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November 15, 2001 Ludwig out of jail, remains defiant Oilpatch vandalism: Healing difficult for community, neighbours say Robert Remington National Post HYTHE, Alta. - Members of Wiebo Ludwig's religious commune welcomed their spiritual leader home from prison yesterday with yellow ribbons, balloons and Christian music piped from the front porch of their farmhouse for the benefit of TV cameras. Ludwig, convicted on five charges related to bombing an oil well and other acts of oilpatch vandalism, hugged his wife, Mamie, and tearful members of his Trickle Creek commune after a three-hour drive from a minimum security prison in Grande Cache, Alta., where he served two-thirds of a 28-month sentence. "Thanks for taking the rap, enduring the crap. We love you Pap," read a homemade banner stretched across the road at the entrance to his farm. When he stepped out of his van to be greeted by his many children and his wife, music was turned on as TV cameras began to roll. Ludwig embraced supporters from the 34-member commune and walked into his farmhouse without comment. A yellow ribbon was draped from a nearby windmill. In a prepared statement read by Ludwig's religious co-leader, Richard Boonstra, the commune spoke of reconciliation with its neighbours upset with the unsolved killing of Karman Willis, a 16-year-old shot while joyriding with friends at Trickle Creek in June, 1999. The statement said they are a peaceful people who have been vilified. "Peaceful people don't use bombs," said Brian Peterson of West County Concerned Citizens, a community group organized after Ms. Willis' death. "They can't consider themselves peaceful people at that point. I hope in the future they can be considered peaceful, but in the past that was not always true." Mr. Peterson also took exception with portions of the statement that said Ludwig was unjustly incarcerated. "He was found guilty in a court of law," Mr. Peterson said. He said he was also concerned that the statement ended with a quote by John F. Kennedy that said, "Those who make peaceful resolution impossible make violent resolution inevitable." "Peaceful resolution is possible. Not impossible. All we really need is ceasing to condone violence and co-operation in the investigation into the shooting of Karman Willis," Mr. Peterson said. In Grande Cache, Ludwig told reporters "I feel fine? How would you feel getting out of prison? Jail changes people." Ludwig, 58, blames the burning off of excess gas from oil wells, known as flaring, for damaging the health of his livestock and causing the stillbirth of one of his children. "It is clear that our struggle and the ensuing public pressure has, despite the industry's reluctance, had a positive effect on the oil/gas industry, evidenced by a reduction of flaring and increased respect for landowners," the statement read. "However, this does not excuse the industry's behaviour or that of the Alberta government, police and courts who we will continue and must continue to hold accountable." Mr. Peterson said it will be difficult for the community to heal with Trickle Creek talking of reconciliation while continuing to express defiance. "There isn't so much anger in the community as there is frustration [at the unsolved killing of Ms. Willis], Mr. Peterson said. "Be assured that this ordeal has not succeeded in destroying us or silencing us as a fledgling, self-sufficient Christian community, but has rather strengthened our unity and resolve," the commune's statement read. "No one is asking them to be silent, but violence is not an option," Mr. Peterson said.Copyright © 2001 National Post |