Full citation: Dug, Samantha, Sprig, and Turtle, eds., Earth First! Journal 22, no. 6 (21 June 2002). Digitized in cooperation with the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek. http://www.environmentandsociety.org/node/7069

Copyright: All rights reserved. The user may download, preserve and print this material only for private, research or nonprofit educational purposes. The user may not alter, transform, or build upon this material. trs .

0 6>

, 25274 83085 • I

art irst! Litha June-July 2002

The Radical Environmental Journal

INNARDS

VICTORY FOR THE U'wA ••.• •••.••••••••••••••••••••••.••• 4 EF! TAKES THE FBI TO COURT .•••••..•....••••••••••..•••••••.•••.•• 6 PELTIER SuES THE FBI. ••••••••..•.•••...•••••••••.••••••••••••••• ·•• ? LORD OF MACHINES: INTO MIDDLEEARTHWITHTOLKIEN •• 10 EARTH CHARTER: TRANSITION TO A NEW WORLD? ••••••• 12 HATE CiVILIZED: AN INTERVIEW WITH DERRICK]ENSEN ••• 14 BuREc: 100 YEARS OF DESTRUCTION •••.•.••.••••••••••••• 16 THE MosT ILLEGAL PLACE IN THE WoRLD ••••••••••••••• 18 MARINE CONVOY THREATENS TO CRUSH TORTOISES ••• 19 DENE SuLINE oF LA LocHE NEED YouR SuPPORT••••.• 20 REMEMBERING ROBERTA BLACKGOAT: 1917 -2002 ..... 22 LUSH AND LIVID: PROTECTING ECUADOR'S FORESTS ••••• 24 PHILADELPHIA ACTIVISTS SUED BY DEVELOPERS •... 25 CLIMATE CHANGE CARAVAN TRAVERSES CANADA •••• 26 WoRLD WEEK FOR ANIMALS IN LABS RouNDUP ••• :•• 28 SociAL RESPONSIBILITY AT THE GoLDEN ARCHES ••• .30 PIES FOR THEIR LIES . •....•....•..•••..••••...•••.••.••••.....•• 33 ELF SPOKESPERSON RESIGNS •.••••.•...•.•••••••.•.•.•••••••••• .40 PL CALLS FOR HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS ••.•••••••••••• .44 SECTIONS CoP TALK ..••...•...••.. .••.••••.••.••..• .•••.••••.•••••••••••••••• 45 DEAR SFB: LETTERS TO THE EDITORS ...... 3 NCEF! TAKES TO THE TREES ..••.•....•..••.•••.•••...•.••••••••••• .4 7 BLAST FROM THE PAST ...... 31 RuNNING oN EMPTINEss: A BooK REviEW ••.•••••••••••• 52 WOLVES AND POODLES ...... 32 PRIMITIVISM: AN ILLUSION WITH NO FUTURE ••••••••••• 53 ARMED WITH VISIONS ...•...... 34 CoMPASSION IS A CRIME: GRAND JuRY REvs UP •.•••••... S4 ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS OF THE WEIRD ...... 49 PusHING THRouGH PAvEMENT: A VIEw FRoM INsmE .••• 55 PRISONER SuPPORT CoNTACTS ...... S7 EAGLE CREEK DEFENDERS SUBPOENAED ••.•.•••••••••••••••• 55 ANNOUNCEMENTS ...... •....•..•...... 60 WHoA, WHERE's THE RRR? •.•••....••••••••••.••••••••.••••••• S8 SUBSCRIPTION lNFORMATION ...... 61 VIVA CABO ROJ0! ...... •• ..•••..••....••.•.••••••.•.•••.••••••••. 64 EF! DIRECTORY ...... •....•...... • 62 Lips to the Land Earth First! Journal Lith a The Sonoran desert doesn't reveal its strength and diverse beauty to the ca­ June 21. 2002 sual observer. It can be easily dismissed Vol. 22, No.6 as gnarly bits in a dustbowl-particu­ The Earth First! Journal is published larly in times of drought, as desert by an editorial collective from within plants go inward to survive the oncom­ the Earth First! movement. Entire con­ ing solar onslaught. From a distance, tents are copyrighted 2002. We allow the sleek and sinewy green branches reprinting if credit is given, except for and trunk of the palo verde those articles specifically copyrighted by the author. Art, photographs and tree look practically dead­ poetry are copyrighted by individual its leaves dried and fall­ artists and permission for use must be ing to the ground like received from them. straw. But truly it's The Earth First! Journal is a forum for alive, shedd}ngitssen­ the no-compromise environmental movement. Responsibility rests with the sitive vegetation to individual authors and correspondents. prepare for the intense The contents do not necessarily repre­ heat, relying on its sent the viewpoint of this magazine, the chloroplast energy grid. Earth First! movement, local Earth First! As the sun sets, the col­ groups or individual Earth First!ers. We welcome submissions of articles, ors and shadows take you letters, poetry and art that put the Earth deeper into the mystery of first, aid in healthy debate shaping the how the lowland mesquite bosque exacerbated by human greed so great growth of the movement and advance stays so green in sandy soil. The mys­ that it effects the weather. the creation of a world free of speciesism, tery is solved when you learn that I also see our own adaptations to the racism, sexism, violence, exploitation global crisis reflected in the articles in and oppression. most desert trees are nitrogen fixing, Article submissions should be typed living in symbiosis with the nurturing this issue of the Journal. The milestone or clearly printed. Art or photographs bacteria on their root systems. Desert victory of the U'wa people in Colom­ are desirable to illustrate articles and plants also make use of every bit of bia won through their blood, sweat essays. We encourage submissions on water that comes their way. You can and tears. The quest for truth in the Macintosh disks or via email. Send a see a saguaro swell in the hour after momentous legal challenge in the his­ SASE if you would like submissions returned. If you want confirmation of rainfall. Later in the Summer, you can torical Judi Bari bombing trial. The receipt of a submission, please request it. taste the concentrated sweetness in its strength of the residents of Minda, All submissions are edited for length fruit that comes from those crazy pro­ Ecuador, who are persistent and com­ and clarity. If an article is significantly lific white spring blooms. mitted to protecting the cloud forest, edited, we will make a reasonable effort to The intense shapes and colors of the and the defenders of the Cabo Rojo contact the author prior to publication. ISSN 1055-8411 Earth First! Journal is desert are lost from the distance. Dry garden in New York City fighting for indexed in the Alternative Press Index. barren mountains with dark patches, urban green spaces. Strength and di­ The Earth First! Journal is recorded on up-close reveal canyons with pine for­ versity in the midst of adversity. Like microfilm by University Microfilms, Inc. ests and wildflowers. Turning a corner the desert, we too must go on in this Please direct all correspondence to: on a rocky outcrop, you may be blasted struggle for life. From the distance this Earth First! journal by the riot-red flower of a cactus grow­ movement may be easily dismissed, POB 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702 USA ing in its granite nook. And just when but up-close, we are like the desert Phone: (520) 620-6900 you think you can't take the heat shifting and adapting to present con­ Fax: (413) 254-0057 anymore, the sun begins its nightly ditions. Perceived periods of dormancy [email protected] performance-reflecting color combi­ are not signs of weakness but a sign of www .earthfirstjoumal.org nations never to be seen again. A time strength, as we prepare for the right Bean Counter: Sky . for reflection on this desert ecosystem's moment-it's a restorative tactic. A Quitting after four damn years: Frog great strength in the face of adversity. rumbling underneath the surface, like Editorial Collective: Dug, Samantha, A rumination on how nature adapts a monsoon stormcloud in the distance. Sprig, Turtle Poetry Editor: Dennis Fritzinger and struggles with drought conditions -SPRIG Volunteers: Joey, Debbie, Bill, Almond, Hidro, Chimpy, Acasia and others The Earth First! Journal is published eight times a year on the solstices, equinoxes and cross­ Front cover: Terence Freitas quarter days on or about November 1, December 21 (Winter Solstice), February 2, March 21 (Vernal Equinox), Back cover: photos courtesy Terence May l,june 21 (Summer Solstice), August 1 and September 22 (Autumnal Equinox) by Daily Planet Publishing, Freitas, Amazon Watch, Project POB 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702. US subscriptions are $30. Outside the US, surface delivery is $40 and airmail is Underground and Dang Ngo $50. See form, page 61. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to EF! Journal, POB 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702. Front inside cover: Martin Travers Upcoming deadlines: Lugnasadh-June 20/Mabon-August 5 Back inside cover: Frog

Page 2 Earth First! Litha 2002 domen to him. Females exhibjt such strong reticence because there's a high risk of a male's armored genitalia shredding her ovipositor, causing bleeding and ~~ eventual death. The spiny organ engenders such a grip that should ...... -...auna Ca&a[a the male fly die while copulating, his mate will be unable to shed his bobbling carcass. When he finally BY FAITH WALKER does succeed in mating, he's selec­ Fauna. n. animal life. proceeds to fight off rivals but tive about how much sperm he Cabala. n. an esoteric, secret matter or doesn't mate until she's fin- imparts. A male's sperm has mysterious art. ished laying her eggs, greater competition Among dung flies (Sepsis cynipsea), which were fertilized pre­ with that of others in copulation can be deadly. In the heat viously. When this task older females, who of the Summer, females of this Euro­ is complete, the female have had more pean species descend upon fresh cow trundles off the pat to mates. So if his mate pats, where they oviposit and eat poo the grass beyond, is older, and there­ protein. Awaiting their arrival at the where she again tries fore sperm compe­ feculent cradle is a horde of grasping to dislodge him. If he tition likely fierce, he males, who attempt to mount them can ride this bucking copulates longer and and clamp onto their wing bases with bronco for about 20 min­ donates more sperm. specialized forelegs. If a male success­ utes, she'll agree to mate, an act This small manure connoisseur fully resists the female's vigorous at­ that requires her assistance because thus exemplifies both conflicting gen­ tempts to shake off his advances, he she's larger and must elevate her ab- der agendas and male sperm wars.

feral Female seek-s virile mate f<:>lo moonlit- tJprootln9 of nat;ve pla~ts, darnage to regional water>~eds, and +ne di>placement of ind't)enotAS species. Are you game 7

Dear SFB, First of all, thanks for being there. Next, in order to be effective (and to continue to be effective) the.environmental movement (including EF!) must attract young people, not just old fogies like me (activist since the '60s). I am presently employed Anpther thing, when I entered your Editors' Note: Some ofus agrt;e as a teacher in a public school, and l would like to . URLinto my browser today, I received with you, but around here tradi­ leave copies of the EF! Journal lying around my a page that appeared to be from your tion is tradition. We try to keep, classroom-not pushing them on the students, just ISP rather.than from EF!. I just thought the rest of the Journal c~~qn; ' making copies readily available, so that students can you might want to know. and if there was a ground_s~ell , read them in spare moments. I don't, however, By the way, are there any other of feedback and/or suggestions because if I were found to have magazines at school Earth First!ers who are also ham radio on a new name fOr Our lett'ers containing the phrase "shit fer brains,~~ I would find operators? section, we'd consider it. · · .· myself in deep poop. Is it really necessary to be Again, thanks for being there-keep Also, just to make sure you intentionally offensive? I'd like to see that one thing up the good work. have our correctwebsite address, toned down-I definitely do not want to see the EF! Best regards, it's www.earthfirst jourizal:org. activist message toned down, only the offensive (to -Bos }oNES Check it out! some-! personally don't give a rat's ass} language. [email protected] continued on page 36 June-July 2002 Ea~h Firs't.J Paie'3 which the invaders were willing to away the corporate face-saving, the re­ BY P ATRICK REINSBOROUGH kill for was black. sistance of the U'wa and the pressure "We are seeking an explanation for this To the U'wa (a name which means of the international solidarity cam­ 'progress' that goes against life. We are "the thinking people"), oil is Ruiria paign helped to force OXY to aban­ demanding that this kind ofprogress stop, meaning "the blood of Mother Earth," don its efforts to drill on U'wa land! that oil exploitation in the heart ofthe Earth and to extract it violates their most The slogans that so many of us have is halted, that the deliberate bleeding ofthe sacred beliefs. To the Los Angeles-based written on banners and chanted in Earth stop .. . We ask that our brothers and Occidental Petroleum (OXY), oil is the the streets-OXY Off of U'wa Land!­ sisters from other races and cultures unite in lucrative drug of choice for industrial are coming true. the struggle that we are undertaking ... We society and the fast track to record The significance of this victory can­ believe that this struggle has to become a profits. With both the Colombian and not be overstated. It is a victory not only global crusade to defend life." US governments backing the project, for the U'wa and their thousands of -STATEMENT OF THE U'WA PEOPLE, it seemed inevitable despite the un­ allies, but for all impacted communities A UGUST, 1998 compromising resistance of the U'wa, fighting the devastation of resource ex­ that eventually OXY would develop traction around the world. Although it When the story of Colombia's in­ oil operations on U'wa land. is not the final victory for the U'wa, it is digenous U'wa people first hit the But on May 3, at the Occidental a major milestone in their decade-long world stage, it was an all too familiar shareholder's meeting, the story ofU'wa struggle to defend their way of life and tragic tale: A ruthless multinational resistance turned a triumphant page. to teach the world the simple message oil company invades the homeland OXY made the historic announcement that, "If we kill the Earth, then no one of a traditional culture, threatening that it is returning its oil concessions on will live." their way of life and the fragile eco­ U'wa land to the Colombian govern­ The announcement comes nearly a system. It was a new twist on the same ment and abandoning its plans to drill year after OXY retreated from the 500-year-old story of conquistadors, in the region. OXY has suddenly de­ Gibraltar 1 drill-site, which thousands invasion and genocide that has shaped cided there is no oil under U'wa land of U'wa, local campesinos, trade union­ the Americas-only this time, the gold despite eight years of assuring investors ists and students had occupied to pre­ of a major oil strike and only pursu­ vent oil drilling. After using the ing one drill site in the vast Colombian military to brutally evict the area. In other words, protestersandmilitarizetheregion, OXY when you strip was unable to find oil at the site. This came as no surprise to the U'wa whose Werjayas ("wise elders") had spent months doing spiritual work to "move" the oil away from GXY's drills. But as with all victories, this one has come with its share of losses. As we celebrate this victory, remember the spirits of those who have given their lives as part of the struggle to defend the U'wa land and culture. Remember Terence Freitas, Ingrid Washinawatok and Lahe'ena'e Gay, three indigenous rights activists who were kidnapped · from U'wa territory and murdered by l Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Co~ ~ lombia guerrillas in March, 1999. Re­ ~ ~ member the three indigenous children ~ whowerekilledinFebruary,2000, when ~ the military attacked U'wa blockades~ § Remember the 20 non-combatants who ~ are murdered in Colombia's war every day as well as the numerous cultures,

Page 4 Earth First! Litha 2002 species and ecosystems that have al­ The U'wa campaign has shown that Bush's latest oil war in Colombia. Like­ ready been lost across the region. times are changing. Increasingly, ac­ wise, the Colombian government or Celebration also gives us pause for tivists from the global North are align­ another oil company could invade introspection as we analyze our victo­ ing themselves with the voices of U'wa land and continue where OXY ries and draw some lessons from this frontline resistance and weaving our left off. Ultimately, no culture or eco­ amazing campaign. The U'wa struggle struggles for peace, justice and ecol­ system will be truly safe until we drive for survival has become a symbol of ogy into a broader vision of people's the oil barons from power, kick our resistance to oil exploration, corpo­ globalization. As we work to globalize global fossil fuel addiction and begin rate-led globalization and American solidarity, dignity and ecological san­ to restabilize carbon dioxide levels in militarism. During the last five years, ity, we must look to indigenous resis­ the atmosphere. the U'wa resistance inspired a massive tance to help us relearn and articulate Celebrate the U'wa victory and let it international solidarity movement Earth-centered values. Let us learn fuel your passion to defend the Earth. that captured headlines around the from the examples of people like the Our work is far from done-but with world with hundreds of peaceful dem­ U'wa and place being in solidarity each milestone, each victory, each ac­ onstrations and actions. U'wa support­ with all the planet's besieged indig­ tion and each celebration, we are get­ ers confronted OXY's most important enous cultures at the center of our ting closer. Another world is possible! shareholders-former Vice President strategies for transformative change. To keep updated about the U'wa Al Gore and mutual fund giant Fidel­ The U'wa will continue to need our struggle or to collaborate on efforts to ity Investments-and forced them to support. Despite this major victory, the create a biocentric voice within the glo­ dump more than 60 percent of their U'wa and all the people of Colombia bal justice movement, contact Patrick holdings. Activists raised tens of thou­ are in danger of becoming the next Reinsborough, (415) 722-18.46; sands of dollars to support U'wa orga­ target in George Bush's global military [email protected]. nizing on the ground and made links offensive against "terrorism." The Bush Patrick Reins borough with numerous local campaigns. administration is proposing to spend is a long-term U'wa sup­ The U'wa struggle is the embodi­ $98 million to defend OXY's Cafio Li­ porter and freelance ment of the clash of world views that mon pipeline. This money will inevita­ global justice organizer. defines the globalization era. Across bly deepen the cycle of violence in the planet, traditional cultures with Colombia's brutal civil war. It is up to ancient spiritual traditions of living us to continue in balance with the· Earth are under our organiz­ attack by multinational corporations ing to stop capable of seeing the Earth only as a commodity to exploit and extract. It is up to all of us to show the public that they must choose sides-either with those who fight to defend the Earth or those who would destroy it for personal profit.

·f> .· n the withdrawal of OXY from U'wa sacred territory

We invite all of our brother and sister children of the Earth worries us because if humanity wants to continue to live, to tell the world that Mother Earth is alive, that the U'wa are we should start to make decisions to prevent our self­ alive, that the coming together of many voices, hands, cries, destruction. No one destroys man. Man destroys himself. writings, meditation, feet, thoughts, etc. make people free We want to continue reflecting to avoid the destruction of from aggressors and destroyers. the world because the U'wa want to continue to live. We all belong to the divine creation SIRA [the god of the The money king is only an illusion. Capitalism is blind U'wa; the creator of all life], and as such, we deserve and barbaric. It buys consciences, governments, peoples respect. Mother Earth, despite being violated, silently and nations. It poisons the water and the air. It destroys continues feeding us, sustaining us. She doesn't feel envy. everything. And to the U'wa, it says that we are crazy, but we She talks, but very fe~ listen · to her voice. She insists want to continue being crazy if it means we can continue to through cries, but everything continues the same. This exist on our dear Mother Earth. worries us, but we the U'wa and friends of the U'wa of Brother and sisters of the world, the U'wa will continue Colombia arid the world will continue to defend her with defending Mother Earth. We invite you to continue ac­ our voice, our sacred fasts, our songs, our faith. companying us. Thank you for believing in us. Our brothers and sisters-the a'ir, water, sun, moon-are -U'WA TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES contaminated and they are being destroyed. This too

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 5 Earth First! Takes the FBI

BY KAREN PICKETT to Court During closing arguments of this six-week trial, attorney for the plaintiffs Tony Serta called the unholy union between the Oakland Police and the FBI's anti-terrorism unit (Squad Judi Bari and Darryl 13) the "KGB of the FBI." His voice became hushed and conspiratorial as he hunched over Cherney's Case the podium before the rapt jury and spoke of "the inner sanctum of the FBI... the terrorism squad ... Squad 13." Heard after 12 Thursday, May 24, 1990, is fresh in my memory. Shortly after noon, a pipe bomb exploded in Years Earth First! activist Judi Bari's car as she drove through Oakland, California, with Darryl Cherney. They were organizing for Redwood Summer: a season-long campaign modeled after the 1960s civil rights campaign Mississippi Free­ dom Summer. We hoped to build a resistance that could stand up to the corporate timber beast and rising animosity toward forest activists. Everything changed the moment the bomb went off. The explosion nearly killed Judi, leaving her disabled for the rest of her life. The time-delayed, motion-triggered, nail-studded bomb was meant to kill her. Within minutes of the explosion, the FBI and Oakland Police Department (OPD) were on the scene, brand­ ingJudi and Darryl as terrorists and Earth First! as a known terrorist organization. Within hours and in defiance of all evidence, the cops arrested Judi and Darryl, claiming they were knowingly transporting the bomb. The bombing followed months of COINTELPRO-style [the FBI's counterintelli­ gence program] disruption of Earth First! organizing efforts: phony press releases calling for violence; fake terrorism manu­ als; false media stories; continuous death threats, harassment and sur­ veillance. Even if the FBI had noth­ ing to do with promulgating the threats, slander and violence, they certainly treated what should have been seen as solid leads in the bombing with cavalier in­ difference, if not a hostile cover-up. Squad 13 kept a file on Earth First! as well as about 300 other Bay Area groups. Collaboration and con­ spiracy aside, the co-defen­ dants pointed fingers at each other throughout the trial, the FBI saying the OPD made the arrests and signed the Page 6 Earth First! Litha 2002 search warrants, the OPD asserting through it for 11 years speaks vol­ and set up Earth First! in a sting op­ that the feds supplied the informa­ umes to its strength. eration in Arizona. Mark Davis and tion for the warrants and were the Peg Millett spent several years in "experts." Regardless of which ver­ COINTELPRO, Richard Held prison after the sting, which was de­ sion you believed, the contradictions and Earth First! signed, in the FBI's words to "send a did nothing but grow, grow, grow It wasn't the first time the FBI tried message" and disable EF! by taking (like Pinocchio's nose), the more de­ to associate EF!-a biocentric move­ out a perceived leader of the organi­ fense testimony we heard. ment that employs civil disobedience zation. The FBI's efforts to convince The civil lawsuit filed in 1991 was as its primary tactic-with explosives. the Arizona activists to use the incen­ finally presented to a jury. The law­ After Peg Millett, Mark Davis, Marc diary chemical thermite were key, but suit charges violation of Fourth Baker, Ilse Asplund and Dave the activists declined. Amendment rights of the US Consti­ Foreman were arrested for The FBI and police response to tution for false arrest and illegal search monkeywrenching in 1989, we the bombing followed classic and seizure; violations of Judi and learned that the FBI had spent more COINTELPRO patterns. First, they Darryl's First Amendment rights to than two million dollars to infiltrate continued on next page freedom of speech by falsely painting them to the public as bomb-carrying terrorists, thereby discrediting the nonviolent Redwood Summer anti­ logging campaign; and a conspiracy PELTIER SuEs FBI between FBI and OPD to violate Judi and Darryl's constitutional rights. The At a time when the FBI is already on defense strategy was carried out with trial in the Judi Bari bombing case, reckless disregard for the truth, main­ attorneys for imprisoned Native taining that the defendants, as law American activist Leonard Peltier enforcement, are beyond reproach. named former FBI Director Louis As the trial opened, the defendants Freeh as a defendant in a lawsuit filed were literally lined up against the far on April 4 in US District Court in wall of the courtroom-that image Washington, DC. Freeh, along with was worth a lot in itself. the FBI Agents Association and a long "You probably noticed a difference list of active FBI agents, is accused of between the two tables in the court­ violating Peltier's constitutional rights room," said Serra to the jury in his by making false and unsupported closing remarks. "You may have no­ statements to the public, Department ticed that the plaintiff's table fairly ofJustice, US Parole Commission and seethes with enthusiasm." Indeed. former President Clinton. The com­ The plaintiff's table also exuded the plaint alleges that the FBI "engaged smell of roses and other Spring flow­ in a systematic and officially sanc­ ers into the stuffy federal courtroom. tioned campaign of misinformation This was quite a contrast to the pork­ and disinformation" designed to pre­ bellied, fat-necked government attor­ vent Peltier from receiving fair clem­ neys sitting at the defense table. Our ency and parole reviews. assert that this characterization is table overflowed with people, many The lawsuit follows an FBI cam­ not only false but intentionally de­ under 30, along with gray- and white­ paign aimed at dissuading former ceptive given the government's haired attorneys. Besides the jars of President Clinton from issuing long-held position that it cannot flowers, each of the legal team got a Peltier a grant of executive clem­ prove who shot the agents. Further­ tiny pink rose daily, which some­ ency during his last days in office. more, they say it cost Peltier, now times was inserted into a button hole, FBI agents across the nation spon­ 57 years old and in poor health, his but more often was employed for sored major newspaper and radio long-deserved freedom. aromatherapy, to be raised to the nose ads, submitted letters to the editors Peltier has served more than 26 at opportune times in the tense pro­ and marched by the hundreds in years in prison for the deaths of two ceedings as salve to the brain. front of the White House to discour­ FBI agents killed in a 1975 shoot-out The people at this aromatic table, age clemency. Freeh wrote searing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from Judi's daughter Lisa to plaintiff letters to Clinton and Attorney Gen­ in South Dakota. Peltier's supporters Darryl Cherney to Bill Simpich, the eral Janet Reno that urged against claim that the FBI terrorized witnesses, attorney who first filed the lawsuit Peltier's release. The campaign, utilized false testimony and withheld in 1991, were happy and proud to which gained national attention, a ballistics test that proved Peltier's finally be in court. The scowls at the characterized Peltfer as a cold­ innocence to gain his conviction. defense table reflected the failure of blooded killer who brutally shot two For more information, contact the their numerous challenges, motions FBI agents at point-blank range. Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, and appeals to try to vaporize this Peltier's attorneys and supporters (785) 842-5 77 4; [email protected]. case. The fact that the case survived June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 7 continued from previous page in fact, some outlawed practices are police's own crime scene photos. portrayed Earth First! as terrorists being reinstated in the post-September Lie # 2: "The nails matched." The to the local police force and the me­ 11 hysteria. Two of their best known nails in the bomb were finishing dia. They destroyed physical evi­ victims are Black Panther leader nails-long, with no heads. The nails dence, refused to investigate leads, Geronimo ji)aga (Pratt), who spent 25 found in Judi's car were roofing lied in search warrants and falsely years in prison as a wrongly-convicted nails-short, with large heads-and arrested Darryl and Judi. political prisoner, and framed Ameri­ sinkers-thick with heads-both The use of false charges to frame and can Indian Movement leader Leonard used in her work as a carpenter. discredit activists recalls the dark days of Peltier, still in prison after 26 years. Lie #3: "These people are terrorists ). Edgar Hoover, initiator of the infa­ COINTELPRO was designed to foment known for violence." Earth First!' s record mous COINTELPRO launched in 1956 internal discord in activist groups, iso­ of nonviolence speaks for itself. against the Communist Party-USA. Af­ late, terrorize and discredit them, and ter propagandistic and often violent assassinate their leaders. Testa-Lying: Faux Facts, Lies campaigns to neutralize the Socialist and Videotape Workers Party, Black Panthers and oth­ The Big Lies Not only was much of the OPD's ers,COINTELPROwasoutlawedbyCon­ The crux of our case was showing and FBI witnesses' testimony riddled gress' Church Committee in 1975, which that police agencies conspired and with contradictions and lapses of concluded that, "The American people collaborated to violate civil rights. We memory as to critical facts, but their need to be assured that never again will exposed the three big lies they put views on EF! bordered on fantasy. An an agency of the government be permit­ forth to support search and arrest war­ OPD defendant thought it was a "bi­ ted to conduct a secret war against those rants against all evidence and logic. zarre type of ethics" that would al­ citizens it considers threats to the estab­ Lie# 1: "The bomb was in the back seat low one to violate laws in defense of lished order." But COINTELPRO-style in plain view. " It was hidden under the ecology. To him, it's a short leap FBI operations continue to this day, and driver's seat. This is proved by the from nonviolent civil disobedience

