Leslie James Pickering is a co-owner of Burning Books, a friendly local radical bookstore in his hometown of Buffalo, New York.

Leslie is also known for being a vocal advocate of freedom struggles and having been spokesperson for the Earth Liberation Front Press Office between 1997 and 2002.  The Press Office received anonymous communiqués from the underground, claiming responsibility for numerous large-scale sabotage actions in defense of the Earth.  Through the Press Office and otherwise, Leslie has been an outspoken advocate for autonomy and wilderness.

In 2012, Leslie uncovered evidence that the FBI had him under federal surveillance and investigation.  The Bureau had Leslie put on a secret list for heightened security screenings at airports, subpoenaed his financial records and contracted the post office to send them photocopies of all his mail.  Leslie is currently engaging in a public legal campaign to resist and expose this repression of free speech.

http://www.lesliejamespickering.com/