For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Ryan Oliver (310) 854-8272
Los Angeles, March 16, 2009 – Two Minnesota legislators said they will introduce a resolution today asking California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to keep domestic terrorist Kathleen Soliah (aka Sara Jane Olsen) out of their state while she serves parole. State Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen and State Representative Laura Brod are preparing to introduce a resolution that calls on Schwarzenegger to require Olson to serve her parole in California.
Soliah was convicted of accessory to murder during a bank robbery and the attempted murder of Los Angeles police officers while a key member of the Symbionese Liberation Army, a domestic terrorist group active in the 1970s. Railing against the "fascist state," the SLA assassinated Oakland School Superintendent Marcus Foster, an emerging leader in the African-American community; attempted to kill LAPD officers with pipe bombs; killed Myrna Opsahl, a mother of four, during a bank robbery that netted $15,000; kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst; and saw six of its members die in a massive shootout and fire with the LAPD.
"We are pleased that the Minnesota legislature has taken a stand on this issue," said LAPPL President Paul Weber. "The facts about Ms. Soliah’s criminal involvement should always be at the forefront when considering how she should serve her parole. She ordered the fuses to make the car bombs, provided safe houses, and raised money and ran errands for the SLA as it was conducting its terrorist campaign. “We feel strongly that she should not receive any special considerations. She should not be allowed to serve parole in the state of her choice," Weber said.
The Minnesota legislature's resolution comes on the heels of an effort by the St. Paul and Los Angeles Police unions to keep Soliah in California, despite her wishes to move back to St. Paul, the city she lived in during most of her 23 years on the lam. Both unions sent letters to Schwarzenegger arguing that Soliah would be better monitored in California because Minnesota does not have sufficient interest to do so.
“Law enforcement is united in its opposition to Ms. Soliah’s attempt to once again avoid serving her complete sentence,” Weber said. “Neither as Kathleen Soliah nor as Sarah Jane Olson has she accepted responsibility for what she has done. Because she has never shown remorse for her terrorist activities, there is no reason that California should accommodate any of her requests.”
About the LAPPL Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,800 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com
