Jeff Luers Speaks on the Green Scare, and Being Labeled an “Eco-Terrorist”
Feb 2nd, 2009 by Will Potter
Jeff Free Luers
What interested me about the interview is when he’s asked about the Green Scare, Operation Backfire, and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act:
Marlena Gangi: First, what do you have to say about these draconian measures and second, do you have any words of encouragement for activists who have fallen to fear and retreated to the shadows?
Jeff Luers: Fear is the enemy of freedom. We fail to act because we fear the cost of living free. We live in a police state. The U.S. may be the kinder face of fascism, but it is still a fascist state. Yes, we have elected a man who may bring change, but the system that he upholds will still be a capitalist, imperialist monster. If anyone thinks that he isn’t going to protect the corporate interests at the extent of the people, they are wrong. We live in one of the few countries in the world where corporations are granted and guaranteed the same rights under our constitution. By design, our government is structured to uphold that rule of law.
I would rather be in prison or dead than blindly submit to a government I know is corrupt and wrong. I would rather dare to live free and fight against injustice than cower in silence and despair. I think many people feel the same way. We just have to be smarter in how we speak out and in how we act.
Sad to see the caliber of people that are wasting away in prisons these days. It’s really a shame.
I admire his attitude. There’s a certain untouchable quality there, I guess, in that determination to live freely.
Yes its very sad to see an admitted arsonist in prison, what will they do next …..start locking up murderers and rapist?
Joe: I’m not questioning whether or not he should be in prison, or whether or not he is guilty. That’s all besides the point, in many ways, because the real danger here is the government singling out political activists as “terrorists” for non-violent property crimes. You mention rapists, but Luers’ sentence of 22 years is more than the average prison sentence for rapists.
Joe: It’s sad to see someone with integrity and respect for the planet we all share (including non-humans) in prison, while someone with no integrity or respect for the planet (like you) is walking around freely. It really is a shame.
Glad you mention rape/murder, though. A rapist/murderer should be punished because he infringed on someone else’s right to live their life in peace, namely his victim. Much like you infringe on the animals’ rights to live their lives in peace. I’m not sure why the rapist/murderer should be punished and you shouldn’t, except that our laws have not yet caught up with what is morally right. Much like rape victims were once blamed for being raped but then the laws began to catch up with morality and blame the true criminal.
Kathy: The real shame here is people like you! You walk around thinking you are helping the planet because you read a blog and eat tofu. When people like me actually do something to help, by saving land from development and finding and stopping point sources of pollution.
So lets say animals get rights some day, does that mean we have to arrest a coyote for killing a rabbit? What about all the insects killed in the production of soybeans, shouldn’t you be concerned for them as well?
I love Jeff’s dedication to his ideals. I think his piece in Igniting a Revolution (http://www.akpress.org/2006/items/ignitingarevolutionak) was beautifully written. It also gave real insight into his actions at the car dealership. Everyone should check it out. Jeff is a REAL hero….
Joe, have ever considered that coming across like a self righteous, self important prick, might be doing you more harm than good?
Stephen, If being against violent crime and terrorism while still helping the environment makes me a “self righteous, self important prick”, then I see no need to change.
why do you people continue to “feed” Joe? i don’t undersand why you continue to recognize his existence. totally amazing.
You know what I remember most about Jeff Luers? I remember sitting in my home in Portland, watching the computers and cd's and products being carried out of his home as evidence. Guess what? All of these items are made with resources from the environment and are purchased by CONSUMERS! Yes, Jeff Luers is a CONSUMER! Which aslo makes him a HYPOCRITE! I am 42 years old, married, and decided not to have kids. No diapers, toys, furniture, school resources, buses etc have I used. Can Jeff Luers parents say the same? How many of the so called environmentalists can say the same? I've met many, and I can tell you, it is very few. Unless you are practicing what you preach, and this means no television, computers, TOILET PAPER (yes, oil and emissions are used and made to make this product), HEAT, RUNNING WATER, our roads,etc. then you have no business complaining about anyone else's choices. Jeff luere, the HYPOCRITE, was willing to risk to the lives of fireman, as well as cost society hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover damage (I don't see him offering to pay me back, instead he has his hand out for money), and we are expected to consider him a hero. I believe in helping the environment, but not in religious zealousy. Here's the thing….just because you believe in something, doesn't mean the MAJORITY (which is what a democracy is based on) does. If you don't like our democracy, then LEAVE! I don't believe in damaging other peoples property or breaking the law (obviously accepted by the MAJORITY because it it wasn't the MAJORITY would speak out, which means if they don't they have other priorities which is their RIGHT). And by the way that means that the corrupt and wrong government is the MAJORITY. Just because you don't like the decision or result isn't an excuse. It means you are in the MINORITY and need to find legal ways of getting the rest of us on your side. I am so sick of this whiney “its everybody elses fault” atittude of a generation that lives and breathes on technology; video games, ipods, cell phones, computes. Give me a break. As far as I am concerned Jeff Luer should still be in prison making very close friends! An intelligent person uses persuasive argument not violence, the tool of the lazy man.