Will Potter's Blog, page 34

Breaking: 12 Activists Arrested in Spain, Being Charged With "Eco-Terrorism"

Twelve animal rights and environmental activists have been arrested in Spain and are being labeled "eco-terrorists." Little information is available about this developing story right now, but some of the activists have worked with Igualdad Animal on open rescues, walking into factory farms where animals were being abused, documenting the animal welfare violations, and then rescuing some of the animals.

Some news outlets are reporting that the activists are alleged to have ties to the Animal Liberation Front. However, Javier Moreno, a spokesperson for the above-ground group Igualdad Animal (and one of those arrested), says his group has been targeted because the government hasn't been able to actually catch the people committing ALF crimes. He called the attack on Igualdad Animal open-rescue activists "an attempt to criminalize animal rights movement" and said the eco-terrorism rhetoric is part of a continued campaign against all aspects of the animal rights movement.

"As they have no one to charge for the release of Minks, they have arrested several members Equanimal and Animal Equality in an attempt to criminalize the animal rights movement, as happens in other European countries," he said. "The lobbies of animal exploitation and the powerful multinationals want to stop the animal movement and the repression is now coming to Spain."

The sweeping arrests, accusing people of both above-ground and underground tactics, seem quite similar to the recent attacks on Austrian animal rights activists as "terrorists." However, it is far too early to know.

Here is a video documenting an example of the tactic that is being called "eco-terrorism" by industry groups, both in the United States and internationally.

UPDATE: No prisoner support page yet, but you can donate to their legal support here (in English)

UPDATE 2: Official statement from Animal Equality. The Spanish government is saying the arrests are related to the recent release of mink from fur farms. Above-ground activists respond:

These two organisations, which define their activism as being non-violent, dedicate their efforts to raising public awareness of animal rights, by informing society of the consequences of the consumption of animal products and the promotion of alternatives. On the other hand, even though the organisations were not involved in the mink liberations, neither condemns these types of actions, to the extent that they defend the interests of all animals regardless of species, as none of the minks exploited by the fur industry deserves to live and die on a Spanish fur farm….

The animal exploitation lobbies and powerful multinationals wish to put the brakes on the animal rights movement in Spain, and now we are seeing the arrival of repression.

UPDATE 3: International day of protest and solidarity called for FRIDAY, JUNE 24th, 2011. Here's a list of Spanish embassies.

Democracy Now Interviews Will Potter About Daniel McGowan and the Earth Liberation Front

I had the pleasure of returning to Democracy Now this morning to talk about my new book, and how environmental activists have been branded as "domestic terrorists."

We discussed the case of Daniel McGowan, a former Earth Liberation Front member, who is currently in a secretive prison called a Communications Management Unit. Also on the program were Andy Stepanian, who is the first prisoner to be released from a CMU, and Marshall Curry, director of If a Tree Falls.

Because so much of the discussion was focused on Daniel McGowan, arson, and the Earth Liberation Front, it raises a lot of questions about tactics. These are important discussions that need to take place within the environmental movement, and I agree with Marshall Curry's concluding thought that activists must "think carefully" about what tactics they choose.

However, if we are to move forward, we need to focus even more attention on the truly radical tactics of corporations and the politicians who represent them. They have manufactured this "eco-terrorism" threat, and they are widening their net, eroding checks and balances on government power, in order to demonize and silence their opposition.

Corporations have made quite clear that it is not solely the tactics that matter– it is whether those tactics are effective. That's why environmentalist Tim DeChristopher is facing 10 years in prison not for arson, but for non-violent civil disobedience. That's why legislation has been introduced in multiple states not targeting death threats and violent posturing, but targeting undercover videos.

The case of Daniel McGowan and others should prompt a critical examination of the tactics employed by animal rights and environmental activists, but that introspection is absolutely worthless unless it is accompanied by a parallel critique of the tactics used by corporations to push their extremist agenda.

Exposing the Corporate Campaign to Create "Eco-terrorism" (Video)

While I was on book tour, I stopped by the studio of KEXP in Seattle for "Mind Over Matters." KEXP created a video of the interview, which focused on the specific tactics that corporations and industry groups have used to create the idea of "eco-terrorism.

Thanks to Mike and the folks at KEXP for having me on the show! (Video after the jump)

Human Rights Watch Film Festival Draws Attention to Two "Domestic Terrorism" Cases

In addition to their incredible work day in and day out, the folks at Human Rights Watch also run an international film festival. This year, they are featuring two important films that examine the government's "domestic terrorism" priorities.

"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" tells the story of Daniel McGowan, and "Operation Backfire." And "Better This World" looks at the case of two Texas activists who were prodded into action by a disturbed government informant named Brandon Darby. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to see either of them yet (I'm seeing "Better this World" at SilverDocs, and hope to see "If a Tree Falls" in the next couple weeks), but I have heard great things.

It's wonderful that a group like Human Rights Watch is raising awareness of these issues, and talking about them on the Human Rights Watch podcast. It reflects a growing public awareness, and a recognition that these aren't just compelling stories (as mainstream media often has treated them), but that they raise serious questions about human and civil rights.

 

Minneapolis Book Reading and Signing

I'll be in Minneapolis this week, speaking about my book. Hope you can come out!

Thursday, June 16th

8pm

Ethique Nouveau, 317 W. 48th St. in South Minneapolis

Please RSVP on Facebook

International Day of Solidarity with Marie Mason and Eric McDavid

When Jeff "Free" Luers was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for his role in setting fire to 3 SUVs, June 11th became an international day of action to show support for Luers, and raise awareness about his case. Luers is out of prison now, but the disproportionate crackdown on environmentalists– including outrageous prison sentences that do not fit the crimes– continues.

