I received a call from the FBI today (yes, it really was the FBI, verified by caller ID and checking the FBI number).
The agent told me that he got my name from someone in an environmentalist group as a person who is knowledgeable about the environmental movement and development in Riverwest. He alleged he wanted to speak to me in order to help reconcile the two groups.
I asked him what he was talking about and he responded that he just told me. I asked who gave him my name and he refused to tell me, stating it was requested that he keep it confidential. I asked again for a specific reason he was calling.
Multiple times he said, “If you don’t want to talk to me…” and I said, I’m happy to talk to you if you ask me a specific question and can be honest about why you’re calling. and then he’d say again, “I told you why.”
So I told him, Look, I don’t believe what you’re telling me. First, everyone knows that I’m active on development and environmental issues in this neighborhood. This is no secret. I’m very public, so there would be no reason for anyone to request anonymity. Second, the FBI doesn’t work on reconciliation (this is something he brought up at least 2-3 times).
I told him that if they are calling me because I have posted publicly that we need a radical environmental organization in this city, he should look up what radical means–it means going to the roots.
I asked him to give me one example of the FBI working on reconciling these two groups ANYWHERE. and his response was that the FBI sometimes protects protesters. Poor guy. I had to inform him that this is not reconciliation.
After we hung up, I posted this on Facebook.
Then, someone posted a link to a booklet called “Operation Backfire: a Survival Guide for Environmental and Animal Rights Activists†which is put out by the National Lawyers Guild on my facebook wall. (if you can’t open that, you can see it here)
It starts out, “In 2004, several separate FBI investigations into the animal rights and environmental movements were combined into Major Case #220, also called Operation Backfire. Shortly after, the FBI’s top official in charge of domestic terrorism announced that ‘The No. 1 domestic terrorism threat is the eco-terrorism, animal-rights movement.’â€
The link was removed w/in 2 minutes. Are they monitoring my facebook page? my phone? my email? I don’t know. I reposted the link myself, so if you are a facebook friend, you can view it.
I am concerned that this kind of harassment and intimidation is going to be a challenge for future environmentalists in Milwaukee. As more and more activists work to protect our resources, corporations will be working to take them away, and take the activists down. What easier way than to delegitimize the movement?
If you hear anyone else who has been contacted, have any ideas about what inspired the FBI would be contacting me, I’d love to know.
I realize it’s possible that this isn’t related to development in Riverwest, but has to do with something else I’m active on (Israel/Palestine, water, etc…).
In any case this kind of non-transparent intimidation is scary and creepy, even knowing that I have done nothing against the law, I understand that this might not matter at all.
I hope this is the end of it.
25 Aug 2009 | 3:36 pm | Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, Uncategorized, Water | No comments yet - Add your comments
Small groups have been meeting over the last several months to explore our options on creating our own local currency.
In the meantime, several other local currencies around the country have sprung up.
Come to a film screening (short), discussion and mutual credit demonstration tonight to find out more.
We’re looking at creating both a local currency* and a mutual credit system* (networked barter). We want to hear your ideas and input.
The film we’ll watch and discuss is “Coming Home: EF Schumacher & the Reinvention of the Local Economy” It’s 37 minutes and a great intro for people to local currency and some of the premises of Transition Milwaukee.
We also plan to do another mutual credit demo, this time with your real skills and needs (can you babysit, fix bikes, walk dogs, prepare vegan meals, or tutor math? Do you need someone to clean your gutters, mend clothes, carpool downtown or install a rainbarrel?) . If you missed the last one, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s fun, fast-paced action and an eye-opening way to show how we, as a cohesive community, have the necessary skills and resilience — but only if we’re networked!
Please bring and invite your friends and join us!
Wed., June 3, 6-8pm
Woodland Pattern on Locust between Fratney and Pierce
*Local currencies and mutual credit systems both support the local economy. One supports the formal economy and the other supports the informal economy.
3 Jun 2009 | 1:24 pm | DIY - Do It Yourself, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability | No comments yet - Add your comments
“Our economy is facing some tough challenges. We’re seeing a giant spike in foreclosures, job losses and workforce problems (transportation, documentation, and education). We cannot continue on this path. We must chart new maps for a reinvented economic strategy. We need better jobs, small business support (not just start-up) and an innovative economy addressing the needs of the future now!”
I wrote that a year ago, and it’s past time to begin.
Local Currency
Many other cities have their own currency. Examples would include Madison Hours, Berkshares, Ithaca Hours (one of the best known local currencies), Burlington Bread and Piedmont Plenty. There are also other forms of local economic exchange, like “Comfort Dollars.”
Most community currency is based on time and can be used to exchange services in neighborhoods. This promotes local economic strength and community self-reliance. Other benefits include more community involvement and pride, patronage of local businesses (those that participate), and ultimately the reduction of traffic emissions. Because of its positive impact on the environment, local currencies are part of economic strategies of more and more sustainable living supporters. You can find an overview here.
In addition to a local currency, we need accessible micro lending, and Continue reading ‘Local Community Currency — It’s Time, Milwaukee’
11 Oct 2008 | 8:08 am | DIY - Do It Yourself, Economic Development | Read 1 comment - Add your comments
Beware the Farm Subsidy
“According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2005, farms with average household incomes of $200,000 per year accounted for 9% of all farms but received 54% of government payments.”
My Forbidden Fruits (and Vegetables)
A couple of excerpt from the NY Times article:
[C]onsumers who would like to be able to buy local fruits and vegetables… will be dismayed to learn that the federal government works deliberately and forcefully to prevent the local food movement from expanding.
The commodity farm program effectively forbids farmers Continue reading ‘Commodity Farming and Subsidies Benefit Big Agribuisiness’
4 Mar 2008 | 1:06 pm | Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability | No comments yet - Add your comments
Bike shop promotes ‘revolutionary’ idea
Bike culture shapes our youth, creates employment, promotes good health, saves our environment and creates community.
1 Nov 2007 | 7:49 am | Economic Development, Health, Streets, Bicycles, Pedestrians | No comments yet - Add your comments
From a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Oct. 16:
“Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, only Detroit had a higher unemployment rate than Milwaukee in August, according to a new study at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.”
“Compared with other large cities, Milwaukee has a low rate of college-educated residents and a high degree of segregation, which places central-city job-seekers away from suburban job growth, Levine said.”
We are fortunate that we have a very high rate of education in the 3rd District, but we need strong leadership to work on creating more jobs, particularly in the central city. Kudos to those businesses that employ people with criminal records and help them become participating citizens.
22 Oct 2007 | 7:54 pm | Economic Development | Read 1 comment - Add your comments