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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2003)
S o ummer Action The sun’s out and revolution’s in the air. un can be so decadent, so bour- geois. But it doesn’t have to be. This is, after all, one of the most progressive and politically organized cities in the nation. There’s a full slate of activi- ties statewide this summer to turn your lazy, empty summer days into a time of cause and purpose. This summer marks the launch of Cascadia Summer, a concerted effort by many local organizations to step up activism, involvement and mobilization. This campaign is an alliance of groups with a wide spectrum of skills and tactics, including the Cascadia Forest Alliance, Cascadia Forest Defenders (Eugene), Forest Action Network, Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project, Mazama Forest Defense, Northwest Ecosystem Survey Team, Klamath-Salmon Action Network, Cascadia Defense Network, Shuksan Direct Action, and Olympia and Springfield Earth First!. Events for summer start with a June 14 International Day of Action for Jeff “Free” F 26 JUNE 5, 2003 Story by Brian Boone o Photos by Kurt Jensen Luers. Despite the moniker, Free is cur- rently serving a 22-year sentence for his role in the 2001 Romania SUV fires. Though simultaneous events will occur in various locations, Eugene will hold the biggest rally, boasting speakers and a soli- darity parade to draw attention to Free and his ever-lengthening stay as a political prisoner. That ought to get the protest juices flowing as things kick in to high gear for summer solstice. Friday, June 20, John Henry’s will host the Solstice Benefit for Cascadia Summer. The cost of the show is a sliding scale of $7 and up, and features performances by The Ovulators, The Shudders, Tom Hienl, Danny Dolinger and the Fabulous ThunderCraig. Next up is the Magical Activism Weekend at the Canceled Eagle Timber Sale in Estacada, June 20-22. Organized by the Northwest Pagan Cluster and Seattle Earth First!, the event aims to unite earth activists with pagans, defined as those who want to use magical tools for positive change. Each group will share specific tools for protest, including blockading, tree-sitting, grounding, meditation and awareness. June 22-28, Greenpeace and the National Forest Protection Alliance will sponsor “Endangered Forests, Endangered Freedoms,” a weeklong forest activist and campaigner training program. Participants will learn tactics needed to effectively protest deforestation, while also taking in the gorgeous scenery of western Montana. Similar in spirit and purpose is the Action Training Camp, which will commence July 18-20 near Portland. The World Trade Organization returns to the U.S. June 23-25 with its Agribusiness Ministerial in Sacramento. Cascadia Summer and numerous other organized groups will meet to protest the WTO’s push for genetically modified tree farms and the development of biotechnolo- gy in general. This is going to be huge; if you can go to only of these events this summer, make it this one — history just may repeat itself. Activists have long antagonized Umpqua Bank because its largest accounts are timber interests, and its board of direc- tors includes many barons of the timber industry, notably the owner of Roseburg Forest Products — an aggressive logger of old-growth forests. If you don’t like that little tidbit of information, then leave July 17 free for the Statewide Day of Action against Umpqua Bank. Eugene is arguably as well-known for its superior bicycling as it is for its activism. Now you can combine the two while fighting for the future of forests by joining the Trek for Trees, an Aug. 2 pledge bike ride. Aiming to raise funds and awareness for forest defense, the ride goes from Eugene to the Willamette National Forest with a return trip on August 3. For more information about Cascadia Summer events, visit www.cascadiasum- mer.org, or you can also contact locals Jim Flynn and Leeanne Siart with Eugene’s Cascadia Forest Defenders at 684-8977. o
