Subject: [imc-la] Earth Lib Front designated as 'Ecoterrorists'

http://sf.indymedia.org/2001/11/108187.php

CONGRESS SUBPOENAS FORMER ELF SPOKESPERSON

by Craig Rosebraugh November 2 2001, Fri, 6:47pm
anon@tao.ca

November 2, 2001

FORMER EARTH LIBERATION FRONT SPOKESPERSON RECEIVES SUBPOENA
TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECOTERRORISM

PORTLAND, OR - Craig Rosebraugh, a spokesperson for the
North American Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) from
1997-2001, received a subpoena late last evening, Oct. 31,
to testify at a Congressional Subcommittee meeting on
Ecoterrorism. The Subpoena, delivered by two U.S. Marshals,
demands Rosebraugh to appear before the Congressional
Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health at 3:00pm on
February 12, 2002 in Washington, DC.

At a Congressional meeting on October 3, 2001,
U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis (CO) successfully argued for
Rosebraugh to be subpoenaed for the February 2002
meeting. McInnis, chairperson of the Subcommittee on Forests
and Forest Health, is seeking information from Rosebraugh on
the Earth Liberation Front, which has since 1997 inflicted
more than $40 million in damages to entities profiting from
the destruction of the environment.

Rosebraugh states he will not cooperate with the "attempts
by Congress to stop the work of the brave, heroic
individuals in the E.L.F. who are trying to end the
destruction of life." He stepped down from his role as a
spokesperson for the ELF on September 5, 2001 feeling that
others need to step forward to take on the role of speaking
out and showing support for the groups. During the four
years Rosebraugh acted as spokesperson, he received seven
subpoenas to testify before federal grand juries
investigating the actions of the E.L.F. In addition, federal
authorities conducted two raids on his home, work, and
vehicles. Hundreds of items were seized in the raids, yet
Rosebraugh has yet to ever be charged with one crime related
to the E.L.F.

Rosebraugh says he thinks the work of the E.L.F. is
important and crucial in trying to demonstrate that life is
more important than profits. "The legal forms of objection
and attempts at changes in environmental policy since the
1960s have not worked. Our environment is more polluted and
destroyed now than ever before. More actions, like those of
the E.L.F., are needed to stop the destruction of life
caused by greedy, corrupt corporations and politicians."

Further responding to what he has planned for the February
meeting, Rosebraugh stated, "In light of the events on
September 11, my country has told me that I should not
cooperate with terrorists. I therefore am refusing to
cooperate with members of Congress who are some of the most
extreme terrorists in history. Currently they are
responsible for allowing hte slaughter of now over an
estimated 1,500 Afghanistan civilians. They are responsible
for the Sept. 11 attack due to horrendous U.S. foreign
policies of imperialism and they are responsible for the
current ongoing genocide against the innocent people of
Afghanistan. This alleged war on terrorism has largely been
conducted to allow the U.S. to attempt to oust the Taliban,
and put in place a new puppet regime in Afghanistan who
would allow the U.S. to build their much sought after
pipeline from the Turkmenistan oil reserves through southern
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and to the Gulf. These sort of
practices, mixed in with domestic policies of racism,
classism, and further imperialism at the expense of life
demonstrate the truly terrorist reality of the U.S. Congress
and Government. I could not live with myself if I cooperated
with that injustice."

Contact: 503.33.1436