This diary is directed to all organizations and individuals who plan civil disobedience and protest actions concerning the KXL Pipeline or any other pipeline project using direct action. In particular, this diary is addressed to the Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands which carries out direct action civil disobedience events incorporating felony criminal conduct.
Whatever you do in your civil disobedience, don't jeopardize your life and health by physically entering a pipeline under construction like Christopher Wahmhoff, a Michigan activist from MCATS, foolishly did last year in an MCATS approved direct action. [Advance to 41:30 on video)
http://www.democracynow.org/...
Why was Christopher Wahmhof's action a foolish thing to do? Because....
DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES
Thinking of entering a pipeline structure or manhole? Not a smart thing to do because...
DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES
So you think there is breathable air inside a pipeline you've skateboarded into....? Well what if there isn't? Then you are dead or injured and some first responder has to risk their lives to recover you as a civil disobedience practitioner from a dangerous situation.
Creating a serious safety hazard for yourself in civil disobedience is not a nonviolent act and organizations professing non-violence who commit acts that cause their members serious jeopardy to life and health are not non-violent organizations.
Planning anti-pipeline civil disobedience? Rule out any entry of pipeline structures and pipelines ....why? Because....
DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES.
And just in case you might ever forget this, or think this diary is a joke....well, just remember that....
DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES
And just in case fanaticism has a grip on you as a civil disobedience protestor and you've lost perspective on what is important and what is not...just remember....
DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES
Mon Feb 17, 2014 at 4:15 PM PT: I didn't originate the phrase "DEATH LURKS IN CONFINED SPACES"....I remember seeing that phrase in educational information published about 30 years ago by then Michigan Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Division.
Those MIOSHA regulators were trying to make a point to workers and the general public in the same manner as I am trying to make to civil disobedience protestors in anti-KXL Camp.