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We are the 99 percent

#TheoryThursday: Rethink Environmental Activism (On "Horizontal Hostility")

Posted 10 years ago on March 5, 2014, 3:15 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Tags: environmentalism, Theory Thursday

OSN editors' note: Our friends at Earth First! published this much needed intervention into contemporary environmental activism. When will we North American activists learn to use the "lawful excuse defense"? Committing "illegal acts" in order to prevent the greater crime of climate change is not illegal. Learn about that here Not guilty: the Greenpeace activists who used climate change as a legal defense

Earth First! Journal editors note: This letter was originally published as a comment on our re-post about the No KXL protests in Washington D.C. this week. While we fully support a diversity of tactics, ranging from petitions and lawsuits to civil disobedience and sabotage, the critique made in this letter has been actively suppressed in environmental movement coverage of the climate crisis for fear of causing "horizontal hostility." We hope student and environmental NGO organizers will hear the loving pleas of "not enough" and take the constructive advice to "start listening to the people most affected and supporting their struggles." For example, support is needed right now to resist pipeline expansion in Wet'suwet'en territory!

39 Comments

39 Comments


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[-] 3 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

"If you have the privilege to travel across the country to get arrested, use it to take some pressure off people of color fighting for their lives instead of helping some big non-governmental organization put out another press release."

I agree 100%. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for anyone who has family or a relationship to do this, and for those that don't its not cheap to travel. Yes, even a $150 bus ticket and meals can add up quickly.

With that being said, any suggestions for those who have prior commitments?

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[-] 2 points by mrbadexample (15) from Brooklyn, NY 10 years ago

Please note that a jury in ENGLAND found the protesters not guilty. Their rules on evidence are also different from ours--the Greenpeace activists were able to use a Necessity Defense. For the last 34 years, the Plowshares anti-nuclear activists who've gone to court have argued for a Necessity Defense. The case I'm most familiar with was Katya Komisaruk, who disabled the NAVSTAR weapons targeting system at Vandenberg AFB in 1987. Her defense was necessity defense-- preventing the US from being able to use its first strike capability (which NAVSTAR makes possible) in order to prevent the crime of nuclear war. In all such cases stretching back to 1981, the prosecution has successfully applied motions IN LIMINE which blocked the jury from hearing such testimony. The jury hears only the prosecution's side--did they break into a nuclear facility with intent to cause damage?The defendants' reasons for doing so are immaterial. I have no doubt that mass civil disobedience (or 'monkey wrenching') against the KXL pipeline would result in trials where the necessity defense would be blocked by the prosecution. I also think such action is absolutely necessary to stop KXL. This is about getting word out. This is about massive jury nullification.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

EDIT - Thanks for this post - as WE are at a VERY critical point in time.

EDIT-> In addition:

Protesting in and of itself - IS - NOT ENOUGH - Solutions Need To Be Forwarded As Part Of The Protest Process

[-] 1 points by JohnWa (513) 10 years ago

Are things coming to a head.

Is the propaganda fed to the masses loosing its appeal

Are lies being more widely recognized.

Obama like Bush works for the war mongers, not people in any country let alone the US

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37948.htm

Now a new war based on deliberate misinformation to folks at home and worldwide.

The potential backlash may bring this administration to its knees and if that happens then the people must act. The warmongers must go.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37945.htm

Climate change denial also is facing more hostility. Will the US wake up to the 1% Vandals.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/14/nasa-civilisation-irreversible-collapse-study-scientists

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[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

the republicans replaced the whig party

so party system can change

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[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

I can not help but to wonder why this comment of yours was down voted twice. I mean - whats wrong with it? OH and - loose the dogs on all of those around the world who are sending this world down the toilet!!!

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[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

the foundation, the social unrest, the agitation - vital components to such a scheme - already exists. It is us.

Yep and the insane assholes ( obscenely wealthy corp(se)oRATists and lackeys ) keep increasingly applying the whip.

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

We've been there for a while dude.

Endless wars of aggression overseas, everything recorded here and spied because of a boogeyman, corporations running every street, consolidation of all political and corporate power, etc etc etc.

We need to acknowledge we are there NOW and start calling it that as they do in most every other country in Europe.

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

Please clarify what you believe fascism in the 21st century would look like.

Edit: I will add to my list from above these three things:

  • Media ran by the establishment and a war on journalists
  • A corporate induced shit system of education that is nothing more than remember and recite
  • More people in cages than anywhere else in the world, ever.

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

No kidding, and they all have a different interpretation, just like every other model/organization of society.

So what's yours?

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

An outsider would probably take what you just listed as a good example of this current situation looks like.

The fact most don't think its here "yet" could very possibly show just how systemic it already is. Something to ponder.

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

From your article:

"Overall, the measure expands the FBI's powers to conduct secret searches, intercept phone calls and obtain information on terrorism suspects from businesses and libraries while concealing the existence of an investigation."

It's here dude. Convincing yourself that its not "yet" is only avoiding the uncomfortable truth that we have all been horribly played and continue to be so.

Edit: I think the difference me and you may be speaking of is simply the brutality of which the state comes down on its own dissenters.

I don't see anything major happening in terms of crushing dissent until we actually start acting in such manner. Occupy was a drop in the bucket compared to what large scale dissent looks like.

When the time has come that drones over our heads is a guarantee, and msm outlets like CNN are openly debating killing US citizens abroad (for now).... That time is now my friend. It's here.

You may be simply looking for more extreme instances off of the last ones, of which there will always be a "could be worse" example.

All I'm saying is that the word is used all over the globe, and yet we have been trained here the ol USA to think its this complex, specific, cant-happen-here term.

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[-] 2 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

I've given you concrete examples of what I believe is modern day fascism.

You have replied with "go read a book" and "its systemic"

Sounds like the usual philosopher stuff these days. Nothing concrete, no examples, nothing. Just vague philosophy.

And a declaration that the other one is wrong.

(facepalm).

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[-] 1 points by JGriff99mph (507) 10 years ago

Well I will leave it at this:

If what I listed above does not constitute what 21st Century fascism looks like, I would hate to see what does. Perhaps it would take an all out war by the government on its own people and killing thousands in the street on a weekly or daily basis?

At which point I would probably classify it as all out revolution.

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[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

facism is akin to nationalism

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Did you by chance look at the comment?

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Ya think maybe Bernie is aware of one or two who might be able to in time fill his shoes? And recommend them? Part of the next campaign - whoever is running ( for the people ) - should be pointing out the roadblocks to healthy growth/government that are currently holding office and enthusiastically pointing out good replacements to serve the public.

Yeah - I know - Huge Job - but the Presidency Is a huge job/responsibility.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

All the more reason to point out seditious bastards working against the constitution as priorities to be removed from office - if this country is ever gonna work for the people and a healthy environment/world. It is not a job for any single individual - as aptly shown in the last 5+ years. It is a job for an involved population with proper representation in all aspects of government.

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[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Yes - much - MUCH - LOUDER


No I can't - the caps lock is not on.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

i'm not sure if property is not addressed

we will see significant change in the control of our economy

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Send your own comment - what I sent is not the be all end all.