Page 8 Earth First! Litha 2002 to bomb throwing. FBI counsel threw around references to "Earth Night" like it was a nationally recognized holiday and characterized the Ari­ zona action to the jury as an attack on a nuclear facility. (The transmis­ sion tower the FBI was helping the Arizona activists take down supplied power to the Central Arizona Project, which provides water for Phoenix's golf courses.) Several defendants were very combative on the stand, chal­ lenging even the court's right to hold them accountable. I expected them to blurt out, "You can't question us­ we're the FBI!" Innuendo, rumors, a sprinkling of bald-faced lies and copinions (opinions of cops) characterized what was admis­ sible into the trial regarding Earth First! 's car. reputation. But we were not allowed to directly under driver's seat, disproving the FBI lie that the bomb was in the back seat. mention COINTELPRO or the FBI's bad ered information on 634 people scribed people coming from Canada reputation ... unless the other side whose crime was getting a phone call and the Northwest-and to suggest opened the door by broaching the topic. from an EF!er. The 634 ended up in that explosives were involved. Sena's Stalwart lead attorney Dennis the FBI files. outrage at having to testify as a defen- Cunningham (well aware of the FBI's dant when he is accustomed to the nefarious history, having fought the Suspension of Reality world of intrigue where anything goes, government on Fred Hampton's case) The search warrant quotes Agent brought him to yell, interrupt the kept looking for that glimmer of a crack Frank Doyle saying, "A separate bag judge and try to fire questions back at in the door and tried to push it open. of nails was discovered in the vehicle the questioning lawyer. Since he had Shut down by their objections and rep­ that are identical to the nails taped previously done significant work in­ rimanded by the judge several times, to the explosive device." OPD Lieu­ vestigating Nazi groups and was the he persisted nonetheless, since tenant Mike Sims made the decision case agent, he was asked whether he COINTELPRO-type operations are at to arrest, and although he was rely­ had looked into the Nazi groups iden­ the heart of this case. With the dis­ ing heavily on information received tified by Judi as having issued overt missal of Richard Held from the case­ from the FBI, he continued to insist threats. He blurted out, "I didn't know a tragic miscarriage of justice-this be­ he saw matching nails even as he sat what was going on, and furthermore, came more difficult to assert because on the stand looking at finishing I wasn't all that interested." Held is the link, being a principle archi­ nails and roofing nails, saying that tect of COINTELPRO and agent in someone must have given him a bag Dueling Bomb Experts charge of the San Francisco FBI office in of finishing nails. Perhaps one of his Doyle, a truly scary guy who taught 1990. Held lathered himself up in a officers ran to Orchard Hardware an FBI "bomb school" at a Louisiana­ qualified immunity argument and slith­ while they were collecting bomb de­ Pacific clearcut site one month prior ered out of this case in 1997. bris off the street. His other defiance to the car bombing, arrived at the The OPD and FBI also collaborated of spatial reality came when he testi­ bomb scene within minutes. OPD de­ in searches of EF!ers' cars at a tow lot fied that the guitar case in the back fendants have testified that Doyle after a Golden Gate Bridge banner seat of the bombed Subaru was" shat­ falsely stated that the bomb was in hanging on Earth Day 1990. At the tered" and "shredded." When con­ plain view on the back seat floorboard. time, we were puzzled by the re­ fronted with a police photo of the Agent David Williams, a forensic sponse to a simple banner hang, guitar case before the jury, fairly in­ bomb specialist from the FBI Crime Lab which included confiscation of files tact but for two dings about an inch in Washington, DC, was questioned in and address books. We later found long and a damaged bottom, he con­ the middle of Doyle's testimony and out through FBI documents Judi ob­ tinued to use the term "shredded." provided conflicting testimony. Will­ tained through discovery that they Agent Phil Sena, another very hos­ iams testified that every aspect of the did a "phone sweep" on people whom tile and combative defendant, was bomb's placement indicated that it was the 14 arrestees had called over a the vehicle for the so-called "tip" re- well-hidden: the obliterated underside period of a couple of months. On the . ceived from a Santa Cruz informant of the driver's seat, the undamaged witness stand, FBI Agent and Terror­ about "heavy-hitters coming down back of the seat, the blast pattern dam­ ist squad head John Reikes confirmed from the north to do an action at the age to the floor, the end cap impact that the names of the bridge action end of May." This was twisted around points and the booby-trap motion de­ participants went into the terrorism to implicate Judi and Darryl-though vice on the bomb. resource file, and the agency gath- as it turns out, the original "tip" de- continued on page 44 June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 9 city of Birmingham. Years later when he finally returned to BY }AMES BELL his childhood stomping grounds in his treasured hamlet of hese words, spoken against a black movie screen, Sarehole, it had been overtaken by urban sprawl. This "loss ure forth images of our own world just as much as they of paradise" inspired Tolkien's outspoken lifelong hatred set the scene for the opening of the fantasy film The Lord of cars, roads and machinery. of the Rings-The Fellowship of the Ring. This epic myth Tolkien never owned a television or a washing machine. resonates on many levels with the changes our world faces, He was a confirmed Iuddite, rejecting refrigerated food and from global warming to war. It is this ability to tap into cars. "How I wish the 'infernal combustion' engine had universal archetypes that has propelled its popularity to­ never been invented," he said. When asked about his life, day. After being nominated for 13 Academy Awards and he responded, "I am in fact a hobbit (in all but size). I like winning four, we can be sure that wizards and hobbits will gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a be part of our popular culture into the foreseeable future. pipe and like good plain food ... I go to bed late and get up It was the same when The Lord of the Rings first gained late." In an enlightening letter written to his son, Christo­ mass appeal in the US as a paperback. The book sold three pher, in 1943, Tolkien vented his frustration with govern­ million copies between 1965 and 1968 coinciding with the ment and the industrial age, "My political opinions lean worldwide student demonstrations of the late '60s. It more and more to anarchy (philosophically understood, gained an underground following among hippies and anti­ meaning abolition of control not whiskered men with war protesters, as the story seemed to speak directly to their bombs) ... There is only one bright spot and that is the causes for social justice and the environment. If anything, growing habit of disgruntled men of dynamiting factories the book's appeal to environmental activists has grown and power stations., It is this last statement and others like over the years, with its author, J.R.R. Tolkien, becoming a it that lead one to wonder if Tolkien would have approved sort of patron saint of neo-luddites. Tolkien, at first glance, of today's "elves"-those of the Earth Liberation Front. It seems an odd choice for the storyteller favorite of the is a fact that Tolkien was deeply troubled by the impact of Iuddite and revolutionary-yet an examination ofTolkien's modern industry and technology on the world's environ­ epic sheds light on why these stories resonate with th~ ment, especially "the lunatic destruction of the physical rebels of our technologic times. lands which Americans inhabit." In his letters, Tolkien considered technology a kind of Tolkien the Messenger "black magic." The machines of our world, and the dark Tolkien, who lived from 1892 to 1973, was a stuffy magic ofMordor, were both expressed in Tolkien's words by Oxford don who grew up in the Warkwickshire country­ a craving for "speed, reduction of labor and reduction of the side during the turn of the last century. He moved with his gap between idea or desire and the result or effect." The widowed mother when he was eight to the dirty industrial magic of creative enchantment was opposite that of Page 10 Earth First! Litha 2002 technology's black arts. Tolkien saw enchantment as the England's mythology was forgotten, buried around the artistic construction of "Secondary Worlds," like his own countryside. The Arthurian legends, Tolkien believed, were creation of Middle Earth. Tolkien thought of his enchant­ an imported French myth. He knew that the Anglo-Saxon ments as introducing new fantasy worlds and wonderlands metalsmiths of old were storytellers, forging their epics in into our own, making the Primary World a better place to their work. He reached back into the archeological and live. In particular, Tolkien believed that words held power. linguistic roots of England to resurface a lost mythology. Professor T.A. Shippey in The Road to Middle Earth wrote, Tolkien found inspiration elsewhere as well, like from "[Tolkien] thought that people could feel history in words, the rune singers of Finland and their oral histories con­ could recognize language styles, could extract sense from tained in the historic text of the Kaleva/a. He recognized sound alone ... It was like him to think, Bombadil-style, that that the existence of the Kaleva/a gave an identity to beneath all this there might be a 'true language,' one Finland that helped it exist as a nation separate from 'isomorphic with reality' ... " Enchantment through words Sweden. He wanted to fill his stories with such power and was Tolkien's ultimate elfish craft and the primary reason meaning. Tolkien captured all these various tendrils of behind his creation of Middle Earth. mythology in his novels, creating a modern mythology for Tolkien started enchanting us in 1937 when The Hobbit the "little guy"-the peasant, the worker, the student, the became the Harry Potter of its day. Tolkien was a philolo­ underclass, the minority, gist-one who studies words and researches their origins the rebel. · ·. · and histories. In Ancient Egypt, the name "Hob" meant continued on page 49 "messenger." It is the name most commonly given to the Egyptian god Thoth, the messenger of Ra. Thoth was the :Even the god of writing and language. Tolkien coined the word "hobbit" and created the main hobbit characters Bilbo and sma((est yerson Frodo to be his "messengers." In doing this, Tolkien was drawing a parallel between the god of words and himself. can chanae the More importantly, Tolkien believed that these old words held power, and thus he used their ancient meanings to course of the give his enchantments life. future. The Fellowship of the Monkeywrench Tolkien would take years to craft a "sequel." The Lord ofthe Rings, published in 1954, would become a sort of epic anti­ quest where Tolkien's heroes seek to rid the world of a great evil. This was the opposite of mythical quests throughout history where heroes set off to find something to bring back and aid their people. Tolkien's heroes turn the tool of the enemy against itself, tossing it into the fires of the Cracks of Doom like a monkeywrench thrown into the gears of a machine. Our society's growing desire to rid itself of runaway technologic progress resonates with this anti-quest element of the story. Tolkien would agree, "If there is any contemporary reference in my story at all, it is to what seems to me the most widespread assumption of our time: that if a thing can be done, it must be done. This seems to me wholly false." The science fiction author Gene Wolfe, who corresponded with Tolkien, described the secret behind the epic's inspiration. "He uncovered a forgotten wisdom among the barbarian tribes who had proved (against all expectation) strong enough to overpower the glorious civili­ zations of Greece and Rome; and he had not only uncovered but understood it. What he did, then, was to plant in my consciousness and yours the truth that society need not be as we see it around us." Tolkien's goal was to create a new mythology for England and a modern myth for "everyman." June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 11 The Earth Charter: Transition to a Sustainable World?

It cpallenges the assumptions of the Agenda 21, a list of specific assign­ BY Eco SouDARIDAD-ANDES World Trade Organization's (WTO) ments that every participating nation We are taught to perceive the ava­ free market position, and it is about to agreed to complete. Agenda 21led to lanche of global crises as isolated from be endorsed by most world leaders. the engagement of civil society in en­ one another, as separate problems that vironmental policy debates in most can be dealt with individually-one A History of Earth Summits countries. The US drew away from the crisis at a time. This mindset keeps and Earth Charters UN at this time and few of its citizens people from seeing the root causes of Back in 1982, when Earth First! was have ever heard of Agenda 21-let this troubled world-the dire and com­ founded, Ronald Reagan, James Watt alone participated in its issues and plete lack of participatory democracy and ol' George Bush, Sr. were busy forums. Mikhail Gorbachev and that leads to an unequal distribution threatening to drill and mine public Maurice Strong (Secretary General of of land, wealth and income. lands across the West (just like now), the Rio Earth Summit) kept working At the heart of all problems is the and US environmentalists were too on the Earth Charter along with the economic system that has gripped the busy fighting nationally to fully chal­ millions of people plugged in from world since 1980: "Global Free Market lenge the Reagan regime. Soon the US Agenda 21. Capitalism for Corporate Profits." This had pulled out of the UN Law of the Sea Principle Three of the 1992 Rio Decla­ economic system separates consum­ Treaty and refused to sign onto restric­ ration states, "The right to development ers from producers, alienates people tions on trade of hazardous materials. must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet from the natural world and favors That was also the year of the UN development and environmental needs mega-corporations and institutions Conference on the Environment of present and future generations." This over the will of the people and their where the US cast the only vote out of statement captures the heart of the Earth local governing bodies. 130 nations against the World Char­ Charter vision. It was approved over the The Earth Charter, on the other ter for Nature, a precursor to the 2002 objections of the US. hand, opposes a future whose primary Earth Charter. goal is economic growth and money. Ten years later, AI Gore made a name Johannesburg: World Summit for himself as a on Sustainable Development "green Demo­ From August 26-September 4, the crat" in Rio de largest-ever gathering of world leaders Janeiro, Brazil. will attend the World Summit on Sus­ The occasion was tainable Development (WSSD) in the first Earth South Africa. The three main issues to Summit. In the be addressed are: a review of progress weeks leading up made on commitments to sustainable to the summit, development since 1992, the Earth George Bush, Sr. Charter and an action program for had vetoed an implementing sustainable develop­ agreement on ment and the principles enshrined in limiting carbon the Earth Charter. dioxide emissions The current draft of the Earth Char­ (like George, Jr. ter was presented in Rio de Janeiro in would veto in 1997. The following interpretation . Kyoto nine years is the vision that civil society is fight­ later), and on the ing and dying to establish as a new opening day of way of living. the summit, Bush The Preamble to the Earth Charter managed to em­ identifies the parameters by which the barrass the US by world must address critical issues: clumsily scuttling 1. Urgency: "We stand at a critical " the World Treaty moment, a time when humanity must [ on Biodiversity. choose its future ... it is imperative, ~ The only sig­ that we declare our responsibility to ... l nificant output future generations .. . production and ~ from the Rio consumption are causing environmen­ Earth Summit was tal devastation ... the foundations of Page 12 Earth First! Litha 2002 global security are threatened ... these trends are perilous. We urgently need basic values of an ethical foundation for the emerging world community ... a global partnership to care for the Earth or risk destruction of ourselves and ... When basic needs are met, de­ velopment is about being more, not having more." 2. Respect for the Earth and the health of all ecological systems re­ quires major changes in our ways of living that reduce damage to the envi­ ronment and support all people and future generations. 3. Caution: Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach. The Earth Charter preamble states, "We affirm the Earth Charter as the principles for a sustainable way of life and a standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organiza­ tions, businesses, governments and transnational institutions are to be commitment or funding. The impor­ countries have done in meeting their guided and assessed." tance of the WSSD will be seen in the commitments to sustainability since The Earth Charter clearly requires debates over alternative economic 1992. The Earth Charter and other reso­ that all human activity must utilize structures and the declarations that lutions will be passed and a few action the least harmful processes and that come out of the parallel World programs will be drawn up as partner­ potential environmental, social and Sustainability Hearings that Earth Is­ ship-initiatives between government, economic impacts on future genera­ land Institute, non-governmental or­ the private sector and citizen groups tions must be important criteria. ganizations and international civil for sustainable development. Prioritization is given to ecological society are holding during the WSSD. Little that will break the strangle­ restoration and endangered species. Instead of the WTO, the Interna­ hold of the WTO and its corporate The burden of proof is placed fully tional Monetary Fund and World clients will come of the Earth Sum­ on those who propose an activity, and Bank, the UN should establish a tax mit. The value of the Earth Summit if there is uncertainty, then caution on developed countries that would and the Earth Charter is that they requires that a project or technology be used to subsidize poor rural areas. lend validity to the rising tide of anti­ be delayed until enough information Education, health care and support corporate and anti-US actions sweep­ is available. for subsistence agriculture should be ing the world. National interest and According to Earth Charter guide­ priorities. Sustainability guidelines, protest groups in the US are fast be­ lines almost all corporate activity would research and education can help keep coming irrelevant or marginal as in­ be illegal and few countries would be this new economic structure on tar­ ternational civil society asserts itself. considered democratic, since very few get. Existing models of successful pro­ Civil society-the people-are already meet all of the criteria: "just, sustain­ grams in India, Cuba, Bangladesh, beyond the Earth Charter. They de­ able, participatory and peaceful." Brazil and elsewhere can be adapted mand a "New World" of ecological It requires all countries to eradicate to fit unique cultural situations possibilities and sustainable options­ poverty and guarantee the right of all around the world. a world that they will control. to potable water, clean air, food secu­ The key to this program will be a All the power that rests in Wall Street rity and education-and to allocate new type of participatory local de­ and international banks is nothing sufficient national and international mocracy, like the examples from Porto compared to the force of millions of resources to fully assure and protect Alegre and other Brazilian communi­ people taking to the streets to demand these rights. ties. Also relevant will be the evolving sensible change now. The Earth Charter concludes with a knowledge people are gaining from That day is coming. section titled "The Way Forward," the collapse of Argentina and the or­ For more information, visit that calls for an international, legally ganizations of civil society-the un­ www.ifg.org, www.oriononline.org binding instrument on environment employed piqueteros and the popular and www.foodfirst.org. and development. assemblies of neighborhoods, commu­ Eco Solidaridad-Andes investigates cor­ The Earth Charter will be approved nities arid regions. porate and US threats to rural people and despite US objections, but the action In johannesburg, we will hear a lot of the environment. Contact them at program will not receive sufficient complainingabouthowpoorlytherich [email protected]. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 13 Hate Civilized Derrick Jensen Explores the Culture of Make Believe

speaking to standing-room­ BY TIM REAM only crowds in venues that are Derrick Jensen is a writer af­ both big and small. ter the hearts of EF!ers and radi­ One of the things I say that cals of all stripes. His books has been very well-received is include A Language Older Than that the most common words Words and Railroads and spoken by any environmental­ Clearcuts. His critique is broad ist I know are, "We're fucked." and personal, intellectual and People will say, "Well if that's down to Earth. the case then why don't you The title of Jensen's new just kill yourself," and the an­ book, The Culture of Make Be­ swer to that is that "life is good." lieve, suggests the revelation of There are so many people out some pretty big blind spots. there who refuse to acknowl­ How does one find a legitimate edge how terrible things are entry into discussing the very because they think that means context of all discussion: cul­ that their own life is going to be ture? How does one attempt to bad because life is going to hell look past or even at the "code" on the planet. Those are the that has governed all that our people who are at the periph­ society has built? Where might ery. The people who are actu­ one find a mirror that reflects ally working on these things across continents, history and say, "Well, of course, that just into the abstract world? Jensen makes us work all the harder." begins with hate. The other thing that is being A large part of the book is received very well, that I'm ac­ given to listening to the victims tually a little surprised about, is and ·survivors of hate. Jensen's that the next-to-last chapter in case is well-built. Bearing wit­ my book is called "Holocausts," ness in words to the acts of our and that arose because my pub­ ancestors is almost unbearable, lisher said that if you are going but bear it we must, for through these stories we begin to to write about hate you need to write about "The Holo­ understand some of the texture and complexity of hate. caust." I objected to that very strongly for two reasons._One Jensen insists we open our eyes to a few aspects of our because there.has been so much good stuff written about it, culture: the history of lynching in the US, genocidal acts that I'm not sure what I could write about it. and corporate disregard for life in the search for profit. One The second is that I objected to the word "The" because might resign oneself, in the face of such atrocities, to at the same time Nazis were killing six million Jews, they simply declare such behavior "human nature" and thus were killing Romani, Slavs, homosexuals, intellectuals and not worthy of attention. Jensen won't let go so easily. Russians. At the same time, Japanese were killing Chinese. Fewwriters today are able to bring history, politics and the . Twenty years before that the Turks were killing Armenians, r:,arth together without blinking in the face of the planetary and 20 years later the Americans were killing the Vietnam­ crisis. In May, while Jensen was in-between book tours, I ese. It's all kind of exemplified by a friend of mine who is a had the opportunity to speak with him about our civiliza­ great activist, a Jewish woman who was down in Florida tion, its mistakes and our collective liberal dream. when Schindler's List came out. She went to it, and she said as she walked out that there were all these elderly Jewish TR: What has the reception been out there in the "War on women shaking their fists and saying "never again." What Terror" America? What's it like being a radical speaker, and my friend said is that these women have never heard of the how do you assess the mood of the country as far as yo~r U'wa. I mean they've never heard of the Seminole, and they audiences are concerned? are living on Seminole land. DJ:Well, I've just gotten back from one tour. I'm leaving So I've been saying this, and I sort of expected that there on another one in a couple of days, and I'm pretty much would be some sort of.a backlash for going after that sacred

P~ge 14 Earth First! Litha 2002 cow-capital"The" capital"H"-Ho­ the very least, I think we can be hon­ locaust and saying that this is the est about the fact that our way of life endpoint of civilization: assembly line from the very beginning has been mass murder. Instead, at one place the unsustainable. I asked a friend of mine audience interrupted me with ap­ years ago, "If you could live at any plause-everyone is generally nodding level of technology that you wanted, in total agreement. This is one of those what would it be?" He said, "That's a things we don't talk about. really stupid question, Derrick. We So to finish this story about the can fantasize about whatever we want way I tried to write about the Holo­ but the only level of technology that caust ... I remembered something a is sustainable is the Stone Age. And friend of mine said about 10 years the only question there is, really, is: ago, which was that Hitler's big mis­ What will be left when we get there?" take was that he was about 100 years Any way of living that is based on ahead of his time. The endpoint of a non-renewable resources and-as you utilitarian worldview is what we see know from my work-any way of liv­ around us: the final turning of the ing that is based on the perception of living into the dead. Hitler didn't the world as resources is by definition have a national identity card system unsustainable. The central question like social security cards, he didn't of my work from the beginning has have facial recognition software, he been, "If the destruction of the natural didn't even have fingerprints for the world isn't making us happy, then most part. why are we doing it?" All these things

