Environmental Protest Framing as "Eco-terrorism" BY - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Environmental Protest Framing as "Eco-terrorism"

BY BRIEANNE YOUNG

“The disproportionate, heavy- handed government crackdown on environmental movements, misrepresentation of media outlets and the reckless use of the word terrorism… to push a political agenda, instill fear, and chill dissent”

(William Potter, Green is the New Red)

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

“Eco-Terrorism”: What is the Green Scare?

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

“The number one domestic terrorism threat in this nation is ecoterrorism” John Lewis, FBI

Those who break the law in the name of the environment are labeled:

• Monkey wrencher
• Saboteur
• Criminals
• Radical Extremists
• Now most powerful marker of

terrorists

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

Terrorism or Economic sabotage?

Economic sabotage: threat against property Terrorism: possessing a threat against human lives

*Top 20 List of Illegal Actions by Animal and Eco Terrorists 1996-2010

In the top three “eco-terrorism” acts from 1996-2010, there were no injuries involved*

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

Earth First! 1979 Mission:

“Use all the tools in the tool box, ranging from grassroots organizing and involvement in the legal process to civil disobedience to put Earth in the front runner of priorities [biocentrism]”

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

Eco-al-Qaeda

Media eco-terrorism frame caused by:

• Mimicking government rhetoric
• “Leaderless resistance”
• Past affiliation with more radical ELF
• “Us” Versus “Them” Rhetoric
• Environmentalist protesters= villains

Means of Achievement: “Remain non-violent towards other human beings, do not engage in sabotage, respect all forms of life and educated the public” (Earth First Initiation Pact)

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"

Tree Spiking and the George Alexander Case

April 29th 2013

• 1. House Bill 2595
• 1st offence: a minimum sentence of

thirteen months

• 2nd offence: $25,000 fine, five years in

prison for non-violent civil disobedience

• 2. House Bill 2596
• Loggers can sue protesters
• Max. $10,000 in lost income

November 13th 2013 Department of State Lands proposed to sell three tracts of the Elliott State Forest

Oregon New Laws

ENVI RONMENT AL PROT EST F RAMI NG AS "ECOT ERRORI SM"