Some folks are malignant enough in their own brain reasonings, to defend terrorists of ALF & ELF ilk. Unbelievable that such support exists for people willing to destroy property and lives of others. Media Mouse
Grand Rapids Independent Media
Four Indictments Issued in ELF Arson at Michigan State University
March 11 2008
http://www.mediamouse.org/features/031108four_.phpToday, four people--three of whom are Michigan residents--were
indicted on charges stemming from a 1999 arson at Michigan State
University (MSU) in East Lansing. The four--Marie Mason, Frank
Ambrose, Aren Burthwick, and Stephanie Fultz--were indicted on
multiple counts for a December 31, 1999 fire that destroyed an
agricultural research office and a January 1, 2000 fire that destroyed
commercial logging equipment near Mesick, Michigan. The charges could
result in up to twenty years in prison.
While the media quickly labeled these as "terrorist" acts, it is
important to remember that the two arsons in question caused no harm
to human life. In fact, of all the actions undertaken by the Earth
Liberation Front (ELF)--the group that claimed responsibility for the
two arsons--over the past several years, none have resulted in the
loss of human life and specific steps have been taken to prevent such
a result. Moreover, those who have been indicted--whether they be
found guilty or not--deserve the support of left and progressive
movements. While there is debate in our movement over tactics and
strategy, none of us can doubt the commitment and dedication of
individuals who take such actions in defense of the earth. It is also
worth remembering that two of the accused, Frank Ambrose and Marie
Mason, have been repeatedly harassed by federal authorities pertaining
to a failed arson at an Ice Mountain bottling facility in Michigan.
Ambrose was also indicted several years ago over anti-logging
activities in Indiana and was portrayed as a "terrorist" for nine
months before the government dropped the charges in the case.
The government has protrayed these indictments as being critical
arrests in the so-called war on "domestic terrorism." US Attorney
Charles Gross, who is based in Grand Rapids, said "This was an act of
domestic terrorism, plain and simple... There's no two ways about it.
The use of violence and the destruction of property to make a
political statement cannot be tolerated in a civilized society."
Rather than attempting to understand why the facility at Michigan
State University and the logging operation in Mesick were targeted,
the media has been more interested in focusing on the "terrorist"
angle and has entirely downplayed the reasons why the actions were
undertaken.
As such, we thought it would be important to highlight the rationale
given by the Earth Liberation Front for these actions. The original
communique from the ELF taking responsibility for the fire said:
"On the eve of the new millenium, the ELF struck back at one of the
many threats to the natural world as we know it. On December 31, 1999
at approximately 9:00pm, the ELF entered the Agricultural Hall at
Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. Our destination was
room 324, the offices of Catherine Ives et al. The project being
conducted through this office is funded by Monsanto and USAID and was
designed to not only pursue research concerning genetically engineered
sweet potatoes, corn and other crop vegetables, but to lobby
developing countries to abandon their current agricultural practices
and to rely on genetically engineered plants and thus corporations
like Monsanto. Local newspapers have put the damage done to the
building at $400,000, with documents and equipment totally destroyed.
Cremate Monsanto! End G.E.!"
A press release from the Earth Liberation Front's press office
furthered explained the rationale for targeting the MSU office:
"LANSING, MI - The Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) has claimed credit
for property damage estimated at $400,000 that occurred at Michigan
State University on December 31, 1999.
A communique sent by the E.L.F. stated, "Our destination was room 324,
the offices of Catherine Ives et al." The project being conducted
through this office is funded by Monsanto and USAID (United States
Agency for International Development) and was designed to not only
pursue research concerning genetically engineered sweet potatoes, corn
and other crop vegetables, but to lobby developing countries to
abandon their current agricultural practices and to rely on
genetically engineered plants and thus corporations like Monsanto.
The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground
organization that uses direct action to stop the systematic
exploitation and destruction of the natural environment.
Referring to genetic engineering and corporations who are promoting it
at the international level (such as Monsanto), the communique
continued, "On the eve of the new millenium, the ELF struck back at
one of the many threats to the natural world as we know it."
Monsanto Company, Inc. continues to fall under much public scrutiny
due to their biotechnology involvement and general business practices.
Among their recent patents is corn which has been genetically modified
to be "Round Up" ready. By encouraging this type of farming
internationally it severely disrupts the food chain from the insects
who may consume plant matter containing unknown genetic material to
humans whose health may suffer from the same. Furthermore Monsanto's
concern for the environment appears nonexistent with their promotion
of pesticides and chemicals.
The communique ended by stating, "Local newspapers have put the damage
done to the building at $400,000, with documents and equipment totally
destroyed. Cremate Monsanto! End genetic engineering!"
This latest action by the E.L.F. occurred just four days after the
group claimed credit for burning down the Northwest headquarters of
Boise Cascade in Monmouth, OR on December 25. The E.L.F was also
recently responsible for the $12 million blaze which destroyed
buildings at the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado."
Will Potter, who writes on the government's ongoing campaign against
radical environmental activists, highlighted a document from the ELF
on his "Green is the New Red" blog that provides an additional
explanation for the fire:
"Just six days later, on New Years Eve, 1999 the ELF for the first
time turned to the subject of genetic engineering. At Michigan State
University, Catherine Ives worked as a researcher, according to her,
to help feed the starving people of the world through biotechnology.
One of her programs funded in part by Monsanto and the U.S. Agency for
International Development involved attempts to coerce farmers in less
westernized countries to give up sustainable agricultural practices
for reliance on the biotech industry, in particular Monsanto who among
numerous other creations brought the terminator seed to life. These
seeds which do not reproduce require farmers to purchase new seeds
annually from Monsanto.
The idea that there just is not enough food in the world to feed the
current population is an absolute myth being used by the biotech
industry as one of their reasons to continue into the area of gene
manipulation. The public relations departments at Monsanto and in
other firms within the biotech industry are being far from truthful by
presenting this appearance of altruism as though they are helping
people in, as they refer to them, the "developing nations" to improve
their lives. It is nothing but another form of largely U.S. based
imperialism attempting to control and destroy non-westernized cultures
for the sake of monetary gain. Is it just a mere coincidence that
Monsanto, the U.S. Agency for International Development and Catherine
Ives, are not teaching and promoting organic permaculture in
less-westernized countries? And just another coincidence that instead
they are manufacturing the desire for genetically altered seeds which
Monsanto conveniently sells?
In response to this program and Catherine Ives work, the ELF set fire
to her offices at Michigan State University causing an estimated
$400,000-$900,000 in damages. Ives herself admitted the fire destroyed
years of her work."
Media Mouse was unable to find any ELF communique claiming for the
January 1, 2000 arson at the Mesick, Michigan logging facility and it
is not listed on any chronicle of ELF actions maintained on websites
sympathetic to the ELF. However, according to press accounts, "ELF"
was spray painted at the site.
In the coming days and weeks, Media Mouse will provide additional
information on this case as well as information about supporting those
charged.