Earth First! The radical environmental journal, Vol. 19, no.3, 1999

40 Pages·1999·125.3 MB·English

by  Earth First!

&
Earth
Vol. 19. No. 3
Brigid
$3.50
February-March, 1999 THE RADICAL ENVIRONMENTAL TOURNAL
Massive Attack on Minnehaha
THE POLITICS
OF PROTEST
like gel was applied directly to their eyes. Activists locked
BY ASPEN, SPINEY AND TUMBLEWEED down and in handcuffs were beaten and maced. One activist's
BY ROD CORONADO
lust after 4 a m on December 20, over 600 police officers nose was broken by an officer performing a pain compliance
descended on our home' Code named "Operation hold.TheceremoniesoftheMendotaMdewakantonDako a After hearing the news of David
Coldsnap," the raid on the Minnehaha Free State was the were brutally cut short and sacred items ""T nd he d "Gypsy" Chain's death in Headwa­
a n a
largest show of police force in Minnesota history. Seven Jail, the detainees were denied medical attention and held ters forest this September, I was
hufldinvs in the Dath of the proposed reroute of Highway 55 incommunicado in solitary confinement for nearly 48 hours. hungry for information about this
fn"oZa"tIm^Minneapolis Sen occupied by activists After a week of rumors, the raid came with a few hours tragedy. All I found was two sen­
since August. The raid resulted in 3 7 arrests and was followed warning. Our roving security tea^P° tences in USA Today, a paragraph
column Qf carS|
on the last page of the New York
trucks and buses en­
Times and nothing on any of the
tering a hangar at the
major television networks.
Minneapolis-St. Paul
This was in sharp contrast to the
|I nternational Airport,
reports that accompany violent at­
£ one mile south of the
tacks on the US government, its citi­
|s ite. Our whistles blew
zens or economic interests here or
I as Ryder trucks pulled
abroad by supposed "terrorists." Why
r up in front of eagh house,
then is it that the terrorist-like ac­
I disgorging masked,
tions of corporations like Maxxam/
I black-clad police wield-
Pacific Lumber (PL), including the
1 ing rifles and battering
murder of a young American non­
rams. It was immedi­
violent protester, are largely ignored
ately apparent the au­
by the mainstream media?
thorities knew right
Media censorship and misinfor­
Activists and supporters gathered for an emergency response rally following the Minnehaha raid where each and every
mation help absolve corporations of
by the fastest demolition job the city has ever seen. All of the barricaded site and lock-down was, despite some having responsibility for atrocities like
been built only two weeks prior. Police filled entire
houses were completely bulldozed and the foundations David's murder and the destruction
houses with tear gas, choking and nauseating the pro­
were filled in by daybreak. By mid-afternoon, after a light of the last great ancient forests. Me­
testers whose arms were locked into barrels. Many un­
snow had fallen over the encampment, it looked like the dia bias is one of the largest ob­
locked voluntarily, only to be pepper-sprayed while
occupation had never existed. stacles the Earth First! movement
trying to make their way out. Police also tipped over a
In addition to excessive numbers, police also used exces- must overcome, for the terrorist ac­
tripod while a sitter was still on top and maced a man
sivt force, confronting nonviolent protesters with laser- tions of Maxxam/PL that culminated
sighted automatic weapons and torturing them with pepper who was sitting on a roof. in David's murder are only the latest
spray and tear gas. In some cases, an unknown pepper-spray- continued on page 28 shots across the bow of our nonvio­
Monsanto
lent resistance.
David's death demonstrates that
society's concern for preventing vio­
lence does not extend to the Earth
BY PROFESSOR NANJUNDASWAMY, and those protecting her.
KARNATAKA STATE FARMERS ASSOCIATION continued on page 29
"Dear friends, Monsanto's field trials
in Karnataka will be reduced to ashes,
try. It is now going through a hard
starting on Saturday." time of layoffs and restructuring in a
On November 26, two days after the
desperate effort to survive.
Indian Minister of Agriculture disclosed
It is also a good time to target
the location of three fields where ge­
Monsanto because recent scandals
netically modified cotton was being
have contributed to its profile as a
grown, the Karnataka State Farmers
corporate killer, as if creating Agent
Association (KRRS) announced its
Orange and bovine growth hormone
plans to burn the fields.
weren't enough.
On November 28, thousands of
We are calling only for nonviolent
farmers occupied and burned down
direct actions. Nonviolence in this
the three fields in front of TV cameras
context means that we should respect
in an open act of civil disobedience.
all (non-genetically modified) living
These actions were the start of a
beings, including police officers and
direct action campaign by farmers
the people who work for these
against biotechnology, called
transnational corporations.
Operation Cremation Monsanto,
The campaign should proceed in a
which will not stop until all corporate
Farmers fight back in India, flaming genetically modified cotton decentralized manner, and nobody
killers like Monsanto, Novartis and
should speak on behalf of other people
Pioneer leave India. rate killers out of our country but continues in other countries. The
involved in the campaign without
The campaign will run under the also pose a major challenge to their threat that it poses does not stop at
their consent. However, people are
following slogans: stop genetic engi­ survival in the stock markets. Who the borders.
welcome to report about the actions
neering, no patents on life, cremate wants to invest in a mountain of This call for action will hopefully
of others without pretending to
Monsanto and bury the World Trade ashes or in offices that are constantly inspire all the people who are already
Ospregcaifniicz matieosnsa. gTe hdeirree citse da lasto a lal tmhoosree dbeeisntrgo syqeuda) tbteyd a c(atinvdis itfs n?e Fcoers sthareys ee rveean­ dnoolionggy b arinldli atnhto wseo wrkh aog haainvset nboiot tbeecehn­ reIpf ryeosue nwt atnhte mto .b e informed of what is
who have invested in Monsanto: You sons, we are making an international active to join hands in a quick, effec­ going on in India and around the world
tive worldwide effort. This is a very on this matter, please send a message to
should take your money out before call for direct action against
Monsanto and the rest of the biotech opportune moment to target [email protected] with the message
weT rheedsuec ek iint dtos aosf heasc.t ions have the gang. Stopping biotechnology in In­ Monsanto for its megalomaniacal at­ subscribe pga-ge in the text body or
potential not only to kick the corpo- dia will not be of much help if it tempt to monopolize the life indus­ contact us at [email protected].
f
EARTH FIRST!
NO COMPROMISE IN DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH
POB 1415 • EUGENE, OREGON 97440 • [phone]
Sod the Politically Tame Tossers I
Earth First! Journal
It's a large and beautiful world and one I believe worth tactics. The UK scene is something people should maybe Brigid
fighting for.
have a look at. Though not perfect by any means, we
So this is America, home of the brave, land of the free.
know we all have our part to play and understand there
February 1. 1999
When I told people back in the UK I was off to do my thing
are different opinions.
at the Earth First! Journal quite a few warned me it's not like Here at the Journal, they try their best to do what Vol. 19. No. 3
home. In the US, they said, Earth First! is not into radical
needs to be done, and it's not that easy and it's not that
politics. As I'd only been released from prison a few months
fun, as you just can't please everyone. Personally, I The Earth First! Journal is published by
earlier (after being convicted on trumped up charges stem­ don't think you can bury your head in the sand. You an editorial staff from within the Earth
ming from my work with the Green Anarchist paper), the crew have to stand up and be counted. Everyone should do First! movement. Entirec ontents are copy­
at home said our kin in the US would not have a clue where righted 1999. We allow reprinting if credit
their best to put things right, isn't that's what direct
I was coming from. is given, except for those articles specifi­
action is all about? If you don't like what goes into the
I did find out that the folks here don't understand me—not cally copyrighted by the author. Art, pho­
Journal, may I suggest that you short-term so you can
tographs and poetry are copyrighted by
because of my politics but due to my weird UK accent and use
see for yourself what has to be dealt with on a daily
the individual artists and permission for
of English slang. Well, actually there is a lack of understand­
basis. Then you will understand how much hard work use must be received from them.
ing about how things are in the UK. We don't have old
goes into it all. For the journalistas there is very little Earth First! Journal is a forum for the no-
growth where I live. It was probably cut down and used to
reward and hardly ever any thanks. Next time before compromise environmental movement.
fight the French or something. you phone the Journal or write something bad, maybe Responsibility rests with the individual
After traveling across Canada for a while, I came to the you should put yourselves in our shoes for a moment authors and correspondents.T he contents
Journal office and walked into something I was not expect­ and think about it. do not necessarily represent the view­
ing. Recently, some people back home had called the EF! point of this newspaper, the Earth First!
We all have things we can do, and we all need
Journal "politically tame," but events in North America had movement, local Earth First! groups or
support. It's always easy to catcall from the audience,
individual Earth Firstlers.
recently taken a strange turn—a turn that's is bound to
but it's a very different thing to be on the stage. The
Submissions are welcomed and should
transform EF!'s "politically tame" status in some people's
point is, as the French would say, "Viva la difference!' be typed or clearly printed. Send a SASE if
minds. I discovered that after the ELF (or whoever) burnt
We have a hard enough fight to win without falling out you would like them returned. If you want
Vail, there were Earth Firstlers prepared to stand up to amongst ourselves. confirmation of receipt of a submission,
considerable pressure, stick their necks out and talk about the In defence of our Earth, please request it. We encourage submis­
radical ideas they really believe in. S sions on Macintosh disks or via e-mail. Art
— AXON
Earth First!, like the entire ecological resistance movement, or photographs are desirable to illustrate
is a broad church. Ideas span a very wide spectrum, from the articles and essays. (Prints are best, nega­
love-your-enemy attitude of Julia "Butterfly" Hill (a very InMemoriam tives are good, slides are fair.) They will be
returned if requested.
interesting person, who doesn't call herself an Earth First.'er Adriane Michelle Miller, 27, a longtime Earth First! Ail submissions are edited for length
because she only wants to be herself) to Earth Firstlers who activist was killed in an automobile collision in De­ and clarity. If an article is significantly
really do support the Vail action. Perhaps it's time to realize cember. Adriane was a founding member of the edited, we will make a reasonable effort to
that, as we wish for diversity in nature, so should we accept Propagaia environmental theater troupe of Eugene, contact the author prior to publicationT
it in our own movement. There is not one path to the Oregon. She was a friend to the people of Senegal and Earth First! Journal is indexed in the
creation of a society in harmony with nature, but many. We helped raise humanitarian relief for that country. She Alternative Press Index. The Earth First!
each must walk the one we feel most comfortable with. will be missed by her friends and fellow activists. Journal is recorded on microfilm by Uni­
versity Microfilms, Inc.
We had this debate in the UK in 1992. Earth First! in the UK Tucson EF!er Sean Burlew, 27, was killed in a collision
All correspondence regarding subscrip­
started with a civil disobedience outfit (with the lock-ons and with a drunk driver in November. Sean was a gardener tions, merchandise orders, donations,
digger diving that characterized the very early anti-roads for Native Seeds/Search, which works to preserve the letters to the editor, articles, photos,
movement) working alongside those who preferred the genetic diversity of native plants. Sean also spent long graphics, etc., should be directed to:
monkeywrenching tactics of Dave Foreman, Ed Abbey, the hours helping to get Mexican gray wolves reintroduced
Earth First! Journal
very active Animal Liberation Front and the anti-NATO in the Southwest and on issues ranging from prevent­
POB 1415
activists in Holland. We all coexisted happily. Hell, at a ing logging in the Grand Canyon to keeping telescopes
Eugene, OR 97440
bridge occupation by EF! during a Twyford Down action in off Mount Graham. Sean was a good friend and a
Phone: [phone]
93, the ELF burnt a Cat earth mover. There was no fallout compassionate lover of the wild. We'll miss you Sean. Fax: [phone]
because we had the same enemy, some just chose different E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.earthfirst.org
5Fauna
Business Manager: Acasia Berry
BY FAITH WALKER
Qabaia Merchandise Goddess: Isabella
Subscriptions/Webpage: Jeff Hogg
without climax and copulatory orgasms without timely
Editorial Staff: Kris Maenz, Saxon, Josh
male ejaculation all decrease sperm uptake at the next Laughlin, Lacey Phillabaum, tkintz
Lurking behind the innocent female orgasm is yet another copulation yet they can all be overridden by a high Poetry Editor: Dennis Fritzinger
evolutionary strategy that allows her to be choosy. In human upJ ike orgasm. Volunteers: James, Frog, Brian, Flynn,
females, masturbatory orgasms are traditionally thought to 1 is hints to a female strategy (which, as with all Craig, Nick, Pam, Kim, Carol, Harmon,
be substitutes for copulatory ones or a training method for beh< ioral products of our evolutionary past, is not Faith, Kimberly, Jesse
orgasm during sex. There is evidence, however, that in conscious or infallible). It's been found that when human Artists in this issue include: Slugthang,
Vaughn Frick, Asante, Jukka, Sky Jacobs
humans the propensity for sexual climax increases with a females switch from monoandry to polyandry they de­
Cover art by: Agate Orange
male's salary and status, and in other primates, such as crease retention of their original partners' sperm while
Chacma baboons and Japanese macaques, orgasms are more increasing that of other males. This is done by increasing SCHEDULE
frequent when low-ranking females mate with high-ranking the frequency of masturbatory orgasms and varying the Earth First' Journal (ISSN 1055-8411) is pub­
males. This indicates that there's likely a lot more to it than timing of copulatory ones. This stimulating discovery fits lished 8 times a year on the solstices, equi­
simply pleasure or training. in well with the theme of keeping reproductive status noxes and cross-quarter days on or about
November 1, December 21 (Winter Solstice),
Orgasm forces the contents of the upper vagina (seminal secret from males, which must have been favored by
February 2, March 21 (Vernal Equinox), May
fluid, sperm and/or acidic vaginal fluids) into the cervix and natural selection in our evolutionary past (perhaps it kept
1, June 21 (Summer Solstice), August 1, and
its sperm storage areas, called crypts. Masturbatory orgasms males around, solicited protection and resources from
September 21 (Autumnal Equinox) by Daily
decrease the pH of the cervical mucus, creating a hostile multiple males or decreased infanticide by confusing Planet Publishing, POB 1415, Eugene, OR
environment for sperm. Such acidity kills or immobilizes paternity). Female humans, unlike other primates, have 97440. Subscriptions in the US are $25. Out­
sperm that try to get into the cervical crypts, promotes a a very cryptic reproductive cycle. Whereas the period of side the US, surface delivery is $35 and airmail
build-up of debris in the cervical channel and decreases receptivity is physically flaunted by most primates, it's is $45. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Earth First' Journal, POB 1415, Eugene, OR
sperm retention at the next copulation. Copulatory orgasms hidden in humans by concealed ovulation (often the
97440. Application to mail at Periodicals post­
that occur one minute before to 45 minutes after male female herself doesn't know when she's ovulating) and
age rates is pending at Eugene, OR 97401.
ejaculation cause females to retain the most sperm. Such a continuous receptivity. Thus, by manipulating sperm,
Deadline for the next issue is:
high retention orgasm gives sperm access to the crypts and the female orgasm extends the ability to choose and
February 22
clears the cervical channel. Thus, masturbation. coDulation confuse males all the wav into the reproductive tract.
Page 2 Earth First! Brigid 1999
Thoughtful Radicalism Revisited: the Two Elk campaign to commit a major act of
ecotage, the targets of the arsonist were poorly chosen
and were not appropriate if the real motivation was to
Because Sometimes *#!%ing Shit Up Just Isn't Enough save the roadless area. The burning of a ski lodge, ski
patrol building and chair lift, while guaranteeing a
short-term, minor financial setback for Vail Associates
ideas in the hope of preventing well intentioned but (VA), stood no chance of stopping the bulldozers from
BY CHRISTOPHER BAER poorly considered acts of ecotage in the future. rolling into the wild. What's more, any financial
The early months of 1999 may well prove to be a The Four Cornerstones setback caused to VA as a whole stood no chance of
turning point for the Earth First! movement. The According to Wolke there are four cornerstones of jeopardizing the project because of the amount of
death of Headwaters defender David Chain renewed thoughtful radicalism: thwart, protect, restore and capital available to the company.
public attention on the destruction of ancient forests educate. Wolke recognizes that, "It is admittedly If the arsonists had taken the time to think about
and violence against conservation activists. David's impossible for all radical actions—legal or not—to how they could have had the greatest negative im­
legacy will be thousands of protected acres of old- always build upon the four cornerstones. Sometimes, pact on Vail's expansion and had understood that in
growth redwoods. Equally, he might have left us with all you can hope for is to perhaps contribute to the a large company a single act of ecotage can only
increased public support for wilderness and whole long-term protection for an area. But it is always inflict serious financial damage to individual project
ecosystems. His story touched middle America, which possible to avoid regression. That means we should budgets, not the whole, they would have instead
recognized in it not only that conservation is right but consider both the short- and long-term conse- looked to make the specific work of destroying the
that it could have easily been Two Elk more difficult by de­
B.C.
their outdoor-loving son, daugh­ commissioning bulldozers,
ter, brother, sister or friend who iMBOteP r KNOW VWAT^ desurveying the area, etc. Such
was laid to rest because of the T AM ovrtiOLHe! actions would have likely been
callous actions of those who more effective by slowing if not
would destroy the wild. stopping the work, decreasing
The arson at the Vail ski re­ worker willingness to participate
sort a few months later by indi­ in the project and increasing in­
viduals claiming to be from the surance premiums, which could
Earth Liberation Front (ELF), have made the project unprofit­
supposedly to protect the Two able and justified its abandon­
Elk Roadless Area from the ment. It is likely that these ac­
resort's planned expansion, tions also would not have gener­
once again focused public attention on Earth First!. quences... Don't damage any "cornerstones." ated the widespread negative attention on the Two
Colorado conservationists, including Ancient Forest Because monkeywrenching by its nature does not Elk campaign and on wilderness advocates that the
Rescue (AFR) and Boulder Earth FirstJers, were quick contribute to restoring the land, this measuring stick arson did.
to denounce the arson, being well aware of the will not evaluate the cornerstone of restoration. The arson failed to thwart the destruction of the Two
negative impact it would have on the campaign to Thwart Elk Roadless Area because it was poorly timed and did
preserve the Two Elk. While it may have been the intention of the arson­ not select targets that could have guaranteed the
While the responses of AFR and Boulder Earth ists to thwart the expansion of Vail into the Two Elk, desired outcome. Because the scale of the arson repre­
Firstlers were thoughtful, intelligent and demon­ they did not succeed, as evidenced by the continuing sented a "final solution," it undermined additional
strated the maturity that develops in uncompromis­ expansion into the roadless area. No act of efforts aimed at thwarting the expansion. Longtime
ing wilderness activism, public reaction by Earth monkeywrenching is guaranteed to meet with suc­ Earth Firstler Karen Pickett once remarked that "Our
Firstlers, including members of the Earth First! Journal's cess, but those committing it can increase the chances motto is 'No Compromise in Defense of Mother
editorial collective in numerous press outlets, the by carefully thinking through their plans. A look at the Earth!' not 'Fuck Shit Up!"' But fuck shit up is exactly
editorial, Dear Ned Ludd and the SFB illustrations of evidence reveals that the arson stood no chance of what ELF did, not for VA, but for the Two Elk, and
the last issue, clearly show that there are some in our thwarting Vail and saving the Two Elk. those who cared about it and were willing to defend it.
movement who have not thoroughly thought First, the arsonists violated one of the primary In doing so the ELF did a disservice to the cause of
through the Vail arson in terms of its appropriateness guidelines of ecotage, which is to not engage in it if a wilderness and damaged the very cornerstone they
as an act of wilderness defense but only in terms of its legal victory appears imminent or if a civil disobedi­ were trying to facilitate.
level of radicalness. ence campaign looks like it will succeed because Protect
Thoughtful Radicalism
monkeywreching can impair public support for long- Successful attempts at thwarting wilderness destruc­
"No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth" is a term protection. While it appeared that all legal rem­ tion organically provide de facto protection to wild
radical philosophy to be sure, but it is one that must edies for stopping the expansion had been exhausted areas by temporarily removing the threat. In a limited
be put into practice by thoughtful radicals if our at Vail, a civil disobedience campaign led by Ancient sense then, thwarting creates short-term protection
movement's goals of big wilderness and healthy na­ Forest Rescue was being organized. These activists until a new threat arises, at which time activists must
tive ecosystems are to be achieved. The idea of "thought­ were in the field in the Two Elk the night of the fires. fall back to their thwarting tactics. This cycle contin­
ful radicalism" was first introduced 10 years ago by The level of local support, combined with the action ues ad infinitum until final protection can be gained
former Wyoming representative for Friends of the theater of a large ski resort, would have undoubtedly for an area by designating it wilderness or other
Earth, wilderness guide, Earth First! co-founder and made the defense of the Two Elk a highly visible appropriate land management classification. Protec­
convicted monkeywrencher Howie Wolke (EF.'J De­ campaign, one that would have attracted a great deal tion is the end goal of conservation activism, and it is
cember-January '89). In the wake of the Vail fire and of media attention and one that stood a strong chance the cornerstone towards which the other three point.
the negative impact on wilderness defense it has had of succeeding until the area could be protected by law.
in Colorado, it seems appropriate to revisit Wolke's Second, assuming that it was the appropriate time in continued on page 29
Letters To The Editors
.easeJ
Dear EF! was a goddamn asshole. Now a certain giddiness. rial and especially passionate
I just saw the damnedest thing. that I read in the EF! Journal that Keep up the good work. time in my life. I have always
I'm sitting here in the middle of he is trying to put some Until there is no pastriarchy in loved wilderness—some­
the night webbing it up and the "Dreamworks" monstrosity on this world I am... times often described as a
TV is on. All of a sudden Julia the last remaining coastal wet­ —AGENT KEY LIME, GENERAL state of mind rather than a
Butterfly is on the dammed TV. I lands in LA County I know he is. COMMAND OF THE BIOTIC BAKING place. I love nature. I love
start paying attention and its this Thanks for covering that. BRIGADE—ECOTOPIA CELL the fact that I am part of a
celebrity gossip show called Ex­
—W. MALKUS spiritual greatness in
tra on the peacock network. They Dear Earth First! which goddess-like trees
had a poll of their viewers from a Earth First! Journal Staff, You are cool because you save and goddess-like skies
previous show and 91 percent of Greetings from Boysenberry animals. The cheetah is my fa­ and goddess-like rains
them said that Julia should not Prairie. After receiving the EF! vorite animal because I like the and goddess-like me all
be forced to come down! I have Journal today 1 was very happy to dots on them and I like how they play equal roles in.
the audio. Truth is in fact stranger see such good amount of space run fast. I run fast too. I always The changes the EF!
than fiction. Only 9 percent of devoted to delicious topics. wanted to go to the desert be­ activists are trying to
insomniac television addicts Please send greetings to Agents cause I want to see what it looks make and accomplish­
think Butterfly should be pepper Cowpie and Cherry Rhubarb as I like. 1 want to see the animals. ing are noble and fan­
sprayed into submission or felled recently have been informed that Sincerely, tastic, but often make me
downslope. the mayor of Eugene has been —JONATHAN, wonder. Where is the one­
—TC pie-ed. Congratulations on a job MOFFITT SCHOOL, RM. 205 ness found amidst all this strug
well done. gling? When is the beauty of cold,
Dear EF!, I was also delighted to see the Dear SFB, silky, 4 a.m. sunrise sung? I am more than arguments. Thanks so
When I saw Schindlers List comic of Mr. Pope being re­ Your Journal has introduced me moved by the ambition of the ac­ much for helping me to widen my
which did not address the brutal minded of that big old-growth to many inspirational actions and tivists and hope to help the im­ eyes, mind and heart,
displacement of the Palestinians forest up north on the back cover. idealistic causes. Asa perhaps naive mense divinity of nature survive —DEN A SARAH LIBN
in the creation of the Israeli state And we are all clowns so the ren­ and inexperienced 16 year old, I one day, but... Where is the love?
I thought that Steven Speilberg dition of me as such brings forth still believe I am at a rich, influen- That, and patience, is needed
continued on page 30
February-March 1999 Earth First! Page 3
Nigerian Protesters Killed
want is force. We are asking the mul­ refugee camp in Benin, West Africa. To order the report or for the latest
BY DANNY KENNEDY & ANNE ROLFES
tinational companies to withdraw "We left home and are living in exile updates on the crisis in Nigeria, con­
As many as 240 people have been from Ijaw areas immediately." here in Benin and Togo in some of tact Project Underground, 1847 Ber­
killed in the recent bloody backlash Over 300 organizations worldwide the worts parts of Africa. It is the keley Way, Berkeley, CA 94703; (510)
against nonviolent civil disobedience and dozens of notable individuals, fault of Shell and the government." 705-8981; [email protected].
in the Niger Delta. The killing started from David Suzuki of Canada to The Ogoni's plight as refu­
on December 30 when soldiers Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas, en­ gees is relevant to recent
opened fire in Yenagoa, the capital dorsed a letter backing the Ijaw's events. The Ogoni, like the
of Nigeria's main oil-producing demands. "We ask the companies to Ijaw today, were well-orga­
Bayelsa State, during an Ijaw youth cease their activities in the region nized, successful and com­
protest. The Ijaw are Nigeria's fourth- until all military and paramilitary mitted to nonviolent civil
largest ethnic group. units are removed, all activists re­ disobedience. But military
The youths' plan was to stage a leased from prison and the situation brutality overpowered the
series of nonviolent occupations and is peacefully resolved," said the let­ Ogoni. The Ogoni refugees
protests against gas flares, pipelines ter, which was sent to the chief ex­ know that their experience
and other oil installations and de­ ecutive officers of all the is a case study in what could
mand the withdrawal of the oil com­ multinational oil companies operat­ happen to the Ijaw. They sit
panies operating in the delta. ing in Nigeria. and listen to the radio in the
"Operation Climate Change," as the Shell, in particular, has been re­ camp. They shake their
youths dubbed it, has been amaz­ ceiving pressure from other places, heads because they've al­
ingly effective at demonstrating the with an occupation of its interna­ ready lived this story. "They Onjanuary 4, Ogoni Day in Nigeria as well
seriousness of the local communities. tional headquarters in London (see are the next ones in this refu­ as the first working day of 1999, an astonish­
With their oil well occupations, 40 sidebar) and an announcement from gee camp," said one refugee. ingly well-dressed group of 12 concerned
percent of production in the region the Movement for the Survival of We must learn from the citizens occupied three key locations in
has been shut down intermittently the Ogoni People on Ogoni Day, Ogoni experience to assure Shellmex House, the headquarters of Shell
for the past four months by the activ­ January 4, that it would have to shape that the cycle of suffering UK. They stayed for four hours until forcibly
ists. Almost two-thirds of Nigerian oil up or ship out of Ogoni land, not far stops. The Ogoni yesterday. removed by the police. During the office
flows from Ijaw territory. from Ijaw territory, by the end of The Ijaw today. There must occupation the activists uploaded a spoof
The Nigerian military prompted the this year. On January 6, Shell de­ be no one turned into a cor­ website (still found at www.kemptown.org/
shutdowns by declaring a state of emer­ clared "force majeur" and closed one porate refugee tomorrow. shell) that mimics Shell's own but tells the
gency and creating a Naval Special of its two main export terminals as a In January, Project Under­ truth rather than applying layer after layer
Security Task Force to police the delta result of community unrest. Over ground released Shell- of world-class greenwash. Shell declined to
in order to "protect oil installations 200 soldiers were protecting Forcados Shocked Refugees, a 32-page press charges.
against vandalisation." This task force terminal, but it had to be closed passport-style booklet fea­ News of the action soon reached the Niger
is eerily similar to the Rivers State "because no oil was coming in from turing interviews with the Delta. With any luck it provided a few pre­
Internal Security Task Force, which the hinterlands," said Paul Ekadi, Ogoni refugees. It not only cious shreds of hope to the extraordinary
oversaw the Nigerian government's president of the Ijaw National Coun­ explains their plight from people who have consistently put their lives
crackdown on the Ogoni people, an­ cil in the US. their own perspective but and their livelihoods on the line by calling
other Niger Delta community that is If immediate solidarity actions gives you action to take to and fighting for a complete end to oil produc­
fighting the Shell Corporation. Un­ aren't taken in support of the Ijaw, undo the injustice. tion by transnational corporations on their
confirmed reports indicate the Nige­ their struggle lands. Perhaps the
ria military has been using Shell heli­ could easily go greatest reward for
copters to bomb Ijaw towns. the way of the the 12 was the
Tanks, warships and hundreds of Ogoni's. The knowledge that
troops have been sent into Beyelsa Ogoni refugees they had shed
State. Soldiers have scoured villages, are one of the more light on an
searched cars, and arbitrarily impris­ little known extraordinarily in­
oned and tortured individuals in stories in the spiring yet crimi­
search of the organizers of the pro­ fight against oil nally unknown
tests. Although the state of emer­ in Nigeria. battle for ecologi-
gency has technically been lifted, Since the ex­ ^ cal and social jus-
the task force remains operational. ecution of Ken I tice in the delta.
"This is a serious backward step for Saro-Wiwa, the 1 Both the British
Nigeria. These killings in Bayelsa Ogoni leader, |pr ess and the of-
State raise concerns that the current many Ogoni •5 ten bewilderingly
government is returning to the re­ have fled their •f ignorant employ-
pressive methods used by the Abacha homeland in |ee s of Shell now
regime," says Peter Takirambudde, a order to avoid |" have far less excuse
spokesman for Human Rights Watch. torture and 1 to turn a blind eye
Oronto Douglas, a spokesperson for death. Eight to the situation.
the Ijaw Youth Council explained, hundred of
"All we want is dialogue. What they them are in a The Ogoni refugee camp, symbol of the plight of corporate refugees
Indian Animal Lowers Beat Poachers
Long before Earth Firstlers ever linked arms on a deer. Elder Prahlad Ram says, "Yes, such things nize the driver, the heart-throb, action-flick hero,
logging road or set a platform in a tree, Indian have been known to happen. Between us and the Salman Khan. "Had we caught him we would have
villagers in the Rajasthan desert were putting their animals there is complete trust. Our teachings tell beaten him severely," said another village elder,
lives on the line to protect the local ecosystem. us that we must serve as protectors and nurturers of Choka Ram.
Today, the Bishnoi people continue that tradition, all things." At first, luck seemed to be on the young actor's
albeit in a more proactive manner, by beating poach­ To that end, the young offspring of the prosperous side. Not only was he spared a severe beating, but
ers who dare venture into the area. grain-farming people give chase to all poachers hunt­ the state's chief veterinarian found in a postmortem
In 1730, a local timber baron sent his army to cut ing the small antelope known as the black buck. If the examination that the two black bucks had died of
trees near the Bishnoi village. A woman named youth catch the poachers, they beat them. overeating and a poorly timed leap, preventing
Amrita Devi, moved by a love for nature, jumped in Just after midnight on October 1, the people of prosecution of Khan.
the way. Soldiers decapitated her and threatened to Kankani were awakened by the gunshots of poach­ Due to the high profile of the case, however, a
do likewise to anyone else who impeded their work. ers. "I saw their jeep race by, and my head filled up reexamination was demanded. It was then deter­
Three hundred sixty-two other Bishnoi embraced with anger," said elder Ram. "We all began to shout mined that the animals had suffered fatal bullet
the trees in a sequence of defiant sacrifice. and scramble. They had already killed the bucks. wounds and that the state veterinarian was in­
The Bishnoi follow the teachings of a 15th cen­ These animals are sacred to us, and we consider their volved in a cover-up and was subject to arrest.
tury Hindu guru, Jhambaji, who coined 29 pre­ lives more important than our own." Indeed, in The actor Khan now faces one to seven years in
cepts for instilling a reverence for life, including 1996, one local youth was shot and killed while prison, and though that's not the justice that the
prohibitions against using intoxicants, eating meat chasing the poachers. Bishnoi would most like to see meted out, they
or breaking twigs. One much-reprinted old photo But on October 1 the vigilantes only came close aren't complaining either. After all, the bottom line
shows a Bishnoi woman breast-feeding an orphaned enough to read the Jeep's license number and recog­ for the Bishnoi is what's best for the wild.
Page 4 Earth First! Brigid 1999
EXPORT THIS!
dered the crane operators to bring the
BY PAT VENDETTI logs up and the lines under the logs
In the long history of the destruction of British tightened beneath and around us. One
Columbia's rainforest, one of the more offensive tim­ activist used this moment to climb up
ber industry practices is the export of raw, unproc­ the sling lines onto the crane hook itself,
essed logs to foreign buyers, mainly Japan. While the forcing the issue even further. No one
government fools the public about the health of the else moved. Despite the forceful orders
forests in BC, the indus­
try exports massive
quantities of wood, cut­
ting back its labour force
and blaming it on high
taxes and overly rigor­
ous environmental pro­
tection. To highlight the
hypocrisy, activists from logs. First, motivated by the struggle, two of
the Forest Action Net­ our fellow activists jumped in the water and
work (FAN) and People's swam to the booms in near-freezing water to
Action for Threatened join us. Second, the longshoremen walked
Habitat (PATH) joined off the job, leaving no one to load the wood.
forces for a month-long Suddenly there were five activists and two
series of protests and ac­ angry company representatives on the
tions targeting raw log booms. Sensing their disadvantage, the reps
exports in the province. retreated to the ship, leaving us alone on the
1998 had been a quiet booms, successful in our attempt to stop the
"The supervisors acted aggressively, playing 'chicken' with one zodiac by dropping logs over its bow and sides."
year for direct action in ships from loading.S ince we had no means of
Vancouver, but that all changed on the morning of of the foremen to lift the logs, the crane operators retreat we settled in and prepared to stay the day. At
October 28 when activists approached the ship Oriente threw up their hands in defeat and climbed down one point, a representative from the union local came
Victoria at Ballantyne Pier in Vancouver as it was from their towers. We had succeeded in immobiliz­ down and expressed his support.
loading raw logs bound for Japan. Two small, inflat­ ing one ship! While two activists remained under the We had exceeded our own expectations by over a
able motor boats called zodiacs and the FAN vessel cranes, speaking to workers and sharing jokes and day and a half of activities, won worker and union
Starlet approached a floating boom and displayed cookies, the zodiacs zoomed to ship two. support, cost the company a lot of money and sent
banners reading, "Log Exports = Job Exports," and The Royal Forest had been loading while we immo­ a clear message that our will to stop them was
"Stop Raw Log Exports," while speaking to workers. bilized the Oriente Grace, and as we arrived the crane stronger than theirs to continue. All of this hap­
Although we had decided not to prevent work in any lifted one lot of logs into the air. With monkey-like pened without one arrest, preparing us for our final
way, company supervisors acted aggressively, play­ agility, an activist ran across the logs and used a line act of 1998—a 1,000-kilometer drive north to stop
ing "chicken" with one zodiac by dropping logs over hanging down the side of the ship to climb 50 feet them in Bella Coola, home of FAN and heart of the
its bow and sides, trying to scare it away. Undaunted, onto the deck and into the hold! By getting under the Great Bear Rainforest.
the crew held its position alongside the logs, speak­ logs about to be dropped into the hold, the activist During the actions we had been informed that
ing to the longshoreman and winning support from forced the crane operator to return the logs to the the company was sending supervisors to Bella
them both for their courage and the truth of their water. Two other activists had succeeded in immobi­ Coola in order to load logs. One of these same
position. After several hours on the water we re­ lizing the second and third cranes. In under 45 supervisors had been overheard declaring how
turned to our base, promising to return soon. minutes we had forced both ships to cease operating, happy he was he wouldn't have to deal with "any
Our return came less than 48 hours later as the ship discovering in the process that this was the maiden of those Vancouver protesters." On Sunday night a
prepared for its departure. In the previous two days voyage of the Royal Forest\ What a baptism! Let's hope vanful of activists left Vancouver, arriving in Bella
we had decided to escalate our activities and attempt it's a sign of things to come. Attempts by the police Coola late the next day. Within two days a Franken-
to stop the logs from leaving the port. As FAN to fool us off the logs by reading an invalid injunc­ zodiac had been constructed from spare parts lying
activists approached the vessel, Barney Kern of PATH tion failed, and at 4:30 p.m. we were still in place! By around, a small engine, a skiff and other essential
scaled the bow line of the Victoria and hung himself law, workers cannot load raw logs after dark so they items, found and borrowed.
and his banner between the shore and the ship, headed home, happy to be paid for a day of sitting The next morning we attacked. As one skiff was
effectively stopping it from leaving. Within 30 min­ around, talking and drinking tea provided by Starlet. drawing the attention of the crew in a slow paddle
utes the ship had been immobilized and sloganized. We followed soon after, wet, cold and tired but ready towards the ship's port side, the Franken-zod pulled
Barney held the bow line throughout the day, until to hit the logs the next morning. up to the ship and an activist climbed aboard the
police moved in and arrested him around 5 p.m. Friday morning turned out to be the most intense stern line. He was quickly lowered down by the ship
Once again, support from workers was good, with tug day yet. We had reached an agreement with the crew, but fast action by the zodiac crew got the boat
boat operators giving us the thumbs up and sailors longshoremen that we would not show up until 8:30 positioned underneath him. He climbed up again
waving and laughing. Company officials were once a.m. so they would be clocked in and receive at least and was lowered again. While the captain of the
again hostile, attempting to cut off our boats as we half a day's pay. When we arrived at around 8:40 we boat was hemorrhaging in apoplectic rage, scream­
escorted the ship out of the harbour. Luckily, the discovered that the shipping company had sacrificed ing at us full-lung, another activist pulled alongside
maneuverability of our zodiacs proved too much for the loading of the Royal Forest and used the log booms the stern line and, after our climber was lowered for
their aggressive charges, and we headed back to base adjacent to it to block our entrance to the slip! There a third time, attached herself and the skiff to the
as night fell across the water. was no way for our boats to get us near the Oriente line. A local motor vessel joined the fray, and two
Until this point, no work had been stopped, though Grace, and they were loading as we watched. Within men wielding knives and acting very aggressively
our message had been presented in a variety of ways. minutes we were pulling a zodiac (less an engine) slashed at the banner we had attached to the line
Media coverage had been good, but we had still not across the logs towards the blocked off area. As soon as and attempted to cut and pry the boat off the line.
prevented any logs from being loaded, and so we we neared the inner harbour, a tug boat charged at us, Water cannons were brought out, and the activists
decided to take the next logical step and put our­ and a company official jabbed a log pick at our boat, were sprayed, but we held our ground and refused to
selves between the logs and ships. But activists began puncturing the zodiac's front chamber. He then at­ budge. A tense standoff continued through the
to drift off and interest waned during the ensuing tempted to tie us to the tug. Despite our entreaties that remainder of the day until police moved in and
two weeks while we waited for the next ship. Finally, this was a nonviolent protest, the thug continued to arrested us as dusk approached. Once again we had
our ship came in—two actually, the Royal Forest and wrestle with us and our equipment, even as his com­ succeeded in interfering substantially in the raw log
the Oriente Grace, the sister ship of our initial target. patriots walked away from the scene saying they export trade. Notice has now been served to the
We hit the water on November 19 intent on stop­ wanted nothing to do with him. After a 15-minute irresponsible and greedy timber exporters of this
ping the loading for at least three hours. At 10:15 a.m. struggle, six of us managed to pull the boat away from province—activists in BC will continue standing up
we headed across Vancouver harbour at top speed this lunatic and into the slip, giving us access to the until the destruction of our world's last rainforests
(giving ferry passengers a pretty unique morning logs. Against a strong wind, three activists paddled for comes to an end.
sight!). Within minutes we had arrived at the Orient the logs as the ship foremen waited on the booms with Thanks to all who participated and to Greenpeace
Grace, and five activists armed with golf shoes and their log picks pointing directly at us. As we neared the for the loans! The Forest Action Network and People's
body banners jumped aboard the logs. While the booms one of the foremen stabbed at our boat but was Action for Threatened Habitat intend to keep things
longshoremen were on their break we occupied the prevented from doing any damage by activist Texas busy this year—contact us in '99 for activity info!
logs, taking up positions directly under the cranes Joe, who grabbed the pole and put himself between its Save the Great Bear Rainforest! Get a life, hug a tree!
and assessing where they would attempt to load first. spike and the boat. As this was happening a second Forest Action Network, POB 625, Bella Coola, BC
No opposition was voiced by any of the workers, and company hack stabbed our port air chamber, giving us VOT ICO; (250) 299-5800; fax [phone];
activists allowed them to hook lines to the logs, no choice but to get on the logs as we now had an [email protected]; www.fanweb.org.
climbing aboard as soon as the logs were attached. unusable boat! Two amazing things happened as we People's Action for Threatened Habitat, POB
Tense moments followed as the ship foremen or- crawled out of our rapidly deflating zodiac onto the 19596, Vancouver, BC, V5T 4E7; [phone].
