Eco-warrior Arrested By FBI and ATF
Rod Coronado recently wrote an interesting essay about eco-defense for EarthFirst! Journal titled “Howling Like A Wild Wolf.”
While I don’t agree with everything in the essay (using explosives or arson to destroy property), the parallels he draws between the Apache and the eco-warriors of today caught my attention.
Just today, I discovered he was arrested on February 22 by FBI and ATF agents and is being held without bail. At least for now. Information about his arrest and status is posted on this site.
This case, along with others like it, demonstrates the folly of believing it’s possible to successfully meet force with force when confronting the power of the government and the the type of terrorism it protects. Just like Victorio, Nana and Geronimo, you eventually run out of places to hide, you run out of ammo and end up on the reservation. But in this case, the reservation is a federal prison.
Perhaps a better option is an Aikido strategy, whereby we use the force of the current violent and destructive government to bring about its own end. We should follow the path of the Tao, that of least resistance, occupying an almost invisable position, one that is passive but not weak.
Want to change the balance of power? Consider the power of balance.
It was good to see another Cactus Ed fan visit Earth Home Garden.
I’m convinced the government will use the Patriot Act to condemn and probably even imprison those of us who would dissent peacefully in support of nature, the environment, peace or human rights.
Even non-violent protest will very soon be labeled as a form of terrorism.
Personally I cannot resort to violence, but I did join in the peaceful protest at Ward Valley, in California, that successfully blocked a low-level nuclear waste dump there, and my wife & I protested the coming invasion of Iraq, with 3 other brave souls, by walking the streets of our community, one end to the other for a full day, in silence, carrying signs that read “WALKING FOR PEACE”.
We were subjected to name-calling, nasty epithets, and had eggs thrown at us, all of which only increased our resolve to walk in silence and in peace.