Save the Redwoods/Boycott the Gap: Boycott the Gap: Dance Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee!

Save the Redwoods/Boycott the Gap

Boycott the Gap: Dance Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee!
Posted by Mary Bull (chalicenew@earthlink.net)
Tuesday, January 9, 2001

Greetings, Forest Defenders and Social Justice Activists Around the World!

Truly an Amazing and Challenging New Year Is Upon Us!

Gap Holiday Campaign 2000 was a tremendous success: With over 50 actions--and counting (reports keep coming in)--across the US, Canada, & Europe, we told the Gap Fishers and their corporate cronies that a dirty "green-label" and massive P.R. campaign will in no way lessen our determination to see this devastated redwood forestland permanently protected, and that we will not tolerate the systematic exploitation of desperate people around the world (for a detailed report, see the posting at this site)!

THREE MIGHTY CHEERS FOR GAPTIVISTS ACROSS THE GLOBE!!!

This year promises many victories for Planet and People over Profit. Saving
the Redwoods, Promoting the Gap Boycott, Debunking the Forest Stewardship
Council, Reclaiming Government and Public Resources, Ending
Institutionalized Racism, and Stopping Corporate Economic Globalization are
our goals. How we prioritize and achieve them will be determined at strategy
sessions scheduled for this month. INPUT from THIS GREAT NETWORK of
activists is very WELCOME (email chalicenew@earthlink.net)!

This year, we Dance Like a Butterfly and Sting like a Bee! PLEASE JOIN US:

-HELP DEFINE the Gap Campaign 2001 Strategy / Progress Report!!!
-REFUSE to Pay!!! No PG&E Bail-out!!! Sign & Circulate the Petition!!!
-TROUNCE the FTAA: Info!!! Actions!!! Organizing!!! Roadshows!!!
-RECLAIM Government: PROTEST THE INAUGURATION Jan 20!!! +++
-MOBILIZE to Defend the Mattole: Bay Area Supply Runs +++ !!!
-JAIL Charles Hurwitz--Now's Your Chance with a Simple Email!!!
-DEFEND WBAI Free Speech Radio from Pacifica Assault: Email!
-STOP Gap Fisher THPs: Willow Creek!!! Albion!!! Greenwood!!!
-URGENT: Before Clinton Leaves Office on 1/20, Ask Him to...
---->PARDON Leonard Peltier!!!
---->DECLARE the Arctic Wildlife Refuge a Nat'l Monument!!!
---->CANCEL Federal Forest Timber Sales!!!
---->BAR Imports From Burma!!!
-Calendar at a glance, including other important events & actions:
----Jan 6, Fresno: GAP DEMO!
----Jan 7, SF: CA Energy CrisisTeach-In!
----Jan 8, Berk: Redwood/Sequoia Congress 2001 Planning Meeting!
----Jan 8, Oak: Fight IES Incinerators in Oakland - Planning Meeting!
----Jan 9, SF: NO BAIL-OUT FOR PG&E DEMO!!!
----Jan 9, SF: Bay Area FTAA Organizing Meeting!
----Jan 11, SF: Stop Human Rights Abuses in Prisons - Video+!
----Jan 11, SF: Combat Genetically Engineered Foodstuffs!
----Jan 12-14, Quebec: Starhawk et al: FTAA Direct Action Training!
----Jan 15, Mendocino: Gap Campaign 2001 Strategy Session!!!
----Jan 15, FL: Save the Ichetucknee River: Action and Email Campaign!
----Jan 16, SF: NO BAIL-OUT FOR PG&E DEMO!!!
----Jan 16, Internat'l: Day of Protest Against Sanctions Against Iraq!
----Jan 20, SF/Nat'l: INAUGURATION PROTESTS!!!
----Jan 20, Minneapolis: GAP DEMO!!!
----Jan 20 & 21, South Bay: Deep Green Global Training for Youth Activists!
----Jan 21, SF: DEEP GREEN GAP DEMO!
----Jan 21, PA: GAP DEMO!
----Jan 23, SF: Bay Area FTAA Organizing Meeting!
----Jan 27, Oak: March and Rally for Amnesty and Immigrant Rights!
----Jan 27, SF: GAP CAMPAIGN 2001 Strategy Session!!!
----Jan 28, Berk: Reclaim the Streets Organizing Meeting!
----Apr 20 & 21, Americas: MASS PROTESTS AGAINST FTAA!!!
----May 1, Fresno: Proposed GAP DEMO!
----May 4-18, Sonoma: Earth Activist Training!
----Ongoing, Berk: Help IWW Organize Recyclers!
----Ongoing, Internat'l: Stop the Chad/Cameroon Pipeline!

***URGENT! LPDC asks you to cast your vote in favor of a Pardon for Leonard
Peltier at http://www.vote.com !!!***

***NEWS FLASH: Gap, Inc, December Same Stores Sales Down 6%. Fourth-quarter
earnings per share could be as much as 5 cents lower than estimated. ...FIVE
PENNY ACTION, anyone?!***

***REQUEST FOR HELP: Scott needs a place in SF or Marin. Ideally a garage,
with a patio for seed trees/nursery! Can pay room-type rent for a
garage, which would lessen the other tenants' rent. ***

***ADD your comments about the Gap Fisher FSC "green label" to those posted
at the http://www.adpsr-norcal.org web site!***

***Special Msg Awaits Those Who Make It to the End of this Newsletter!***

Gap Campaign Progress Report - CALL FOR IDEAS for 2001!
*********************************************************************
This past year we poured our energy and resources into (ongoing) timber
harvest plan (THP) review, forest LAWSUITS and DEMONSTRATIONS.
We won our two lawsuits against the Gap Fishers (if we had the resources,
we'd file suit on all 200+ plans and win! Unfortunately, Court rulings and
the law don't seem to affect the Fishers much--they still managed to buy a
phony green label, despite them, and have refiled the same illegal logging
plans or similarly illegal ones). Through our demos, we garnered truly
impressive, positive media coverage of the issues of deforestation and
sweatshop labor, including the front page of the Wall Street Journal, BBC
international spots, and coverage in many major print, television, radio,
and Internet outlets, from the Washington Post to the L.A. Times, NBC to CNN
(see www.gapsucks.org ).

