The first thing that strikes me about this is that I knew about the Navy's
plans because I read about it. I may even have posted the article to the
list. So how is it that residents in the area who are being directly
affected, didn't know? Because the local media saw fit not to report it. It
should have been a big local news story. And when local citizens who did
know about this program, which will harm the environment, the animals, and
no doubt, the humans, did attempt to inform the populace, they were
arrested. Last night I read an article about how American police departments
are purchasing skunk water, which is a horrible crowd control hemical that
has been field tested on Palestinians. And also yesterday, I finished
reading Black Against Empire, which ends with an analysis of why we do not
have any real resistance or revolutionary movements in our country, even
though so many things have occurred which might have spurred their
formation. My feeling is that empire has clearly won the day and we're lucky
if we can wrest a few concessions from it, that may make life a bit better
for us.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 10:06 AM
To: blind-democracy
Subject: [blind-democracy] The Empire Strikes Back
Last evening I received the email below from a friend of long standing. A
quiet, dignified man who believed he was doing his PatrioticDuty. As you
read this email, think of what the implications are. When a quiet man, a
gentleman of peace is accosted while passing leaflets in a place approved by
the proper authority, when this man is charged with behavior totally out of
character, bullied by the very government he believes in, how can we
continue trying to pretend it is "Our" government?
I've excluded my friend's name until he gives me approval to include it, but
the situation is so troubling that I wanted to share the story and encourage
readers to follow his lead and take action.
Carl Jarvis
*******
"American Citizen": Arrested, Jailed
On Wednesday, 12 August 2015, I rode with two Bellingham women to the ferry
that took us to Port Townsend, WA. There I met a woman from another
Washington town who had arranged to join us, and we proceeded to the Olympic
National Park and Hurricane Ridge. When we arrived on that sunny afternoon,
we each walked to different places in the large parking lot and began to
hand out flyers we had brought. We asked people whether they had heard that
the Navy is planning to turn the national park into an electronic warfare
range. Most people had never heard of these plans and thanked us for
sharing information. I would urge you to look on your computer at
savetheolympicpeninsula.org
to see the youtube "The Olympic Peninsula is Not for Electromagnetic Warfare
Training." I would also urge you, no matter where you live, to write to an
official who oversees the U.S. Forest Service. His address is Mr. Robert
Bonnie, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Jamie L Whitten Bldg, Suite 240E,
Washington, D.C. 20250, asking him to deny the Navy permission to use
Olympic National Forest for war practice.
After I had handed out several flyers, I saw another person from "Save
Olympic National Park" who was doing the same thing. We had been told by
Cheryl Higbee, in charge of special-use permits in the Park, that we are
free to pass out flyers in the visitor center parking lots without a
special-use permit as long as we do not harass visitors, etc. A Park Ranger
(and two plain clothes policemen) approached us. Two women received
citations later for unlawfully distributing printed material in the Park.
My attorney in Tacoma has advised me to say only that the United States
Attorney charges that on that day I assaulted Ranger Bolin. I must return
to Tacoma on Monday, 19 October 2015, to a federal court, appearing before a
judge to face that charge. On Wednesday, 12 August 15, I was arrested and
brought in handcuffs to spend the night at the Clallam County Jail.
The next day I was in custody when I was brought to the Federal Courthouse
in Tacoma. I intend to plead "NOT guilty" to these charges. I am
physically OK, and I especially appreciate the support of friends at this
time.
You are all familiar with the words, "with liberty and justice for all."
Sincerely, "American Citizen"
