Judi Bari Trust Fund
106 West Standley Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-1660
May 24, 1991
Dear Donor:
On the one-year anniversary of the bombing of Judi and Darryl, the officers of the trusts would like to thank you for your generous contribution(s) to the Judi Bari and/or Darryl Cherney Trust Funds. Originally, there was only one trust fund which was set up for both Judi and Darryl. However, for administrative and legal reasons, this trust was soon divided into the Judi Bari Trust Fund and the Darryl Cherney Trust Fund. Seeing that Judi's medical needs were far more serious, Darryl accepted a small portion of the donations for his needs and the bulk of the funds were placed in Judi's trust.
Your contributions have helped pay for some of Darryl's medical and legal expenses. Your donations have also helped to meet Judi's medical and legal needs, as well as helping with her expenses for housing, security and home care attendants. More importantly, aside from monetary considerations, the fact that you and so many others cared enough to help and to create an ongoing display of concern and support has boosted their spirits and aided in their recovery in more ways than words could express. Both of them were deeply moved by your showing them so much love. It is your concern and caring that have made it possible for Judi to return to her home community and live there independently with her children.
Judi has been nominated for Earth Laureate Award
Despite the violent attacks on Judi, she continues to call for nonviolent actions around peace and environmental issues. It is because of her unyielding spirit, her effectiveness in organizing and her commitment to nonviolence that the Earth Island Institute has nominated Judi for the Earth Laureate Award, scheduled to be presented at the United Nations on World Environment Day, June 5th. Cited in the nomination were Judi's "contributions in building coalitions between timber workers and environmentalists" and bringing the redwood forest issue to national and international attention.
For many months after the bombing, it seemed that Judi would not be able to sit or walk for any length of time. With the support of many committed friends, Judi showed tremendous courage by refusing pain medication and testing her physical limits. Eventually, she had the strength to leave the medical support system and be with her family at home. At this point, Judi is able to do some singing, fiddle playing and political organizing. However, her bones are displaced, she has an unstable pelvic structure, nerve and bone damage in her lower back and leg, restricted movement, limited energy and frequent bouts with pain.
The trust funds continue to lend support for Darryl's ongoing medical needs and continue to pay expenses for Judi and her two children. Judi's request for SSI has initially been denied, and during this past year she has relied heavily on your generosity via her trust fund. Consequently, the trust funds have been largely depleted and it is obvious that the trusts will not be able to continue their present level of support throughout the coming year unless the funds are replenished.
In addition, over the past year it has become increasingly obvious that the best defense for Judi and Darryl may be for them to take the legal offensive. After one whole year, the FBI and other police agencies have, at best, dragged their feet in conducting an investigation and are now no closer to finding the perpetrator of the bombing than they were last May. Moreover, the FBI and other police agencies have deliberately lied to the media regarding the placement of the bomb in Judi's car and about finding matching nails from the bomb and from Judi's house. For these reasons, Judi and Darryl have filed a lawsuit against the FBI and other police agencies for spoliation of evidence, misrepresentation by police officials, cursory investigation of the death threats and cursory investigation for the bomber, withholding of evidence, false labeling as suspects, deceptive publicity and invasion of privacy. Helping to pay for the costs involved in preparing and in litigating this lawsuit would be a legitimate and important use of the trust funds, but this is not possible now as the small amount of remaining funds in the trusts must be preserved for meeting more immediate physical needs.
Finally, it has become increasingly apparent over the past year that we are not likely to see a police investigation which results in the apprehension and conviction of the bomber. This comes at a time when acts of violence against environmentalists are increasing at an alarming rate. Surely, catching and convicting the perpetrators of these violent acts would help to prevent further such incidences. However, we see instead these crimes going unpunished and an atmosphere developing which encourages further acts of violence against environmental activists. A private investigator was hired for a short time, thanks to funding from Greenpeace, to find Judi and Darryl's bomber. This investigator mounted a serious investigation and made significant strides towards finding the bomber, but funding was too small and the time was too short to bring the investigation to a conclusion. Funding the continuance of this investigation would be another legitimate and important use of the trust funds, if adequate funds were available.
We, Judi and Darryl's trustees, as well as Judi and Darryl themselves, wish to thank you once again for your generous contributions of concern and money. Your efforts have made an important difference in Judi and Darryl's recovery during the first year after the bombing. But, as described above, they have ongoing needs which can only be met by your continued generosity.
In addition, we are trying to establish a special fund which will be used as a monetary reward for anyone who gives evidence which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the bomber. Won't you please help Judi and Darryl overcome the terrorizing physical and legal ordeal through which they are being put by sending another donation this year?
Sincerely, Judi Bari, Darryl Cherneyand Trustees, Susan Crane, Don Cameron, Gary Ball
Checks should be made payable to the Judi Bari Trust Fund or the Darryl Cherney Trust Fund and returned to the Mendocino Environmental Center in the enclosed envelope. Please indicate on your check whether you prefer your donation to be available for general use as needed or whether you prefer your donation to be directed specifically towards medical expenses, the Police Powers lawsuit, a private investigator or the Find The Bomber reward fund.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited