At first,
nonviolent civil disobedience was implemented, followed by
sporadic cases of nonviolent property destruction. In November
1997, an anonymous communiqué was issued by a group called the
Earth Liberation Front claiming responsibility for their
first-ever action in North America.
Immediately, the label of ecoterrorism appeared in news stories
describing the actions of the Earth Liberation Front. Where
exactly this label originated is open for debate, but all
indications point to the federal government of the United States
in coordination with industry and sympathetic mass media.
Whatever the truth may be regarding the source of this term, one
thing is for certain--the decision to attach this label to
illegal actions taken for environmental protection was very
conscious and deliberate. Why? The need for the U.S. federal
government to control and mold public opinion through the power
of propaganda to ensure an absence of threat is crucial. If
information about illegal actions taken to protect the natural
environment were presented openly to the public without biased
interpretation, the opportunity would exist for citizens to make
up their own minds about the legitimacy of the tactic, target,
and movement.
By attaching a label such as "terrorism" to the activities of
groups such as the Earth Liberation Front, the public is left
with little choice but to give into their preconceived notions
negatively associated with that term. For many in this country,
including myself, information about terrorism came from schools
and popular culture. Most often times, the definition of
terrorism was overtly racist associated frequently in movies and
on television shows with Arabs and the others our government
told us were threatening. Terrorism usually is connected with
violence, with politically motivated physical harm to humans.
Yet, in the history of the Earth Liberation Front, both in North
America and abroad in Europe, no one has ever been injured by
the group's many actions. This is not a mere coincidence, but
rather a deliberate decision that illustrates the true
motivation behind the covert organization. Simply put and most
fundamentally, the goal of the Earth Liberation Front is to save
life. The group takes actions directly against the property of
those who are engaged in massive planetary destruction in order
for all of us to survive. This noble pursuit does not constitute
terrorism, but rather seeks to abolish it.
A major hypocrisy exists when the U.S. government labels an
organization such as the Earth Liberation Front a terrorist
group while simultaneously failing to acknowledge its own
terrorist history. In fact, the U.S. government by far has been
the most extreme terrorist organization in planetary history.
Some, but nowhere near all, of the examples of domestic
terrorism were discussed earlier in this writing. Yet, further
proof can be found by taking a glimpse at the foreign policy
record of the United States even as recently as from the 1950s.
I was asked originally if I would voluntarily testify before the
House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health at a hearing
focused on "ecoterrorism." I declined in a written statement.
U.S. Marshals then subpoenaed me on October 31, 2001 to testify
at this hearing on February 12, 2002, against my will. Is this
hearing a forum to discuss the threats facing the health of the
natural environment, specifically the forests? No, clearly there
is not even the remotest interest in this subject from the U.S.
government or industry. The goal of this hearing is to discuss
methodologies to improve the failed attempts law enforcement
have made since the mid-1990s in catching and prosecuting
individuals and organizations who take nonviolent, illegal
direct action to stop the destruction of the natural
environment. I have no interest in this cause or this hearing.
In fact, I consider it a farce.
Since 1997, the U.S. government has issued me seven grand jury
subpoenas, raided my home and work twice, stealing hundreds of
items of property, and, on many occasions, sent federal agents
to follow and question me. After this effort, which has lasted
nearly five years, federal agents have yet to obtain any
information from me to aid their investigations. As I have never
been charged with one crime related to these so-called
ecoterrorist organizations or their activities, the constant
harassment by the federal government constitutes a serious
infringement on my Constitutional right to freedom of speech.
This Congressional Subcommittee hearing appears to be no
different, harassing and targeting me for simply voicing my
ideological support for those involved in environmental
protection.
I fully praise those individuals who take direct action, by any
means necessary, to stop the destruction of the natural world
and threats to all life. They are the heroes, risking their
freedom and lives so that we as a species as well as all life
forms can continue to exist on the planet. In a country so
fixated on monetary wealth and power, these brave environmental
advocates are engaging in some of the most selfless activities
possible.
It is my sincere desire that organizations such as the Earth
Liberation Front continue to grow and prosper in the United
States. In fact, more organizations, using similar tactics and
strategies, need to be established to directly focus on U.S.
imperialism and the U.S. government itself. For, as long as the
quest for monetary gain continues to be the predominant value
within U.S. society, human, animal, and environmental
exploitation, destruction, and murder will continue to be a
reality. This drive for profits at any cost needs to be fiercely
targeted, and those responsible for the massive injustices
punished. If there is any real concern for justice, freedom,
and, at least, a resemblance of a true democracy, this
revolutionary ideal must become a reality. ALL POWER TO THE
PEOPLE. LONG LIVE THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT. LONG LIVE THE
ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT. LONG LIVE ALL THE SPARKS ATTEMPTING TO
IGNITE THE REVOLUTION. SOONER OR LATER THE SPARKS WILL TURN INTO
A FLAME!
The U.S. House Subcommittee on Forests and Forests Health for
the February 12, 2002, Hearing on "Ecoterrorism". Craig
Rosebraugh. Submitted to the House on February 7, 2002. Abridged
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