TR: Let me ask a couple of questions are not really making us happy. We from what I would consider a more main­ can go with whatever statistics you stream audience's point of view. They want on suicide, valium use or any­ would be something like, "Well, you are thing else. only looking at the bad stuff, and gosh TR: What about the argument that there has been so much amazing stuff would say, "Can't we find a way to keep from civilization. What about all the some of the good aspects of civilization great art and miracle cures and so on? without returning all the way to the Why is it that you only want to focus on Stone Age?" the bad?" DJ: Well I have two things to say. The DJ: You know, I love Beethoven. I first one is that if your way of living is love baseball, except for the desig­ based upon non-renewable resources, nated hitter and the New York Yan­ it's not sustainable by definition. What kees. However, as much as I like the this means is that if you are going to Seattle Mariners and Beethoven, they have solar photovoltaics you've got to are not worth killing the planet. At continued on page 50

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 1S Bureau of Reclamation l 00 Y~lt~ af tt~tr-.~ti~tt creation of small family farms of not more than 320 acres. BY jOHN WEISHEIT BuRec, however, has allowed a host of loopholes to enable The Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) will be celebrating its large-scale agribusiness to get ahold of the land and water centennial on June 17, at Hoover Dam, which straddles the such that many farms now exceed 15,000 acres. Arizona/Nevada border southeast of the glittering casinos, The Reclamation Act required federal irrigation projects to opulent swimming pools, fountains and green grass links of pay for themselves, both in terms of total repayment costs for Las Vegas. On that day, 100 years ago, Congress passed the construction and all costs associated with regular delivery of New lands Reclamation Act, the legal foundation for BuRec's the water. This has never occurred. On average, only 30 gigantic empire of river destruction now totaling more than percent of the costs are presently recovered. Today, BuRec 600 dams across 17 western states. requires $750 million annually from taxpayers to help keep BuRec's festivities will commence with closing Highway 93 these farms-and the agency-in business. across the dam for eight hours beginning at 3:00p.m. Buses Although spiraling construction costs, growing will depart Las Vegas with 2,400 private party goers. Gale environmental concerns and dwindling numbers of dam Norton, Dick Cheney (invited) and other Bush administration sites, has dramatically reduced BuRec's dam building, it planet destroyers will accompany villains from water, power, has not come to an end. BuRec has plans underway to agribusiness and real estate who helped put them in office. construct a dam and water diversion project on the Animas The exclusively catered dinner for the river-mangling elite River near Durango, Colorado. Not only would this inundate will occur in the cool and humming bowels of the dam's ancient burial grounds and cost federal taxpayers another power plant. After dinner, official speeches will be heard on couple hundred million dollars, it would contribute to the the transformer decks outside, with listeners serenaded by de-watering of the San Juan River downstream-critical the sweet lullaby of crackling high-voltage wires. Later, aerial habitat for endangered fish, the razorback sucker and killers from the Air Force Thunderbird Squadron will perform, Colorado pikeminnow. and finally as the roiling sun settles below the desert horizon, Lack of instream flows is both making national a laser light and fireworks display will pollute the night skies headlines and bringing increased criticism on BuRec for above Black Canyon in patriotic fashion. de-watering rivers-from the SanJuan to the Rio Grande At noon on June 17, Living Rivers and representatives to the Klamath. But this has so far been marginalized by of a number of other groups will be arriving at Hoover BuRec's entering into the usual partnership arrangements Dam to convey a different message-down with BuRec with environmental groups to study the problem and and down with dams. The theme will be a wake to conduct experiments until such time as the habitat is mourn the submergence of pristine river canyons, the too far gone to recover. de-watering of thousands of miles of critical riverine Nowhereisthismoreapparentthanintheworld-renowned habitat and the loss of the cultural heritage of a number Grand Canyon, just upstream of Hoover Dam, where the big of indigenous tribes. party is planned. Twenty percent of the Grand Canyon was From the Columbia to the Rio Grande, BuRec has been inundated by Hoover Dam, but of key concern now is how wasting taxpayer money by subsidizing low-value crop the remaining 80 percent of the canyon's river corridor is production for cattle feed. Nearly half of the water taken dying a slow death as a result of Glen Canyon, 370 miles from western rivers is used to grow alfalfa, the most water­ upstream of Hoover. Sandwiched between these two dams, consuming and least revenue-generating crop. Merely the Grand Canyon's mighty Colorado River corridor has been switching to less water intensive crops, or better yet the transformed into the Grand Ditch. elimination of large-scale irrigation altogether, would free up huge amounts of water to restore the West's dying river habitat. A tough battle, however, as BuRec is under the control of irrigation districts which have no interest In altering the arrangement that brings their members cheap water andhugebankaccounts. The irony of this is that the 1902 Reclamation Act was designed to support the Hoover Dam Page 16 Earth First! Litha 2002 The temperature of water released into Even if Hoover survives, a 75-foot-high the river from Glen Canyon Dam is too wall will pass over its crest and destroy cold for the native fish to spawn. The the communities downstream; not to sediment and nutrients that used to forget the catastrophic cost to the feedtheGrandCanyon'secosystemhave downstream environment and the for 40 years been trapped behind Glen loss of human life. In the aftermath, Canyon Dam. The critical natural flow the Colorado River plumbing system conditions necessary to properly will be completely destroyed. How is distribute the sediment load are non­ BuRec going to explain their existent. As a result, the canyon's entire unwillingness to share such food web has been dramatically altered. information with the 25 million people For example, three of eight native fish that will be directly affected? species are gone and two more are on The June 17 counter-rally at their way. The beaches, so revered by Hoover Dam will be the conclusion of the canyon's river runners, are vanishing a five-day roadshow designed to as well and all at the hands of BuRec. highlight the damage BuRec has But there is more to contemplate caused, especially to the Grand than just BuRec's ecosystem Canyon. Beginning on the banks destruction that is inherent of the relatively free- in its 100-year legacy of flowing Colorado River dam building and downstream of Moab, consumptive water Utah, a kick-off conveyance systems rally and music that pump water festival will provide uphill. Dams can background fun and do fail for such as a dump truck reasons as poor will be filled design, old age, with sediment for catastrophic natural transport to the events and the Grand Canyon and accumulation of beyond. Known as the impacted sediment. On "Sediment-a! Journey" June 5, 1976, Teton Dam in the caravan will travel to Idaho failed soon after its initial events at: "Lake" Powell reservoir filling. The wake of this dam failure and Glen Canyon Dam with Navajo killed 11 people and caused $400 activists; Lee's Ferry, with wilderness million dollars worth of damage to the advocates for the No-Fee Demo day of communities downstream (see EF!f action; and the amphitheater near the June-July 2001). In 1983, Glen Canyon South Rim at Grand Canyon National Dam's spillways nearly failed during a Park for a major rally with a host of normal 25-year flood cycle. Other long-time river activists, Native design flaws were also realized in the Americans and former National Park 1980s that include the Fontenelle Dam Service personnel. According to Dave on the Green River in Wyoming and Haskell, former science director for Navajo Dam in New Mexico on the San Grand Canyon National Park, lack of Juan River. Questions about the lack of sediment is the number one problem confidence in BuRec's dam designs draw that needs to be dealt with if we are logical conclusions when considering going to save the canyon. This of course the effects of a soon-to-appear 100-year further amplifies the need to get rid of flood cycle. Living Rivers is currently in Glen Canyon Dam-just one of many a Freedom of Information Act battle to dams that need to go-a key message acquire the inundation maps BuRec for the final event at Hoover Dam. possesses that would detail the extent For more information, contact of damages caused by a failure at Glen Living Rivers, (435) 259-1063; Canyon Dam. The seriousness of a www .livingrivers.org. potential dam failure is obviously such fohn Weisheit is the conservation a concern to BuRec that it won't let the director of Living Rivers and lives in the information out. Colorado River town of Moab, Utah. He Should Glen Canyon Dam fail, a SOD­ is a longtime Colorado River boatman footwall ofwaterwill go racing through who has seen the river's devastation above Grand Canyon toward Hoover Dam. and below Glen Canyon Dam. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 17 some time. National media coverage has documented the BY DANIEL PATIERSON off-roader violence toward BLM Rangers and extensive off­ The Algodones Dunes, a scenic active dune system road vehicle abuse in the area that has destroyed habitat for within the Sonoran Desert of southeastern California endangered species. Last year, a New York Times headline which harbors many rare, threatened and endemic species, declared the dunes "The Most Illegal Place in the World." maybe condemned to become an off-road vehicle sacrifice Historically, the BLM allowed off-road vehicles to area. On March 22, the Bureau of Land Management dominate 77 percent of the 150,000-acre dune ecosystem, (BLM) published its proposed Land Management Plan, leaving only the 32,240-acre North Algodones Dunes which would open up more than 49,000 acres that are Wilderness closed to off-roaders. The National Park Service currently protected from off-road vehicle damage. has designated these dunes as a National Natural Meanwhile, conservation organizations are fighting Landmark. More than 80 animals and 60 plant to preserve more acreage in the dunes to species call these dunes home and are ensure the survival of endangered plants threatened by off-roaders. and animals such as the Peirson's In November 2000, the BLM and five milkvetch and desert tortoise. off-road groups agreed to ban off-road With the knowledge that the vehicles from an additional 49,310 Algodones Dunes are a unique and acres of the Algodones Dunes as the amazing natural area, the Center result of a lawsuit filed by the CBD, for Biological Diversity (CBD) has the Sierra Club and Public vowed to fight this special-interest Employees for Environmental scheme to remove balanced ty. The agreement, dunes management. leaves half the dunes open The BLM plan's preferred to off-roaders, is to remain in effect alternative would reopen all until a permanent solution is currently protected dunes and oped to save the Peirson's adopt an "adaptive management" from extinction. However, program that would attempt to limit BLM's plan is wrought with the number of off-road vehicles present incorrect and misleading studies. It also at any time in designated areas to 525. lacks an appropriate analysis that would Even if off-road vehicles could be effectively make the Environmental Impact Statement limited, with such a small enforcement staff at the complete and accurate. dunes, monitoring the number of vehicles present in these In November, the CBD and the California Native Plant sensitive areas would be as much of a problem as it has Society sued the US Fish and Wildlife Service over its failure been in the past. Currently, BLM limited-use areas are to designate critical habitat on the dunes for recovery of closed to off-road travel, and conservationists are concerned the Peirson's milkvetch. Habitat has not been designated, that this new plan will set a bad precedent. and this lawsuit has not yet been settled. "The new leadership at the Department of Interior is The Desert Protective Council (DPC), a national undoing even the fragile progress made in the dunes organization with a long history of plant monitoring at during the past two years," stated Dan Meyer attorney for Algodones Dunes, thinks the new management plan should Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility in protect the portions of the dunes that have been closed to Washington, DC. "BLM's retreat means more money protect rare and endangered plants. DPC also wants the devoted to litigation rather than preservation." large central closure area designated as wilderness. The Algodones Dunes, stretching more than 40 miles "After SO years of intense off-road vehicle abuse, many northward from the US-Mexico border in eastern Imperial of the plant and animal species that have historically County, California, have been a topic of controversy for ·inhabited the dunes have declined or been eliminated," Page 18 Earth First! Litha 2002 said Terry Weiner, conservation coordinator of the DPC in San Diego. "Full protection for the remaining diversity in the fragile Algodones Dunes system is not even an alternative in the draft dunes plan ... That's a shame." Another concern regarding the Land Management Plan is that the dunes are located in an air quality non-attainment area, meaning that clean air considerations regarding particulate matter must be part of the monitoring. According to Roxie Trost, the plan manager at the BLM in California, the agency has done no air quality testing at the dunes, nor does it plan to. "With the Algodones Dunes being located so close to a non-attainment area, I find it hard to believe that the BLM would not monitor air quality," said Alix Rauschman of the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition, an organization which represents more than 90 US conservation groups. "Failure to include this required analysis calls this proposal immediately into question." The BLM is taking comments on the plan until June 28. For more information or to express your opposition to the BLM plan, contact Greg Thomsen, BLM El Centro Field Office manager, (7 60) 33 7-4410; [email protected]. The plan may also be viewed at www.ca.blm.gov . . For more information on how you can help, contact the Center for Biological Diversity, (520) 623-5252 x.306; [email protected]; www.biologicaldiversity.org. Daniel Patterson is a desert ecologist with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Only one thing could have halted passed through three areas considered 2,000 Marines on their mission to critical for tortoise survival­ traverse the Southern California desert Chuckwalla Valley, Chemehuevi Valley in 600 military trucks: a tortoise crossing and Pinto Mountain. the road. To ensure the safety of the tortoises, The purpose of the 200-mile trek everyone received a tortoise briefing at the end of April was to test before the trip. Fifty "tortoise monitors" communication capabilities, logistics were required to sit at the front of and vehicle movement in terrain different sections ofthe convoy, and the similar to the Middle East. drivers had stickers on their windows to Environmentalists were concerned remind them: "Look under your vehicle! for endangered desert tortoises, which Notify monitor if you fi.nd a tortoise." emerge from their burrows in the Spring Two tortoises were encountered during to eat and to mate. The Marines received the mission, but the federally approved permission from the US Fish and biologist who was on hand determined Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land that they were not in the way, and the Management, even though the convoy convoy rolled on. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 19 Dt::-rtt::- Sulint::- of L-a L-ovht::-- a C:.all for- Support

of Environment decided to make a provincial park in the BY TrNTIN ]oNES traditional hunting and trapping grounds of the Montgrand "Somebody has got to fight for freedom from the government. family, who are Dene Suline of La Loch e. The government We can't trust our leaders, we send them to Parliament for us, claimed to have consulted the family and the Dene, but as but then they tum around and sell our land away. We will fight usuaf they went over the Dene heads and stole 890 square for the people." miles to make the Clearwater Wilderness Provincial Park. -SKIP DANIEL MONTGRAN D Since that time, the Montgrand's have lobbied the government in an attempt to regain control over their The wheels of colonization and genocide continue land. In 2000, the Montgrands asked the to roll into the 21st century and communities government to bring forward documents such as La Loche in Northern that would prove that the land was Saskatchewan, Canada, are its current taken legally from the family. victims. The Dene Suline of La Loche Numerous deadlines were have been fighting the graciously given by the encroachment of capitalism and Montgrands, but each time the Canadian state on their the government came to traditional territories. For years the meeting empty they have struggled as mining handed. "They could companies took their land for never bring us uranium to feed the nuclear documents, because they industry and as the never had documents. government took their land They stole our land to create a provincial park, away from us, the first displacing Dene people in people of this land," said favor of tourists. Skip Montgrand. The The Dene seek freedom from Montgrand family granted the control of the government the government a final and recognition of title to their deadline of May 1, 2001, but traditional territory. In meetings the government again failed with the government, as recently as to produce any documents. May 24, little progress has been made. After this meeting, the Montgrand family and others from Mining Devastates the Community La Loche established a blockade on the The Cluff Lake uranium mine began operating 64 road leading into the park and the access kilometers outside of La Loche in 1974. Since that time, road for the Cluff Lake mine. All industry, government people in the community have gotten sick and more than and Royal Canadian Mounted Police vehicles were 60 percent of all deaths have been linked to the uranium blocked from proceeding. A government sniper team mine. Uranium mining is one of the most destructive types was preparing a siege on the blockade with automatic of mining and often occurs on Native territories, especially weapons. "They were going to come in and kill us and in Saskatchewan. The mine has had devastating effects on make sure that nobody saw what happened," says Skip the environment, killing animals, plants, trees, fish and Montgrand. A dog alerted the blockade to the snipers, berries-the lifeblood of the community. Skip Montgrand ,and the Dene people confronted and surrounded the says, "Lots of rabbits, lots of animals are dead. We're seeing snipers and took their weapons away. The Dene stood green fuzzy stuff on the tops of ponds. Young guys are their ground and continued to assert title to the land. dying from cancer. Guys 26, 27 years old." The government said documents would be producd in Like most mines, this one has not benefited the local two weeks if the Dene took down the roadblock. But the community. All the profits go to wealthy owners elsewhere, government had once again lied, so the Dene went back and only two percent of the people working at the mine ar.e and blocked the road again. from La Loche. Trucks from the mine travel through La Eventually, the roadblock came down, but a camp was Loche, further spreading radioactive pollution directly established and people stayed there throughout the into the air the Dene people breathe everyday. · Summer, building a cabin for the Winter. More than 75 percent of the community members are supportive of Provincial Park on Stolen Lands the occupation. However, as is typical, the government­ In 1984, the Saskatchewan government and the Ministry controlled Band Council has not been supportive and

Page 20 Earth First! Litha 2002 has been actively working against the Montgrands and their supporters. On]une 21, 2001,National Aboriginal Day, the Band Council chief from La Loche, spoke on NBC radio in Saskatchewan against the Montgrand family. The government has not relinquished any control over Dene territory, and just this year gave permission to Mystic Forest Products to log between La Loche and the Clearwater Park. This has reinforced the Montgrand's stand to protect their trapping and hunting grounds Gt-Hu.L.·toot from Canada and the ·IC""AK•U"f&.• uranium industry. &...------.....;______. Colonialism is not dead in La "outside world." It is important to in­ Loche. It is a daily reality the Dene form ourselves and others about the feel every time a uranium truck drives struggles of all indigenous peoples. The through town and when tourist Montgrand's promise more blockades dollars are considered more and continue to rebuild their important than their homes and community on their traditional hunting grounds. Colonialism, and territory. They welcome any visitors to its latest incarnation of globalization, come and help them in their struggle. has reached its tentacles to the "If we stop right away, what's the worth living? You'll be ... g.Jobd/i:z4tion hd<; ve-dc..-he-cJ it<; controlled all your life. I'm fighting so that my people can t~ntac..-/e-<; to the- fvvthe-<;t e-nd<; of be free. We use the land, we don't take more than we need, the- pldne-t, d<;<;e-vti~inc..-ve-d<;i~e-ontvol we don't pollute, we use animals. We are the land. We ov'e-v dll indi~nov<; vvltvve-<;. are the law. We are the first peoples of this land," stated furthest ends of the planet, asserting Skip Montgrand. "It's time for them increasing control over all indigenous [the government] to settle down, keep cultures. Indigenous territories are their mouths shut and let the people taken away piece by piece, to feed who live on the land decide what should the white power structure and its happen. We can get our land back and insatiable appetite for control and get freedom from the government!" profit. The indigenous people are left For more information, contact Skip dispossessed of their land, dying from Daniel Montgrand, POB 359, La industrial pollutants and poverty. Loche, Saskatchewan, SOM lGO The people of La Loche need support . Canada; (306) 822-2550. from around the world. The struggle of Tintin Jones is an artist, activist and people in remote communities such as cook involved in supporting indigenous La Loche often goes unnoticed in the struggles in Ca nada.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 21 ']{a goo na Shima 'Roberta This is the season you see the pretty flowers sprout and bloom. This is the season you hear newborns cry out for their mothers. It is also the season when the first thunder is heard and you can smell the rain ... It is the season for a new beginning. Shima, you taught us this is the season to plant and prepare for the future. To be prepared for all things, good and bad. And to make sure there is enough for your children. You select only the finest seed that would bring you the finest product, the best corn pollen that will help you talk to your Maker. Shima, you taught us that all things in Mother Earth are part of her living organs, and we too came from her. You taught us that all living things on Earth are her children and that we all belong to her. That we must care for her and respect her. Some day she and our Maker will call us to return to her. Wfiife tfie soft breeze and drifting sand of l[)zi( rNi rr'sa cover your Cast set of jootyrints fejt behind, you wi((not beforgotten. In our vision we still see you standing tall with your dark glasses, your velvet blouse, slightly ragged traditional skirt, in your tennis shoes and wearing your scarf. You are sun and wind­ burned but wearing your big smile. Shima, you tried very hard to teach us conviction. Conviction to your religion, your culture and language, your land and home, your dignity and pride. You talked to us about the supernatural laws that must be respected. You showed us that in spite of all adversities, your conviction must be unwaving. If we are to remain a strong Dine Nation, we will try to follow and teach your convictions, it will be very difficult. You are truly the finest, and you upheld your Maker's expectations. Shima, only you and your Maker knew it was time to be replanted. You are now with your Maker and Mother Earth, in peace. You are now gone but your spirit and memory will always be in the air on Dine Land. Your legend will live on. Your Maker has received you well, with comfort and peace, you earned it. Ha goo na Shima. -PERCY DEAL BIG MouNTAIN, ARIZONA

Page 22 Earth First! Litha 2002 1917-2002

Roberta Blackgoat was born and raised at her home near Thin Rock Mesa, 15 miles west of Big Mountain, Arizona. For the last 27 years, she fought the government's efforts to move the Dine off their ancestral lands to pave the way for a massive mine operated by Peabody Coal. The mine has aimed to strip away the soul and resources from this cherished homeland. As a Dine warrior, matriarch and resister, Roberta proclaimed, "The Creator is the only one who's going to relocate me." On April23, at the age of 84, Roberta passed away while in San Francisco, California. She was a powerful warrior who will be remembered for not hiding or faltering when the government came knocking. She wasn't afraid to go on the offensive in her campaign for freedom, justice and the protection of the land that the Creator entrusted to her care.

I've been traveling all over the world, and everywhere I find the same thing. Our Mother Earth is like a human. It is as if she is getting a lot of surgeries everywhere, and the dust is going out and getting in our lungs. It causes the cancer and these kinds of sickness. Our youngsters are being sent overseas and being used for their language and to kill people for Washington. Besides, we are not even recognized as humans. We need to be known. The most important thing that we've been mentioning in this area is that here is the Altar, that was given to us by the Holy People, and that we Dine living here between the Four Sacred Mountains that are like a hogan, and where we live on Black Mesa is the Altar. It is right here that they're mining our Mother Earth's liver, the coal. So we are struggling here to protect our Altar these days. That was the law that was made for Dine people. We're not doing it only for the present human beings now. We're looking forward and on and on for generations to come so they can make a good life for themselves on the planet. We want to stop these pollutions so our young ones can live in a healthy way after us. That's how the prayer and the holy song's been set-that's our path, for a healthy way of life.

~ -ROBERTA BLACKGOAT1 NOVEMBER 2001

Now, as people remember Roberta's passion and energy, the resistance continues. For more information about how to support the people and land at Big Mountain, as well as to help fight Peabody's expansion of the mine, contact Black Mesa Indigenous Support, POB 23501, Flagstaff, AZ 86002; (928) 773-8086; blackmesais@yahoo . com; www.blackmesais.org. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 23 LUSH AND LIVID New Efforts to Protect Ecuador's Forests

The campaign to stop the crude oil pipeline project, the area, and we will not allow the pipeline to pass through." Oleoducto de Crudos Pesados (OCP) in the Mindo Nambillo Acci6n porIa Vida filed a habeas corpus petition to place the Cloud Forest Reserve of Ecuador has taken a new turn. Local burden of proof on tli.e government to justify its reasons for and international environmental activists bought a share of detaining these activists. Fiallos also said they would sue the the Esperanza family farm-a patch of rainforest where the OCP consortium for invading private property. OCPwas to be built. I tis alsotheirbasecampand was the site On the weekend of May 18, 30 Mindo residents at­ of a three-month-long treesit (see EF!J March-April 2002.) tempted to hike to the Esperanza farm on a public footpath The government has allowed the OCP Ecuador Limited between the towns of Nono and Min do. They were met by consortium to lay the pipeline through private property. 30 national policemen and 20 private OCP guards. A tense However, one of the three owners of the property, Cesar standoff ensued and police threatened to use tear gas and Fiallos of the local environmental organizationAcci6n porIa immediately arrest anyone who continued questioning Vida, said, "No one has purchased the land from us, no one the authorities. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Pablo paid for any right of way and the state has not reached any Teran, had said the government would expropriate the agreement with the owners to expropriate the property. The land, but no declaration had been rendered. "The law company is thus invading private property." In the early allows us to expropriate property and even extremist hours of May 12, in response to environmentalists must obey the law," Teran said. In May, a complaint filed by Ecuadorian President Gustavo Noboa said he would de­ the OCP consor­ clare "war" on the environmentalists if they continued to tium, three activ­ fight the pipeline. Given the fraudulent and arbitrary ists were arrested. charges that have led to recent illegal detentions of resi­ They were re­ dents and activists, the group returned to Mindo, vowing leased from jail on to continue the fight in the courts and in the trees. May 14 on charges Locals know that the OCP will lead to the destruction of of obstructing some of the country's last remaining old-growth rainforest construction of and isolated territories that are home to indigenous peoples. the project. OCP construction has faced resistance throughout its 300- Local activist mile route-from indigenous people, farmers and labor Giovanni Patino leaders in the Amazon to Afro-Ecuadorian communities said, "We own who live alongside refineries on the Pacific Coast. In the property, addition to the devastating impacts of the pipeline con­ they will struction, the pipeline is a catalyst for the doubling of oil not move production from the Ecuadorian Amazon. us from Scientists say that in the 30 years since oil exploitation began in Ecuador, more oil has leaked into the ground as a result of accidents or sheer indifference than was spilled in the Exxon Valdez super tanker disaster off the coast of Alaska in 1989. In the Amazon, oil waste collects in vast pools, often on agricultural land, making further cultiva­ tion impossible. Gas is burned off, giving the impression of giant Bunsen burners lighting up the sky. And small spills are shoveled up, put in plastic bags and buried. The whole area of Lago Agrio, in the Amazon Basin, reeks of oil, and local farmers talk of how the groundwater is contaminated. Large black drops form on the vegetation when it rains. Local people also know that the vast amount of money made by the oil industry does not trickle down to them. Their struggle to protect this amazing rainforest-home to 3,000 types of orchids, the spectacled bear and other rare . species-needs your support. For more information, contact Amazon Watch, (510) 419- 0617; [email protected]; www.amazonwatch.org.

