Cascadia Free State

The North-Western area of America, (in particular the states of Washington and Oregon) has been the scene of massive ongoing struggles against the forestry industry. Although huge areas of the old growth virgin forests have been clear-cut for timber, substantial tracts still remain and are being fiercely fought over and defended from attempts to fell them.

In Oregon, the Cascadia Free State has been set up to defend the forests and resist the ecological devastation caused by corporations such as Roseburg Forest Products. Hundreds of people have passed through Warner Creek (the central point of the protest) where a fortress complete with drawbridge and warm tarpees (shelters) has grown around the gate the Forestry Service installed to block citizen access. Additionally, above the camp, activists have dug large trenches and built rock blockades along five miles of the road. A variety of other direct action has also been taken, including locking on to gates and vehicles, using huge tripods to prevent access and physically preventing chainsaw operators from cutting trees.

America’s law enforcement agencies have been out in force to protect the logging industry, resulting in almost six hundred arrests since the summer of 1995. Private security guards have also been used and activists have risked injury and death from the actions of chainsaw operators. Despite the efforts of the State and the timber industry, resistance continues to grow, especially as the summer approaches, encouraging more groups and individuals from around the country to get involved. This particular struggle is only one of many battles being fought over America’s old growth forests. More information can be found on their webpage which is at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~cnoblitt/. Or write to the US Earth First! Journal, POB 1415, EUGENE, OR 97440.