This past year brought us powerful new allies: The brilliant non-profit
PUBLIC MEDIA CENTER, who designed our three New York Times ads and donated
their services to the cause; beloved country-blues singer BONNIE RAITT, who
recently wrote to the Fishers, asking them to stop logging and make their
holdings a state park, the legendary environmentalist DAVID BROWER, who paid
for our second ad; and scores of fired-up GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS--like Liam,
age 10, from the Isle of Arran, Scotland!-- who have been spreading the
boycott message and organizing Gap actions around the world!

THREE MIGHTY CHEERS FOR THESE GREAT ALLIES!!!

Still, the number of people who DON'T KNOW about the issues, who don't know
about the Gap Boycott, the state of the Earth's forests, the indentured
servitude of the Earth's poor, the pervasive racism in the criminal justice
system, and corporate economic globalization is staggering. Still, Gap
Fisher deforestation proceeds unabated, sweatshops proliferate, and
corporate interests dominate.

PROGRESS. Gap, Inc, is on the skids economically with not even a breath of
hope for recovery till next Christmas (see News Flash above). Our advisors
tell us that it is impossible to gauge how much of this is due to our
consumer-pressure campaign; though we know that Gap's economic woes began
long before those of other retailers (at the beginning of last year).
Veteran campaigners also tell us that it typically takes 5 years for a
boycott to mature, while our campaign is just two years old.

DEFORESTATION. Although there were unofficial reports of the Fishers'
willingness to negotiate on the forest issue after our first NY Times ad ran
in mid-August, the Fishers' purchase of a phony "green label" announced Nov
16 seems to have given them a shot in the arm. Not for long. The fact that
they have run two full-page ads in the NY Times tooting their own horn re
their bogus "certification" means that they are on the defensive. Our Jan 3
KPFA Morning Show segment marked the first in a series of media forums that
we are setting up to debunk the Forest Stewardship Council and the Gap
Fishers' lying FSC "green label."

SWEATSHOPS. On the sweatshop front, the Gap has increased its number of
factory monitors from 10 to 80 as a result of public pressure, though they
obstinately refuse to allow independent monitoring, to settle the Saipan
lawsuit (filed in Jan 99 by Global Exchange et al--19 other retailers have
settled), to include a living wage clause in their "Vendor Code of Conduct,"
or to disclose the location and conditions of the factories with whom they
do business (over 300 in 55 countries). For more info on the sweatshop
campaign, email leila@globalexchange.org.

GLOBALIZATION. On the global front (SRBG was a strong presence in both D.C
and L.A. this year, and in Seattle in 99), we have succeeded in bringing the
handmaids of corporate tyranny (WTO, IMF, World Bank--don't forget that Don
Fisher helped draft the WTO textile rules) under intense public scrutiny and
put the proponents of globalization on the defensive, per the Sept issue of
The Economist http://www.economist.com/tfs/home_tframset.html. For the case
AGAINST Globalization, see http://www.thecologist.org/WTO.html (with thanks
to Antonia Juhasz of IFG for these sources!). The next global battle in the
war against privatization and profits over planet and people is STOPPING THE
FTAA (see below)!

NEW STRATEGY? Do we simply need more time for our strategies to mature--or
should we change those strategies from resource-intensive lawsuits and demos
to other forms of public education, outreach, and defense??? This is what we
will address at upcoming strategy sessions and meetings with key advisors
and allies this month and next. We also seek suggestions from members of
this Network! What, in your estimation, would constitute a milestone toward
victory??? A bumper-sticker campaign? An article in Sierra? A major presence
in Quebec City (see FTAA section below)? Please email comments to
chalicenew@earthlink.net or call 415-731-7924.

Whatever strategies we choose--they will be strategies that win in 2001: We
will see this forestland permanently protected as a wildlife refuge and we
will see Gap workers treated with dignity and paid a living wage.

Count on it.

Refuse to Pay! No PG&E Bail-out! Rate-Payer Revolt! Petition+++!!!
***************************************************************************
The Green Party and Global Exchange are spearheading this mobilization
against a PG&E Bail-Out in California and for Public ownership of energy!!!
This is an extremely important struggle against the privatization of what
should be public! Please consider taking the following actions:

-ATTEND the California Energy Crisis Teach-in Sun, Jan 7, SF. City Blend
Cafe, 3087 16th St. (between Mission and Valencia), 4 PM--6 PM. More info:
415-701-7090 or 415-255-7296. (This was terrific--sorry I didn't get the
announcement out in time)!

-DEMO! There have already been three demos in SF, Jan 2 & 4 & 9. The next is
Tues, Jan 16, at PG&E in SF, Market & Beale Streets, 12 noon.

-EMAIL Governor Gray Davis governor@governor.ca.gov and state legislators
and ask them to show some energy leadership: We didn't ask for deregulation!
We don't want to bail out PG&E *AGAIN* (we already gave them $30
Million--through frozen high rates in the de-regulation package that THEY
designed and the state legislature passed in 1996!). Instead we want a
California Power Authority with REAL conservation and efficiency programs,
and a viable interim solution until that is in place! PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF
ENERGY!!!