Page 24 Earth First! Litha 2002 Philadelphia Activists Sued by Developers

When Wendy Troester and Al disagree with the people in the neigh- · ChernoffmovedtotheRhawnhurstsec­ borhood on an issue like this, I would tion of Philadelphia three years ago, have to believe they were unfounded in they discovered that the vacant, 11-acre their opposition," said O'Neill. "This lot behind their house contained an doesn't come close to it." underground spring, more than an acre Early this year, Wendy and Al discov­ of wetlands and numerous plant, tree ered that Clauss' rights to the land had and animal species. They also made expired. Soon after, theyreceiveda com­ another, less uplifting discovery: Devel­ plaint filed by Clauss which accused oper Tom Clauss, of Bethany Builders, them of infringing upon Clauss' right to intended to turn the plot of undisturbed petition the government. The complaint nature into a 32-single-home develop­ also claims the two "are fraudulent and ment, and according to a realtor repre­ corrupt and have an inside track with senting Clauss, Wendy and Al just had the government." (Wendy and Al point to accept it. They didn't just accept it. out that if they did have an inside track Now, after three years of resistance, they with the government, they would have are being sued for nearly four-million­ saved the land a long time ago). The dollars by Clauss, who alleges they complaint is a Strategic Lawsuit Against caused him lost profits due to their Public Participation (SLAPP), a legal blocking and interfering with his con­ tactic commonly used by developers tract to develop the land. and builders to scare and intimidate Wendy and Al, both coordinators of their opponents. the Allegheny Defense Project, also have High-profile lawyer Robert Sugarman the attention of the Fairmount Park has taken the case. "Courts have made Commission (FPC). After being alerted it crystal clear that it's inappropriate to to the problem, the FPC made an evalu­ sue citizens for exercising their First ation of the land and declared it pris­ Amendment privilege to speak to their tine. In the Summer of 2000, the FPC public officials and attempt to per­ began plans to purchase the land, yet suade public officials to take action," the purchase was effectively blocked Sugarman was reported as saying. by a lawsuit brought by the developers. The court case drags on, but in the However, to establish infrastructure, meantime, WendyandAlarecontinu­ Clauss would need for City Council to ing their fight to save the land. If pass an ordinance. anyone is interested in supporting or City Councilman Brian O'Neill stated helping Wendy and Al, contact (215) his intention to not introduce the nec­ 7 42-6454; [email protected]. essary legislation that would authorize -WENDY TROESTER AND AL CHERNOFF building new streets on the land. "To CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ARTICLE. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 25 Climate Change People-Powered from Pacific to Atlantic Caravan propelled the C3 project, and it exemplified the human capacity to accomplish something siz­ able by simply working at it consistently and diligently, one day at a time. BY S (YCLJNG FOR CLEAN) AIR (so WE CAN C3 was a perpetual motion machine: a BREATH AND EXCLAIM) "AH!" BoOTHROYD roving oasis of sweat, grumbling, grease It was the Summer of Spandex for my­ and laughter composed of environmen­ self and the other 29 members of the talists and cyclopaths of various ages (13 Climate Change Caravan (C3). Mem­ to 44 years), from different provinces, bers of C3 couriered climate change who joined the undertaking for assorted awareness from town to town, all the lengths of time. An important member of way across Canada from Tofino, British this chain gang for change was our sup­ Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, be­ port vehicle: a revolution-red school bus tween May 7 and September 20, 2001. Our equipped with a kitchen, solar panels, a wind mission was to enable as many of the 30 turbine and the capacity to run on canola oil. million Canadians as possible to put a cap on With fish-and-chip-scented exhaust, our mother energy consumption. With Summer approaching and hen on wheels would dole out lunch at the side of the people pulling their bicycles out of the garage, let this story highway, about halfway through a day of cycling-the sum inspire you to take action. of which was between 70 and 186 kilometers per day. This legwork for climate change awareness was accom­ Between four and 12 hours each day would generally plished with more than 10,000 kilometers worth of bicycle be spent spinning wheels along a shoulder of highway to travel. Locomotion on two wheels proved the best way to get the sound of vehicle-voices that would crescendo, di­ through the Pacific coast, Cordillera, Prairies, Canadian minuendo and repeat. We chased the white line east, Shield, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands and Atlantic steering clear of semi-truck tire-husks as well as carcasses provinces. The bicycle is a highly efficient, fossil fuel free, of frogs, dogs, ravens, raccoons, deer, moose and bears. people-powered form of transport. Covering ground by this The mandated simplicity of cycle-touring meant that mode of travel was an embodiment of the ethics that my pannier contents were like a haiku: measured, simple,

Page 26 Earth First! Litha 2002 nothing extra-proving that what we often regard as versy and open-mouthed wonder. Some Canadians re­ necessity is merely convenience. acted as if we hadn't a scintilla of sense, while others In a vehicle without walls, I became entwined with the expressed gratitude for our enduring a colossus of calluses slant of the land, the thrust of wind, the white blink of in order to spread the word about sustainability. lightning, the texture of asphalt, the humidity and tempera­ As panniered pariahs in practically painted-on panta­ ture of the wheel-spun air. A kilometer became a concrete loons, C3 was sometimes portrayed by the media as a group entity, a familiar increment measurable by effort spent, food of uberactivists. Sure, we endured hail, heat waves and the and fuel eaten, perspiration lost, water consumed, bugs ultimate seat of discomfort in order to engage in radio, gulped. The rhythmic pumping of pedals became precon­ television and newspaper interviews, to host presentations, scious as the days and hours lost their numbers: Keeping track to lead critical masses and to perform street theater-all to of time was often akin to reading a sundial at night. raise awareness about climate change. However, in so doing We became aware of the places between populated areas, we came across many Canadians to whom it is second aware of the spectrum of space, of the before and after of nature to put nature first. Turning off unnecessary lights, highly populated loci. We became physical elements, de­ using a clothesline instead of a dryer and taking as few pendent on our bodies and somehow primitive: biped( dlar)s airplane trips as possible are common practices to many of a bygone era. To the farm animals in Wild Rose Country Canadians who don't begin their day with C3's tongue-in­ and Land of the Big Skies we were a never-before-seen beast: cheek wake up call: "Get out of your sleeping bags every­ a hybrid of sentience, wheels, rubber and metal. Docile body and get on your tights-it's time to save the world!" bovine grazing in the pure horizontality of the prairies Having completed some five million tire revolutions for would swing their wide foreheads toward us, and horses the sake of the Velorution, C3ers are enjoying comparative would often gallop alongside the highway next to us. stillness after the constant transience of being on the In Watrous, Saskatchewan, foam rolled along the shore g(r)o(w). The project was an enlightening hands-on/feet­ like tumbleweeds as the ice cream vendor there scooped on study of both the science of trans-Canada biking and conefuls of Chocolate Chip Mint. She had heard all about the art of communicating environmental action to a coun­ us through televised media, as had the many folks we try-sized audience. chatted with during our pit-stops at truck stops and cafes Sarah Boothroyd is an · galore. During our road-side conversations about our mis­ activist and artivist with sion to reduce emissions, they often shared their own two arms and two wheels. observations of radical weather occurrences. All in all, She is currently dwell- ...-11111'!,. 3,000 Canadians committed to significantly reduce their ing in Montreal, own greenhouse gas emissions. where she relishes When our 30 saltyselves in anti-camouflage reflective sculpting oddities gear pedaled our politics and 70-pound panniered bikes out of words, fab- into town, we had the affect of stimulating praise, contra- ric and sound. ·

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 27 Activists Turn Up the Heat During World Week for Animals in Laboratories

World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL)-held Despite being armed with scientific data, animal rights from April 20-27-was a period of intense actions to call activists have repeatedly been denied the right to be attention to the plight of animals in labs. Protesters sought included in EPA-convened panels to discuss animal tests. to encourage the public to question the legitimacy of animal The EPA has also reneged on a commitment obtained from experimentation, as well as to challenge our consumption AI Gore in 1999 to vastly reduce the number of animals it of toxic chemicals, drugs and consumer products. kills in chemical toxicity tests. More animals-including On April 24, a communique from the Animal Liberation dogs, rabbits, birds, fish and rats-are injected with toxic Front revealed that they had placed 38 bottles of Procter & substances, burned and blinded in chemical tests by the Gamble's Pantene Pro V shampoo contaminated with EPA than by any other fed eral agency, yet it refuses to ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in 13 supermarkets spend any of its $600 million annual research budget to throughout New Zealand. The bottles were not identifiable develop reliable and humane non-animal tests. in any way and were randomly mixed with unlaced bottles. Students for Animal Liberation at the University of Cali­ The ammonia solution was diluted to make sure it would fornia at Los Angeles (UCLA) marched through the campus not harm human or non-human animals. An estimated on April 25 . Richard Abbott, a retired high school teacher 50,000 animals suffer and die at the hands of Procter & whose wife recently died of cancer, spoke out during the Gamble every year in product testing. march and summarized the position of many anti-vivisec­ On April 25, members of People for the Ethical Treat­ tionists: "You cannot, by violent means, induce a condition ment of Animals (PET A)-minus their clothes and holding in animals artificially which occurs spontaneously in hu­ a banner that read: "The Naked Truth: EPA Poisons Ani­ mans and expect animals to be a replication of the human mals"-converged on the headquarters of the Environ­ condition. I certainly have no faith in cancer research." mental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC, in Traffic was briefly halted when the marchers spilled from recognition of WWAIL. Their goal was to "expose" the the sidewalks and into the streets on their way to the office suffering of animals used in the agency's cruel and wasteful of Chancellor Albert Carnesale. The group stood outside of high production volume (HPV) chemical-testing program. the chancellor's door chanting, "Nothing to hide? Let us As an ongoing campaign, PET A's giant "rabbit," with open inside!" They demanded that he produce documents detail­ "wounds" and toxic "burns," has been following EPA ing the nature of animal research at UCLA. Carnesale had no Administrator Christine Todd Whitman wherever she goes. comment on the protest.

Page 28 Earth First! Litha 2002 Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) took the days of More than 100 people attended a march and rally in WW AIL to turn up the heat against Huntingdon Life Sci­ downtown San Francisco on April22. Stops were made at the ences (HLS). HLS is one of the largest animal testing labora­ offices of Marsh, E*Trade and Quick and Reilly (the latter two tories in the world, where 500 animals are killed every day acting as stockbrokers for HLS shares). Each destination saw (See EF!J]une-July 2001). HLS researchers admitthat animal activists furiously attacking the buildings and property. A research is "only reliable five to 25 percent of the time." window was smashed at Marsh, people broke inside of Quick On April18, activists rigged dumpstered computers to dial and Reilly and an activist scaled the side of an E*Trade office HLS's internal phone lines repeat­ and held a rooftop demonstration. edly. Left in colleges and office build­ On April 26; demonstrations in ings for four days before they were Unlock the labs Houston and Chicago were met with found, the computers made a total of contingents of police, FBI agents, 34,640 calls to HLS. In the UK, hun­ private investigators and Marsh law­ dreds of people marched to the HLS yers who tried unsuccessfully to stop labs in Suffolk on April 24, storming them from marching. the fields around the lab and cutting In Los Angeles, SO activists effec­ the perimeter fence before the police tively shut down Marsh's offices arrived and scattered the march. At a when they rushed and circled the two-hour-long demonstration at the building on April 26. Police refused HLS lab in New Jersey on April 22, to let anyone in or out of the build­ protesters harassed the employees us­ ing for 20 minutes. Next, activists ing the constant noise of sirens, yell­ stormed the offices of Quick and ing and whistles. Reilly and then E*Trade through the Throughout the week, SHAC front and back doors. They turned groups in different cities targeted the workplaces into chaos "parties," Marsh, Inc., HLS's insurance pro­ trashing them with confetti, silly vider, with protests at offices and string and popcorn as they blew employee homes across the coun­ earsplitting whistles and horns, try. In New York City, visits to the waved signs and covered the offices homes of two Marsh executives on with literature and stickers of a mu­ April 21, left their glass front doors and lobbies smashed, tilated beagle from HLS. At E*Trade, nothing was left stand­ with reports of lamps flying in the air, tables and chairs ing amid the putrid stench of stink bombs, forcing it to shut flipped and vases left in pieces. Nine people were arrested down its office for the next day and a half. and released the next morning. They were charged with For more information, visit www.shacusa.net, felony riot and criminal mischief. www.peta.org and www.animalliberation.net.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 29 What do you think of when you see the golden arches?

According to Jack M. Greenberg, claims a professor at the University of use of sweatshop labor, its history of chairman and chief executive officer California at Davis. union-busting, its opposition to a of McDonald's Corporation, "Social Not everyone is greeting the report living wage and its detrimental ef­ responsibility is not a project or pro­ with enthusiasm. Paul Hawken, fects on land and water. The report gram. Acting responsibly is the way founder of the Natural Capital Insti­ "carefully avoids the corporation's McDonald's does business." tute, states that, "Nothing could be real environmental impacts/' writes On April 15, McDonald's issued its further from the idea of sustainability Hawken. "It talked about water use first "Social Responsibility Report." This than the McDonald's Corporation." at the outlets, but failed to note that beautifully constructed piece of corpo­ He cites McDonald's efforts to Ameri­ every quarter-pounder requires 600 rate propaganda highlights McDonald's canize trade through representatives gallons of water. It talked about re­ record of (apparently) promoting at the World Trade Organization, its cycled paper, but not the pfisteria­ animal welfare, protecting laden waters caused by tropical rainforests and hir- Pr~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!l large-scale pork producers ing disadvantaged workers. E.(9· tf\ct~J J@T in the Southeast. It talked "We are committed to doing , HAPP/ about energy use in the what is right/' reads the re- p;;;;;;;g;;;;;:, 1"'/EAL restaurants, but not in the port, "toconductingourbusi- ~ unsustainable food system ness with the environment in McDonald's relies upon mind. To being a good neigh­ that uses 10 calories of en­ bor and partner in your com­ ergy for every calorie of munity." Generic statements food produced. 'Sustain­ follow from a smattering of ing' McDonald's requires environmental, labor and a simple unsustainable for­ animal rights "experts" who mula: Cheap food plus work in "partnership" with cheap non-unionized la­ the corporation. McDonald's bor plus deceptive adver­ "has ushered in a new era of tising equals high profits." responsibility and account­ For more information, ability for animal welfare," visit www .mcdonalds.com.

Page 30 Earth First! Litha 2002 sandwich or a jug of]im Beam. The fun will be over in 40 minutes when the gas ~ repair guy comes rolling in and figures it out. But by then lunch is over, three ~~~ First! or four hundred bucks in profit are Earth gone, lots of customers are pissed and Litha $3.50 J I 998 VI 18 N 6 McSchmuck owesJebediah, the gas re­ pairman, $60. So all in all, it has got a pretty good result-to-effort ratio. Plus, BLAST FROM THE pAST it's funny as all hell! Here's a quick rundown of the most vulnerable chain restaurants: Boston Now You're Cookin' with Gas! Market, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Skippers, Jack Off in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, super­ How to Grab Ronald McDonald markets with delis and any pizza joint. These places not only rely on gas by the Balls equipment, they intentionally hire employees who will never figure out labor-to-profit ratio plummets before how to fix it. BY }EBEDIAH her eyes. One honor student gives a Back issues of the EF! Journal are This article originally appeared in the damn. The rest of the crew snicker available for $5 each or $500 for our June-July 1998 Earth First! Journal. and give each other looks while near-complete 21-year set. This little gem of a trick is a quick way they get a well-deserved break. Dozens to really screw up a fast-food joint for of sorry souls are de­ awhile. The beauty is that it only takes a nied their chicken­ second, can be performed with no real mikwhopperwithfrize. preparation and is totally safe. You can For you tree huggers, do it on your way to grandma's house, that means a ream or the store, work or church. The only tool two of paper bags, nap­ you need is a 12-inch crescent wrench. kins and boxes don't Walk up to the fast food slop-shop walk out the door. For with your crescent wrench. Locate the you animal lovers, that gas meter behind the building (usually means that Bambi's nearthe back door). ltlookslike R2D2's cow cousin stays on ice little brother. It will be a medium gray for another day with color and will have either a few gauges the chicken parts and or a digital readout in a plastic case on fish pieces. top. There will be one pipe coming in The best part is it's and one going out. Examine the pipes, just plain fun to grab a and on the incoming one (usually the corporate fast-food left one) there will be a little valve. It joint by the nuts and looks just like any other fitting except twist. I like to wait there is a circle about the size of a SO­ until the lunch rush cent piece in it. Coming off this circle is is hopping and the a rectangular tab with a hole drilled in drive-thru is full, it. That's your baby. Just grab the tab then cool cruise up with your Stanley drop-forged crescent and shut off the gas wrench, turn it 90 degrees and watch while tying my shoe or greasy tears roll down the faces of all whatever. Then walk to those sad people in the drive-thru. a good hideout to watch Orders will quit going out within as the drivers screech five minutes. away pissed off. You Since I know, I'll give you a quick can laugh over a sprout rundown on what is going on inside. Jim Bob just dropped his last load of fishsticks into the fryer for today's Dear Ned Ludd is an irregular feature for discussion of creative means of lunch rush. The safety valves on all effective defense against the forces ofindustrial totalitarianism. Neither the the fryers and grills just closed, and Earth First! movement nor the Earth First! Journal necessarily encourage the grease is quickly coagulating. The manager is having chest pains as her anyone to do any of the things discussed in Dear Ned Ludd.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 31 Wolves and Poodles A wolf meditatio' with a monkeywrench in its mouth to Craig T. Miller for spending Earth Day morning sitting atop Spencer's Butte in Eugene, Or­ egon, beneath the tail rotor of a helicopter interrupted in its mission to spray local clearcuts with herbicides. As he began his day with his usual workout, Miller spotted the helicopter sitting on the only flat spot on the butte, grounded by fog. After a friendly discussion with the pilot whereupon he learned of the craft's mission to poison the local watershed with toxic chemicals, he sat down in his usual spot to meditate, which just happened to be beneath the copter's tail rotor. After awhile he noticed that the cloud ceiling had risen, but the pilot didn't ask him to leave so he continued to do yoga, still in harm's way should the pilot fire up the aircraft's motor. After an hour or two, a sheriff's deputy huffed and puffed into view to inform Miller that he would be arrested for kidnapping the pilot and for grand­ theft helicopter. During the next half hour, a crowd of incredulous onlookers saw Miller escorted away by 10 to 15 local law enforcement officers, many of whom had made the hike Services, which kills up the slope in full SWAT combat gear. His charges were mountain lions, bears, coy­ eventually reduced to Criminal Mischief Three. otes and other animals at the A wolf who blew Monsanto's house down to Percy request of cattle ranchers operat­ Schmeiser, the Saskatchewan farmer sued by Monsanto ing on public lands. because patented, genetically altered pollen had blown The National Trappers Association has joined Audubon into his fields without his knowledge. in support of the lawsuit. Two years after losing a legal battle with the biotechnol­ A just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-go-back-in-the­ ogy giant, the 71-year-old grandfather has taken his story­ water, a-bunch-of-yuppies-invade-your-habitat poodle and his message about farmers' rights-all around the to the human residents of Central Florida's Stone Island world. Farmers groups, environmentalists and United Na­ who murdered an 11-foot alligator named Wally in April. tions policymakers all want to hear Schmeiser's tale of The area near Lake Monroe has long been home to one being taken to court over the kind of canola found growing of the larger populations of gators in the state, but in recent in his fields four years ago. years the area has become a human-infested "upscale "Monsanto couldn't have picked a worse person to get waterfront community" of nearly 300 homes. When one into a fight with," said Pat Mooney, the executive director of the area's rightful residents approaches too close to a of the Winnipeg-based technology watchdog group ETC, swimming human, or when poor little Fluffy wanders too who has seen Schmeiser speak at international forums. close to the canal for a drink, some people call the Florida "He's articulate and emotional, and he always creates a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to report a stir when he tells his story." "nuisance alligator," whereupon a trapper is dispatched to A prejudiced, gangrenous poodle chewing its leg off kill the poor critter. in an Audubon-sponsored leg-hold trap to So far this year 1,050 complaints in Central Florida alone the National Audubon Society for con­ have resulted in 570 gators sharing Wally's fate by becom­ tinuing to pursue a 1998 lawsuit against ing deep-fried nuggets and fancy briefcases. In 2000, 7,279 California's voter-approved ban on ani­ such "nuisance" animals were "harvested" statewide. mal leg-hold traps. The group contends A corporate-ass-kissing, junk-food-vegan poodle to that the ban should be weakened so that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PET A) for government trappers can kill foxes, feral praising one-time archnemesis, Burger King, for its new cats and other predators that eat endan­ "BK Veggie' meatless burger. "It's a winning proposition gered and migrating birds. for animals, people and the planet. We hope everyone will Although Audubon won the case at the district court give the veggie burger a royal welcome," said PET A's Vegan level in 2000, animal rights groups appealed in April, and Campaign Coordinator Bruce Friedrich. the case is now being heard before the Ninth US Circuit Composed of a nightmarish list of 48 ingredients, the Court of Appeals. By pursuing the case aggressively, animal nutritionally deficient, industrial pseudo-food contains rights proponents contend Audubon risks weakening trap­ such scientific wonders as sodium acid pyrophosphate, ping laws across the state. This may potentially allow hydrolyzed corn gluten and "grill flavor" mixed in with a trapping by the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife few grains and frozen vegetables. Page 32 Earth First! Litha 2002 through here. The compulsory purchase fun. Now I've to ferry my kids to other is done, the route marked, all the locals kids' houses, plan everything for them • brainwashed into thinking it's like I'm a military commander and watch neccessary. And of course itis neccessary, them in case they make a mad dash for for them. For their civilisation. For their freedom. I don't like living where I have tes religion of progress. to order my children around and decide The Irish are slowly throwing off the what they do with their days. BY AGENT MEDIA TART shackles of Catholicism only to em­ My hometown sprung up around a brace an ideology equally as destruc­ river, and until about 10 years ago, it "At this rate, civilisation will not end tive. Old women on the bus nod, "It's was relatively unspoilt. But a big tim­ with a bang, or even a whimper, but the ber merchant expanded all the way squishy splat of a pie." down the river, ripping up hedgerows, -IRISH EVENING HERALD, fEBRUARY 5 blocking off access to the river and erecting huge steel fences. The river It's nearly four months since I pied for Their died a slow, ugly death, but the the Taoiseach (Prime Minister Bertie great to see the country doing so well." townsfolk don't care since they've got Ahern) in Sligo, and I still get the And the young cling to their mobile giggles every time I think of it. The phones and Nike sweatshirts. It's all gasp of horror from the crowd of lack­ wonderful, this European Union eys when they saw the cream hit his money bringing us up to date, inline gob, people ringing radio stations with the rest of Europe. Who's laugh­ whinging about the lack of respect for ing at us backward paddies, now that our democratically elected leader, the we've got cafes and cable TV? Lies big front page splash of said leader Meanwhile, for those with eyes, the river-view apartments and a health with pie dripping down his face. misery and destruction goes on. After food shop now. Really funny articles in the paper, years of the Common Agricultural They've well and truly swallowed the with quotes from neighbours saying, Policy, where farmers are given huge lie of progress alright. "She seemed like such a quiet girl..." I subsidies to cram loads of sheep onto Most of them were delighted at the got to say completely true things live every bit of land, there is nothing grow­ pieings-politicians are easily scape­ on the radio about our water table ingonourmountains. Herein the North- goated for all the unpleasant things being poisoned by the moral majority Coillte-the Irish For­ doesn't want to face estry Board (just be­ up to-like bin fore I was cut off!). charges, incinerators Coillte's monocul­ and super dumps. tures are mostly in the They want all the uplands, and the toxic baubles. but none of sprays they need to the mess. Few of keep their alien plan­ them seemed to get tations alive seep into the real point of the the waters below. pieings-that the There is less wildlife politicians are just in their "forests" than front men for big in the town centers. i;l business and so de­ As prime minister, "' serve no respect. Ahern is responsible If it even just "sows for the actions of this the seed in slavish semi-state company. west, the hills stand stark and bald, men" (as an Irish activist from a cen­ I can feel Spring in me bones. Blos­ apart from the large swathes of sitka tury ago put it), then it was worth it. soming all around, bursting into life. spruce monocultures. Although once Or as John Mitchel, a 19th century There are two yellow wagtails nest­ common land, these are now "owned" revolutionary said, "Let the canting­ ing in the bush outside the front door. by Coillte (ironically this means "for­ fed classes rave and shriek as they Any day now, their babies will be crack­ est" in Irish). Coillte has poisoned our will-where you see a respectable, ing through. A curious robin flew in water table and reduced all our com­ fair-spoken lie sitting in high places, yesterday for a peek at the funny nest mon land to arid, toxic tree farms. feeding itself fat on the Earth's sacri­ the two-legged ones live in. A fallen Across the country you see nothing fices-down with it, strip it naked tree we begged the landlord not to· but cows and sheep ..Hardly any wild and pitch it to the demons ... resting chop up has, to his surprise, blos­ patches, few woodlands, ever-decreas­ never till the huge mischief come somed full-leaved. Dandelions, tad­ ing birds and animals. A real wet desert. down, though the whole structure of poles, red beetles ... it's all exploding. When I was growing up, we roamed society come down along with it." This might be the last Spring this around the fields and village streets to Agent Media Tart is an operative of the copse sees. They're building a road our hearts' content, and we had such Irish Division ofthe Biotic Baking Brigade. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 33 FOR. YOU

I climbed the highest mountains and crossed the raging rivers, I slept in the rain on the cold hard ground. I forgot m_L;J triends, my tamil_l:j , m.t:i name. HE:AR.T OF FIST I traveled by night alone through the bush, and slept in the day, Damn, m.t:i Head's in stitches, and waited a nd watched. and it seems I torgot the I burned their bridges and smashed their machines. punch line, R.an through the night but the.t:J hunted me down. know it was something Carried m.t:J silence deep in m.t:J heart. 'bout a tree and m.t:J car, I gave up my Freedom and years ot m.t:i life. but the alcohol Now I dream in this cell ot the da.t:J I'm released or the concussion or both, When I come home to the wilderness, washed the memor.t:i awa.t:i. the whispering trees, the singing creeks, Wow, m.t:i Heart's been laughing, the grizzl.t:J cubs and the lone wolF. ever since that distant night, M.t:J conscience is clear, m.t:i soul is tree cause I've been running clean, and I'll be there again- like the land should be, For .t:JOU. Jane Doe and m_y bell_y's not rank, it's a Flower, and the bees tickle, the sun shines, m.t:J heart had the ARMED WITH VISIONS revolutionar_y power. M_y Industrial Mind took a hard blow, m_y lungs and liver clear as cut glass & laughed and cheered, just as dangerous and there was no bitterness, the headaches went awa_y, e!Jes Focused. Can the world heal itselt? Are we the Heart of the Fist, striking down these electrical addictions, this lack ot moderation, these chemical habits and destructive tendencies, and should we let the World hit a tree, or maim itselF or tinall_y O.D.? should we intervene now, andjust how tar are we to go, ·.. we, the warriors tor peace, to save our selves, brothers, sisters? · We can't cut off our head, and wecan'fhate ourselves. The Circle of Lite's made ot dots, and the Circle seems to · gain' round to come again, and it will , but ever_ybod_y must see, Send poems to that ever_y 5od_y is the world. Warrior Poets Societ!:j P. 0. E>ox 1+501 R.ob 5oley E>erkele!:J CA 9+712-5501 all rights reserved to the authors FOGA TRE:E: DARRYL'S DILE:MMA

Rather than behold or respect Traded m9 backpack tor a briefcase to please the powers that be. The vast reaches ot nature, Now I sit in a courtroom Instead of hugging a tree. The chain ot wings Cut m9 hair and got a shave. Between ground and treetop Been told time and again not to misbehave. The!:! blast the tree with polson gas .All this law and order has sure got me down. And count and catalog The w~~ds call me, but I've got to sta9 in town. All the Insects and poisoned lives I'm tired ot law9ers, depo's and allthat stuff That rain down tram their toxic tog pla9ing it straight sure can be tuft. "It's just one tree," he cried, But one da_y soon this will all be histor_y, "In a vast torest." And I can be happ.':J again sitting in a tree. That's like Just one child molested. DWKJr. UNDE:R OUR FE:E:T With that attitude We'll never get out ot this mess. "I w~nt to leave the cit_y and go live on the land," I said. "Where do _you think _you are living now?" he asked. Jenn_y McBride "What do _you think is beneath _your feet?"

THE: BIRDS GAVE: WAY We sa_y concrete is dirt, beneath dirt is rock, High In the alpines a bomber beneath rock is molten fire. screeches past at the speed ot sound We forget it is the skin and bones and drowning the calls ot theja_ys blood of our mother and setting m_y teeth on edge. buried from light and air. The blast sounds loud enough to tell a tlr tree, Is she asleep and dreaming? alien enough to make a cow elk lose her calf. Is her sleep like death? Is she mourning da.':Js of tidal marsh? A lump rises In my gut. I'd understand what is her secret life? It someone's patriotic _ya-_ya Inspired this displa_y but it's August, what If she Is slowl!:f simmering anger? miles tram an9 town, What it her pain is the fur.') of a woman scorned? and the ground beneath what if suddenl_y her blood boils the feet ot ever_y creature and tire pours tram her veins? herejust rumbled, Fire pouring through fissures the air that the buo9s the birds gave awa_y . cracking the surface with radical change. Paul Lindholdt Basalt, bedrock, river rock, sandstone, shale, drifting dust, erupting lava, our own rage released.

For we ourselves are made of this earth. Her bod_y is our bod_y. Her love bursts in us. Her beaut_y is blinding.

We arewaiting tor it. We are longing for it. We are calling for it. Dt4fr JFe': Letters to the editors

continued from page 3 houses and sold to the uni­ then don't eat meat. If spending millions of other Hello Good People, versity or had come from shel­ women don't want breast people's money on research, I am ashamed to say that, ters) and cats from the same cancer, then don't get near to make a return for their in­ although I am painfully sources. Then comes more of any dairy products or meat. vestors. They ain't going to do aware of the peril that faces the same, and worse, in gradu­ Ninety-nine percent of it for free-they have to pay our world, I have not been ate or medical school-even medical and genetic research the bills too. That's how inno­ actively working to help. Re­ more bizarre and horrible ani­ is a fraud. These sadists want vation happens. cently, I sent an email to off­ mal experiments, atrocities your money, not your good There are some bills before road.com suggesting that, against terminally ill humans health. In fact, the sicker you the US Senate, which ban since some oil profits are fun­ and the joking and tossing are, the more money they can human cloning, yet allow the neled to Osama and other around of human and animal make, because sick, fright­ medical research to continue. terrorists groups, they might body parts. ened people want help. I think these are worthy of show their patriotism by con­ Anyone who completes Stay healthy, go vegan support. Naturally, I am op­ serving gas. such an "educational" pro­ (non-dairyvegetarian). Don't posed to genetic engineering Well... I'msurethatyoucan gram and does not drop out at support the sado-scientists. of the food supply, or cloning imagine the responses. Every­ a very early stage is likely to be -ANNA B ELLA of human beings. And, I think thing from veiled threats to a pervert, a sadist, an egotist we should continue to pro­ misspelled profanity. So be and totally devoid of ethics Dear Earth First Journal, ceed with calmness, consider careful out there. Gatta go, it's and rnorals. This unnatural Glad to see judi/Darryl trial the impacts on the next seven time to stand up and get to "natural selection" produces finally underway. generations and remember work ... for the planet. doctors who don't give a damn just a quick comment about that what we do to the web of -KEVIN FmsiE about their patients, veteri­ nuclear transfer technology life, we do to ourselves, as the narians who don't give a damn from a long-time environmen­ guiding principles. Dear Shit fer Brains: about animals and geneticists tal activist, hemp activist, Sincerely, I am writing in reference who are willing to create mon­ Green Party member, organic -Bos Sc HWARZ to Heather Moore's article sters and untold suffering. food consumer, Redwood "Designer Animals" in the The public is told that all Summer participant. I don't Dear Earth First! Journal, Beltane issue. Many people this will cure diseases, when all think there is anything inher­ I am writing this letter with are probably wondering it really does is enrich these ently "evil" about the nuclear regerds to an interview where these sadistic, amoral perverts, who often become transfer technology. Like all published in the British ani­ scientists are coming from­ excessively wealthy and create technologies it just depends mal rights magazine Arkangel most people wouldn't be new and more virulent diseases on what you do with the tool. #26, with the former "North caught dead experimenting (e.g. antibiotic resistance). Someone will always be there American Earth Liberation on animals or creating ge­ Don't depend on these sa­ to exploit it for greedy profits, Front Press Officer." In the netically altered monsters. I dists to find an answer to but others will find appropri­ interview, Arkangel asked know where these sado-sci­ cancer. The preventative is ate uses that are socially just, Craig Rosebraugh what he felt entists are coming from, be­ already here and available to environmentally sound and the most effective ELF action cause I have seen it happen. ~veryone: a vegetarian diet. biocentrically compatible. was, and he stated that he felt What is taking place in our If men don't want prostate The biotech industry as a that arson was the most effec­ educational system is a and colon cancer, whole should not be trusted tive tool. He gave this as a kind of unnatural to regulate themselves. How-. personal opinion. However "natural selec­ ever, I believe that there is the way the interview was tion" process. Be­ enormous potential in stem published it made it appear ginning in high cell research and nuclear that the majority of ELF ac­ school (some­ transfer technology to tions are arson-based and that times earlier), if heal some of the most non-arson-based actions have a kid wanted to devastating illnesses, and no merit. take a biology alleviate unimaginable The majority of the ELF class he/she had suffering for living be­ actions in Britain and across to be willing to dis­ ings. With new inno­ Europe are non-arson-based. sect a songbird and tear vations there are always The cell I am involved with apart a cow's eye. In col­ risks, but I don't buy the specialises in wildlife protec­ lege, it was worse. If you "slippery slope" argu­ tion. One of our favourite tac­ wanted to study biology ment. That's the same tics is tree spiking where we or pre-med, you had to rationale used by the hammer 1 SO mm metal spikes dissect living animals­ governmentto keep mari­ into trees. We then issue a dogs (pets that had been ..1llfll~~ juana/hemp illegal. It's just warning to alert everyone of stolen from people's common sense for a company the spikes. The result of this is Page 36 Earth First! Litha 2002 that sawmill owners are less uniquely designed for the task are often done with black that management usually keen to buy the felled trees if in hand. For example, the first masks in the dark of night, scans when it's time to reor­ they know there is a possible GM crop trashing to occur in many of our actions are done der. Next, we would push our spike in the timber that will Ireland was carried out by the in the middle of the day with­ carts toward any in-store gar­ damage their sawmill blade. "Gaelic Earth Liberation out any masks to hide our bage cans (the deli or cafete­ And because the sawmills Front." The Elves involved identity. One great example ria sections having the most). won't touch the wood, there trashed the field, achieved in­ of one of our unmasked-or When nobody was looking is no profit involved in fell­ ternational media attention urban camouflage-cam­ we would throw all the traps ing the trees in the first place. and managed to ensure there paigns was when we targeted into the garbage bags making Consequently there is a much was no danger to any animal grocery and hardware stores sure to cover the traps with greater chance of the wood­ hiding within the crop. A fire in our town that sold mouse real garbage. (Make sure your land habitat being left alone, could easily have killed ani­ and rat glue traps. Not only garbage can is not directly vis­ in tact, which benefits all the mals and spread to destroy are these traps unnecessary, ible to any security cameras animals and plants that are other plant species other than but they are extremely cruel where you may be monitored part of that ecosystem. Tree the one GM crop that was and inhumane. Our goal was from!) Though this tactic was spiking is easy. Anyone can being targeted. to prevent consumers from often successful, it was not do it. Its also highly effective In the mid '90s, Elves raided purchasing these devices and 100 percent effective. We and it does not involve the and ecotaged the London to stop stores from selling would often find the dam­ . use of any arson. Government offices of the De­ these devices. All live and hu­ aged glue traps replaced on Another of our tactics is partment of Transport, whilst mane traps would remain on the shelf the following day. ecotage (cause economic leaving the offices of the De­ the shelves. We quickly solved this prob­ damage) to the property of partment of Environment Our "urban-camo" con­ lem by filling our carts with those who seek to kill wild­ (which is housed in the same sisted of very nice clothes. veal, chicken, turkey, cow, life. Be it badger killers, an­ building) unharmed. An ar­ Remember, people do judge fish, eggs, etc. Then, after get­ glers, hunters, hare-coursers, son attack· on the building you based on your appear­ ting all of the glue traps we etc. All are legitimate targets. would have not achieved the ance. Now is not the time to would browse the aisles, as Our tactics vary according to same results as this very bril­ show off that "Meat is Mur­ we opened up the glue traps whom we are targeting but liant and daring raid achieved. der" or "ALF" t -shirt. Also and permanently affixed can involve everything from Don't get me wrong. Where make sure you've walked up them to the dead animal parts, nailing shut gates used to ac­ arson is the best tool available and down some aisles and that thus insuring that if found, cess paths to kill wildlife, to it will be used, e.g. the Whatley you have some groceries in they could not simply be directly destroying the prop­ Quarry action, the Sainsburys your cart. Nothing will catch placed back on the shelves erty of those who engage in supermarket action in the management's or security's at­ the following day. This tactic wildlife murder. Southeast of England, etc. But tention more than someone also causes hundreds of dol­ Our ELF cell has also, in the certainly, under rio circum­ pushing around an empty cart lars of damage to the animal past, targeted the Forestry stance, is arson always the best for an hour or so. products themselves! And Commission hitting their tool to use. Once we began our "shop­ again, we would always re­ monocrop woodlands, leav­ The Earth Liberation Front ping," we would fill our carts move the UPC bar codes that ing messages for them to is 10 years old this year! Long with all the rodent glue traps are used for reordering. "plant oak," spiking their live the Earth Liberation Front! on display and then snap or This is important as we gates shut, glueing their pad­ Here's to the next 10 years! break off the UPC bar code found that without remov­ locks, ecotaging their build­ -MERRYME.ET THE ELF ing the UPC bar ings, etc. You see we strongly codes, there believe that as well as protect­ Hi, would soon be a ing the last remaining habi­ I fresh order re­ tats of woodland and other placing the wildlife areas, we should also shelves. Without be actively helping to en­ the UPC bar courage the re-cre- codes most stores ation of wood­ would simply for­ land and other get, or just not habitats. The timber know, to reorder monocrops of the For­ more. After about estry Commission three to four weeks need replacing with a of this continually range of broad- and persistently hap­ leaf trees, and pening the stores our cell regards would quit selling all Forestry Commission the glue traps! property as legitimate. How­ in a Be creative! Get ever naturally we would never highly stores in your area to start a fire in a woodland area. populated stop selling glue traps, The Earth Liberation Front city on the East ant traps, wasp-killer, is a vibrant movement that Coast. Though our roach-motels, bee traps, uses a range of actions, each clandestine actions continued on next page

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 37 Dtar JFfS: Letters to the editors

continued from previous page of the intended target and 1. an apology to the people Intelligencer wrote over a year mole traps, etc... Creativity the likely damage to other who were working on native ago. In that article a reporter and persistence are the keys. people and/or projects. What plant protection, propagation by the name of Paul The last time I was at one of happened at CUH in no way and restoration for the un­ Schukovsky suggested that I the main grocery stores we deterred work in genetic en­ necessary destruction of their saw the actions at UW as "col­ had targeted, they still were gineering-which I abhor, work. (I know, EF! has no lateral damage." I want to not selling glue traps! A suc­ but wasn't . happening at knowledge of the perpetra­ point out that despite Mitch cessful action! Even without CUH-and did a whole lot tq tors-so instead of an apol­ .Friedman's asse~;tion. that I . a mask. wipe out an endangered ogy, perhaps a statement of used that term, I was never A suggestion: species. Were the perpetra­ condolence and support). actually quoted in the Seattle­ This is just one example of tors even aware of the Rare 2. major discussion in the PI article as having said those many unmasked actions that Care program? Journal about targets, how one words. The author simply at­ individuals and groups can A whole program devoted researches what's really go­ tributed my feelings on direct participate in. We encourage to propagation of plants too ing on at a proposed target action to that terminology. In your publication and web rare to survive without inter­ site, the importance of hav­ fact, I refused to talk about the page to run a regular column vention was incinerated. Not ing one's facts straight, the action at UW since I had so entitled something like "Un­ cool. The Miller Library, com­ importance of thinking little information about it. Mr. . masked Actions," "The ALF/ pletewith books, journals and through the various possible/ Schukovsky pulled those ELF Unmasked," etc. You can reports dating back hundreds probable outcomes of the ac­ words straight out of his ass in then simply solicit and en­ of years and altogether irre­ tion, etc. an attempt to discredit me. courage readers to participate placeable was destroyed. 3. a clear statement from What I actually said, in re­ by sending in their unmasked From where we sit, it the Journal that the editorial gards to actions which may actions for publication. This looks like some gung-ho cow­ collective does not support harm operations outside of way many others will be able boys went off half-cocked random, un-thought-out, their immediate target, was to learn some successful ac­ and hit the wrong target. In­ counter-productive actions, "Revolution is a learning pro­ tions they can take part in in stead of setting back genetic and that "collateral damage" cess, and none of us are born their areas! engineering, they inciner­ is not acceptable. knowing exactly how to cre­ Thank you. ated a major center for eco­ This is not intended as a ate revolution without mak­ -ANONYMOUS logical restoration. letter to the editor, but you're ing mistakes. But simply At the time, we and other free to use it as you choose. We because a mistake is made does Well Guys: conservation organizations really would like a response. not mean that an action or This is our letter of divorce. asked ·the Journal to do the -MARIANNE AND STEVE tactic should be dismissed. It's We've been with EF! from the responsible things-to say that Editors' Note: In response to all part of figuring out how to very start-as supporters, co­ this time a mistake was made. your second request, the Jour­ make change." conspirators, site surveyors, Didn't happen. Instead, we got nal collective is certainly inter­ Kiss my ass Mitch, subscribers and generally do­ smug self-congratulation. ested in publishing any articles . -JosH HARPER ing what needed to be What we (and a whole lot that discuss such responsibili­ done-including direct ac­ of others) would like to see, ties and any thoughts about Dear Friends, tions to prevent logging as even at this late date, is: strategy. Send us your submis­ Just finished the Eostar issue far back as 1977. We make sions. For two articles featuring and enjoyed it immensely! our living as restoration different perspectives on the Keep up the good work! A ecologists, and in our CUH arson, see EF!] Decem­ Return to the Wild Life was spare time we litigate ber-January 2002. especially inspiring. After to protect what's left. spending nearly 11 years Here's what has us Dear SFB, in prison-one of society's pissed enough to I know I am a little late with biggest current for-profit withdraw our sup­ this response, but since industries-the thought of port. The fire at the there has been so much withdrawing from modern Center for Urban Horti­ hysteria lately over civilization appeals to me more culture (CUH) in Seattle a Mitch Friedman's Yule and more each day. I'm more year ago, and the Journal's 2002 article, I feel the than a little disgusted with this refusal to look seriously at need to say something. tendency to let capital take pre­ what happened there. We Right wingers and liber­ cedence over life; how can we expect, when people use als alike in this country have strive for some plush, comfort­ strong measures (such as --- lately begun equating me with able existence for ourselves and fire), that they accept the re­ Timothy McVeigh by repub­ say "to hell with everything sponsibility to do some seri­ lishing a small portion of an else?" We don't even seem to ous research into the actions article that the Seattle Post- care that the Earth we're Page 38 Earth First! Litha 2002 destroying is the same Earth be in balance with the Earth suggested this may be taking is ... I think it is a detriment to that our offspring will be stuck and other animals. The same place at the US Post Office. your organization (as the pre­ with! Reading "Why George thing about language can also I tend to believe the prison mier grassroots organization) W. Bush" only served to rein­ be applied to art. The need for mail room, as their procedure to picture yourselves as (par­ force my conviction that civi­ "self expression" is a reaction is quite clear; they have the don me) sloppy, unkempt, lization is geared toward this to living in a conformist au­ right to reject the whole maga­ unshaved, neuvo-hippies, catastrophic self-destruct thoritarian society. In a free zine/journal etc. and issue a singing and dancing during mode. It doesn't take a college society (hunter and gatherer) Notice of Intent, Contraband your media-taped rallies. education to see that when your everyday life would be Removal. Is this possible that If you're trying to change you fight nature, nature retali­ "creativity" and there would the US Postal Service has a public opinion, then the way ates; environmental statistics be no need for external self hand in the removal of the you act and dress creates a (rampant spread of diseases; expression. The earliest primi­ prisoner support page? barrier, therefore preventing rising temperature extremes; tive people had no art. Art Any suggestions as to how I the real message from get­ birth defects; etc.) verify this. only started showing up at may inquire without open­ ting through. I guarantee, if And yet people like George W. the same time as agriculture, ing the proverbial worm can? there was a congressperson Bush-who actually has a col­ hierarchy, centralization, lin­ Is any one out there experi­ fighting for you on the lege education-refuse to ac­ ear time, etc. People were los­ encing this example of gov­ House floor, wearing tie-die knowledge the facts ... ing their freedoms and had to ernment paranoia? and beads, no other ·I am interested in making find some external means of In solidarity, congressperson would pay contact with groups or indi­ relief. This is pointed out in -PATRIC CONWAY much attention. viduals who share a devotion depth by John Zerzan in his Editors' Note: Well, the con­ I don't seem to have a to the preservation of the essay" Case Against Art." Well spiracy is a simple one. We have solution. planet. I don't get much mail my comrades, thank you for been tearing out the prisoner -RANDY LEIFER these days, but I'd like to cor­ showing me your solidarity support pages before mailing the REDRABBITLOSANGELF.S@v AHOO.COM respond with some environ­ by mailing me Earth First! in Journal to our subscribers in mentally conscious people. this lonely industrial prison. prison. Alas, prisons frequently Hey, Take care, Peace, love, resistance, reject and return mail to us that I am an occasional reader -JAMEYSON MAcDoNALD -WILLIAM MARTINEZ will provide prisoners with in­ of your magazine and enjoy #619181 #259840 formation about other inmates reading it and share many of 3060 FM 3514 POB 1400 or facilitate communication be­ the expressed views. BEAUMONT, TX 77705 ENFIELD, CT 06083 tween prisons. Alas, as a com­ However, I do not think promise, and .a way to still get advocating (or implying ad­ Earth First! Comrades, Dear Editor, our materials to you, we've made vocacy of) the terrorization The other day I got the Let me begin by stating the decision to remove this of Huntingdon, etc., employ~ beautiful Eostar March-April how grateful and apprecia­ section preemptively. ees is a positive thing. I doubt 2002 issue of Earth First! and tive I am for receiving Earth that any of the employees was infatuated with A Return First!. My commitment to the Dear SFB, enjoy their work, and I doubt to the Wild Life: from civilized cause is strengthened with The problem I have with that they are paid well. to more primitive living by Red every issue I receive. Upon the Earth First! ·organization These abusive companies Wolf Returns. I would like release from prison are part of a larger pattern, any other information you (three years?), I and I do not think that that could send me about Teach­ vow not to ne­ pattern can be broken by ing Drum outdoor school or glect the Earth. frightening or hurting a any other schools like that, Thank you and few people with and also contacts. Primitiv­ good work! no power. It ism is the emphasis of this I am baffled by is important letter as I write this like a what has occurred in to strategize capitalistic compulsion to the previous two is­ how to dam­ transform all my feeling and sues of Earth First!; age the over­ experiences into object .. . Spo­ the Yule and Eostar all corporate ken language/words are issues have both been infrastructure in merely incarcerated thoughts. missing the pris­ a way that causes as There is no question that oner support little damage to workers primitive peoples were at a pages. They as possible. · higher state of consciousness have been Destroying Huntingdon and probably used some form torn out! would mean an­ of telepathy. Any form of I've in­ other company work/labor is still a form of quired with jumping up to oppression even if there are the prison fill its place. no bosses. In my opinion, as mail room, What is long as there is technology and they needed 'is to humans will still be alienated claim no change the pattern from Earth and outside of knowledge that creates a place for nature. In a zero-work hunter of missing animal testing at all. gatherer society you would pages. They -BE)'! REGENSPAN

