by Stephen A. McNallen
from The Runestone Summer 1997 #19

Else Christensen will be a free woman in early October, ending an injustice that has dragged on for several years. The challenge now is to head off another wrong, by preventing her deportation to Canada upon her release!

Else was one of the founders of Odinism/Asatru in North America. Beginning in the early 1970’s, she published THE ODINIST and was leader of the Odinist Fellowship, first from Canada and later from Florida.

When she was railroaded into prison on dubious testimony some years back, we all knew this was an injustice. When the Feds announced they might try to deport her upon the completion of her sentence, the AFA could no longer sit idly by. we retained an attorney, Mr. Jimmy Browning of Breckenridge, Texas, to defend her and we continue to monitor her situation.

So, what’s happening lately? Here is the latest, in her own words:

“THANKS… FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE LAST YEAR – OR SHOULD I SAY PASSING YEAR – I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU’RE DOING FOR ME.

THIS LEADS ME TO THINKING OF JIMMY BROWNING. I’VE JUST WRITTEN HIM ASKING TO REQUEST A HEARING BEFORE THE IMMIGRATION JUDGE. I MAY GET ONE BEFORE RELEASE WHICH WOULD BE MUCH TO PREFER. OTHERWISE, ON MY RELEASE DATE (OCT. ’97) I WOULD BE PICKED UP BY THE MARSHALS AND THEN TAKEN TO A HOLDING PLACE UNTIL THE HEARING CAN BE HELD. I HOPE I HAVE ENOUGH POINTS IN MY FAVOR TO STAY IN FLORIDA BUT WE’LL SEE HOW IT COMES OUT; THERE MAY BE A MIDDLE GROUND OR WAYS TO GET AROUND THE PROBLEM…”

The AFA will be conferring with Mr. Browning to see what more we can do to help Else in this situation.

In the meantime, Else hasn’t been sitting idle. With the help of friend Rick, she’s planning a web page which will be her public voice upon release, and she’s continually in the middle of a good book. She works with other alternative religious groups and has taken part in assorted projects behind the walls. The movement stands ready to benefit from Else’s energy and wisdom once she among us again!