Over the next week, there are dozens of events planned around the world to raise awareness about these issues, and about two prisoners in particular who have received particularly harsh sentences. Marie Mason was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for her role in two arsons in the name of the Earth Liberation Front. In another case, Eric McDavid was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for "conspiracy." In McDavid's case it was revealed that the a paid FBI informant had provided the group with bomb-making recipes; at times financed their transportation, food and housing; and poked and prodded the group into action.

Part of the explanation for why Mason and McDavid received such disproportionately harsh sentences is that throughout their traumatic ordeals, even as their friends agreed to cooperate with the government and turn against them, they stood their ground and refused to "name names." Outrageous prison sentences like this are intended to send a message to the broader environmental movement, and scare people into becoming informants.

At minimum, June 11th is an opportunity to take part in these support events (I'll list a few, below) and write these prisoners a letter. It's critical that they receive continued support. However, this is also an opportunity to talk about these issues in your community.

Here are a couple of the events scheduled:

San Francisco: Film screening of "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" and an auction. June 11.

New York City: Vegan BBQ and raffle. June 11.

For a full listing of events, visit June11.org.

For more information:

Supporteric.org
Supportmariemason.org

NPR Investigates "Ag-Gag" Bills: Making Journalism Illegal

NPR's "On The Media" invited me to discuss the attempts by multiple states to outlaw undercover investigations of factory farms, animal experimentation labs, puppy mills and other industries.

My interview with Bob Garfield of NPR is online now. And the interview is even more timely because, as I reported yesterday, New York is now considering similar legislation.

If you're not familiar with the program, On The Media is one of NPR's most popular shows, airing on over 200 stations. It has won Edward R. Murrow Awards for feature reporting and investigative reporting, along with a National Press Club Award and a Peabody. (In short: I had to do my best not to totally geek out with joy about being on one of my favorite shows).

You can listen to this episode of NPR's On The Media online here.

New York Bill Targets Undercover Investigators, as Two Other "Ag-Gag" Proposals Fail

A bill introduced in New York would criminalize undercover investigators who expose animal cruelty at factory farms and animal experimentation labs. The proposal is similar to other "Ag-Gag" legislation recently introduced in other states.

The bills targeting undercover investigators in Iowa, Florida, and Minnesota have been met with such public outrage that two of them have (Florida and Minnesota) have already failed. The remaining bill in Iowa has faced bipartisan opposition, including national Republican political pundit Mary Matalin.

Because of the overwhelmingly negative public response, the New York bill is slightly different. Proponents of the Ag-Gag bill have tried to shift the discussion away from undercover investigators. Instead, sponsor Patty Ritchie and describes S5172-2011 as a tool to fight "meth addicts" and protect "the safety of our food supply."

But this bill is not about "meth addicts."

S5172 criminalizes undercover investigators and whistleblowers by targeting "audio recording or photography done without the farm owner's written consent."

What are these factory farms trying to hide? Well, a recent investigation by Mercy for Animals at New York's largest dairy factory farm, Willet Dairy exposed calves having their tails cut off without pain killers and being dragged away from their mothers. And a Compassion Over Killing investigation of Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York showed workers forcing tubes into ducks' throats.

It is not coincidence that politicians like Patty Ritchie (who campaigned on an ag-friendly platform) and Catharine Young (who has championed the $30 million Dairy Assistance Program) are introducing legislation that would shield their corporate constituents from public scrutiny. This has been the pattern nationally. As this map reveals, the states with the highest concentration of undercover investigations are also the states that have introduced legislation criminalizing those investigations.

This New York bill, like all the others, is about criminalizing and prosecuting anyone who threatens corporate interests. Like the Iowa, Florida and Minnesota bills, this legislation is a response to the effective campaigns of animal protection groups that have exposed systemic animal cruelty.

In some ways this New York bill is more dangerous than the others, because there is a greater chance of it passing. Senators Ritchie and Young are attempting to deflect opposition by misleading the pubic. The bill is titled as "relates to unlawful tampering with farm animals," while it is actually about stopping anyone who exposes animal cruelty. The bill is summarized as pertaining to meth addicts and homeland security, but the text makes clear that is focused on animal rights activists.

Everything about this bill, from the undercover investigators it criminalizes to its false and misleading re-branding, is about keeping New York consumers in the dark.

German Review of "Green Is the New Red" in "analyse & kritik"

I've been fortunate to meet so many incredible people through this work, including activists and academics overseas. In Germany, Christian Stache has published a review of my book in analyse & kritik. The review is in German, of course, but there has been some steady website traffic from Germany after that Arte TV program, and so I thought I should post it! Here is an upload [.pdf, 213k].

Powell's Guest Blog: Why are Eco and Animal Activists the Top Domestic Terrorism Threat?

In my final guest blog post for Powell's Books, I address take a look at the real reason why animal rights and environmental activists are being labeled "eco-terrorists." Here's an excerpt:

If you listen to the talking points of corporations, industry groups, and politicians, it is because of the property destruction of underground groups like the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front. These groups have engaged in serious crimes that have cost corporations millions of dollars in damages and lost profits. Law enforcement has noted that these movements have not harmed a single human being, but they warn about the potential for future violence.

As I became immersed in this issue, though, I came to realize that the perceived threat of these movements is much bigger than burned SUVs…

 

Read the full post at Powells.com.