROE – A plea bargain could be in the works to resolve criminal charges against the Lambertville teenager accused of setting fires that caused more than $500,000 damage to unfinished homes in Bedford Township, his attorney said in court yesterday.

Michael W. Sykes, 17, of 7472 Canterbury Drive, appeared in Monroe County District Court for a pretrial hearing on arson and home invasion charges stemming from a March 14 fire that destroyed a house being built on Brentridge Lane.

At the request of the youth’s attorney, Judge Mark Braunlich waived a preliminary exam scheduled for Monday.

The defense attorney, Andrew Peth, told Judge Braunlich that a preliminary exam may not be necessary because he was in discussions with prosecutors about a possible resolution that would avoid the case going to trial. Judge Braunlich scheduled a pretrial hearing for April 9.

Investigators said the teenager confessed to the arson fire at the unfinished home on Brentridge and admitted setting fire two days earlier to a nearby condominium on Fountain Circle in a subdivision off Douglas Road.

He was arrested March 16 when he attempted to siphon gasoline from the vehicle of an undercover Monroe County sheriff’s deputy, who was among nearly a dozen officers working in a stakeout to catch the arsonist responsible for the fires.

According to detectives, the Sykes youth, who is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $1 million bond, admitted to setting the arson fires because of his dislike for the development of new homes in the Toledo suburb and the cutting of trees to build houses.

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Roehrig said later in an interview outside the courtroom that discussions have been held with the teenager’s attorney to reach a possible resolution.

“But nothing has been reached at this date,” he added.

In addition to arson fires that destroyed the homes, authorities said the teenager confessed to setting earlier fires in the condo in Crystal Water Villas and attempting to chop down an 80-foot utility pole along Sterns Road on March 14.

The teenager also confessed to stealing an American flag from a residence near Sterns and painting the anarchist symbol – the letter “A” inside a circle – on it.

Mr. Roehrig said the investigation into the incidents was being reviewed to determine possible charges, but a decision had not been made.

Sheriff’s Detective Tom Redmond said the teenager also admitted to committing arson fires when he was 15, including the January, 2006, blaze behind the Kroger store at Sterns and Secor roads in Lambertville that destroyed a semi trailer and filled the store with smoke.

The teenager’s parents attended the court hearing. They talked privately to their son as deputies were escorting him from the courtroom, where he was to be taken back to the jail.

Contact Mark Reiter at:
markreiter@theblade.com
or 734-241-3610.

———

Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network
BM Box 2407
London
WC1N 3XX
England
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

Dear friends

The young American anarchist, Michael Sykes, who has been jailed for a number of activities including an anti-urban sprawl arson, burning the American flag, spray painting an Anarchist symbol and criminal damage, has been moved to a new address. His new address is

Michael Sykes 696693
3855 Cooper St
Jackson, MI 49201
USA