This article has so many inaccuracies I can't even count them. I work for the same police dept. that supposedly overwhelmed your camp. First and for most let's set the record straight. You were violating the law blocking access to the jobsite. Your actions stopped the majority of the companies logging/hauling for the day---perhaps Swanson Group should take you to court for the cost of the lost day of work for the mill, logging company and truckers. I realize that you care nothing for anyone that does not share your beliefs but perhaps you should relay the CORRECT information instead of scaring people with inaccurate information.

Another thing you inaccurately reported was the swarm of police vehicles. You had a camera there so don't lie. You know there were 5 cars that arrived--a number typically used when you have to take people into custody and transport them to the jail. Should we have brought one police car for everyone there---I mean let me know becasue you seem to have a better handle on how the police should do their job than they do.

Your so called "medic/police liason" lied purposefully to mislead the Medford BLM into thinking you were there to operate peaceful protests. They soon found out your intent--to lawlessly block roads and prevent honest hard working people from continuing to do the job the state has approved them to do. If these loggers/mills/truckers were breaking the law like you say they are then the police would resond to them just as quickly. If you want to change the law then do so--until then these people have the right to work on the land--it is you that have no right to stop them.

I often wonder how Greenpeace would feel if everyday citizens set-up cargo containers in front of their homes or businesses...would we be breaking the law to or just supporting an end to the lawlessness that your organization enploys. The state of Greenpeace sickens me. It sickens me becasue i used to support your casue but no longer have the stomach to listen to you report events as you want them to be heard.

Use some actual facts that are supported by evidence found from national or worldwide sources--Like the fact that the United states alone since the 1970's has increased it's forested lands. There are now literally 2acres of forested land for every citizen in the US....that's billions upon billions of acres of forestd land. Do you know how we got it back---by converting farm lands back into forested areas.

Try reporting the news accurately for a change---your credibility is on the line.

One more thing. Do any of you ever stop to consider that the police that had to respond to your lawless prtoest could have been resonding to actual emergencies? Or do you care about anyone but yourselves?

I've been keeping an eye on you all ever since i left. you're doing such an amazing job. i wish i could be there!!!

looks like the container lasted longer this time. wooHoo!

you can see a short video about the FRS here:
san diego indymedia

hey, i left my sleeping bag in the comms tent. can someone send it back to me? thanks!

oceans of love to all of you...

So there is some misunderstanding about which container action is being debated.
I believe the officer is speaking about the first container action at soukow which is being logged by swanson.
I do remember hearing that the police response was much smaller there.
The officer is likely correct about a response of only 5 cars.
However, this weblog is referring to the container action at the peanuts timber sale which is being logged by D.R. Johnson.
KK is likely correct about witnessing a response of closer to two dozen vehicles.
I hope this clears up the confusion.

I too was present as an independent journalist during the events yesterday in the Umpqua. I also have photos of around 20 LEO vehicles. The police obviously wasted an immense amount of taxpayer money protecting the profiteers who extract from our national forests, my count was close to 40 police officers on site. Two of the officers told me they were being payed overtime and likely more were as well. I was disgusted by the intimidation tactics of the police, who arrived in stormtrooper fashion complete with masks and flak jackets. We all know the police enjoy tactical exercises and this was a good example of that.

Kudos to the Greenpeace activists who called attention to the continuing decimation of the Umpqua's natural beauty. The action yesterday was in the interest of citizens who wish to enjoy the wonders of the Umpqua and put the spotlight on those who wish to extract resources for purposes of profit at the expense of those who recreate in the Umpqua.

I want to thank everybody for writing in. As someone locked down in the container for this action I can attest to the fact that our team did not 'lie' to any officers because we were indeed there to operate a peaceful protest.

The Umpqua National Forest is a testament to big-money trumping democracy and that is what we were fighting against.

As someone locked down in the container for this action I can attest to the fact that the police presence was overwhelming. I'm not saying that to be critical of the police, because they were there to do their job and we were there to do ours.

And while I had many healthy interactions with some officers there, I also observed a very reckless and hurried attitude that I feel endangered some members of the team. This included spraying flammable material inside our container with sparks while we were locked in, and cutting the rope of our climber Shanna while she was still suspended off of the ground. Fortunately for her, she was close enough to the surface that she wasn't injured when she fell.

It's also amazing to me that our support people were arrested. They were there to help us, but to also facilitate communication between the police and make sure everything went smoothly.

When the police arrived, they were all arrested immediately, on their public land, without being told to leave! They were not the ones engaged in civil disobediance. My fellow courageous lockdowns- Shanna, Kayla and Fred, were.

Comment on the police officer:

Cutting old-growth forest with a rich biodiversity, and starting mono-culture tree plantations somewhere else is not a good trade-off for nature.

"I want to thank everybody for writing in. As someone locked down in the container for this action I can attest to the fact that our team did not 'lie' to any officers because we were indeed there to operate a peaceful protest."

I Belive you 100%. The bad people Lie because they have no leg to stand on. They think that is the only way that people will believe them! How destructive!
I Know that one one that goes and tries to Protect our Natural legacy is NOT going to lie, not one bit. Why would they, when they are putting their jobs and reputation and life(someone could hurt or kill them - look at Chico Mendex what they did to him) on the line to Protect the part of LIFE that we all LOVE. The forest and plants and animals and everything in it is Destroyed - FOR WHAT? - they could just sit and NOT do Anything and blend in with the rest of Society and then who's to blame?? When we get more global warming and more Severe Weather Patterns to destroy us all. Then with the severe storms the crops get destroyed more and More and then we face more and more droughts and more Hunger. Like last year in Alberta, Canada they had a very hot year with a drought, on their hands!
A HUGE THANK TO YOU ALL! Hugs to all and be SAFE.
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