June-July 2002 Earth First/ Page 39 Evolution of the Offensive Using everything we've got!

and conversations. My fascination with this sensational BY LESLIE JAMES PICKERING organization soon led me to learn of the popular move­ More than any other event in my life, the actions of the ments for the freedom of animals and environmentalism Earth Liberation Front (ELF) have been the most eye­ and later to study any and all revolutionary/social move­ opening, inspirational and empowering. The actions of ments that I could scrounge up information on. the ELF have restored a hope in me that had otherwise been In 1997, the ELF began taking "direct actions" similar beaten into submission by the oppressive cycle of daily life to the actions of the ALF. From the onset, the direct within contemporary American civilization. actions of the ELF were causing millions in damages to When I was a teenager in suburban New York state, I, like corporations and government agencies that were profit­ many of my peers, would do almost anything thinkable to ing from destroying the Earth. The actions and existence break the mundane reality of my existence. One of the of the ELF created an enormous wave of attention across activities that drew my attention was attending loud, angry, the US as authorities fruitlessly scrambled for evidence, independent music events. These events appealed to me often barely beginning one investigation before the ELF because they were welcoming atmospheres for me and my would strike again. peers to vent our le- I have been privileged gitimate frustrations to be in the position of with the social and More than anything, I simply recognize spokesperson for the political situations we the right and, at times, the necessity North American Earth had been born into Liberation Front Press and forced to swallow. and duty of all people to defend our­ Office (NAELFPO) since At one of the first of selves when taking a beating, to fight the Spring of 2000. The these shows I attended, press office has been I was handed some lit­ for our very lives. This right is not only referred to by the media erature about an orga­ as a "clearinghouse" nization called the extended to those being crushed by the for the anonymous Animal Liberation hands of this beast, but also to those of communiques of the Front (ALF). ELF. For me personally, At first, I didn't us being digested in its belly. it has been an opportu­ think much of it-a nity to publicly speak souvenir to bring home-and I stuffed it in my backpack. my belief in direct action and to help the movement gain It wasn't until I had the time to look it over that I realized the public's attention and support. the implications these stapled photocopies would have I support the actions of the ELF and the ALF wholeheart­ on my life. It turned out that the ALF was an under­ edly. I unwaveringly support revolutionary action to ground organization that struggled for the freedom of bring about the liberation of the Earth and its animal animals by "liberating" them from factory farms, vivi­ . nations, including the liberation of the human race. I feel section labs and other abusive institutions. The ALF was that illegal actions, like those of the ELF and ALF, are 100 a group of fugitives who broke the law to fight for percent necessary for liberation, and I hope to see the freedom, much like many of our cultural heroes: George continuation and the rapid escalation of their activities Washington, Thomas jefferson, the Boston Tea Partiers, until the Earth and all of us who live here are free of Robin Hood, etc. I was fascinated. institutionalized oppression. At this point, I naturally had an appreciqtion for nature, That being said, shortly after co-founding the but I was not especially what one would call an "animal NAELFPO, I vowed to speak the truth about the ELF. I lover," nor have I ever been. I had never considered being have since done the best job I could with limited re­ a vegetarian and had no awareness of any popular move­ sources and opportunities to fulfill this promise, and I ment for animal rights. The tactics of the ALF simply made will continue to do so. However, I have come to realize sense to me on a honest and fundamental level, based. on that being in the position of spokesperson for the orga­ my natural instincts for self-defense and the little that I had nization has presented me with difficulties in speaking learned about revolutionary /social movements from school this truth. Page 40 Earth First! Litha 2002 There is an existing diversity of opinions among those them nonviolent and do not believe nonviolence is the who support the activity of the ELF on the manner in only legitimate means by which to struggle for liberation. which the underground organization should be repre­ Any dictionary will tell you that violence is, more or less, sented. I am only able to honestly represent the movement any act that ag5ressively harms or threatens harm to anyone in the light in which it appears to me, which is not or anything. Therefore, if actions were truly nonviolent, necessarily the same light in which all others who support they would fail to even threaten harm to anything, which I the ELF view it. certainly do not consider to be the case with the ELF. The As I see it, the ELF is a loose network of clandestine entire intention of the ELF is to bring about liberation guerrilla groups that are a part of a larger movement through engaging in effective acts of sabotage against op­ struggling for global revolutionary change. The tactics pressive institutions. To not even threaten harm to these that they engage in, which many consider nonviolent institutions would therefore be failure. sabotage, are a direct result of their analysis of the oppres­ But regardless of what the dictionary says, I believe that sion they struggle against and the level of activity they attaching the nonviolence label to these actions is based on perceive to be effective within the particular context of a misguided understanding of public opinion and fear of a their actions. liberal backlash that comes anyway. I also believe the blind I see, and personally hope, that there is no proof that the endorsement of this label is counterrevolutionary. Any movement in general should view the tactics of the ELF as notion that alleged nonviolence is the only way by which to the end-all of action taken for liberation. I see absolutely achieve liberation is ill-informed and condemning of the rio logic in a judgment that struggle perceived as nonvio­ many other effective tactics that have, can and must be put lent is the only legitimate kind to be waged. In addition, I into practice in successful revolutionary movements. have no problem admitting that I personally do not con­ Throughout history, liberation has been achieved through sider the actions of the ELF and ALF as nonviolent, as any a healthy balance of a variety of tactics, many which have dictionary will clearly spell out. been considered nonviolent and many which have been Again, this does not mean that I do not wholeheartedly considered violent. Even the most popular examples of support all of these actions, only that I do not consider continued on next page

Julie- July 2002 Earth First! Page 41 continued from previous page from the laws of nature is a major cause of the disastrous nonviolent resistance were far from existing in a vacuum. imbalance that our species now suffers from. During the same periods that Gandhi and Martin Luther Often it seems that blind adherence to nonviolence King, Jr. werewagingtheirnonviolent strug ; ~les, numerous philosophy is based on a reactionary denial of the level of other organizations were struggling for the same liberation resistance that it'll take to bring about revolutionary change. through what were considered violent means-undeni­ When many begin to comprehend the level of oppression ably having a massive effect on the progression of the we face today, nonviolence philosophy gains appeal as a overall movements. In fact, I've yet to find a historical very comfortable heaven/fairyland where liberation can be example of a successful revolutionary movement that achieved strictly through personal changes. I consider this consisted strictly of nonviolent activity, and I do not state of denial a kind of psychological illness common believe that one is possible in our contemporary setting. among liberal North Americans. I strongly feel that anyone Recently, I appeared on a short television spot regard­ hypnotizing the people with the nonviolence-as-gospel ing the February 12, Congressional Subcommittee on dog-and-pony show is a criminal, disarming us in a time Forests and Forest Health. Also on this clip appeared an when we desperately need to defend ourselves. This denial of what really needs to happen to liberate the Earth and ourselves from the And as I see it, the liberation of the Earth and the deadly path that the system is liberation of all species of the Earth is the goal of the leading us all down is a major factor in our inability to achieve ELF. I do not see the organization as simply an that liberation. The outright environmental group satisfied with the economic condemnation of violent revo­ lutionary action in America damages it inflicts and attention It draws from each needs to come to an end before a true revolution can effectively of Its Individual actions. take place. The system knows this, and its pigs are working unnamed representative of an unnamed organization harder than ever to brainwash the public by calling the ELF allegedly from the mainstream environmental move­ "terrorists" and the Pentagon a "force for freedom." ment. Among other less-interesting things, he said, "Vio­ More than anything, I simply recognize the right and, at lence, when used in this country, is simply wrong." I times, the necessity and duty of all people to defend ourselves have found that a lot of the ideological basis for nonvio­ when taking a beating, to fight for our very lives. This right is lence in the US is fundamentally il~tiC>nalist. not only extended to those being crushed by the hands of this Why is it that when it comes to clearly violent struggle beast, but also to those of us being digested in its belly. outside the borders of the US, such as that waged by the In addition to the nonviolence issue, I do not believe Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, the majority of liberals are that the actions of the ELF are strictly environmental in quick to lend their ideological support, while those same their scope. It has probably already become clear that I liberals adamantly condemn the actions of the. ELF and recognize the actions of the ELF as acts of revolution, not ALF here Within the borders of such a powerful and reform. I have attempted to express this in every piece of oppressive government? . I believe this is because they literature, interview, public presentation and conversation have been brainwashed by the system into buying the that has occurred as a result of my participation in the line that within US borders somehowrevolutionary change NAELFPO-and increasingly so in recent months. cari .magically be achieved through reformist activity. I I cannot perceive the Earth without conjuring up images of think we need to wake up and realize that the US is a all life taking root within this atmosphere. The liberation of global power, force-feeding its suicidal capitalist Ameri­ the Earth equals the liberation of every one of us. And as I see can Dream down the throats of everyone on the face of it, the liberation of the Earth and the liberation of all species the plariet. Revolutionary change has never been achieved of the Earth is the goal ofthe ELF. I do not see the organization through reformist activity and is certainly not going to be as simply an environmental group satisfied with the eco­ handed to us on a·silver platter by the US government. nomic damages it inflicts and attention it draws from each of I have also found that almost all of the popular cheerlead- . its individual actions. I do not see the ELF only caring about ers of nonviolence are/were strongly religious people who the oppression caused by Vail Resorts, Inc. and Boise Cascade. endorsed the tactic because of their religious beliefs, not These are just platforms for a much larger message to get out necessarily because of its effectiveness in bringing about on a global scale, and that message is, "We're not taking revolutionary change. Recognizing the connection of non­ anymore." I see the objectives of any revolutionary move­ violence to religion was important to me, because it helped ment for liberation being to off the oppressor, to smash the me realize the larger intentions of the .philosophy. · system of oppression and to create a free and just society in The belief that one species, the. human race, can some­ its place. I see no exception to this in the case of the ELF, and how live an entirely nonviolent existence ori this planet, I certainly do not hope that I ain wrong. when it is perfectly clear that no species throughout all of Currently, the FBI considers the ELF and the ALF the nature is capable of this, is blatantly anthropocentric. The "number one priority" among domestic terrorist threats. belief that humans are separate and somehow exempt This is nothing new, the same thing has been said about

Page 42 Earth First! Litha 2002 revolutionary organizations in the past that the system taken as part of a successful revolutionary movement. Like perceived as a threat. This is, however, a noteworthy point the tools of a toolbox, each has a specific use and specific in the struggle for liberation: It is recognition from the results. Depending on the job you have, you choose a tool oppressor. The system does perceive this movement as a (or a set of tools) from your toolbox. You don't choose only threat and is using an increasing amount of its resources to the tools that fit most comfortably in your hand or that are stomp it out. This is a point at which the struggle needs to the prettiest, you choose the ones that'll get the job done. evolve in order to survive, so as not to suffer the same fate Sometimes these tools do fit comfortably in your hands, as revolutionary struggles of previous generations. but most of the time they give you blisters. No matter what This system has clearly proven itself to value its though, at the end of the day, the objective is always to "progress" above and beyond anyone and anything. It have the job completed. It's idiotic to shun the sledge represents a pursuit of profits and property at the expense hammer when you're 'Working to knock down a walL · of the people, the natural elements of the Earth that Our arguments arid·actions need to be sound, thorough sustain our lives and of the planet as a .whole. This and brutally honest. We need to awaken from our coma "American Dream" is a death wish, and we cannot allow and struggle for a realistic, not utopian, solution. No it to nail our coffins shut. matter how uncomfortable this may seem to many of us, The struggle must constantly assess and reassess the it's nothing comp;ueq to what will happen if we qon't and oppressor and the oppressor's perception of the struggle. what is happening aheady. . ,•' . New tactical directions must evolve with these assess­ Long live the Earth L.ib~ration Front! Long Live the Ani­ ments. I, for one, have begun to question the power and mal Liberation Front! Down with this insane system that use of any official press office for an autonomous organi­ plagues the Earth and·its peoples! Revolution is liberation! zation or movement. If the purpose of a press office is to With this statement I officially resign from my role with draw much needed attention to a movement, then is there the NAELFPO, but I am by no means silencing myself. I . a point at which that press office is no longer needed or intend to continue With increasing effort to struggle for ~ . piactka1? Where is the point at which, within the context revolutionary change With,Outbeing bpund tO any dogmatic of an existing movement, the direct actions of the move­ atmospheres of opinions. I encourage and welcome com­ ment are able to speak for themselves? munication of any kind and can be reached at [email protected]. I recognize that all forms of institutional oppression flow from the same source, the institution, the system that dictates nearly every facet of our lives under its twisted objec­ tives. Therefore, I am not an environmentalist, I am not an activist, I'm not a reformist nor any form of liberal. I am a revolutionary. I advo­ cate the return of all power to the hands of the people by any means necessary on a global scale. I see anything short of this as failure and as disastrous. And I'm not about to deny this reality because of any existing atmosphere of opinion within the popular liberal environ­ mental movement. To deny this reality is to limit the ability of this movement to evolve into one that truly has the capacity to achieve the objective of liberation. Arguing for a nonviolent, single-issue revolu­ tion has placed us in a position of hypocrisy and has allowed us to be backed into corners with our arguments. I believe that the movement hasn't gained the public support that it needs to be successful because the intelligent public can see these glaring holes in our arguments. I have found that public opinion is not as the media represents it, and it is far from what liberals perceive it to be. I recognize that the only way to build a successful revolutionary movement is to present a sound and powerful argument, backed up by effective action. I believe that once this movement is presented to the oppressed peoples of the Earth, public support will be powerfully behind it. Nonviolence, economic sabotage and armed propaganda are tactics, not strategies, not gospel and certainly not the only effective actions to be

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 43 Earth First! lakes the FBI to f;g}lfeti continued from page 9 support his contention at the scene mental Center, Shannon Marr of Seeds When the jury went to see Judi's that the bomb was in the back seat. of Peace, activist banjo player George bombed Subaru for themselves, it Other physical evidence included the Shook, the inimitable Utah Phillips was clear where the hole created by front seat with the bottom part blown and several other activists. the explosion was. The hole is huge away; and the exploded pipe itself. The highlight of the trial, how­ and ragged, and the roof bows up to ever, was Judi's testimony, video­ the sky above it. It was chilling to see Activists on the Stand taped five weeks before she died of it up close-it was also the first time During my time on the witness breast cancer in March 1997. Judi Judi's daughter Lisa had seen it. After stand during the second day of trial, came to realize she would not be the field trip to the car, the intact the EF! Journal popped up in cross­ around in the flesh for the case she back seat was brought into the court­ examination several times, including had spent the last seven years of her room-even the upholstery was in a 1990 "Ned Ludd" column, along life working on, so she ensured her amazingly good shape after 12 years. with numerous tree spiking questions. voice would be in court. Incredibly, Lamely, Doyle pointed to a discol­ We also called as witnesses Betty and the OPD and FBI attorneys present oration in the foam, as if it could Gary Ball of the Mendocino Environ- for the sworn deposition declined to ask her any questions, although they objected to nearly every response to plaintiff attorney questions. With the pACIFIC LUMBER CEO CALLS FOR objections edited out, an hour and a half of six hours of testimony was played for the jurors. HoMELAND SECURITY FuNDS Her testimony was hugely poignant, despite the tragic irony that her pres­ In an April 23 address to the immediately expressed outrage, ence was limited to this one video­ Humboldt County Board of Super­ stating that "such accusations are tape. Even on tape, hers was the most visors, Pacific Lumber (PL) President being raised as an attempt to ob­ compelling argument the court heard and CEO Robert Manne further scure the actual harm that Pacific about the damage done by the smear fanned the flames of terrorist hyste­ Lumber is causing the forests, wa­ campaign and civil rights violations. ria by warning that Internet infor­ tersheds and communities of She offered as her first memory upon mation, as well as the presence of California's North Coast." groggily waking-after hours of sur­ four new tree sits on PL land, heralds A press release issued the following gery on her shattered pelvis-that of an upcoming Summer of "possible day reaffirmed NCEF!'s adherence to two uniformed police at her bedside confrontation and controversy" be­ a strict code of nonviolence. Orga­ informing her she was under arrest tween his company and "those who nizer Josh Brown declared, "North for transport of explosives. That fol­ oppose the cutting of any timber Coast Earth First! has an impeccable lowed her description of the horror of any place for any reason, radical 15-year record of nonviolence. In the explosion itself and the pain so groups such as Earth First!." fact, those who have committed vio­ severe that she invited death. There After a long, rambling speech lence have been employees of were not many dry eyes in the court­ which applauded PL's achievement MAXXAM/Pacific Lumber and the room as she told of being terrified of of "economic and environmental Humboldt County Sheriff's Depart­ another attack as she lay immobi­ sustainability" and exploited the ment." Responding to PL's labeling lized by traction devices, and the ad­ murder of David Chain as the re­ of nonviolent activists as terrorists, ditional terror she felt at the prospect sult of the "dangerous mix of ille­ NCEF! activist Sara March said, "It is of being framed for this violent crime, gal protest and legal harvesting." a despicable exploitation of tragedy fearing "spending my children's child­ Manne closed by claiming that PL' s to try to make a comparison between hood in prison and not being able to critics "boldly proclaim themselves those who would take thousands of raise them." Many of the actual threats to be ecoterrorists." He strongly human lives and individuals sitting were shown to the jury, including the urged that the members of the peacefully in trees." "Welcome Mississippi Summer" flyer board contact their congressional The press release goes on to say with the drawing of a noose; the representatives to "ask if Tom that "NCEF! has gone to great lengths Stompers flyer saying, "If you want to Ridge's new Homeland Security to promote a sustainable timber in­ be a martyr, we will be happy to Budget cannot be a source of rev­ dustry, whereasPL'sconsistentpolicy oblige;" the rifle cross-hairs superim­ enue support which will minimize of over-cutting Without regard for its posed on Judi's face flyer; and the the impacts on this county's al­ neighbors, employees or ecosystems homophobic letter from the "Com­ ready strapped budget." has resulted in the loss of jobs and mittee for the death of Earth First!." North Coast EF!ers (NCEF!) massive watershed destruction." With so much testimony the pre­ vious weeks about various pieces of

Page 44 Earth First! Litha 2002 Cecelia Lanman, longtime forest activist and an author of the 1990 Forests Forever initiative-Proposi­ tion 130-which crashed to defeat by a tiny margin after an aggressive cam­ paignbranded it the "Earth First! ini­ tiative," testified that the association with bombs not only scared voters away, but "·shattered" the coalition between Northcoast grassroots groups and mainstream organizations. Darryl spent four hours on the stand in the fifth week of the trial. He had a lot to answer for: the infa­ mous 60 Minutes quote ("If I had a fatal disease, I would strap dynamite " to myself and take out the Glen Can­ ~ yon Dam ... "), the Earth Night poster ~ (graphic from the book Ecodefense, ~ urging "Go out and do something ;., for the Earth ... at night..."), his al­ ~ bum covers (cartoons depicting downl.ng ofpowerlines and burning bulldozers) and his hilarious song, The highlight of the trial was Judi 's testimony, videotaped five weeks prior to her death in 1997. "Spike a Tree for Jesus," which he this complex puzzle, Judi's testimony before the bombing to talk about the sang under oath. How this musical brought it all together. She laid out difficulty in waging an expressly non­ interlude came to be was that Sher what this case is all about: that the violent campaign of mass civil dis­ used several of Darryl's songs FBI's and OPD's baseless accusations obedience in the heated landscape to illustrate his advocacy of and refusal to investigate were po­ of Northern California's timber coun­ monkeywrenching, including "Bal­ litically motivated, and that their try. He explained that he became lad of the Lonesome Tree Spiker" agenda was to portray us as terror­ convinced, after hearing the ration­ and "This Monkeywrench of Mine ists, to falsely associate us with bombs ales and plans, that we had a sound (I'm Gonna Let it Shine)." Darryl and to undermine and neutralize our strategy. continued on next page political agenda and organizing work. She also made the point that to this day, despite the fact that charges were ultimately not filed in the case, . people still think of Earth First! as terrorists and still see her as the per­ Cop Talk son who blew herself up with her own bomb. Our enemies in law en­ forcement understand very well the power and compliance of the media. Judi's daughter, Lisa, who was nine years old in 1990, took the stand to relate how her family was affected. Though she was shielded from much of the agony, she said she was "ha­ rassed about it all the time" at school. This bright and wry 21-year-old is a strong reflection of her mother. Folksinger and political commen­ tator Utah Phillips brought much­ needed humor to the courtroom, even evoking a qualification to an FBI objection. The FBI attorney spouted "Objection-witness is nar­ rating ... not that we don't enjoy it..." But Phillips' satirical comments were the lighter side of his testimony that he had come to Judi's home two days June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 45 the FBI's "medical expert" who offered his opinion about the location of the bomb after looking at only some of the X-rays.Just like the "biostitutes"-wild­ life biologists who testify for timber companies---the feds had their medical "expert" prostitute (meaning no insult to those in the sex industry), served up at $500 an hour attaxpayers' expense. It was enraging and painful to listen to this arrogant bastard who will be pock­ eting about $10,000 for his testimony, discuss Judi's internal organs and exter­ nal body parts in such an intimate way. He earned his fee by concluding that the bomb was in the back seat, as the % feds asked him to do. In a surprise that ~ sent chills down the spine of those of us " in the audience (and likely the jury­ particularly the women), attorney Bob Bloom displayed the shredded blue jeans ;-: Judi was wearing on May 24, while the §,"' doctor· was on the stand blithely opin- "' ing about the bomb being behind her. After nearly six weeks, closing argu- ments were delayed by qualified immu­ continued from previous page nity arguments coming back before the court. Qualified had wan ted to sing part of his testimony to contextualize immunity is the vehicle whereby law enforcement personnel the irreverent political humor being brought before the are relieved of responsibility for their actions, and those jury out of context, but was monkeywrenched himself arguments have been argued, decided, appealed and argued when his choices were limited to those three songs. So, again countless times in the past 11 years. Incredibly, they the inflammatory "Spike a Tree'~ it was. Most jurors were back at the 11th hour and Judge Wilkin dismissed two looked perplexed; two let small smiles escape. FBI agents from the case-so on the final day, the defen­ Maria Bee, Oakland's sharp and elegant African-Ameri­ dants decreased from nine to seven. can attorney threw Darryl a zinger, pointing to the modeling Even the deliberation process was dramatic. The jury's first of Redwood Summer after Mississippi Summer and the dvil request was for the text of the First and Fourth amendments rights movement. She challenged, "You're not equating the of the Constitution, to which the government objected. destruction of the trees to the injustices done to Black people in the South, are you?" As the several people of color on the jury listened intently, Darryl gave his most cogent response, explaining that we sought to honor the civil rights struggle by striving to use similar tactics, ending with a biocentric· spin about equal rights for all species. Bee pressed on during closing arguments, "How dare they compare themselves to those engaged in the civil rights struggle ... What about the [fire}hoses, the German shepherds? ... It's a charade." Some of the most compelling testimony the jury heard during the closing week was the collection of media clips from the weeks after the bombing. The media had dutifully repeated the false accusations about terrorism, matching nails and the bOmb location. Watching a sampling of the chronological clips was to witness the unfolding of an effective disinformation campaign. Other Witnesses . We had dueling doctors, as well as dueling bomb experts. · We heard an excruciatingly detailed account of Judi's inju- · ries, describing a pelvis broken so severely that some bones. were broken "into hundreds of pieces-too many to count,' ~; supported by X-rays displayed on a big screen for the jury from Dr. Peter Slabaugh, Judi's attending physician on May 24, 1990. Though he treated Judi, he was never consulted by Page 46 Earth First! Lltha 2002 Wilkin then read the text of the amendments to the jury. the jury the contradictions in their testimony is a victory:; Then, when our long-planned "Fiddle Down the FBI" rally It is a victory that many who have previously been · marking the 12th anniversary of the bombing brought hun­ knocked around by FBI heavy-hande'd tactics have. dreds to the courthouse plaza, the FBI filed a motion to been unable to achieve, since most legal challenges are : dismiss the whole case, charging that the departing jury was · swept away by their immunity protections and the con- ' prejudiced by hearing Serra tell the assembled crowd to "pray servatism of the court~;· It is why I didn't want to miss a \ for the jury... that they can come to an objective decision." moment of the courtroom drama,

Freshwater Creek, a 20,000-acre tributary to Humboldt Bay near Arcata, California, has received more than its share of abuse from Pacific Lumber Company (PL) during the last 14 years. PL owns more than 75 percent of the watershed, and since 1987 it has logged roughly half of those holdings. This logging blitzkrieg has radically in­ creased sedimentation in the lower reaches of the river, filling Humboldt Bay with mud. Stripping the forest canopy has reduced the ability of the watershed to filter rainfall and buffer the effects of large storms. The result has been increased flooding with higher and more rapid peak flows, as well as degradation of fish habitat. In fact, recent reviews by federal scientists suggest that five-year floods now happen in Freshwater Creek every two years. logged its limit this year, but both treesitters report Studies by the US Forest Service's Redwood Science Lab hearing chainsaws and trees falling in the distance. The calculated that if all logging was immediately suspended, Freshwater area was also the site of the more than two­ it would take 13 years for the watershed to recover to a year treesit by Nate Madsen in a. 1,000-year-old red­ mature condition. Yet the Department of Forestry plans wood tree named "Mariah" (see EF/JMarch-Apri12000}. to allow PL to log 500 acres per year, and it projects the Local support and persistence paid off, as he. waited recovery rate to be less than one percent annually. until the Timber Harvest Plan (THP) expired.in April That's why North Coast Earth First! and the Natural 2001, and Mariah was taken off the chopping block­ Guard have taken to the trees in the Freshwater water­ hopefully for good. shed again. Two new treesits have been created: one in At the site of the Gypsy Mountain campaign in · a tree named Everlasting Life and another one in a nearby Grizzly Creek south of Fortuna, (see EF!/March­ nearby tree named Jerry-the usnea lichen also known April2002), the treesit in Aradia is going strong. Activ­ as "old man's beard" reminded a climber of Jerry Garcia. ists there are seeking more committed long-term Remedy, who sits in Jerry, has remarked that, "I am treesitters like Remedy and Raven. There is also support sitting in a tree that is older than capitalism, it does not needed in the Mattole, as moreTHP's are approved and deserve to be cut for corporate profits." Anothertreesitter, dry weather approaches. Raven, recently left his perch in the tree named Zen at If the Heritage Tree Preservation Act passes in Califor:.; Grizzly Creek to make room for the marbled murrelet, nia in November, old-growth trees like the ones. occuc an endangered seabird that nests in old-growth forests pied by Remedy and Raven will be protected. To help in the Summer. with this initiative, contact (213) 484-4474i . The Freshwater tree sits are near the local Greenwood www.ancienttrees.org. To support the Freshwater and Heights road thus enabling support from nearby resi­ Gypsy Mountain .treesits contact North Coast . Earth dents. There is a rumor going around that PL may have First!, (707) 825-6598.

June-July ~()02 . Earth :first! Page:47. here that we are introduced to the Ent known as Treebeard and his army of Lordof 'Machines vengeful trees. Tolkien loved trees, and he was upset with ... continued their destruction most of all: "The savage sound of the electric saw is never silent wherever trees are still found growing. Every tree has its enemy, few have an advo­ cate. In all my works, I take the part of trees as against all their enemies." Indeed, it would seem that this would be a good time for activists in the service of trees to make themselves known. Earth First!ers discussed this very idea at this year's Orga­ nizers' Conference. Be on the look out for Middle Earth First!ers defending a forest near ,~;; you. Harnessing Treebeard's popularity for saving wilder­ ness is something that would 'Every tree has its enemy, Jew have an advocate. have most assuredly made Tolkien smile. continued from page 11 As Tolkien saw it-it's the trees and the rest of us versus Middle Earth First! the machines. "All this stuff is mainly concerned with the Today the success of the movie version of The Lord of the fall, mortality and the machine. By the machine, I intend Rings continues to extend the reach ofTolkien's mythology. all use of external devices or even the use of inherent inner Galadriel, the elf queen of Lothlorien, sums up his message powers, with the corrupted motive of dominating and when she tells the Hobbit Frodo that, "Even the smallest bulldozing the real world. The machine is our more obvi­ person can change the course of the future." Cate Blanchett, ous modern form. The enemy in successive forms is always who plays Galadriel in the film, comments on her character's concerned with sheer domination, and so the Lord of purpose: "She's handing on the torch to humankind, she's Machines .. . As the servants of the machines are becoming challenging the viewers to say what are you going to do with a privileged class, the machines are going to be enormously the Earth, we've had this paradise, so now you men-you more powerful. What's their next move?" humankind-have the responsibility of the Earth." James Bell is a writer for Sustain, www.sustain.info, a non­ The Two Towers, the second part of The Lord ofthe Rings, profit environmental communications firm. He recently launched is due out in theaters around the world in December. www.LastWizards.com, where one can find essays and inter­ Anyone who recalls the story will remember that it is views on eco-defense, culture jamming and occult philosophy.

~Y yofitica( oyinions (ean more and more to anarchy (yhi(osoyhica((y understood, meaning abofition of contra( not whiskered men with bombs) ... rThere is on(y one briaht syot andthat is the growing habit of disgrunt(ed men of dyna- mitin8 factories andyower stations. -j.'R.'R. rTo(kien

Page 48 Earth First! Litha 2002 Turkey Attacks Movies at Video Store When Nancy Arena arrived at her video store 30 miles Coming to a Supermarket Near You: It's Mon­ east of Buffalo, New York, in mid-April, she found the front window smashed and feathers and movie cases ster, the Featherless Frankenfowl scattered everywhere. In their ever-expanding search for profitable designer A police officer called to the scene discovered the animals, scientists have now come up with a chicken that culprit, a 12-pound tom turkey, wandering in the science never needs to be plucked. The new featherless, red­ fiction section. skinned "bird" is designed to grow faster and contains less Arena says the episode "was kind of weird" because the fat than normal chickens. turkey bashed into the hunting videos first-and left some This genetically modified monstrosity-the first of droppings on them. which was aptly named "Monster"-was created by Israeli genetics expert Avigdor Cahaner of the Rehovot Never Mind the Bollocks, Institute near Tel Aviv. He said it would grow faster in Here's Sue Wooldridge ... hot weather because it was not prone to overheating like When Sue Ellen Wooldridge, a lawyer from the California attorney general's of­ fice, was appointed to the post of deputy chief of staff for Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, she had so little experience with Department of the Interior issues that she had to look up the website to see what the job responsibilities would be. But in early May, when discussing her qualifications for the job, Wooldridge told 200 federal wildlife biologists, enviros and others gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona, that she was the only appointee who had ever castrated a sheep-with her teeth. Wooldridge, who grew up on a farm north of Sacramento, said that the "bite­ them-off method" was a common way in her area to castrate lambs every Spring. "It does not appear to be particularly painful for the lambs," she said, adding that afterward, "You spit it out into a bucket and then someone will roll it in flour, and usually someone will cook them up to be eaten." Utility Buys Town to Avoid Lawsuits normal chickens, whose growth rate drops when they Two years after the Environmental Protection Agency get too warm. accused an American Electric Power plant in Cheshire, Ohio, He also claims the birds produce leaner meat because of violating the Clean Air Act, the company is solving at least a lack of feathers means less subcutanem~ s .fat, an~, some of its problems by buying the town for $20 million. "Farming them would be less damaging to the environ­ The General James M. Gavin Power Plant has two of the ment, because poultry farmers would .not .have to J,Ise world's largest coal-fired generating units and burns 25,000 ventilation to prevent chickens from overheating." tons of coal per day. Its two 830-foot stacks periodically belch out a blue plume that leaves townspeople complain­ Elephants Bite Back .·. . ing of raspy throats, burning eyes, sore lips, mouth blisters On June 1, an Indonesian worker. was trampled to and grime everywhere. death by five elephants. One of the elephants ~sed its During the next few months, all221 residents of Cheshire trunk to drag 23cyear-old Sharifuddin Ghani from his will pack up and leave. The 90 homeowners there will get home before the herd trampled him ;it a Malaysian oil- checks for about three times the value of their houses, and palm plantation in Temerloh. ·. . in return, they have signed pledges never to sue the power Ghani, who worked at the plantation, died soon after company for property damage or health problems. arriving at a hospital. . . The deal, announced April16, is believed to be the first by Police said the elephants also tried to attack neighbors, but a company to dissolve an entire town to avoid the consider­ they escaped. The animals ran off into the nearby jungle. able expense and public-relations mess of individual lawsuits.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 49 Exploring the Culture ofMake

continued from page 15 "OK, talk to you later." There is not enough time for me to have copper wire, which means you've got to have mining waste. I'll present my position, and if they don't agree then which means you've got to have the infrastructure. You that's fine. can't separate one piece of technology and hope that things One thing that I feel very strongly about is to approach are going to work. people where they are. You can always find an angle. It's I ask people all over the country--:-and I think this a really like a friend of mine says, "A lot of environmentalists begin important thing-if they think we are going to undergo a by wanting to protect a piece of ground, and they end up voluntary transition to a sustainable way of living, and questioning the foundations of Western civilization." But everybody laughs. I had one person raise his hand and say it's not true that that is the only place you can start. You "yes" and everybody looked at him, and he said, "Oh, end up at the same place by asking the questions deeper voluntary? Of course not." · and deeper. If you start questioning race issues you come It would be so wonderful if we weren't crazy and if we could down to the same place. actually try for some sort of soft crash. Yes, we'll be at the One of the reasons I ended up questioning the founda­ Stone Age, but we could sort of throttle down and come for tions of Western civilization was my father-if his vio­ a soft landing where we do things smart. lent behavior wasn't making him happy, why was he That's one of the things that's really central to my work. doing it? But another part of it was that I didn't want to Most of the individuals in our culture are crazy, and the enter the wage economy. I would go to a job I hated culture as a whole is certainly crazy. every day, and I would see my dogs lying on the grass. I'd One of the theses of A Language Older Than Words is come home from a job I hated, and they were still lying that we have an entire culture suffering from complex on the grass. I realized then that the entire reason for post-traumatic stress disorder. We're incapable of form­ evolution was collies. They're the apex. I recognize that ing relationships on both personal and social levels. evolution is not hierarchical, but that's the apex. We all If you've been traumatized, you come to believe that think that we're the top, but we're miserable. Ninety you've got to control your surroundings. You come to percent of the people I ask say they hate their jobs. That's a perfectly appropriate way to dive in, to say, "OK, so why do we have to have jobs? Why do we have to have a situation where so few people con­ trol so much land?" You find out where people's concerns are, and then you see if you can relate the question of civiliza­ tion to their concerns. When they finally get believe that all relationships are based on power, based the big picture, that the Stone Age is the only sustainable on atomized individuals acting selfishly, as our econom­ endpoint, the implications seem so overwhelming to most ics would have us believe. Our culture has a fundamental people that they seem to have a hard time coping. They just death urge, and unless it's stopped its going to kill want to shut that off right away as some sort of wild-eyed, everything on the planet. ridiculous fantasy. It's not that they don't agree with the It would be wonderful if everyone was acting reasonably. logic that got them there, it's just that they can't hand!~ If suddenly everyone woke up, we could throttle down and the implications. ' realize that instead of giving money to timber companies ·Well it's really hard to take in. I certainly sympathize to cut down forests, we could give money to timber compa­ with that position. The implications are huge. It's 6,000 nies to reforest. Sure, but it ain't gonna happen. years of history. It's big. I certainly fantasize about a soft landing, but I think we We're painted into a hell of a corner, and I don't see any need to face what's going on. We need to look at history. good options. If I saw good options, I would take them. What happens to communities that live sustainably? They That's what a lot of the Europeans that came over here did. get destroyed every single time by the dominant culture ..· They saw the good option and became "Indians." That's TR: With such a huge concept to relate to people, what advice really not an option anymore. do you have about how we can articulate this and bring it home; It takes big people to admit that we made big, big to the much wider audience that needs to hear it? ' mistakes and to try to set them right. D]: I don't believe in arguing with people. If somebody TR: One of the high points of the book seems to be the says, "You know what? You are full of shit." Then I say, realization that our collective liberal dream-that we would

Page SO Earth First! Litha 2002 Believe with Derrick sen 1

be able to make some adjustments here, better laws there, for bottlenecks. The example he gave is that they would enforce them differently, and all of a sudden we have a blow up a tractor factory, which meant that they couldn't healthy, happy, sustainable Earth free (rom genocide, slavery build tank engines. However, they didn't hit ball bearing and rape-is completely ridiculous. Trying to work with that plants, which would have meant that they couldn't have point and with the paradox that life is still good, how do we rebuilt the tractor factory. So I think we need to look for begin to take on dealing with things as particulars? What's where the bottlenecks are in our culture, and we need to the direction or the process that allows us to actually start try and hit them. bringing this down? The third thing is that every morning I wake up, and I DJ: When I ask how many people believe we are going ask myself whether I should write or blow up a dam. So in to undergo a voluntary transformation and nobody ever the next book I'm going to write about how to take out a answers yes, the next question should be, "What does dam or even whether it's a good idea. There have been that mean for our tactics?" The truth is we don't know some salmon activists who don't encourage anybody to because we don't talk about it. That's one of the things I do that, because there's so much silt behind that it will want to do. We need to ask, "What do we want?" Do you destroy the river below, scour it out. I was saying this on want simply a place with fewer clearcuts, a place where a radio program, and some guy called in. He said that the the grizzly bears last another three generations before Toutle River near Mount St. Helens was not only scoured they go extinct? Do you wanrsalmon to last another 20 by silt, it boiled, but in 10 years it came back. I need to years? Do you want to have three square feet of glaCiers on write about that. the planet? What is it that you want? So one of the things It's a really important metaphor because no matter I want to do is shift discourse. how you look at the future, it looks really bad. The The second thing of course is that I want to bring options are that we continue with this destruction of the everything down. One of the things I think we need to planet and the destruction of individual liberties, peoples realize is that the whole government-corporate entity, the and everything else. The people SO years from now will whole culture, has been a culture of occupation. The first say, "Where the hell are the salmon. I'm starving to thing we need to do is to recognize and fully internalize the death because you wanted cheap electricity for alumi­ seriousness of the situation. Then we need to talk about it. num cans." I think we need to talk our way through accepting that Another possibility is that we effect some sort of a it needs to come down, and then we need to start making breakdown which is going to be really nasty. There's no it happen. How do you do that? I don't know. I need to denying the fact that a breakdown of the US infrastructure write my next book. I do know that I have a friend whose will be unpleasant for many. brother demolishes buildings. One of the things he says is I used to have this metaphor: We're locked in a room that when you take down a building you try to put the with this psychopath, and what are we going to do? But charges in just the right place to avoid taking down the I don't think that's accurate. I think it's much more surroundings. I think that's a wonderful metaphor. I've got accurate to say there are five or six of us locked in this three metaphors foryou here. That's the first one. We need room with about 15 psychopaths who have guns, to figure out where the charges go to take down a place. and there are about 150 people who are asleep. What Another one is Albert Speer, the armaments minister are you going to do? I don't know what to do, but that's for the Third Reich, who said that the US carpet-bomb­ the question. ing program of Germany in World War II was not as The Culture of Make Believe, by Derrick Jensen, Context effective as it could have been because they didn't look Books, 2002.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 51 Running on Emptiness A Book ~vle,Vv

BY MARCEL IDELS Running on Emptiness: The Pathology of Civilization, by fohn Zerzan, Feral House Publishing, 2002, www.feralhouse.com. On the cover of Running on Emptiness, Derrick] ensen writes, "John Zerzan is the most important philosopher of our time. All the rest of us are building on his foundation-of unmak­ this answer is based on class privilege, on a wider set of ing civilization." Jensen's contribution to the book is a 27- options being open to me than to many others-but for page interview he did in 1998 where we get to know Zerzan right now I'm OK with my form of resistance, which is the person in a relaxed conversational dialogue. through cultural critique. For me, words are a better Zerzan has been a prolific writer on anarcho-primitiv­ weapon to bring down the system than a gun would be," ism, the problems of technology, the pathology of our writes Zerzan. modern culture and the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. He cites many useful examples of how language, sha­ He spent 30 tumultuous years traversing radicalism in mans, memory and especially technology have driven us the US. Down and out for several years in the late '70s, into alienation from one another, nature and ourselves. Zerzan got back into writing when a friend told him, "I When we removed ourselves from direct experience of don't think the term revolution has meaning anymore." the sensual world through language, time and reification Running on Emptiness is an accumulation of his talent (ascribing thing-ness to everything-acts, thoughts, feel­ and persistence. The world is catching up with Zerzan, ings), he says, "We became less stimulated by our senses. and his writings assume new poignancy. The symbols for reality triumphed over the reality of A tonic or a poison? Some of it is not easy reading. As experience itself, and we now consume the image of Chellis Glendinning says, the book is "brilliant, stark, 'living.' Life has passed into the stage of its representa­ challenging, timely-a deliberate and delicious foreplay tion, a spectacle." to nothing less than the erasure of civilization itself." Following Jean Jacques Rousseau and Paul Shepard, Whatever you think, you'll be impressed by the vast Zerzan argues that civilization and our disconnecting array of insight and reference that Zerzan uses to plow from nature retards the potential for human develop­ through chapters on "The Failure of Symbolic Logic and ment and enlightenment. Not wholly a pessimist he Thought," "Time and Its Discontents" (worth the price of writes, "Anti-civilization currents are growing in re­ the book alone), "Against Technology," "Why I Hate Star sponse to the psychic immiseration that envelops us. Trek" and "Who is Chomsky?" Anarchist disregard for Thus symbolic life, the essence of civilization, comes democracy is held back until the final page of the book. under fire." Zerzan argues that in understanding the primitive past The chapter on time is mesmerizingly easy to read. At we take the first step toward rejecting the pathological the end of the chapter he asks, "Can we put art end to present and actualizing a future primitive. His main time? Its movements can be seen as the master and point is that humans lived pleasantly for a mil­ measure of a social existence that has become lion years until they turned weird due to lan­ increasingly empty and technicized. Averse guage, art, religion and agriculture. to all that is spontaneous and immediate, Anarchist primitivistthought and action time more and more clearly reveals its are intentionally provocative: Aspiring to bond with alienation. Divided life inform and enlighten with regard to will be replaced by the possibility anthropological and archeological ofliving completely and wholly­ knowledge, the primary pur- timelessly-only when pose is to exhort and we erase the primary incite revolutionary so­ causes of that divi­ cial change. sion': civilization." "I've thought a lot Zerzan begins . his about how I can best analysis of technol­ serve-and I realize ogywithitssocial im­ that at least part of plications: "I live iri

Page 52 Earth First! Litha 2002 Oregon, where the rate of suicide among teenagers has ian or post-apocalyptic). The goal of a primitive exist­ increased 600 percent since 1961." He writes, "I find it hard ence is ultimately worthy, but the goal is no more the to see this as other than youth getting to the threshold of tactic in this scenario than it is with recycling or food adulthood and society and looking out, and what do they co-ops. Everywhere people hide in lifestyle delusions see? They see this bereft place. We're seeing the crisis of our thinking that somehow the "big change" will happen youth's inner nature, the prospects of complete dehuman­ everywhere peacefully, with little suffering and not ization, linking up with the crisis of outer nature which is much effort. obviously ecological catastrophe ... and it's so greatly urged There is little in this book which is of use for the along by the movement of technology." revolution that must happen. Nor is there enough on the Zerzan covers a wide array of history and subject matter. transition to primitivism after the revolution-the period As you become familiar with his terminology, the reading when armed masses could destroy the environment faster gets easier, more compelling and draws one into reflec­ than industrialists did. tion and discovery. These are the issues of our lives and A much longer version of this book review was originally times. And they are the issues that are so hard to find published at www.bluegreenearth.com. information on, so hard to talk to anyone about. Marcel Idels is a prolific, anonymous, pseudonymous writer My question is: What good is it? on the topics that delineate cutting-edge radical warnings and Running on Emptiness makes the possibility of real prescriptions ranging from phony drug wars to the "Third Bush change seemingly impossible, since to get all the way to Coup" and the imminent military takeover of the world. He a non-symbolic world is far more difficult than to get to lives in northern California when not on a rescue mission an ecologically sustainable world (be it socialist, agrar- against the lies of the Empire. Primitivism-An Illusion with No Future