February-March 1999 Earth First! Page 5
J.
Stopping the Bison Slaughter
can only be transmitted if cattle come in contact
with brucellosis-contaminated birthing materials.
Of the 13 buffalo killed so far, 11 were bulls, who
hay to lure 11 buffalo out of the park and into the obviously were not pregnant. The ultimate deci­
BY DAN BRISTER AND SUE NACKONEY
capture facility. Unbeknownst to DOL security, a sion to continue the slaughter rests with Governor
Our mile-long morning ski is lit by the moon. The Buffalo Nations volunteer snuck into the pen and Marc Racicot, who oversees the DOL, and it's up to
tracks of earlier patrols are hardly visible, but some­ freed a captive bull. Before the buffalo could escape us to let him know that we hold him personally
how our skis follow along as if they know the way the outermost pen, DOL security blocked the only responsible for the needless deaths of wild buffalo.
themselves. We take a few sweeping strides and shoot open gate. The buffalo saw the truck, jumped up and The DOL also plans to build a new capture facil­
over the ridge. As we fly through the darkness, we broke through a closed gate to freedom. The volun­ ity on Horse Butte, near Hebgen Lake on the
take all the speed we can from the hill and glide a teer escaped as well. Gallatin National Forest. Horse Butte is prime win­
good way across the open valley. We find the all- Later that day a volunteer attempted to block the ter range for the buffalo and contains habitat for
night patrol sitting around the fire watching the capture facility's loading chute by locking down but bald eagles, grizzly bears, lynx, black-backed wood­
buffalo who walked out of the park as they sleep near was apprehended and arrested by the sheriff. peckers, boreal owls, trumpeter swans, wolverines,
the capture pen, which the DOL has baited with Of the remaining captive buffalo, eight were shipped elk, moose, red fox, goshawk, peregrine falcon,
irresistibly sweet-smelling hay. Some of the buffalo to a slaughterhouse the next morning. As the live­ large-leafed balsamroot and white paintbrush. The
stand up and eye us warily. Finally they lie down stock trailer approached the pen, several people tried Chief Joseph wolf pack has also been spotted on
again in their snow hollows or swish snow aside with to stop the truck by jumping in front of it and were the butte. The DOL has asked the US Department
their huge heads to get to the grass below.
of Agriculture to fund the costs of installing
So far this winter over 100 buffalo have left
and operating the buffalo trap with taxpay­
Yellowstone National Park in search of grasses at
ers footing the bill at $500,000 a year for
lower elevations near West Yellowstone, Montana.
the next 10 years. All of this is justified in
But whenever buffalo step over the invisible park
order to protect a mere 170 cow-calf pairs
boundary, they are chased, captured or gunned down
that graze on three public allotments on
by the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL).
Horse Butte and generate a total of $765 a
Based on an unsubstantiated fear that bison might
year in grazing fees.
transmit the disease brucellosis to cattle, the DOL is
The presence of Buffalo Nations volun-
determined to annihilate the last wild herd of buffalo
•5. teers is a constant reminder to bison man-
in the lower 48 states.
|a gement agencies that the slaughter must
Two winters ago, the DOL and the National Park
a stop. There is no justifiable reason for buf-
Service killed nearly 1,100 buffalo. Now, the DOL
f falo to be persecuted for following their
is poised to repeat this slaughter; and a band of
|n atural migratory instincts. Yellowstone's
activists from around the world have come to
i boundary is not an ecosystem boundary,
Buffalo Nations determined to prevent it. Volun­
and these buffalo are not Montana's buf­
teers have been working around the clock to keep
falo. Rather, they are an integral part of one
the buffalo from meeting an untimely fate at the Buffalo Nations activists keep an eye on the roaming herds
of the continent's last intact ecosystems.
hands of the DOL.
nearly run over. The vehicle was forced to stop when Does locking down in subfreezing temperatures
With a budget tripled since last year, the DOL has an activist grabbed onto the trailer and locked his intrigue you? Do you want to spend your winter
been out in force this winter, chasing buffalo back neck to the back of it with a krypto lock while it was days on skis watching and defending buffalo? Do
into the park and disrupting wildlife migration pat­ going 30 miles per hour. you wish you could eat the best food outside of
terns. Repeatedly, buffalo have been herded for miles On the morning of January 13, before first light, Cove Mallard? Well wish no more. Come to
through deep snow and barbed-wire fences at a time a Buffalo Nations activist locked herself to the top Yellowstone and help us put an end to the DOL's
of year when they need to conserve their energy. This of a 35-foot tripod blocking the transport of an­ days of harassing and killing buffalo. We provide
is especially dangerous for pregnant females. other nine captive buffalo to the slaughterhouse. It food and a space in our warm cabin for all who
The DOL's activities are also causing the harass­ took law enforcement half a day to remove her. volunteer. Contact us at POB 957, West
ment of other migratory wildlife in this ecosystem. In The next day, five of the captive buffalo were Yellowstone, MT 59758; [phone]; fax 646-
a massive bison hazing operation on December 8, a shipped to slaughter. 0071; [email protected].
DOL snowmobiler caused a herd of over 100 elk to The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Let Governor Racicot know that the slaughter is
stampede. One panicked elk flipped over a fence and (APHIS) has repeatedly told Montana that the state unacceptable! Contact him at State Capitol Build­
landed on its head. will not lose its cherished brucellosis-free status if ing, Helena, MT 59620-0801; (406) 444-3 111. Con­
Buffalo Nations volunteers were ready on January 7 it tolerates the presence of yearling calves and bulls tact the DOL's acting director Marc Bridges at POB
when events took a turn for the worse. The DOL used who have a low risk of transmitting it. The disease 202001, Helena, MT 59620-2001; [phone].
LEAVE IT TO THE BEAVERS
they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natural building
materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to
The following is an excerpt from actual correspondence between the Michigan emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can
Department of Natural Resources and a property owner. safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determi­
there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above-referenced parcel of nation and/or their dam work ethic.
property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they first must
did the following unauthorized activity: construction and maintenance of two fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity. My first dam
wood-debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. question to you is: (1) are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond
A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of beavers, or (2) do you require all beavers throughout this state to conform to
the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the said dam request?
Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the
Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act I request completed copies of all those other
Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.
Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated. Aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond beavers
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation—so the
failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream state will have to provide them with a dam lawyer.
locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and As for me, I am not going to cause more flooding or dam debris jams by
cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist interfering with these dam builders. If you want to hurt these dam beavers, be
all unauthorized activities at this location and to restore the stream to a free­ aware I am sending a copy of your dam letter and this response to People for the
flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
stream channel. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond beavers have a right to build their
Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows
the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. downstream. They have more dam right than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond.
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions. to its name, it should protect the natural resources (beavers) and their environ­
Sincerely, David L. Price, District Representative, Land and Water Manage­ ment (beavers' dams).
ment Division In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real environmental
quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears. Bears are actually defecating
Dear Mr. Price: in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears
Your certified letter has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam,
owner, and a couple of beavers are in the (state-unauthorized) process of watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump!
constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream Being unable to comply with your dam request and unable to contact you on
of my Spring Pond. your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office via
While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think another government organization—the dam US Postal Service.
Page 6 Earth First! Brigid 1999
Bounty Hunter Offered $35K
Wolves
to Kill
PW: Okay.
BY JOSH LAUGHLIN
CC: But it's got to do with the
A new twist to the sad story of the goddamn cattlemen for sure.
Mexican wolf reintroduction pro­ PW: It's got to do with what?
gram has surfaced (see EF!f Decem­ CC: The cattlemen... My dad... see,
ber-January '99). Although not my family's been here since the
widely publicized, new information 1890s... We've been in Arizona longer
suggests that the wolf killings are than most people have, and the
not random acts of wildlife-hating wolves was always here... It was never
loose cannons but are an organized a goddamn big issue...
campaign to sabotage the federal wolf PW: Well, was it a person or an
recovery program. organization that made you the offer?
In early April 1998, when Patricia CC: A person.
Wolff, director of New West Research PW: A person... Uhhuh...So this was
One of the reintroduced wolves shot in the Southwest
and longtime wolf advocate, was vis­ from someone who was a cattleman?
iting incarcerated animal rights and CC: It came from New Mexico. fered you the money to kill the wolf, At least I know the rumor is true.
Earth First! activist Rod Coronado, he PW: What part of New Mexico? er, to kill all the wolves for $35,000... CC: New Mexico Cattlemen's As­
spoke to her about Jody "Chance" CC: Western New Mexico. was the person from Silver City? sociation.
Cooper (or Predator's Predator as he PW: Western... like Catron County? CC: No. PW: Yeah... those bastards. Okay...
calls himself), a fellow inmate who CC: Exactly. PW: Somewhere in Catron...? I figured... Thanks a lot.
was offered money to kill endangered PW: Okay. CC: I think he goddamn lives around CC: Yes, ma'am.
Mexican wolves. Stunned, Wolff CC: Thesheriffofcoursehatesmyguts. Glenwood. He's a goddamn rancher. Wolff told US Fish and Wildlife
asked Coronado to arrange a tele­ PW: So what were the terms of the PW: So this person was someone Service investigators about her re­
phone interview with him so she offer? You were offered $35,000... you knew? corded interview with bounty hunter
could get more information. She took CC: To kill 'em all. CC: Yeah, I've known him for a Cooper in May, but it fell upon deaf
this unconfirmed information to US PW: Yeah... long time. ears. It wasn't until a string of three
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) CC: But I'm not gonna do it... I like PW: Well, gosh, this is very inter­ more wolf shootings between Au­
law enforcement officers but didn't the wolves... We have such an elk esting. gust 7 and November 7 that an agent
receive any attention. population that they starve in the CC: You wanna catch somebody finally listened to the tape. Accord­
Cooper is no stranger to firearms winter... And they placed those wolves doing something. ing to Wolff, a grand jury has re­
and bounties. In February 1995, he in a bad spot... They should have PW: I would like to find out who's cently been convened to investigate
was convicted in Colfax County, New goddamn taken 'em down to Blue making the offer... because those are the wolf killings, but the US
Mexico, of aggravated assault and il­ River Road... where the fish hatchery the people... I don't want to get you Attorney's office in Albuquerque told
legal possession of a firearm after "al­ is... They should of released 'em down in trouble. her it would not confirm nor deny
legedly shooting at someone's feet to in that area. CC: ... You'd get me so goddamn the existence of such a grand jury.
make them dance." Furthermore, Ari­ PW: Well do you know of anyone much in trouble... the cattlemen would The US Fish and Wildlife Service is
zona Game and Fish launched an else who's been offered money? fuckin'... would be on my dad's ass, currently in the midst of four "open
undercover investigation into a pos­ CC: Probably my brother has. and my dad would be ashamed of me. investigations" concerning wolf
sible illegal mountain lion hunt by PW: And he also turned 'em down? PW: Yeah, yeah. shootings over the past few months.
Cooper in March of 1996. During the CC:Yeah... $35,000 practically wasn't CC: I mean we been here for so It has declined to comment on the
investigation, Cooper, who didn't even gonna pay for the attorney. goddamn long. My dad... I never told ongoing investigations.
have a hunting guide license, led an PW: Yeah, that's not very much. him I was gonna tell... I told him that By late November, the federal rein­
undercover agent on a lion hunt and CC: Fuck no... and then that's 15 years... I was gonna say something to some­ troduction had been successfully sabo­
accepted payment. Wolff was in­ PW: So you just don't want to go body, but he said just don't bring his taged. The last two survivors in the
formed by two federal probation of­ public about this because...? goddamn name up. wild, both males, were recaptured and
ficers that Cooper had PW: Yeah, okay. put back into pens. Determined to con­
been killing mountain CC: ... I'd prefer tinue, the agency released two pairs of
lions for Arizona ranch­ you not say any­ wolves from acclimation pens on De­
ers when he was busted thing because I'd cember 11. According to the USFWS,
in 1996. The list of have to deny every­ an adult male and two-year-old female
Cooper's criminal con­ thing. That would have remained together, ranging up to
victions goes on. put me in such a bad 15 miles from their release pen. The
In late April, a few situation... All my other pair, released from a different
weeks after her visit inlaws are goddamn pen, split up after three days. The
with Coronado, news ranchers... male members of these two pairs were
broke that a reintro­ PW: I have to go the survivors of the original 11 re­
duced wolf had been 1 now, but I'm won- leased in March.
shot and killed. On dering if I could Only time will tell the fate of this
May 8, Wolff secretly come and visit you testy reintroduction program. The
recorded a phone in­ |so metime would USFWS seems positive about the steps
terview with Cooper. £ you talk more to me? it is taking. "We are much more confi­
Here are the most in­ CC: I'm outta dent now in these wolves' ability to
teresting segments of here in two survive and thrive in the wild," said
the tape: months. I get out David Parsons, Mexican wolf recovery
Patricia Wolff (PW): home, cruising the wild in July. Are you leader for the USFWS. "Now we need
... I've got lots of hunter friends here CC: That would goddamn bury me. still gonna be in the country in July? to place more emphasis on increasing
and...well... here's the word out... and Oh, god no. PW: Yeah. human tolerance of wolves and elimi­
you can tell me if this is right or not... PW: How could they get you...? CC: I'll be in the halfway house. nating illegal killing, which is the main
So what I've been hearing is that You're in prison. PW: Okay. factor preventing the return of the
some hunters are being offered money CC: I was charged... I've been CC: We can go have coffee at the lobo to the Southwest." But in order
to kill the released wolves... And I'm charged... for... elk... [unintelligible]... damn club. for this success to come, the USFWS
wondering if you have ever been... and the goddamn Game and Fish has PW: Okay. must not just release wolf after wolf
um... if anyone has ever made such been after me for years... god... I hope CC: I wish they had a Starbucks here, back into the wild, it must get to the
an offer to you... Is this true? you're not taping this. but they don't. bottom of the Cooper tape and pros­
Chance Cooper (CC): Well... I'll PW: No. PW: Okay, well, I got to head off. ecute the forces behind the sniping.
give you... how is this: They offered CC: Because I can't... I don't want CC: Well, ma'am, I'll tell you what. The tape recording Wolff made of
me $35,000 in cash to kill 'em all. nothing to do with this [unintelligible]. Right now I'm just trying to get out of her conversation with Cooper can be
PW: Who made that offer? PW: Okay... Well this verifies the this goddamn place. heard as an audiofile on the website of
CC: I can't tell you. rumor then... So this person who of­ PW: Well thanks, thanks so much. Forest Guardians (www.fguardians.org).
i February-March 1999 Earth First! Page 7
Bloc tad ERS NADAlMEd
IN AUSTRAUA
BY JILL REDWOOD
The southeastern corner of the "land down un­
der" supports one of the largest tracts of temperate
forest remaining on mainland Australia. Most of the
rest of the continent has been mined, grazed, burnt,
logged and generally degraded. There's diddly squat
that remains intact that's as ancient as the earth it
grows in.
One of these lush forests is known by its aboriginal
name, Goolengook. It covers over 20,000 acres. Until
the state "conservation" department sent in the log­
gers on World Environ­
ment Day in June 1997,
Goolengook's powerful
owls and tiger quolls
(the largest mainland
carnivorous marsupial)
had never heard a
chainsaw or bulldozer.
The Goolengook
blockade is the long­
est-running continu­
ous forest blockade in
Australia's history.
Over 200 arrests have
been made during the
past 24 months. Block-
Locking to a crane stops the cops from removing tree sitters.
aders have used tree
sits, tripods and "hot
A b o u t make their way down to the river buffer. From
rocks" (a fire in the
five years there they made it to the bridge and found another
middle of the road that
Another dozer lockdown during Australia's longest-running forest blockade ago, an em­ woman crying, vomiting and very traumatized.
is difficult to move
ployee of She had staggered through the logging debris and
once its put out). Cables anchored under dozers and the department was burned to death in one of buffer zones in choking smoke to reach the bridge.
log loaders have been used to suspend tree sits. these burns. Since then, NRE has used helicopters When Colby had still not returned that night the
Blockaders have locked onto the top and underside for the higher-elevation forest burns to ensure the alarm was raised. The department didn't take this
of bridges, locked down to cement-filled bathtubs safety of workers. A helicopter circles the coupe report seriously, telling media inquiries it was a
in the road, locked arms through a bulldozer's dropping incendiary devices so fire completely hoax. When Search and Rescue arrived, they sat
tracks, set up cantilevers, locked onto log loaders surrounds the area and burns in on itself. The down and had a cup of tea.
and cranes used to pluck tree sitters from their napalm released from a chute under the chopper is During and after this fire, calls to the NRE were
platforms, and constructed a giant 25-meter mono- a mixture of aluminum sterate, petrol and metha­ fruitless. Its policy was to say nothing except that the
pole on the Goolengook bridge. nol. It is dropped in burning blobs of gel that are matter was in the hands of the police. Its agents
Along with the gung-ho blockaders, Green Party intended to keep burning even in water. It sticks to would not answer any questions. After requesting
Senator Bob Brown has been arrested at Goolengook. anything it lands on. police help, one officer responded with, "What do
His ensuing court battle proved that the govern­ Protesters were camped in the area to prepare you expect us to do about it? We're not super human!
ment has illegally logged in protected Heritage for the start of the logging season. NRE officers We're not going into a burning coupe!" The senior
River zones for the past six years. Totally unembar­ warned two or three of the protesters that they sergeant in charge stated that they had done a proper
rassed, the government simply changed the legisla­ would be burning the coupe and to stay clear. search and found no one. He refused to release
tion to make this destruction legal! Even the protesters were unsure how many others information as to the nature of the search. We believe
All of this has cost the government more than it were in the area and where they were. Later we the NRE did not send anyone out to help.
received in royalties for the wood. Of the total found out that when the fires began, approxi­ When Colby was eventually found at noon the
volume of logs cut, 85 percent was woodchip grade mately eight people were there. Four were at the next day by two friends (who were caught in the fire
(old-growth forests are regarded as producing crap far end of the coupe maintaining a 30-meter-high themselves the day before), he was very traumatized
timber and woodchips, but the site can be "refor­ tree sit. Another 10 or 11 were camped on the road and weak. Later, the police charged him with being
ested" with commercially desirable species planted leading into the three coupes. Worried about the inside a forest operation zone without a permit.
three-meters apart—a la plantation). others at the tree sit, three people began to walk Days after this event some people caught in the
Over this time, blockaders have been chased by in to alert them. fire were suffering from post traumatic stress disor­
a logger revving his chainsaw, had petrol thrown While in the middle of the logged coupes an NRE der. One woman who tried to write her statement
in their faces, been dropped off cantilevers, and officer drove past and told them they were trespass­ three days later could not due to her shaking hands.
dragged and dropped off the top of tripods. They've ing and to get out. He didn't mention anything For weeks afterwards, people were still nauseous and
been ambushed and assaulted by loggers on lonely about beginning the burn. Clearly, when the police coughing up phlegm from smoke inhalation.
roads, been assaulted by police while being pro­ did tell protesters to leave, their warning system was The department has received a formal complaint
cessed, had trees felled near them and had a logger less than effective. One woman was told not to go and is supposedly investigating. The police are re­
throw his shit at them. A crowd of people was down the road, but the NRE officer would not say fusing to return calls on this matter. There has also
rammed by a government grader driver. There's why until pressured. been a meeting with barristers to get the ball rolling
been a constant campaign of false accusations of At the tree sit, the police and NRE confiscated all on the legal front. We are insisting that the cops
sabotage by the Conservation Department. Activ­ of the campers' gear, including their first aid kit! charge the government foresters or the Department
ists have been punched out by loggers, had bullets They were told the chopper would be dropping of Natural Resources and Environment for this act,
fired through the windows of a safe house in the fire in 15 minutes. One woman stayed up the tree which will at least give them lots of paperwork. But
nearby town and so on. while the other three walked out in different it will be extremely difficult to get the police to
All of this culminated in the attempted burning of directions to make sure others weren't in the area. prosecute as they were involved. Private prosecu­
blockaders in spring 1998. As part of its logging But before they got far, the helicopter was drop­ tions are notorious for failing and can drag on for
operations, the Department of Natural Resources ping napalm, and the dry logging debris was years, costing the prosecuting party heaps.
and Environment (NRE) puts an intensely hot burning intensely. The government also brought in a sneaky regula­
burn through a logged area, destroying all logging Fee, a German visitor, was on a tree platform tion that makes it illegal for anyone to be in a forest
debris and surviving vegetation to prepare the site about 30-meters high when the napalm began drop­ operation zone without a permit. The fine for
for planting preferred tree species. ping from the chopper. She was overcome by smoke violations is $2,000, on top of the $1,600 fines
When the police and government foresters or­ and became sick and unable to climb down. She was people have been getting for obstructing roads and
ganized the burning of the Goolengook logging alone and feared for her life. logging operations. But so far, it's not stopped
coupes (timber sale) in September, they knew Colby, a student from Canberra, was on the people from protesting.
protesters were still inside the area. When the edge of the coupe and panicked when the nearby More logging is planned in Goolengook for this
burning began, five people were unaccounted for. bush began burning intensely. He was soon lost in summer season. To get involved or for more infor­
Fire bombs fell just meters away from people who the smoke. mation contact the campaign through Private Bag
were in the thick of the burns and disoriented by The three who were on their way to alert the tree- 3, Orbost VIC 3888; [phone] or (03) 5154-
the smoke. sit camp were caught in the fire and had to quickly 0145; [email protected].
Page 8 Earth First! Brigid 1999
STARVING FOR CHANGE
frontline-*;
BARRY HORNE SURVIVES 6 8 DAY HUNGER STRIKE
hospital stated his thoughts: "Words a step in the right direction. Starva­ Animal Liberation Activists
BY KRIS MAENZ
are cheap. Only actions really count. tion was taking its toll; Horne was Pound Mink Farmers
Hunger, deep and all consuming, This is not for me, it is for every animal unable to understand why he was Nearly 100 animal liberation activ­
eating your mind slowly but surely. In in every torture lab. We are creating a hunger striking and began to suffer ists came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
the first days your stomach growls, turning point, a moment in history major hallucinations. After a brief January 9 for the International Mink
but after a while your belly shrinks so that will be remembered. Never doubt visit from friends who tried to ex­ Show, an annual gathering of mink
much you no longer notice the plain the situation to him, farmers. The fur farmers were in town
to discuss fur farms, disease outbreaks
emlptiness. Somewhere around the Horne was moved out of the
and the bleak future of the industry.
fifth day your body starts to eat itself. hospital and back to prison.
Liberationists were in town to make a
First it consumes your fat, then On the 68th day, December
statement—if you want to slaughter
muscles, next your soft internal or­ 13, lethargic and obviously
mink for mere vanity, you will have
gans, then your brain, and then you critically ill, Barry Horne com­ to deal with powerful opposition.
die. Yet historically, hunger strikes pletely forgot why he was The night before the action a group
have been an enduring form of non­ striking. The emptiness in his of activists decided to grab some
violent direct action. stomach ate enough of his drinks in a bar where fur farmers were
On October 6, 1998, Barry Horne, a brain that cognitive thought expected to be. It didn't take long for
the two groups to identify each other.
jailed animal rights activist in England, ceased, and Barry Horne
One liberationist was heard asking
began his third hunger strike from ended his fast. Just like you
the fur farmers, "Who is watching
inside his cell at Full Sutton Prison in can't hold your breath until
your farm tonight?"
York. His simple demand was that the you die, Barry's instinct took
Nearly a hundred protesters arrived
British government establish a Royal over and saved his life. for the action, many from places as far
Commission (a government review Now Barry must survive the as Texas, Georgia and Washington DC.
panel) to examine animal testing, a pain of healing. Doctors do As one group picketed on the sidewalk
promise m ade by Prime Minister Tony not know if he will ever fully in front of the conference center, an­
Blair in pre-election campaigns. recover but suspect most of other group found its way inside. Fur
farmers watched in panic as a group of
The media and the government the damage to his body will
12 masked activists ran towards the
screamed blackmail, accusing Barry of eventually heal. Returning
room they were in. Security managed
using unfair threats. He began his first from the dead after having
to get the door shut and locked just as
hunger strike while waiting to be sen­ said all your good-byes is not
the liberationists crashed into it. The
tenced for a fire-bombing campaign an easy position. To die for activists pounded on the doors and
against animal exploiters. He later re­ the suffering and oppression windows, disrupting the proceedings.
ceived an 18-year jail sentence. His of animals would be so val­ Milwaukee cops removed the pro­
Barry Horne
first fast lasted 35 days, ending after a iant, but evidently it was not testers from the building, but as they
meeting with government officials. this. We will see an end to evil." Barry Home's time. He will continue were ejected, they were met by 30
reinforcements who wanted to go
His second went for 45 days, until he Four days later the head of the Asso­ to influence activists with his
back inside. This led to confronta­
was promised a reform of the advisory ciated Parliamentary Group for Ani­ strength. Keep fighting.
tions with the police. Several protest­
Animal Protection Committee. This mal Welfare, Ian Cawsey, issued a Send letters of support to Barry
ers were thrown around, but no ar­
time, however, the government was press release discussing a meeting in Horne, VC2141, HMP Full Sutton,
rests were made.
adamant. It would not budge. January to work on animal experi­ Moor Lane, York, Yorks Y04 IPS, En­ Anti-fur forces deemed the action a
In the beginning the hunger strike mentation. It was not the solution gland; http://www.a nimal-liberation/ major victory. The media reported
went well. Support for Barry was evr Barry was looking for but was clearly barry/index.html. the story well, with the message be­
erywhere. Numerous actions and dem­ F ing on target, and the protesters man­
onstrations were organized for the ROM DEATH ROW. .. aged to make a strong statement to
46-year-old former garbage man jailed those who would gas or break the
for his love of animals. Fur farms were necks of mink for nothing but hu­
destroyed, farm animals released and Abu-Jamal's Execution Date Looms man vanity and profit.
laboratories burned in support of
Gardeners Decontaminate
Home's hunger strike. The British gov­ On October 30, Mumia Abu-Jamal was denied a final appeal by the
ernment seemed to be listening. On Pennsylvania Supreme Court. A motion to rehear the ruling was swiftly Genetic Corn Crop
the 38th day of the hunger strike the denied. Mumia's attorney Leonard Weinglass has explained that the worst A group of conservative gardeners
Labour government announced case scenario is that Mumia would be executed in May. International calling itself the California Croppers
Britain's voluntary cessation of cos­ Concerned Friends of Mumia have called for a "Millions for Mumia" mass held a tackle football match early
metic testing. But it was later discov­ rally on March 24. Thanksgiving morning at the Gill
Tract gardens near Berkeley, Califor­
ered that this move had been planned Protest has erupted in all parts of the globe denouncing Mumia's
nia, and in the process destroyed a
long before Barry's fast began. On No­ imminent execution. From Ireland to England, Africa to Germany, demon­
crop of genetically engineered corn.
vember 19, the 44th day of the hunger strations have been loud and clear. Back home in North America, people in The Croppers took the opportunity
strike, a meeting between the govern­ city after city have protested the death warrant. On December 5, over 150 to welcome Novartis, the biotechnol­
ment and animal rights activists was citizens gathered in Montreal to protest at the US Consulate. They called for ogy giant that just signed a multimil-
convened to discuss deals to end the the freedom of Abu-Jamal as well as all other political prisoners. It ended lion dollar research deal with Univer­
strike. No satisfactory offers were made. with a ceremonial burning of the red, white and blue. sity of California—Berkeley, which
For the next 16 days Barry waited, The state of Michigan was witness to numerous demonstrations. At a owns and operates the land.
as the hunger ate his body, hoping Lansing demo, peak attendance numbered around a hundred. Citizens "As an informal welcome-wagon
gesture, the Croppers would like to
for an end to all animal testing. Mes­ called for freedom of Abu-Jamal as well as AIM activist Leonard Peltier. The
make it clear to Novartis that we will
sages trickled in from different gov­ American Indian Movement, the Michigan Mumia Support Coalition and
take similar actions against any future
ernment officials, some clearly the International Workers of the World were represented.
biotech experiments. Don't let our
concerned, others masked in elusive Many have been mobilizing for what is to come if the death warrant is unseriousness make you think this
threats or promises. The police and signed. International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia has an­ isn't serious: The security of the world's
British ruling class became more wor­ nounced that there will be demonstrations in Philadelphia and other major food supply is at stake. Giant corpora­
ried as Horne slid closer to death. cities when Governor Ridge signs the death warrant. The Saturday after tions have set mad scientists loose
Some activists threatened a murder­ that, there will be more protests. They are asking that if the warrant is upon the world, and as responsible
ous, destructive rampage if Barry died. signed on a weekday, demonstrators go to Philadelphia that Saturday. If the citizens and farmers, we have no choice
but to stop them," said Captain Swing
A hit list of 10 researchers who test on warrant is signed on a Friday, then go to Philadelphia the following
of the California Croppers.
animals, out of some 150,000 in En­ Saturday. Converge on the State Office Building at Broad and Spring
The match was also meant as a
gland, was issued by underground Garden Streets.
Thanksgiving gift to Americans,
animal rights groups. Mumia Abu-Jamal is a former Black Panther who was framed on a murder whose feasts were estimated to be
On December 5, day 60, the govern­ charge in 1981. In 1995, when US authorities last tried to kill Abu-Jamal, composed of 60-70 percent geneti­
ment again offered to talk about a international protests won him a stay of execution. You are urged to take cally engineered food products.
solution. From his hospital bed, Horne, action. Contact Governor Tom Ridge, 225 Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA The rather pleasant and sporting
blind in one eye and barely able to 17120; [phone]; fax [phone]; US Attorney General Janet Reno, activity of decontaminating fields of
hear, announced he was unwilling to [phone]; fax [phone]; District Attorney Lynn Abraham, 1421 Arch mutant crops is widespread in Europe
and India. This is believed to be the
give in to this attempt to break his St., Philadelphia, PA 19101; [phone]; fax [phone]. For updates or
first such anti-genetics action in the
strike. Press releases were sent out tell­ to help with the March 24, Millions for Mumia rally, contact International
US since a crop of Frostban strawber­
ing of Barry's upcoming death. Good­ Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, POB 19709, Philadel­
ries was pulled up in 1987 by Earth
byes were said, and Horne was read his phia, PA 19143; (215) 476-8812; fax [phone]; [email protected]; First!, an event which also took place
last rites. A note smuggled out of the www.mumia.org. in the Bay Area.
February-March 1999 Earth First! Page 9
(JNION/ECO ALLIAN(0 HURWITZ HALE A MIL
OSTS
Enclosed in darkness, with high winds and heavy interview saying he had never seen dedication like
BY WRECKIN' BALL rain, several EFlers eased their way through the Port this before. One climber was able to pop the quick
The familiar smell of coffee brewing filled the air of of Tacoma and swiftly ascended the only crane and release on his harness, but the other climber had to
an abandoned building in Tacoma, Washington, on conveyor belt that could be used by the scabs to get scissors out of his pocket and cut the line that held
December 7. Members of the Industrial Workers of the unload the Sea Diamond, a 650-ton ore ship returning him to the billowing banner. Safety tip #2: Always
World (IWW or Wobblies) and Olympia EFlers were from Australia. One port security officer pulled his have a small knife or scissors on a climb. Our climbers
gun on two support ascended back to the floor of the conveyor belt for
people on the crane, but safety, avoiding the fire department's dangerous
Sid and Nancy refused to attempts to grab them from the fire ladder.
descend until "properly The wind carried on persistently, making it im­
CJ
trained" cops arrived. possible for the climbers on the crane to deploy
They were both arrested. their banner. The cops agreed to cite and release
Others activists locked them if they came down. Five people were issued
^ down in front of the rope citations and one escaped, while the supporters
|a nchor points to help pro- were free to go.
W••'A'Vijtfo-.B'V-' Tii •55C" tect the climbers. While this was going on, the ship's captain de­
•| As daylight exposed it- cided it was unsafe to bring the ship any closer to the
J'TL L', "3 self a picket line orga- port and ordered the anchor dropped. The an­
chored ship meant business as usual was dis­
wm h
rupted, and unloading could not begin until the
next morning at the earliest, thus costing Kaiser
$33,000.1 could feel Judi Bari smiling in delight
mm with the day's events.
?£ It seems the union has more friends than it knew
about, for the boat sat for many more days due to
unexpected sabotage. The unions are calling the
saboteurs "The Men in Black" and are very grateful
Oooo... the best part—painting the banner for their work. In the process of unloading the ship
dispersed in small working groups gearing up for a the day after the action, workers discovered that a
special predawn action to support the steelworkers four-foot-wide conveyor belt used to transport the
striking at Kaiser Aluminum. Kaiser Aluminum and ore had been cut most of the way through. While
Pacific Lumber (PL), the company cutting the Head­ attempting to repair the belt, a 13-foot gash ap­
waters redwood groves, are both controlled by peared so that it had to be completely replaced,
Maxxam. We all knew the morning's joint action costing Kaiser much more time and money. Addi­
Not quite as fun... 45' banner, 50 mph winds—Whoa, Nelly!
would bewilder a number of people and, with any tionally, the wiring loom and hydraulic lines were
luck, give Charles Hurwitz (Maxxam's chief executive nized by the union with the help of the IWW sabotaged. It is clear that whoever did the latter
officer) well-earned ulcers to match his poor mental grew, and everyone waited for the boat. A union damage to Kaiser's equipment knew exactly where the
health. Well, merry Christmas and a happy New Year member at Brown's Point sighted the ship and ship's weak points were, making it unlikely anyone
Charles: the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), notified us that it would be docking in 45 min­ with the USWA, Earth First! or the IWW was involved.
the IWW and forest activists have united to stop the utes. In response to the news, a flotilla of boats led With these combined actions the boat ended up in
destructive forces of Maxxam. by the Wobblies went to greet the Sea Diamond, port for 24 days instead of the seven it normally takes
The December 7 action applied some long overdue informing the captain that the ship would not be to unload. Again, this cost Kaiser $33,000 a day.
pressure on both Hurwitz and Kaiser Aluminum by allowed to enter the port. Olympia Earth First!, the IWW and the USWA have
supporting the USWA, which has been on strike Simultaneously, the activists on the crane's con­ chosen to unite against a common villain, Charles
since September 1998. Kaiser's unwillingness to work veyor belt descended and unfurled a 45-foot banner Hurwitz, and his greedy corporation, Maxxam. The
with the union has been clearly demonstrated. Al­ from 150-feet up that read, "Hurwitz Cuts Jobs Like media described our new coalition as an unexpected
though '97 was a record-breaking year for the com­ He Cuts Trees." Cheers went up from the crowd and "odd alliance." But when you have one rich fuck
pany in both production and profits, grossing $168 below as the climbers and banner slowly descended such as Charles Hurwitz exploiting both his workers
million, it decided to eliminate over 400 jobs in five from the catwalk of the crane. But howling wind and the land, it's a natural coalition. Actions will
plants, cut pension funds and take medical care away made a sail out of the banner, and the two climbers continue until the workers' demands are met by
from retired workers. Kaiser has been hiring scabs were tossed around like a salad. They looked like rag Kaiser and PL gets out of Headwaters forest.
(temporary, non-union labor) from Pacific Lumber, dolls. Safety tip #1 : Never deploy a 45-foot banner in For more information on the strike contact Olym­
which laid off 180 workers itself when it lost its 1998 50-mile-per-hour winds! pia EF! at POB 12391, Olympia, WA 98508; (541)
timber operator's license due to criminal logging Silence fell on the port as activists, strikers, media 485-7333. For more information on Headwaters,
operations. As of December, Kaiser had already spent folks and cops all looked up, wondering if the climb­ contact Northcoast EF! at POB 28, Areata, CA
$8 million to break the strike. ers were seriously hurt. One cop was quoted in a news 95518; [phone]; [email protected].
Wolves & Poodles
A poodle singing the blues to Shania Twain for striking the wrong chord
with New York environmental officials. This country girl's wetlands boo-boo
lightened up her wallet to the tune of $25,000. She agreed to pay the fine and
A keen-eyed wolf to the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity for restore wetlands damaged in the construction of a recording complex on her
catching the Pinochio-nosed US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in a lie. 3,000-acre estate in the Adirondacks.
The USFWS sent out a press release announcing that the first habitat A conniving and fibbing poodle to lumberjack Robbie Freres, a notorious
conservation plan (HCP) allowing the "take" of cactus ferruginous Willamette National Forest pillager, for claiming he "donated" a 31-foot noble
pygmy owls had been issued but that the plan would only allow fir to the Oregon Capitol for the state Christmas tree. After he was quoted in
temporary harassment, not the death of any endangered owls. The the paper saying he cut it on nearby public lands, local muckrakers tried to find
Southwest Center, however, discovered that the HCP does authorize the state stump. But the Forest Service couldn't tell them where it was because
the killing of a pygmy owl. The USFWS retracted its Freres never filled out a tree-removal permit. He also had no license to operate
press release the following day but had no on public lands at the time. Oops, Santa knows if you've been naughty, nice
coherent explanation as to why it misled or stealing Christmas trees from public lands. Reportedly, the big guy left coal
the press or hid the authorization away in under the tree for both Robbie and the Forest Service this merry year.
fine print. A poodle dyed green to the Pew Center for allowing Weyerhaeuser Company
A muckraking wolf to Seattle Times to sign on to its campaign to combat climate change. A questionable funder of^
reporters Deborah Nelson, Jim Simon, enviros fighting the multinational, Pew's newest Environmental Leader­
Eric Nalder and Danny Westneat for their ship Council member will fit right in with other Fortune
award-winning coverage of federal land 500 companies, including auto manufacturers, energy
trades. The journalists bagged the fifth and appliance companies and technology interests.
annual Oakes Award for "distinguished A double-helixed poodle to the authorities who
environmental journalism" after publish­ arrested protesters yanking up genetically engineered
ing the six-part series entitled, "Trading maize in Devon, England. After charging two
V Away the West," exposing the Forest Service women with "conspiracy to cause criminal dam- j J)
and BLM's role in trading away pristine pub­ age," ten other people arrested in the action had
lic lands for oftentimes cut-up, industry-abused DNA samples taken from them and are still
stump lands (see article page 14). To comple­ awaiting forensic results that will determine
ment their prized expose, they tucked away $5,000. whether or not they will also be charged.
Page 10 Earth First! Brigid 1999