Statement Regarding the Death of David "Gypsy" Chain

On September 17, 1998, Earth First! activist David "Gypsy" Chain was killed while protesting the clearcutting of residual ancient forest on Pacific Lumber Company land. Pacific Lumber and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department have rushed to brand David's death an "accident," contradicting the documented testimony of eyewitnesses and ignoring the context of an escalating campaign of violence and intimidation against non-violent forest activists. We do not believe that the company and the Sheriff can be trusted to honestly investigate this tragedy, and in fact feel that they may be suppressing and neglecting key evidence in this case.

Weeks ago, Pacific Lumber timber fallers harassed and intimidated activists in the Sulphur Creek area of the Mattole Valley. Trees were felled into other trees occupied by activists, axe-wielding men chased and threatened numerous individuals, and one tree was cut nearly all the way through although a young woman was sitting in the branches. Some of the activists were physically injured. Complaints were filed with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, but none of these incidents were ever investigated, despite the extremely serious nature of the crimes.

Last Thursday, when confronted with demonstrators in the woods, Pacific Lumber's timber fallers could have halted logging operations and contacted the Sheriff's department, but they chose to continue working. Incredibly, a video taken by demonstrators less than an hour before David was killed reveals that enraged timber fallers not only knew of the activists' presence (in direct contradiction to company claims) but also made specific threats to fall trees in their direction. All of these facts, which cast doubt upon the hasty determination that David's death was completely accidental, merit comprehensive investigation by a neutral and objective agency.

A cloud of grief, suspicion and danger now hangs over the Headwaters Forest agreement, funding for which was approved by Governor Pete Wilson only two days after David's death. Pacific Lumber officials have already lied to the public about events surrounding the killing, and a spokesperson for Governor Wilson even blamed David himself. The California Department of Forestry continues to downplay Pacific Lumber's violation of rules governing operations near potential endangered species habitat. The evidence pointing to a cover-up is mounting, and the truth about this horrible tragedy must be told. The undersigned individuals and organizations demand an immediate, thorough and independent investigation of the incident and of Pacific Lumber Company's and Humboldt County law enforcement's policy of encouraging violence against environmentalists.

EPIC
Trees Foundation
(so far, lots more to come.)
 

The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
P.O. Box 397
Garberville, CA 95542
(707) 923-2931
Fax 923-4210
http://www.igc.org/epic/
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