-PHONE or email your newly elected SF Supervisor--or the officials in your
city and county--and tell her or him that you want a local Municipal Utility
District that incorporates conservation and alternatives to fossil fuels in
a major way! In Los Angeles, where the LA Dept of Water and Power owns its
own power generators, there is no "energy crisis" and rates are not going
up.

-VOTE for MUDs. In SF, there will be a MUD proposition on the 2001 November
ballot. Despite the mountain of P.R. that PG&E will fund against this
proposition--VOTE FOR IT!!! The City of SF OWNS Hetch Hetchy--through
political corruption it is being franchised out to PG&E (ironically, PG&E is
selling power from Hetch Hetchy to other parts of California at cheaper
rates than what we are paying in SF!)--H-H can provide 82% of our electric
needs -- the other 18% could be provided through alternative energy sources
and/or eliminated through conservation. Once our MUD is in place, the People
can re-define energy generation, making conservation and alternative sources
a priority and mitigating the environmental damage associated with Hetch
Hetchy.

-REFUSE to pay the rate hike! In San Diego, rates increased by 300%! In the
Bay Area, PG&E wants to raise our rates by 9% (this is just the beginning!).
We already bailed them out once--don't do it again!!! Refuse to pay it! Your
utilities will not be turned off--that would be political suicide for PG&E!

-LET PG&E go bankrupt!!! There is no shortage of energy, PG&E just doesn't
want to pay the whole-sale market rates for it. With the $30 Million that we
provided PG&E, they bought power plants in other parts of the country. Why
should consumers pay for their bad investments? Do we bail out other private
enterprises that go bankrupt? NO! No Public Bail-out for PG&E!!!

-GET ACTIVE!!! Circulate the petition pledging that signatures will not pay
the increase! For a petition master and inserts to include with PG&E bills
explaining your stance, contact Todd at NoRateHikes@aol.com. Don't Wait on
this--we need 10,000 signatures by Tuesday!!!!

For more info, contact the Green Party at 415-701-7090 or Global Exchange at
415-255-7296.

Trounce the FTAA: Gen Info! Bay Area Organizing!! Roadshows!!! +
***************************************************************************
The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)--a proposed extension of NAFTA
throughout the Western Hemisphere--is fast becoming the focal point of the
next MASS MOBILIZATION against corporate economic GLOBALIZATION! This
mobilization will include MASS DEMOS in Buffalo & Quebec City during the
Summit of the Americas to be held there on April 20 & 21. It will also
include TEACH -INS, ROADSHOWS, & CARAVANS across the continent, LOBBYING
CONGRESS to stop FAST TRACK, among other actions. Wherever you are in the
Americas, PLUG IN:

--Bay Area Stop FTAA Coalition Organizing Meetings! Every other Tues at 6:30
PM. Next Meeting: Jan 23. El Centro Del Pueblo, 474 Valencia, SF. Join the
Bay Area No FTAA listserve: send mail to with
the following command in the body of your email message: subscribe
stop-ftaa.

--Bay Area Roadshow/Caravan to Quebec! To join, endorse, or sponsor someone
else--especially people from Central and South America who do not have the
resources, contact Roman Fliegel 415 474 3003.

--Southeast US FTAA Roadshow! In February and March 2001 the Turning Point
Road Show will be touring the American southeast (FL, GA, SC, NC, VI, KT,
AL, MS, TN). To be part of it, help, or schedule a visit, contact: soliman
lawrence . Subscribe by sending a blank email to:
turningpointroadshow-subscribe@egroups.com

--Northeast US FTAA Roadshow! Tentative sched: New England (Feb. 12-16)
ending in Boston for the weekend; New York State (Feb. 19-23), ending in
NYC. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, DC and ??? (Feb. 26-March 2).
To be part of it, help, or schedule a visit, contact CLAC e-mail:
clac@tao.ca web: http://www.quebec2001.net tel: +1 514 526-8946 post: 2035,
St Laurent Boulevard, 2nd floor Montreal, Quebec H2X 2T3 CANADA

--Canadian Roadshow/Caravan! Mobilisation Caravanes plans to tour
communities in Qu�bec, British Columbia and the Maritimes. Don't have the
contact info yet, try beka@ran.org or clac@tao.ca.

--Alliance for Responsible Trade (ART) delegation to the Americas Summit!
ART invites you to participate in an historic delegation to the FTAA
meetings in Quebec. An alternative "People's Summit" is scheduled for April
17-20, and thousands will demonstrate their opposition to the FTAA April
20-21 in street protests, theater and a street carnival. ***Scholarships are
available -- Women and People of Color especially encouraged to apply*** For
more information, contact ART at 773-583-7728 or msn@mexicosolidarity.org.

--Traveling to Quebec alone or with your affinity group? Occupation Qu�bec
Printemps 2001(Occupation Springtime Qu�bec 2001), a regional group in
Qu�bec City, is organizing food, lodging, daycare, medical and legal
services during the Summit. Don't have the contact info yet, try
beka@ran.org or clac@tao.ca.

--Mass Demos at the US/Canadian border in Buffalo, NY! From April 20th-22nd
there will be large-scale, highly visible actions to protest the FTAA and
the destructive effects of global corporate rule. This will take place at
the foot of the historic trans-national Peace Bridge, connecting the U.S.
and Canada. In addition there will be a legal rally, notable speakers and
musical acts, and colorful and festive street theater. There will also be a
separate trade conference to provide a clear and just alternative to the
existing corporate-sponsored agreements. This will be an effort to bring an
alternative vision to the forefront of public awareness. To subscribe to the
list-serv..send a message to a20buffalo-subscribe@egroups.com If you would
like more info or would like to help out with outreach, email
cestpodge@aol.com

--Contact Your US Reps and tell them to Say NO to FTAA & FAST TRACK.
What is Fast Track? "...fast-track authority is the legislative tool that
Mr. Bush will need to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal. Under fast
track, trade deals are brought to Congress for approval only when complete.
Congress then votes on the agreement without having the chance to add
amendments that suit the needs and wishes of individual members." (NY
Times). Bay Area swing votes include: Nancy Pelosi (SF), Ellen Tauscher
(East Bay), Anna Eshoo (Peninsula), Mike Honda (Peninsula/San Jose) -- new,
Zoe Lofgren (San Jose)

--Get the FTAA Action Packet.This packet will prepare activists to speak on
the FTAA, lead teach-ins, and organize in their communities. Available the
third week of January. Order from ACERCA, PO Box 57, Burlington, VT 05402,
802-863-0571,acerca@sover.net

For more info on the FTAA and why we're protesting it:
http://www.tradewatch.org/FTAA/ftaahome.html

Jan 20: Protest the Inauguration!!! Denounce Ashcroft et al
******************************************************************
Major Protests Are Scheduled Across the Country, including D.C., of course,
and San Francisco, per the following. These demonstrations are not about
wanting to see a Democrat in office more than a Republican. They are about
establishing Democracy and reclaiming government -- all three branches --
from the Corporate Agendum that puts profits before planet, people, and
democracy. For a comprehensive guide to the nation's anti-inaugural actions,
including resources for your own actions, check out www.ippn.org. See the
end of this section for a list of web sites to help you plug into the
movement to reclaim government and establish democracy!

SF: 12 noon, Saturday, Jan. 20, at Civic Center Plaza, Grove and Larkin Sts.
From Richard Becker, International Action Center-San Francisco: If you live
in the West and outside the Bay Area, we encourage you to organize a car
pool, van or bus to come to San Francisco on Jan. 20. Let us know if you are
planning to organize transportation so that we can connect you with other
people in your area. If you are available to help out on Jan. 20 that would
be great. And if you have any questions or need help with organizing, please
email us back at iac@actionsf.org or call us at 415-821-6545. If you can
organize a meeting in your area, we may be able to send an organizer to
explain more about what is going on here and in Washington, DC.

DC: (From Free Radical) 1) 10:00 AM, people will meet at Dupont Circle for
the Voter March rally and protest (www.votermarch.org), which will culminate
in a march to the Supreme Court. The organizers of this event, which has a
moderate tone and good-government agenda, have received a permit from the
D.C. police. 2) Also at 10:00 AM, folks of a more radical disposition will
meet at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, responding to calls put out by
the socialist International Action Center (www.iacenter.org) and the
anarchist Revolutionary Anti-Authoritarian Block
(www.infoshop.org/coronation.html). The anarchists will meet beneath a
"Class War" banner. Presumably this march will also go to the Supreme Court,
though there's been no public announcement of the route (check for latest
info: barricadacollective@hotmail.com ). 3) At 12 noon, the Reverend Al
Sharpton, with the support of other African-American leaders, has called for
people to meet at Stanton Park, at 4th and Maryland. From there, there will
be a march to the Supreme Court for a "Shadow Inauguration," in which
Sharpton will administer a "Citizen's Oath" pledging action to safeguard
voting rights. 4) Many direct-action-oriented activists organized into small
groups hope to jeer and/or disrupt inaugural events including the 2:00
parade.

***Note to East Coast activists: The Partnership for Civil Justice is
strongly urging protesters to form into groups of no more than 25 people.
"Demonstrations in groups of 25 people or less may be held without a permit
on Pennsylvania Avenue or other federal land subject to the jurisdiction of
the National Park Service. See, 36 C.F.R. Section(s) 7.96(g)(2)(i). Based on
this provision, the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia has
ruled that it is unlawful for the U.S. Government to fine or arrest
Inaugural protesters in groups of 25 or less on the asserted grounds that
such protesters are demonstrating without a permit."***

From IPPN, Helpful Websites:

1. www.ippn.org.
2. www.iacenter.org.
3. www.votermarch.org.
4. www.j20.org.
5. www.inaugurauction.org.
6. www.rockthevote.org.
7. www.netprogress.org.
8. www.thealliancefordemocracy.org.
9. www.agitate.org.
10. www.leftlink.org.
11. http://claremontmckenna.com/ctd/index.html
12. www.publiccampaign.org.
13. www.globalexchange.org.
14. www.imc.org.
15. www.thenation.com/special/counterinauguration.mhtml.

***TO BLOCK the Appointment of John ASHCROFT as Attorney General,
email me for a complete list of members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,
their contact info, and a sample letter.****

Mobilize to Defend the Mattole!!!
************************************
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber is logging some of the last stands of ancient Doug Fir
forest in California--a heroic resistance is in full swing, while enviros
gather the funds to attempt to buy the forestland in question. Here's how
you can help:

DONATE SUPPLIES. Philip will be making supply runs to the Mattole, Humboldt
County. Please donate food,supplements, warm clothes, communications
hardware, camping gear, and money... FOOD: Tea bags, Ground coffee
(organic/fair trade if possible), Chocolate (vegan if possible), High
protein pocket food i.e. cliff bars, power bars, Dried soup mixes, Hummus &
Falafel mix, Organic oats & Rice, Tofu, Dried fruit/raw nuts... SUPPLEMENTS:
zinc tablets, Vitamin C/Emer'gen-C packets, Echinacea tinctures/pills...
CLOTHES Fleece tops and bottoms, Wool Socks, Raingear (rubberized)...
CAMPING GEAR sleeping bags, tarps... COMMUNICATIONS: Nokia 5100/6100 cell
phone batteries, walkie-talkies, still and video cameras... Contact Philip
at hamsterwheel@earthlink.net

FIELD SUPPORT: From the Mattole Defense: Please come to the Mattole for a
few days and help defend the 3,000 acres of incredible old growth Doug-Fir
forest. We prefer those with non-violent direct action experience. Please
call the hotline first at 707-441-3828.

MAKE PHONE CALLS. To John Campbell, Pacific Lumber Co., 707-764-2222,
FAX - 707-764-4269; to Charles Hurwitz, Maxxam Corp, 713-975-7600, FAX-
713-952-4795. Ask them to hold off logging in the Mattole for one year so
the community can assess and raise the funds to purchase the entire 14,000
acre holding. Also demand that they treat non-violent activist as humans
beings and stop endangering their lives with falling trees. To: Humboldt
County Sheriff Dennis Lewis, (707)-445-7251 Demand they stop endangering
non-violent activists by allowing Pacific Lumber and Columbia to fall trees
recklessly and so close to activist. Ask them how much of our taxpayer
dollars they intend to spend to protecting Maxxam's logging of ancient
forest in the Mattole. Remind them the situation in the Mattole is no
different from the circumstances that led to the murder of David Gypsy Chain
two years ago.

Jail Charles Hurwitz--Now's Your Chance with a Simple Email!
********************************************************************
Charles Hurwitz is a scoundrel, leveling the last ancient redwood forests in
California to pay off his junk bond debt. Don't let him get away with it!!!
Your email can help bankrupt Maxxam!

From Darryl Cherney: Greetings email warriors:

The banking regulators at the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) are now
waiting for Judge Shipe to make his determination on how much compensation
Charles Hurwitz owes the taxpayers for his failed savings and loan.
Freedom of Information requests have shown ongoing out-of-court settlement
talks between MAXXAM and the OTS. The Judge will rule any minute now and
could take MAXXAM to the cleaners for $821 million! A pennies on the
dollar amount would most likely be covered by MAXXAM's insurance, which all
corporations have, and would allow Hurwitz off without even a slap on the
wrist. Our job is to convince the regulators to do...NOTHING! They must
remain calm and allow the judge to rule.

We need you to send emails NOW! Ask the good people at the OTS not to
settle for pennies on the dollar. Ask them to allow the Judge to make his
determination without cutting a cozy deal for Chainsaw Charlie. A stiff
ruling could send MAXXAM into bankruptcy, ridding us of this rogue
corporation forever! It would lead to new ownership for Kaiser Aluminum
(perhaps worker run!). It would allow the redwood forests to be seized and
traded for the massive debt. It would allow us to move forward in our
quest for a criminal indictment of Charles Hurwitz.

All signs say the judge will rule in the next two weeks or less. What a
fitting conclusion to the issue it would be to drive MAXXAM off the face of
the planet. Below is a letter I sent. It is filled with additional,
helpful information. Feel free to use it, borrow from it, or create your
own piece. But do it today. The forests and the working people of America
can't wait.

Darryl Cherney, Director
Jail Hurwitz Campaign

Send the same letter to both officials of the Office of Thrift Supervision:

carolyn.buck@ots.treas.gov, richard.stearns@ots.treas.gov

Ms. Carolyn Buck, Chief Enforcement Officer
Mr. Richard Stearns, Enforcement Counsel
Office of Thrift Supervision
Washington, DC

January 5, 2001

RE: The Matter of USAT et al

With the determination of Judge Shipe immanent, and FOIA requests
indicating the possibility of out of court settlement, I implore you and
the OTS not to settle with Charles Hurwitz, MAXXAM, UFG, USAT, et al at
this last possible moment.

You alone, in this entire world, hold in your hands the opportunity to
rescue us from the malfeasance of this dastardly man and his heinous
company. In essence, to negotiate a settlement with Charles Hurwitz is
tantamount to negotiating with a terrorist. And a very wily, skilled
terrorist at that.

I do not need to remind of the list of crimes Hurwitz has committed against
humanity and nature. You, of course, more than anyone, know the crimes he
committed against the US Treasury--the same US Treasury who's Deputy
Secretary Stuart Eisenstat has been one of Charles Hurwitz's many
attorneys. But perhaps I must remind you of the unique position your
agency holds. Thousands of people are counting on you to see that justice
is done. To settle for pennies on the dollar, most likely covered by some
insurance policy and then overturned by Judge Lynn Hughes in a perversion
of justice, would constitute a defeat of monumental proportions for us here
in the redwoods, for the Steelworkers in Spokane and elsewhere and for the
ecology of this entire planet. Please do not snatch defeat from the jaws
of victory.

There is but one thing we ask you to do: Nothing. That's right. Nothing.
The matter rests with Judge Arthur Shipe. Director Ellen Seidman's term is
good through 2002. All you need to do is let nature take its course. And
that is what we are all about to begin with, isn't it?

With justice for all,

Darryl Cherney

Defend WBAI Free Speech Radio from Pacifica Assault!
**************************************************************
As most of you already know, a coup led by Pacifica Exec. Dir. Bessie Wash
took place over Christmas at WBAI Pacifica radio in New York, similar to the
one that was attempted in the Bay Area at KPFA. In a series of Draconian
measures, locks were changed without warning, employees were summarily
fired, including Program Director Bernard White and producer Sharan Harper;
while other producers, like Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, were refused
entry to the station (evidently Management has been keeping Goodman on a
very short leash for a while now.)

The Pacifica Board, which, as we know, is becoming more and more dominated
by corporate interests (***that Bessie Wash nominated Francisco Ricciola,
Vice President of Citicorp to the Board just about says it all***), has been
interfering with WBAI programming--for example, WBAI coverage of the
Palestinian Right-to-Return march in D.C. on Sep 23rd caused an uproar.

To help support Free Speech Radio, contact Pacifica Executive Director
Bessie Wash and protest her actions and demand continued independence for
WBAI! Call toll free: (888) 770-4944, ask for Bessie Wash at ext. 348. or
(202) 234-7487; fax a letter to: (202) 884-0860; write: 2390 Champlain
Street N.W. Washington, DC 20009; email: bmwpacifica@aol.com and cc the rest
of the Pacifica Board members:

lynnchad@aol.com, mfberry@sas.upenn.edu,
cpadga@aol.com, junemakela@aol.com, fmillspa@aol.com,
rfarrell@kamber.com, kford@nahb.com, jmurdock@ebglaw.com,
mpalmer@cbrichardellis.com, KvPPhD@aol.com,
wendell_i_johns@fanniemae.com, acdarius@aol.com,
prbram@aol.com, HARAV1@aol.com, tomasmoran@aol.com,
robrobin@erols.com, LeslieCagan@igc.org,
BethLyons@aol.com, VChamber@pop.uh.edu

For excellent background information, go to www.savepacifica.net.

Stop Gap Fisher THPs in Willow Creek! Albion! Greenwood!
******************************************************************
Phony green label in place, the REALITY of Fisher unsustainable logging
continues unabated. Following are three case studies in three different
watersheds with three simple actions you can take: Write a letter! Sign a
petition! Join a bridge sit!

WILLOW CREEK, Sonoma Co. ***MRC has rebuffed all attempts by local and state
officials to purchase Willow Creek for addition to the adjacent state park.
They apparently intend to harvest timber in Willow Creek indefinitely, in
spite of the environmental consequences.***

From the Western Watershed Alliance: The 3000+ acres of Willow Creek that
are now owned by the Gap Fishers' MRC have suffered eleven THPs totaling
over two thousand acres in the last ten years. As a direct result of this
activity in Willow Creek and other tributaries, the Russian River is listed
under the Clean Water Act as " impaired." A recent study describes Willow
Creek itself as being "...severely compromised by sedimentation problems and
dramatic channel aggradation." Abundant only a generation ago, endangered
Coho Salmon and Steelhead are now virtually extinct in Willow Creek. Senator
Wes Chesbro has stated that, "Bringing back the coastal salmon and steelhead
runs should be our highest environmental priority." A report by former
governor Wilson's five-member panel states that, " current logging
regulations are inadequate to insure protection of salmon in Northern
California rivers and streams." It suggests that logging be curbed in
specific watersheds until studies of impacts on salmon habitat can be
done...

In arrogant disregard for the above, MRC has now filed a third THP in Willow
Creek, which would bring to 570 acres their total cut since they purchased
the property two years ago. THP 1-00-410 SON proposes to log 128 acres in
steep slopes with erosion hazard ratings of moderate to high. They plan to
clearcut most of the tanoak throughout the THP followed by the use of
herbicides.

Letters to the California Dept of Forestry are urgently needed before
mid-January to protest THP 1-00-410 SON.: CDF, Forest Practice Program, 135
Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95402 (707) 576-2943

For more info on the status of Willow Creek and how you can help save it
from the Gap Fishers, contact: Pieter S. Myers, Darrell Sukovitzen, Kate
Fenton, Western Watershed Alliance, pmyers@sonic.net (707) 887-1017
kafenton@sonic.net

ALBION. Since the Fishers were certified, their timber harvest plans have
become even sloppier and the review process even less rigorous (as Linda
Perkins explains, other agencies, like Water Quality, are so understaffed,
they eliminate THPs in a triache mode: now that the Gap Fishers are
"certified," their THPs are the first to be tossed aside without a glance.
In the case of this THP, Linda insisted that Water Quality make an on site
inspection--when they did, they were shocked and submitted a "protest" of
the plan. Following is a petition that you can sign and return to Albion
activists trying to save their watershed from the Gap Fishers. Return to:
omni@mail.mcn.org

***Petition to California Dept of Forestry Regarding Proposed Mendocino
Redwood Company THP 424 on "Enchanted Meadow" and Table Mountain***

We, the undersigned, request that Mendocino Redwood Company's Timber Harvest
Plan 1-00-424 MEN, located, in part, on ENCHANTED MEADOW in Albion, be
delayed until the plan is clarified and modified to meet the concerns of the
community. These concerns are:

-Failure to write a THP that clearly describes the forest and fully
discloses what they plan to do.
-Failure to disclose how the plan area next to ENCHANTED MEADOW will be
cut and yarded so that the effects will not impact the 70-acre Wetlands
Sanctuary immediately below.
-Failure to protect the many OLD GROWTH trees scattered throughout the
plan, including the eastern portion of the plan adjacent to Table Mountain.
One tree, discovered by community members, is ancient. Though not marked to
be cut, it has no protection from nearby logging.
-Failure to consider and adequately protect the unique qualities of the
transitional PYGMY FOREST next to the plan boundary. This area has many of
the qualities and frailties of subtropical rainforest.
-Failure to address the issue of cumulative impacts. Mendocino Redwood
Company has had four timber harvest plans cut or approved in the Lower
Albion in a little over a year. THP 424 is the fifth and four more are in
the planning stage.

***We require a parity interest community planning process for local forest
management issues to ensure the recovery and continuing health of our
community forests and streams. We therefore request that this plan be denied
or withdrawn until these concerns are adequately addressed.***

.......................................................
Name & ZIP (optional) Email/Addr/Tel

GREENWOOD. Bridge Sit! The Fishers propose to clearcut 77 acres on steep,
unstable slopes above fish-bearing Greenwood Creek, in a timber harvest plan
that will undoubtedly destroy a Greenwood Watershed Association (GWA)
restoration project that cost thousands of government dollars and thousands
of volunteer hours to implement. Even the Ca Dept of Fish and Game, a
notorious do-nothing agency, protested this plan. The Fishers, of course,
couldn't care less. To occupy the GWA bridge that the Fishers intend to
appropriate to do their harm, please contact 707-877-3405!

URGENT -- BEFORE CLINTON LEAVES OFFICE (JAN 20)!!!
********************************************************************
Email (president@whitehouse.gov) AND phone (202-456-1111) or fax
(202-456-2461) President Clinton OFTEN, and ask him to do the following
before he leaves office on Jan 20 (a separate call for each issue might be
best):

-PARDON LEONARD PELTIER! From David Powell, a veteran of the A16/DC jail:
"For over 24 years American Indian Movement (AIM) leader Leonard Peltier has
languished in various prisons for two counts of murder he did not commit.
The FBI themselves have released documents showing that the evidence against
Peltier was fabricated, and Amnesty International considers him a political
prisoner. The time to stand up for Leonard Peltier is NOW." Before January
20!!! More info: www.freepeltier.org .

-DECLARE ARCTIC REFUGE a National Monument! Your message can simply be:
Mr. President, As the last environmental act of your presidency, I am asking
you to designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to be a National
Monument. Please culminate your presidency with this great environmental
legacy.

-CANCEL the CLARK, WINBERRY, EAGLE and SNOG timber sales!
These are the last four unresolved tree villages on National Forest lands!
Since April 1998, Pacific Northwest treesitters have held ongoing vigils in
the tops of threatened old growth trees. In more then a dozen locations we
took to building treehouses, as well as connecting neighbor-trees with rope
walkways. A thousand different people have climbed up to help us save these
trees. For more info: and

-BAR BURMESE IMPORTS! Join the democratically elected Burmese government in
exile and the AFL-CIO in urging Clinton to ban imports from the brutal
military dictatorship in Burma -- a regime that uses slave labor and is
considered the most egregious abuser of human rights in the world today.
More info: dbeeton@freeburmacoalition.org

CALENDAR at a GLANCE
*****************************
-Jan 6, Fresno: Gap Demo. Missed this one, but you can join this intrepid
Central Valley group of Gaptivists on May 1 or support their First Amendment
lawsuit anytime! Contact Mike at clr2@igc.org

-Jan 7, SF: Ca Energy Crisis Teach-in. Missed this one, but plug into this
Exciting Popular Movement to stop the privatization of public power and
price gouging! Contact Todd chretientodd@aol.com or Green Party at
415-701-7090 or Global Exchange at 415-255-7296.

-Jan 8, Berk: Redwood/Sequoia Congress 2001 Planning Meeting. Missed this
one, but planning is ongoing for the Congress to be held in late Sept.
Contact Richard or Ann to get involved: clairbooks@aol.com mcli@igc.com

-Jan 8, Oak: Fight IES Incinerators in Oakland - Planning Meeting. Missed
this one, but contact Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice
http://www.greenaction.org phone (415) 252-0822 to get involved
(Greenaction, btw, is taking a lead in the Rate Payer Revolt Against PG&E!)

-Jan 9, SF: PG&E DEMO. Today at Market and Beale Streets. 12 Noon!

-Jan 9, SF: FTAA Planning Meeting. This evening and every other Tuesday at
6:30. El Centro Del Pueblo, 474 Valencia.

-Jan 11, SF: Stop Human Rights Abuses to Women in Prisons - Video+. Women's
Building (Audre Lorde Room). 3543-18th St. Cost $5 donation, no one turned
away. For more info call 415/255/7036*319

-Jan 11, SF: Take Action Against Genetic Engineering! 6:45 pm. Rainbow
Grocery - 1745 Folsom @13th. More info: Simon@organicconsumers.org
http://www.organicconsumers.org

-Jan 12-14, Quebec: Starhawk et al: FTAA Direct Action Training! This looks
like a terrific weekend at Concordia University & Comit� de Centre-Sud. Free
(donation requested). School for Community and Public Affairs 2149 MacKay
St. Below Sherbrooke. Metro Guy/Concordia (and other locations). More info:
weinstei@zoo.net

-Jan 15, Mendo: Gap Campaign 2001 Strategy Session!!! Mendocino activists
will meet to discuss the best way to apply our resources in 2001 to save the
Redwood forest!!! Contact chalicenew@earthlink.net for more info or to make
suggestions.

-Jan 15, FL: Join the heroic effort to Save the Ichetucknee River. ...under
siege from a $130 Million Dollar Cement Plant, with its used Tire, coal, and
petroleum coke burning Kiln being built by Anderson Columbia. Go to the
action at the cement plant (email STIRpeople@egroups.com for time and place)
and/or email good ole Jeb Bush and remind him of his promise to protect this
and the Santa Fe Rivers. Click http://www.riverdrops.com/how2help/index.html

-Jan 16, SF: PG&E DEMO. Today at Market and Beale Streets. 12 Noon!

