VIDEO REVEALS PL KNEW ACTIVISTS WERE IN THE WOODS

Footage of logger threatening Earth First!ers Contradicts Company Claims

A video taken by Earth First! activists in Grizzly Creek captured
the hostile voice of a PL faller threatening their lives less than an hour
before David "Gypsy" Chain was killed by a falling tree.  The video
blatantly contradicts Pacific Lumber's claim that the company "had no
knowledge" that Chain and others were nearby in Grizzly Creek.  In fact,
the logger who later cut the tree that killed David Chain can be heard
furiously shouting obscenities and vowing to get his "pistol."  Several
other Earth First! activists were just six feet away from Chain when the
tree came crashing down.

Contrary to Pacific Lumber's public statements, David Chain's death
was the inevitable result of the timber company's deliberate campaign of
violence toward environmental activists.  In the last year, Earth First!
protesters have been hog-tied and lowered from tree top perches and had
their tree sit safety lines cut by PL climbers.  Loggers have cut trees in
the direction of tree sitters, and have threatened lives by cutting trees
with activists in them.  Logging helicopters have been used to harass and
endanger treesitters, such Julia Butterfly, flying within feet of their
platforms and whipping up forceful winds.  Recently, activists encountered
a "goon squad" of PL employees in the Mattole watershed who chased,
threatened and assaulted community members who were trying to stop illegal
logging in their home.  The escalating use of violence by Pacific Lumber
has been ignored by Humboldt County law enforcement.

This vigilanteism in the woods also threatens the safety of PL
employees.  Logging rates as one of the most dangerous occupations in the
country.   PL's policy requiring logging crews to also act as company thugs
only adds more risk to employees in the woods.  The tragic death of David
Chain under these circumstances shows clearly that to PL, profits are more
important than human life.  Earth First! activists who witnessed the tragic
death of their comrade David Chain will cooperate with a full investigation
into the incident and its causes.  A memorial is planned for next week, and
Earth First! will continue to protest Pacific Lumber's illegal logging in
Grizzly Creek in David's name.

**************************************************
A personal note from Andy Caffrey:

This outrageous, gruesome death hits us at a crucial time. Julia
"Butterfly" Hill has been sitting up in the ancient Redwood tree Luna for
over 9 months now. The Pepper Spray lawsuit has to be tried all over again.
Tomorrow California Governor Pete Wilson is scheduled to sign off on the
Headwaters Deal, which we have been emphatically opposing from Day One.
Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney's Redwood Justice lawsuit against the FBI and
the Oakland Police Dept for their activities surrounding the 1990 car bomb
murder attempt has yet to go to trial. And Charles Hurwitz, CEO of MAXXAM
is still involved in a lawsuit filed against him by the FDIC which is
trying to recover the funds Hurwitz looted in the Bush era Savings and Loan
ripoffs (see the Jail Hurwitz web site below.)

We have a completely empty bank account right now, with everything we have
going to these battles. And we're doing this organizing in one of the
poorest counties in the state. Donations to support this effort to keep you
informed and to inform the media of the facts, get videos out to them, and
to talk with the many supporters calling us from around the country are
crucially needed. We don't even have money to buy video tape right now
(hey, send us some blank video tapes if you want to, we're not proud!)

Also, we are in desperate need of a Web publishing-worthy Macintosh
computer with accessories, since our access is very limited to the computer
sending you this press release.

So please, if you can help, please send what you can ASAP, payable to
"Earth First!" and send it to

Earth First! Media Center
P.O. Box 324
Redway, CA 95560

Thanks so very much. We can do so much if you get involved. We're gonna do
our part here in Humboldt County. We aren't going anywhere. We haven't
given up on saving *all* of Headwaters Forest, and we sure aren't going to
abandon our fight for justice for David Chain!

Stunned and Outraged,
Andy

PS For those who want to help with their bodies out here at our California
base camp, please be aware that the camp is moving tomorrow to an area much
nearer to where this definitely nonaccident occurred. Heading East of HWY
101 on Hwy 36, drive about 20 miles to Grizzly Creek State Park. If you
need to know more, please e-mail me or phone if need be.

Earth First! Media Center
Andy Caffrey, facilitator

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