ELF

When Is Activism “Terrorism”? When It’s Effective.

A video interview with Will Potter about how attacks on “fringe groups” always spread toward other social movements.

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Shit the FBI Says

Every protester should know “Shit the FBI Says.” This video is pretty goofy, but it’s all based on statements the FBI has made in court, in the press, or to activists themselves.

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Interview with The Rumpus, Including the Only Surefire Way to Spot a Fed

The Rumpus is one of my favorite websites on all of the Internetz. It’s a smart, sharp, literary site, and it was a treat to speak with Caroline Paul about my new book. Here’s an intro from Caroline: In 2007, I was put on Homeland Security’s Watch List. True, my brother had just been arrested. [...]

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Grist Interview with Will Potter: Environmentalists Under Attack

Grist.org is featuring a discussion I had with Robert Jensen, who is a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Citizens of the Empire (among many books). I think the interview turned out really well, and is particularly relevant in the wake of Tim DeChristopher’s sentencing. I hope you’ll check [...]

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Jake Ferguson Sentenced to 5 Years on Drug Charges

Jacob Ferguson was the lead arsonist in the Earth Liberation Front cases dubbed “Operation Backfire,” but the heroin addict avoided any prison time by wearing a wire and recording conversations with his former friends that could be used against them in court. By being an informant, Ferguson got a free pass on all of his [...]

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Human Rights Watch Film Festival Draws Attention to Two “Domestic Terrorism” Cases

In addition to their incredible work day in and day out, the folks at Human Rights Watch also run an international film festival. This year, they are featuring two important films that examine the government’s “domestic terrorism” priorities. “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” tells the story of Daniel McGowan, [...]

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International Day of Solidarity with Marie Mason and Eric McDavid

When Jeff “Free” Luers was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for his role in setting fire to 3 SUVs, June 11th became an international day of action to show support for Luers, and raise awareness about his case. Luers is out of prison now, but the disproportionate crackdown on environmentalists– including outrageous [...]

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Powell’s Guest Blog: Why are Eco and Animal Activists the Top Domestic Terrorism Threat?

In my final guest blog post for Powell’s Books, I address take a look at the real reason why animal rights and environmental activists are being labeled “eco-terrorists.” Here’s an excerpt: If you listen to the talking points of corporations, industry groups, and politicians, it is because of the property destruction of underground groups like [...]

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Lead ELF Informant Jake Ferguson Arrested on Drug Charges

The government’s roundup of environmental activists in “Operation Backfire” was only possible because the lead arsonist, Jacob Ferguson, had agreed to wear a wire, travel the country, and prod his friends into talking about the crimes with the Earth Liberation Front. The government has repeatedly called Ferguson a “hero.” U.S. Attorney Kirk Engdall has said [...]

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Daniel McGowan Moved to Another Communications Management Unit

Earth Liberation Front prisoner Daniel McGowan has recently been moved to another secretive prison, called a Communications Management Unit, or CMU. He was previously housed in the CMU in Marion, Illinois, and designated as a “domestic terrorist.” Several weeks ago he was transferred out of that experimental facility, and into general population. Now, he has [...]

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