Judi and Darryl had put out a nation-wide call for nonviolent actions during Redwood Summer, and this false association with bombs was intended to damage their organizing activities in defense of the redwoods, as well as the Earth First!/labor coalition that Judi was building. Instead of looking for the real bombers, the FBI then orchestrated a sham investigation that focused on the entire environmental community on the north coast of California, and let the would-be assassins get away. After two months of false accusations, Alameda County declined to file any charges against Judi and Darryl.
In 1991, Judi and Darryl filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the FBI and Oakland Police for civil rights abuses, and conspiracy to violate their rights. The turning of the new year brings us just ten months away from the long awaited trial in this lawsuit. October 1, 2001, is the date set for the beginning of the trial.
In March of 1997, Judi Bari died of breast cancer. Her death, and even more her life, had a huge impact on the community where she was active. All of us have favorite stories of some wild thing we did with Judi, from storming the Mendocino DA's office, to levitating the Pacific Lumber offices in Scotia, and blockading LP in Albion. But while Judi was the direct target of the bomb in her car, our community was also violated by the FBI's attack against Earth First!. It is very important that we are a visible presence at the Federal Courthouse in Oakland this October, standing as a community against the lies and terror of the FBI.
To this end, Mendocino Earth First! will organize events locally to update and familiarize people with the lawsuit itself. The FBI has had to turn over 10,000 pages of files, which document not only the illegal information-gathering they did after the bombing and blatant lies they told about the evidence, but also the FBI's involvement trying to disrupt Earth First! years before they had Judi and Darryl falsely arrested in Oakland. The details of the case, and there are many, are fascinating, and raise serious questions about the FBI's illegal spying and tampering with our local movements. If you are interested in learning about the case, or helping out with local events like teach-ins and fundraisers, please contact Mendocino Earth First! at the MEC.
We will begin by remembering Judi on the fourth anniversary of her death at a memorial and celebration of her life in Willits on March 10, 2001. In the coming year, there will be a lot of talk about Judi, the bombing, and Judi's "legacy." The most powerful part of Judi Bari's legacy is the impact she had on the people who worked with her, knew her, and loved her, and this should not get lost during in the fray around the upcoming trial. Please bring and share your favorite story, song, poem, complaint, anecdote, or anything about Judi, a memory of her that you hold dear. If you have any photos or video, bring it along to display. The celebration will be followed by a benefit concert at 7pm.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2001
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