-Jan 16, Internat'l: Day of Protest Against Sanctions Against Iraq. Join the
delegation going to Iraq! Demo Against the Embargo that's killing innocent
civilians! IRAQ SANCTIONS CHALLENGE http://www.iacenter.org: Nat'l office,
NY: (212) 633-6646 iacenter@iacenter.org West Coast, SF: 415) 821-6545
iac@actionsf.org LA: 213) 487-2368 iacenterla@earthlink.net

-Jan 20, SF/Nat'l: Inauguration Protests! See article above! DC: 10 AM,
Pennsylvania Ave. SF: 12 Noon, Civic Center!!! MASSIVE!!!!!!!!!

-Jan 20 & 21, South Bay: Deep Green Global Training for Youth Activists. You
are invited to attend! For full workshop descriptions or to register, visit:
http://www.BAA-PCCF.org/dggt/ $20 includes food and live music Sat, plus
two days of fun-filled education. Peninsula School in Menlo Park. For more
info or to register 650-625-8732 Schools@BAAction.org

-Jan 21, SF: Deep Green GAP DEMO. Probably at Gap flagship, Powelll &
Market, 12 noon. Time TBA. Call 415-731-7924 to confirm.

-Jan 21, PA: GAP DEMO. 4-5:30pm Lehigh Valley Mall Whitehall, PA. For a
fun-filled hour and a half of speaking truth to power--anti-sweatshop and
deforestation leafleting! Contact laura: 610-570-8782

-Jan 23, SF: FTAA Planning Meeting. This evening and every other Tuesday at
6:30. El Centro Del Pueblo, 474 Valencia.

-Jan 27, Oak: March and Rally for Amnesty and Immigrant Rights. 11 AM. Don't
know rally place! For more info please call Edwin Rodriguez at 415/243/8215
ext. 313 or email at Edwin@nccir.org

-Jan 27, SF: Gap Campaign 2001 Strategy Session. 5PM--8PM. 252 Frederick St.
Haight/Ashbury. All SRBG Core Group members are invited to attend. Even if
you don't have a lot of time to spend on the campaign this year -- a deep
concern about Fisher deforestation and your ideas are welcome! TO BECOME A
CORE GROUP MEMBER: Click your heels together three times and say: We WILL
stop Fisher deforestation! We WILL stop Gap sweatshops... then make it one
of your activist priorities in 2001--this is a battle we can win!!! More
info: chalicenew@earthlink.net 415-731-7924

-Jan 28, Berk: Reclaim the Streets Organizing Meeting. RTS invites you to an
evening of videos, organizing, and action planning. 5PM. Dinner and party
footage watching will follow at 7:30. The Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck, across
from La Pena (two blocks from Ashby BART). More info: rts_eastbay@yahoo.com,
or visit xinet.xom/rts

-Apr 20 & 21, Americas: Mass Protest Against FTAA!!! See Action Item above!

-May 1, Fresno: Proposed GAP DEMO for Labor Day! Contact Mike at
clr2@igc.org

-May 4-18, Sonoma: Earth Activist Training. This is Starhawk and Stark's
two-week workshop on permaculture, earth-based magic, and activism!
Scholarships are available and youth are especially encouraged to attend!!!
415-789-7674 email: Kimjack@sirius.com

-Ongoing, Berk: Help IWW Organize Recyclers! IWW East Bay General Branch
asks you to email (intexile@bari.iww.org) a Pledge of Solidarity in support
of the IWW organizing drive at the Berkeley Buyback Recycling Center and
sign the PETITION at the following website:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/IWWEB01/petition.html

-Ongoing, Internat'l: Stop the Chad/Cameroon Pipeline!!! Call World Bank
staffer for Chad: Robert Calderisi - 202.458.5235 and United States Rep to
the Bank - Jan Piercy - 202-458-0110 and Tell them to end the World Bank's
corporate welfare program and cancel the Chad/Cameroon Petroleum Project!
Ask instead that they invest in sustainable energy and also in small loans
to communities for projects that will directly benefit them. Tell them to
cancel the Pipeline and ALL "trickle-down," environmentally destructive
projects.

____________________________________

***In closing, let us SALUTE the SRBG CORE GROUP, some 30 die-hard activists
here in the Bay Area and across the country, and our extended family at
FORESTS FOREVER and BAA SCHOOLS GROUP -- for their STELLAR
ACTIVISM in 2000!!!***

***Especially, let us always remember an incredible veteran activist who
inspired and helped all of us, all of his great, long life, DAVID BROWER!!!
...and an incredibly sweet and courageous young activist, who was with us in
Seattle, DC, and just about every Gap demo in between, and who inspired all
who knew him in the short time he graced the earth, CARLOS ACOSTA!!!***

Mary Bull
Save the Redwoods/Boycott the Gap Campaign
252 Frederick Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
chalicenew@earthlink.net 415-731-7924 http://www.gapsucks.org
_________________________________________
Other Contacts/Information Sources:
----------------------------
Mary Pjerrou, Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance
707-877-3405 pirohuck@mcn.org www.elksoft.com/gwa
----------------------------
Mark Hilovsky, Builders Action Network
415-550-6850 mhilo@aol.com
----------------------------
Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
510-835-6303 Listserve listproc@envirolink.org
(message text = Subscribe BACHlist,
followed by email address, then name)
----------------------------
Info on Gap Sweatshops:
http://www.globalexchange.org
leila@globalexchange.org

"God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there..."

FOR REDWOODS AND WORKERS:
BOYCOTT THE GAP, BANANA REPUBLIC, & OLD NAVY!!!

For questions and comments please e-mail us!

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