In "Twilight of the Idols," the author takes a very close BY SNOWBALL look at the ideas of some of the more infamous writers on Primitivism-An Illusion with No Future, by Steve Booth, the subject. He examines John Zerzan's rejection of tech­ available for three dollars from News from Nowhere, POB nology, language, art and symbols and its origins in the 10384, Eugene, OR 97440. ideas of Marcuse. Then he turns his gaze on the Primitivism-An Illusion with No Future is part of a new Unabomber, and from there the views of)ohn Moore and critical look from anarchists on the ideas of primitivism. his move away from primitivism for his own ideas of Steve Booth has been involved with Green Anarchist anarcho-futurism. projects since the early '90s and has written several The chapter on the 10 principal themes of primitivism other books, including City Death, Even Eden and Into the debunks some of the ideas such as civilization, anthropology, '90s. Booth was one of spirituality, mass society three writers involved and leftism, zero work, with the Green Anarchist technology and ideology. newspaper who was Personally, I found this sent to prison for "con­ pamphletveryfunnywith spiracy to incite persons its cartoons and Booth's unknown to criminal style of writing. He makes damage" during the in­ many important points on famous GAndALF trials the problems of primitiv­ in 1997. ism, though I found some Here he takes a look at of the personal axe grind­ what primitivism is and ing a bit hard to take and what a primitivist be­ rather unnecessary in this lieves in, looking at their well-written and re­ ideas on progress, their searched booklet. use of anthropology and This isn't going to put the problems inherent many people off their in primitivist philoso­ primitivist ideas, but I phy. Booth also looks at hope it will at least make the Una bomber and the cult of personality surrounding them think a little harder about what world they want to Ted Kaczynski. create. I'd recommend this booklet to anyone with an On the subject of primitivism's origins in modernism interest in the whole primitivist debate. It's important and post modernism Booth looks at its ideas of alienation because it comes from a green anarchist and contains ideas and crisis, including Herbert Marcuse and his generally that have too often been co-opted by primitivists. depressing look at the world. Booth also takes. to task Snowball likes -to garden and hates capitialism, misan­ primitivism's lip service to the rejection of ideology in thropy and identity pimps and is a green anarchist living theory but not reality. somewhere iri Cascadia. June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 53 CoMPASSION IS A CRIME: FEDERAL GRAND JURY IIARASSES ALLISON LANCE WATSON her. Sugarman is the co-chair of the who break environmental regulations BY ELLIOT GRASSLEY litigation committee for the Portland and those who unlawfully abuse ani­ Upon arriving in a California harbor chapter pfthe National Lawyers Guild mals and ecosystems are ignored as the on board the Sea Shepherd ship Farley and a critic of the grand jury process. government targets peaceful opponents Mowat on April 6, Allison Lance Recently, he successfully represented of these atrocities. This only makes Watson was served with two subpoe­ two other activists faced with grand sense if it is understood that these gov­ nas. The first ordered her to appear as jury subpoenas: Mary Fanelli and ernment agencies are representing not a witness before a federal grand jury in Craig Rosebraugh. the people, not the environment and Seattle, Washington, on April 17. The Allison returned to Seattle on April not the animals-but those who abuse other subpoena ordered her to submit 25 as requested and was presented the people, the animals and the envi­ to fingerprinting. with yet another subpoena, which ronment. Compassion is a crime in a Allison Lance Watson has been an demanded that she return on May 8 nation where profits dictate govern- outspoken activist for animals ment action," stated Allison . . for many years-advocating Her husband, Captain Paul the elimination of vivisection, Watson of the Sea Shepherd opposing the fur trade and Conservation Society, believes the abuse of animals. While that the only reason Allison is the subject matter of this par­ being harassed is because of the ticular grand jury investiga­ embarrassment that the opposi­ tion has been kept a secret tion to the Makah whale hunt from Allison, she appears to caused the government. He said, be a target due to her political "They were very angry at not beliefs and activism. getting convictions on the Politically motivated grand charges against people for dis­ juries have been used through­ rupting the slaughter of a whale. out US history to harass and The publicity that this whale intimidate social and political ., hunt generated was a real em­ movements. Targets of grand ~ barrassment for government jury repression include the ~ agencies, especially the Coast Black Panther Party, American ~ Guard, National Marine Fisher- Indian Movement and the "'1f ies Service and the FBI. US Attor- Puerto Rican Independence ~ ney Susan Rowe was directly Movement, as well as the ani­ 1" involved in harassing those who mal rights and environmental Qopposed the whale killing." movements. Witnesses called ~ Sugarman was able to nego­ to testify before federal grand ~. tiate a change of date and venue juries do not have the right to ~ for Allison to give handwriting legal counsel inside the pro­ ~· samples. She will provide the ceedings nor the right to take -:;; samples on May 30 in Califor- the Fifth Amendment unchal­ nia, so she won't have to travel lenged. Witnesses who do rely again to Seattle. After that, the upon their Fifth Amendment rights for further handwriting tests. She US Attorney does not plan to call her may be forced to take immunity, at did not appear before the grand jury to testify, although the term of the which time they must answer all ques­ that day; instead she provided a writ­ grand jury investigation does not ex­ tions asked or be subject to imprison­ ten statement saying that she was pire until next year. "This is just one ment on contempt charges. invoking her First and Fifth Amend­ more example of how the US govern­ In the courtroom on April 17, ment rights. ment is abusing activists because they Allison was served with a third grand Allison refuses to accept that a grand dare to speak out about what's right," jury subpoena which ordered her to jury should be allowed to question her said Sugarman. provide a handwriting sample. Assis­ without legal representation and with­ Please send donations for Allison tant US Attorney Susan Rowe in­ out telling her the purpose. She did not Lance Watson's legal defense to Stuart formed Watson that since she had yet know if she was the target of the grand Sugarman, 3430 SE Belmont, Ste 101, to retain counsel, her testimony in jury, or if she was a witness in the Portland, OR 97214-4247. front of the grand jury would be de­ investigation of another person. "In Elliot Grass ley has followed grand jury layed. Allison then hired Oregon at­ this country, terrorism against animals harassment ofactivists for years from her torney Stuart Sugarman to represent and against nature is escalating. Those forest lair in Cascadia. Page 54 Earth First! Litha 2002 pushing the envelope, and each day humans never win? Where does the BY ANDREW STEPANIAN my questions have answers. Those "pest's" resilience come from? I spent most of the morning curled answers are always yes! As I look at this dandelion, I am over, sick to my stomach from last Today's answer came as I looked out amazed that it had found this flaw in night's meal (or lack thereof) of pick­ that same west window at the gray and the pavement, pushed with all its life led cabbage. Here in jail you lose many black macadam and blacktop. The gray upward, through the crack and toward of the things you take for granted in has been interrupted with a spot of the surface. I am amazed that it can live the outside world. Here, happiness is green. With a closer look, I can see that in what it must perceive to be an ocean as rare a commodity a dandelion has of pavement-cold and devoid of life, as natural light. To pushed its way nothing but black and gray. With the see the sky out of ~upward through dandelion's growth, the crack will grow the jail's west win­ c~ some six inches of bigger and the seeds it will sow will dow you must kneel ~ pavement to greet yield a bloom of more. down and look up ~ the surface. To see that dandelion prosper in past five stories of ~ Dandelions and such harsh elements, makes me real­ concrete before you ~ weeds have been la­ ize that my current situation in jail can get a glimpse of ! be led the vermin of pales in comparison. While I look at blue. In here you ~ plant species, much the dandelion, a family in Honduras cannot see any veg­ like mice and other endures far worse conditions making etation-no trees, rodents have been garments in a starvation-wage sweat­ no flowers, no grass-just concrete, labeled among animal species. Per­ shop. This family is just one of thou­ steel and the SO or so heartbroken ceived as pests, humans take mea­ sands, guilty of no wrong doing, who men that inhabit this unit. sures to eradicate these species from are prisoners forever indebted to their I write this as a prisoner to my their urban settings with weed kill­ employer. They do not run for fear convictions-my personal ideologi­ ers, rat poisons, etc. Yet, why do the continued on next page cal convictions, not my criminal con­ victions. My charge of Obstruction of Governmental Administration is a charge that almost never carries a jail sentence and is an amorphous charge given to political protesters when other charges cannot fit the prosecut­ able jigsaw puzzle. Upon my sentenc­ ing, I was told by the judge that I participate in a level of activism not welcomed in our society, and due to this participation, particularly in the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign, I was given the maximum sentence. It is very hard to write this state­ ment to my sisters and brothers in the struggle for liberation and not feel heartbroken. In writing this I have to rehash many moments I have tried hard to repress, particularly being beaten and hospitalized at the hands of detectives Rotherwill and Barrone of the Garden City Police. My stomach sours when I think that it is I, and not they, who sits in jail. At times I question my optimism, question if in fact I can take any more of this. I question if my spirit and mind have the strength to keep June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 55 without action, we will remain trapped under the pavement. Too often, people are concerned about leaving their "comfort zone" when taking actions for the Earth and its animals, but in order for there to be progress, we must learn to feel un­ comfortable with the things we do. A diversity of tactics will help our struggle advance and crumble this sea of pavement. I would encourage everyone to step up their involve­ ment two times. If you only feel comfortable writing letters, then at­ tend a protest or rally. If you only feel comfortable attending demon­ strations, then take to the night and commit an act of nonviolent eco­ nomic sabotage or liberate an animal from torture. Too often I speak to friends and comrades who are enraged with my jailing and have prioritized my im­ prisonment as an issue they must take action against. Do not be enraged with my imprisonment-be enraged with continued from previous page our movement's resolve to abolish the suffering in the world and take their children will starve. They do not suffering. When I visualize a beagle at action against that suffering. I do not organize for fear of being lynched by HLS, the beautiful and docile creature want to be viewed as a hero or a martyr union busters. These families are pris­ she is, the iminense pain and suffer­ to the movement, but rather as a regu­ oners, slave laborers to capitalism. ing in her expression or behind her lar kid who wants very much to ac­ While I stare at this dandelion, the eyes, or in the way she cries out to complish his goals. entire natural environment is being deaf ears when in pain, I realize that Each night before I fall asleep I pillaged by capitalism. All life is being jail is a joke. Jail is nothing more than think of my heroes, the people who commodified, every resource, every a hurdle in our struggle for liberation, give me the strength to take on an­ plant, every animal, every humyn. The and I will exit here this Summer with other day in jail. The Plowshares, the Earth itself is an organism and global a resolve 10 times as strong as before Black Panthers, Mumia Abu-Jamal capital is consuming its very organs­ to battle HLS. and the brothers and sisters of MOVE, eating the fragile biomes that pump That dandelion has taught me a valu­ Harriet Tubman, Nelson Mandela, life to larger ecosystems. able lesson. Never doubt the power the masked crusaders of the Earth While I stare at this dandelion, one individual can have to conquer Liberation Front and the Animal Lib­ countless animals are tortured, en­ what appears to be unimaginable goals. eration Front, the activists who pen­ slaved and murdered for profit. I know that anyone who may read this etrated HLS on April 1, 2001, and Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) is a is another person capable of bettering rescued 14 beagles, SHAC, the Mod­ prime example of capitalism's wrath the world if they apply themselves. ern Times Collective, Anti-Capitalist on the animal nations. As I write Today's climate of activist repres­ Convergence, Animal Defense this, 70,000 animals are listlessly sion makes us all feel like weeds be­ League, my best friend, my beloved confined to cages, wading in puddles neath six inches of pavement. The girlfriend and most of all the heroes of their own blood and vomit, with government's repression is their at­ who broke into Marshal Farms deliv­ no heat or enrichment, inadequate tempt to suffocate our struggles for ering 30 pups and 10 ferrets to free­ food and water, and no anesthetics liberation. Our actions serve to break dom. They are all my heroes. They, to quell their immense pain and suf­ through the pavement they have laid by their very existence, are acting to fering. All of these atrocities make down so we may breach the surface. tear apart the vast dead sea of up the reality of an animal impris­ Once there, we may begin to sow the pavement to sow the seeds of com­ oned at HLS, a reality all in the name seeds of compassion and grow more passion and cultivate the garden of a of toxicology and biotech testing. crops through the broken perfora­ better tomorrow. When I see the suffering that capi­ tions of pavement, much like the For more information, visit talism inflicts on our world's peoples, dandelion has. With time, the lone www.freeandy.org. To send letters, its enrichment and its animals, I see weed can transform the black sea of write to Andrew Stepanian, B1 A1, NCC that in comparison I am very lucky. pavement to a flowering garden. 02001777, c/o Nassau County Correc­ My jailing will not deter my resis­ Our actions breach the pavement tions, 100 Carman Ave., East Meadow, tance to suffering, nor will it deter and lead us toward liberation, but NY 11554-1160. Page 56 Earth First! Litha 2002 snips). We could use loans of safety glasses, welding gloves, about their tracks and workshops. More info is available brazing goggles (#5 or #6lens) or other welding safety gear. online at www.earthfirstjournal.org. Video Activism, 3-5 days: Using a camera, various scenar­ Evening events and entertainment are also being planned. ios for video activism (security, documentation, research, Expect a performance by the Infernal Noise Brigade, and a archival, street, backcountry, conference/classroom, court, Crusty Old Time Fiddle/Banjo contest on Friday, July 5. school/laboratory, alternative media/public outreach). Please See ya in Cascadia! bring video cameras if you can. May be limited to approxi­ mately 6 people. Workshops in Development: We don't have the space to list all the infor­ mation people have sent about the work­ shops they're plan­ ning. Some work­ shops already in development: GE Trees, GE Foods, Creative Resistance, Jews Against the Occupation of Palestine, Domestic Violence in Radical Communities and Musical and Tactical workshops. There will also be a work­ shops center where folks who plan to teach at the ren­ dezvous are invited to post information June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 59 announcer~"len-ts Are you organizing an event that you think people around the world should know about? Send your announcements to the Earth First! Journal. Deadlines: Lugnasadh-June 20/Mabon-August 5 Earth First! Journal, POB 3023, T~cson, AZ 85702; [email protected].

Anarchist Black Cross North American Conference July 26-28 ·Austin, Texas

This conference will bring together organizers to net­ work around issues of prisoner support, prison abolition and anti-authoritarian struggle, as well as founding an Anarchist Black Cross Network. We invite all those inter­ ested in creating local groups and in building a strong, autonomous movement. There will be discussions, panels, teach-ins and work­ shops; ABC film series; social events for informal chatting and networking. Invited speakers include: Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, former Black Panther and author of Anarchism and the Black Revolution; Chris Plummer, former political prisoner and anarchist; Ernesto Aguilar, Anarchist People of Color. For more information, contact Austin Anarchist Black Cross, POB 19733, Austin. TX 78760: www.anarchistblackcross.org. G8 Activism Calendar Alberta, Canada, will be hosting this year's G8 meeting from June 26-28. For more information and additional counter-summit event listings, visit g8.activist.ca. Global Justice Action Summit, June 20-23, Missoula, Mon­ tana: www.globaljas.org. The People's Summit, June 21-25, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada: www.peaceandhumanrights.org. Global Knit-In: Day ofAction to Challenge the G8, June 26: consumption. We can knitting.activist.ca. no longer afford to be only spectators. In that spirit, Burdock will be EF! UK Summer Gathering· July 10-14 an environment that ..... _...,. will educate each other Since 1992, the UK Earth First! Sum­ on practical everyday skills, mer Gathering has been a space for life issues, ecology and everyone involved or interested in eco­ ~ ways to make the world logical direct action, from around Brit­ a better place. ain and abroad, to come together, learn new skills and discuss ideas and plans for ~~~ action. This year's gathering is being held on a beautiful site in the Westcountry. We are a diverse community with a wide range of approaches to our action, and there should be plenty to interest and inspire you, whether you have been active for years or are completely new to it all. For more information about this exciting summer extravaganza, contact Earth First! Summer Gathering, [email protected]; www.eco-action.org/gathering. Page 60 Earth First! Litha 2002 You Make the Call! Support the Earth First! Journal with every long-distance links compatible, socially conscious singles who care about call you make. Sign up for Affinity Long Distance and the Earth, the environment, get top-quality service, competitive rates and the and a healthy society. satisfaction of knowing that five Nationwide • All Ages Straight/Gay • Since 1984 percent .of your bill goes to this FREE SAMPLE enviro-rag each month. To sign 16 Box 444-EF, Lenox Dale, MA 01242 up, contact (510) 644-2778; 'lS' 413-445-6309 [email protected]. www.concernedsingles.com

~ BLACK CAT .Jt/ Green Anarchy Tour 2002 !r DISTRO -~ Purveyors of fine books, magazines, booklets, Music•Videos videos, t-shirts, and buttons; distributing only the best in animal liberation, radical environmentalism, Spoken Word •Slideshows anarchist and anti -capitalist informational products. info: [email protected] ~ For the latest catalogue send a buck to the address greenanarchy.org/tour g below or email [email protected]. Green Anarchy magazine: $3 to C P.O. Hox 3673, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 7Pl, Canada POB 11331, Eugene OR 97440 lA

A nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which funds environmental education media. Donations and funding proposals can be sent to: Earth Defense Education Project POB 3023 Thcson AZ 85702

Note: If you would Like your contribution to go to the Earth First! Journal, please note it with your donation. Thank you.

Subscribe to the Earth First!Journal ... the radical environmental journal

I ·. I Nam_e--'----..,...------0$500 Lifetime Subscription O $40 Surface Mail, International 1Address ______..,...... _ 0 $30 Regular Rate ($25 low income) 0 $40 Air Mail, Canada or Mexico 0 $40 Anonymous Envelope 0 $50 Air Mail, International I City, State, Zip 0 $40. FI'rst Class I (US$, no foreign checks) I Tel. · Country .0$75 Corporate or Law Enforcement Rate $ DONATION I·Email 0 Send me a free 20th Anniversary issue of the Journal with my subscription : , Mail to: Earth. F~rs, t! Journal:·s~~~criptions Credit Card Orders circle one' Visa I MC I. · POB3023, Tucson, AZ85702 # Exp. date----

L------~--~~------~--~June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 61 D tree• tory Ray 0. McCall Rt 1 Box 89, Mtn. Grove, MO 65711 MONTANA Wild Rockies EF!/Wild Rockies Review POB 1742, Missoula, MT 59806 (406) 549-8863; [email protected] Yellowstone EF! POB 6151, Bozeman, MT 59715 NEBRASKA Environmental Resource Center 205 N Mears, Chadron, NE 69337 (308) 432-3458; [email protected] NEW JERSEY Green Vigilance 46 E Monroe, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 (609) 265-0392 NEW MEXICO New Mexico Direct Action POB 452, Las Vegas, NM 87701 NEW YORK Foghorn POB 889, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 (516) 288-2688 Love Canal EF! (716) 282-7777 OFF! SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 (607) 777-2050; [email protected] Project Harmony 216 W 122 St, New York, NY 10027 (212) 662-2878; [email protected] NORTH CAROLINA Croatan EF! Rd, Athens, ME 04912 POB 872, Moyock, NC 27958 French Broad EF! POB 1485, Asheville, NC 28802 (828) 253-1103; [email protected] Mountain Eco-Collective Warren Wilson College, CPO Box #6238, POB 9000, Asheville, NC 28815 Rustic Revolt 112 Barricuda St, Moyock, NC 27958 (252) 662-2878 Uwharrie Earth First! POB 561, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 942-5205; [email protected] NORTH DAKOTA Und Maka Uonihanpo (Honor Mother Earth) POB 29, Ft. Yates, ND 58538 [email protected] OHIO Lake Erie EF! 2233 Parkwood, Toledo, OH 43620 OREGON Blue Mtns. Biodiversity Project HCR 82, Fossil, OR 97830 Cascadia Forest Alliance POB 4946, Portland, OR 97208 (503) 241-4879; [email protected] Cascadia Forest Defenders POB 11122, Eugene, OR 97440 (541) 684-8977; [email protected] Kalmiopsis EF! POB 2093, Cave Junction, OR 97523 (541) 592-3386; [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny EF! , 'POB 81011, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Antoinette Dwinga POB 495, Carnegie, PA 15106 TENNESSEE Katuah EF!/Tennessee Valley Faction POB 281, Chattanooga, TN 37401 -(423) 949-5922; [email protected]

Page 62 Earth First! Litha 2002 TEXAS Anand Skaria Dallas EF! There is an international Earth First! POB #14, Cochin 682001, Kerala POB 820872, Dallas, TX 75382 website at: www.eco-action.org/ef/ (009) 484-25435 EF! Austin AUSTRALIA Bam.ler Bagicha 2900 Lafayette St, Austin, TX 78722 EF! Australia Near Maurya Lok, POB 229 Patna-800 001 Bihar (512) 478-7666 POB 1059, Maleney, Qld 4552 ISRAEL East Texas EF! [email protected] Green Action Israel Rt 1 Box 2120, Point Blank, TX 77364 Rainforest Information Centre POB 4611, Tel-Aviv, 61046 Houston EF! POB 368, Lismore, NSW 2480 972 (0) 3 516 2349 PMB 413, 1302 Waugh Dr, Houston, (066) 21-85-05 THE NETHERLANDS TX 77019 EF! OZ-jervis Bay Groene Front! J.I.IAH c/o Canopy, 7 Verge Rd, Callala Beach, Postbus 85069, 3508 AB, Utrecht Rainbow Bridge EF! NSW, 2540 tel/fax 31-84-8666018; [email protected] [email protected] (61) 2-44-466-477 PHILIPPINES Wild Wasatch Front CANADA EF! Philippines 864 W 700 St, Brigham City, UT 84302 EF! Montreal & Diffusion Noire 44-20 Elenita Heights, Minta!, Davao City, 8000 VERMONT c/o Librairie Alternative POLAND Biodiversity Liberation Front 2035 St. Laurent, 2 e etage Workshop for All Beings POB 57, Burlington, VT 05402 Montreal, Quebec H2X 2T3 U. ]asna 17, 43-360 Bystra VIRGINIA Elaho EF! tel/fax 48-33-817 -14-68; Blue Ridge EF! (604) 682-3269 x.6144 wapienica@pnrwi. most.org.pl POB 1891, Charlottesville, VA 22903 [email protected] In Defense of the Earth (804) 971-1553; [email protected] CURACAO Towarzystwo Ekologiczne WASHINGTON "W Obronieziemi" Dominika Baryla EF! Cura~ao ul. Limanowskiego 138/42 91-038, Lodz Direct Action Network POB 4893, Willemstad, Cura~ao, POB 95113, Seattle, WA 98145 Netherlands Antilles 48-42-653-38-16; [email protected] Olympia EF!/Cascadia Defense Network 599-9-4616256 (fax); [email protected] RllSS.IA POB 11426, Olympia, WA 98508 CZECH REPUBLIC ECODEFENSE! [email protected] Zeme Predevsim POB 1477, Kaliningrad, 236000 Shuksan Direct Action POB 237, 160 41 Prague 6 (0112) 44-84-43; [email protected] POB 1327, Bellingham, WA 98227 [email protected] Rainbow Keepers (10 local groups) [email protected] Car Busters POB 14, Nizhni Novgorod, 603082 WISCONSIN Kratka 26, 100 00 Prague 10 (8312) 34-32-80 Liberated Zone Infoshop (420) 2-7481-6727; 2-7481-6727 (fax); Rainbow Keepers (Moscow) 308 Nelson Hall-UWSP, Stevens Point, [email protected] (0959) 54-91-93 WI 54481 EIRE Rainbow Keepers Madison EF! An Taimah Glas (Green Earth) POB 52, Kasimov, 391330 POB 1042, Madison, WI 53703 54 Avora Park, Howth, Co Dublin, Ireland [email protected] (608) 262-9036 353 (0)1 8324087; [email protected] SCQTIAND WYOMING ENGLAND Glasgow EF! Teewinot EF! More than 30 Earth First! and radical ecological POB 180, Glasgow G4 9AB POB 1588, Wilson, WY 83014 direct action groups exist in the "United Kingdom." 44 (0) 41 636 1924 [email protected] There are also a number of other anarchist/revolu­ Fife EF! Projects & groups and projects. For a list or for general c/o 91 South St, St. Andrews, . the UK, contact: Fife, KY16 9Q C ampatgns 01334-477411 SOUTH AFRICA Earth Action! POB 181034, Dalbridge, Durban 6016 SOUTH KOREA Green Korea United 110-740 #605 Korean Ecumenical Bldg. 136-56 Younji-Dong, ]ongro-Gu, Seoul 82-2-7 47 -8500; [email protected] SMlli Environmental Workshop IES Xelmirez I, 15701 Santiago

550-6068 (fax)

This is dedicated to all the animal and human companions that folks in our line of work tend to ignore a bit sometimes when we get entrenched in the battlefield. When you finish reading this issue take some time to remind your loved ones how much they mean to you. Dug, who has had the Journal come before Duster (his favorite feline) for more than two years, will be returning to fUll-tim e-cat-slave status after visiting the Northwest to remind all those up there how much he loves them. Myself, Frog, after four years here, will be happily joining him. Thanks y'all, it has been an honor.

June-July 2002 Earth First! Page 63 iVIVA CABO ROJ'Of On April25, just when Cabo Rojo community garden in The garden defenders, who expected the bulldozers at any New York City had begun to come to life with Spring moment, continued to keep a 24-hour vigil at the casita, foliage and the children's tulips, the bulldozers arrived to bringing more attention to the garden. The garden was tear it down. decorated with banners depicting food and other benefits For the past two decades, people in New York City's that the garden provided to the community, and the barren neglected areas have been taking back their neighbor­ Winter trees were enlivened with colorful cloth. Local hoods by cleaning up the trash and rubble-strewn vacant school children planted flower bulbs for the Spring. A 27- lots and transforming them into gardens-places where foot-tall steel sunflower with a green stem and golden petals the community can come together, grow food and relax was constructed with a seat on top where someone could from the busy city life. In the South Bronx, where people lock down. Hundreds of people participating in an Earth experience the highest asthma rates in the country, Cabo Day critical mass bike ride rode from Man­ Rojo provided a breath of fresh air. hattan to the Bronx to The fate of Cabo Rojo represents the pre­ visit the garden. Local carious position of more than 300 com­ people began working munity gardens administered by New their plots and hold­ York City's Green Thumb garden ing social events. program. The bulldozers are revving On April25, the gar­ their engines at the gates, eagerly den defenders were out­ awaiting the tiniest excuse to side of the garden when destroy these examples of coin­ the bulldozers arrived but mpnity self-sufficiency. The convinced police to al­ only thing protecting the gar­ low them in to retrieve dens from the developers is a their belongings. Even tenuous, emergency temporary re­ with a dozen police es­ straining order (TRO) issued by corts, two activists were Attorney General Spitzer in 1999. At able to climb up the sun­ that time, former New York Mayor flower and onto the roof Rudolph Giuliani had put most of of the casita to lock down. the community gardens on the auCtion -- It took the police two hours, block, and the bulldozing of Esperanza using brutal tactics, to remove and garden captured the city's attention (see EF!J arrest them. Two additional activists were ar­ March-April 2000). rested for trespass when they ran into the garden In the case of Cabo Rojo, the department during the bulldozing. of Housing Preservation and Develop­ These tactics stalled the ment (HPD) forced the gardeners to move bulldozers long enough for Cabo Rojo three times. Each time, the community members and the garden was re-certified under Green · · media to arrive and witness Thumb. However, last Summer, the destruction of Cabo Rojo. HPD discovered that, due to a Through the campaign to bureaucratic error, Cabo Rojo was save Cabo Rojo, the seeds of not protected by the TRO. resistance were spread. Thou­ HPD was scheduled to bull­ sands more people learned doze Cabo Rojo on December about the plight of the com­ 10. However, More Gardens! ac­ munity gardens, and the bull­ tivists and community members dozing only served to gathered the night before in the strengthen the garden activ­ garden's casita and prepared to ists' resolve to stop any more meet the bulldozers with ban­ gardens from being destroyed. ners, lockdowns and media. The More Gardens! Coali­ The media arrived, hungry for tion needs volunteers and in­ a community focus after Sep­ .terns throughout the Summer tember 11. As a result of the to help protect the commu­ garden defenders' efforts and nity gardens in New York City. HPD's reluctance to receive bad For more information, to do­ press at such a .critical time, the nate money or to get involved, bulldozers were delayed-for the contact (917) 518-9987; time being. www .moregardens.org. Page 64 Earth First! Litha 2002

Daily Planet Publishing- Earth First! Journal Nonprofit POB 3023 Organization US Postage Tucson AZ 85702 PAID USA Tucson AZ Permit No 120 Change Service Requested

A red check mark means your subscription has expired. Time to renew.