Wisconsin Activists Deliver Warning to DNR

Over the weekend of May 17th-19th, activists gathered in the Chequamegon National Forest to discuss strategy to stop the Penokee Mine.

On Monday a protest in opposition to iron mining in Wisconsin erupted at the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] office in Wausau. Subsequently, a banner stating “Do Not Resuscitate Iron Mining” was nailed to the roof. An additional banner was dropped off Hwy 51 in Wausau sending the message “No Penokee Mine – We Stand with the Bad River Tribe.”

On Wednesday a banner was hammered into the ground in front of a marquis welcoming a DNR conference in Stevens Point, reminding them to “Protect the Water.”

Montreal: Subverting Earth Day – A reportback from the anticapitalist contingent at the “March for the Earth”

by Sabotage Media

This year in context of Earth Day Inc., a call out for an anticapitalist contingent for the 21 April march somewhat spoiled this yearly ritual of greenwashing and self-flagellation.

A year almost day-to-day after the wild riots of the Salon du Plan Nord – for many the decisive moment when the student strike transcended its reducing identity and took the form of an uprising against authority – it was inspiring to see the black and green flags in the streets once again, carried by a loud and energetic crowd of a hundred or so, contrasting intensely with the thousands of others at the March for Earth Inc. which seemed more like a funeral procession of those ready to bury it already. That same contrast clearly defined whom in the crowd felt true desire to face the enormity of the task of liberating this planet from destruction.

NEWS FLASH: This Toilet Paper Isn’t Helping us Publish the Earth First! Journal

by EF!J Collective

Oh yeah, and donating to earthfirst.org is about equally useless… We suggest either supporting the EF! Journal or a local EF! group directly

If you’ve been diligently purchasing this “Earth First” brand of toilet paper in attempt to show your loyalty to the ecological resistance… It isn’t helping.

On the other hand, if you want the Brigid 2013 edition of the Earth First! Journal to reach thousands of people in their mailboxes, prison cells, university libraries, hippy-health food shops, indy book stores and social centers worldwide, then drop a few bucks to us here and help us get this issue out!

(Yes, we just might post another fundraising letter like this everyday until we reach the goal to do the mailing. The sooner you donate, the sooner we can get back to focusing on news and analysis from the front lines.)

Bluestockings Cancels DGR Speaking Event in Light of Transphobia

We’re not into letting you know every time DGR gets thrown out of a radical event, but the following statement released by Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center provides an important window into the radical movement’s strong response to DGR’s “unwavering” transphobia:

We would like to thank everyone that has brought the DGR controversy to our attention. The Bluestockings collective was unaware of the blatantly transphobic rhetoric that is espoused by the organization. In response to this (incredibly unfortunate and seemingly politically marginalizing stance) we are canceling the event scheduled for June 23rd.

Rachel Ivey will not be allowed to present in our space.

Bluestockings actively encourages difficult and challenging conversations and debate, but we feel that there is no room for constructive dialogue in the context of this ‘unwavering,’ transphobic analysis of gender.

Again, we would like to thank our community for reaching out to us to express your concern regarding DGR. Transmisogyny is unacceptable and has no place at Bluestockings.

[EF!J Update: Rachel Ivey's June 28 presentation at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia has also been cancelled according to the church due to the trans marginalizing arguments that she and DGR have put forth.]

Deep Green Resistance: A Book Review

By RUHE / SproutDistro

Since this review of the book Deep Green Resistance was written, some things have changed: Deep Green Resistance has affirmed their transphobia as their official policy, Earth First! has distanced themselves from DGR, and Aric McBay has left Deep Green Resistance. However, even as DGR seems to crumble due to its anti-trans views, there has still been relatively little discussion of the other problematic aspects of DGR.

Over the summer of 2011, Deep Green Resistance – which bills itself as “an analysis, a strategy, and a movement” – started to gain attention in anarchist circles. This isn’t very surprising, as one of it’s primary theorists is Derrick Jensen – who despite not being an anarchist – has contributed to various anarchist publications such as the now defunct Green Anarchy. In addition, Deep Green Resistance argues in favor of dismantling civilization and advocates for immediately taking the steps necessary to do so – which is sadly an all-too-rare perspective.

Lois Gibbs Returns to Stop School Construction on Hazardous Waste Sites

Cross Posted from Providence Journal

In 1978, Lois Gibbs took on the powers-that-be when she learned that her Love Canal neighborhood and son’s school were built on a toxic waste dump. Her battle led to the evacuation of hundreds of houses, sparked a massive cleanup of the site, and inspired a made-for-TV movie and the creation of the federal Superfund program.

On Wednesday, 35 years later, Gibbs climbed the steps of Rhode Island’s State House to join a protest against legislation that would weaken a law prohibiting school construction where toxic vapors could pose a danger.

Solidarity Protest Brings Unions, Enviros, and Consumers Out Against Utility Company

Cross Posted from WVPubcast

Activists gathered to protest a First Energy shareholder meeting yesterday morning in Morgantown. Members of multiple organizations and a giant inflated rat called attention to several energy concerns.

More than 100 protesters crowded the street in front of One Waterfront Place where the annual First Energy shareholder meeting took place this morning. Utility workers from PA, OH, MD, and WV joined coal and steel workers as well as teachers and various environmental groups bringing a plethora of concerns to public attention. Many wore bright t-shirts with the word “SOLIDARITY” across the back.