Exerpts from the hearing... Craig Rosebraugh exercised his constitutional right not to respond to Congressional questioning. Although Rosebraugh invoked the Fifth Amendment, it didn't stop Congressional Subcommittee on Ecoterrorism members from asking questions like the following: Committee Chairman Scott McInnis (R-CO):      "Who paid your attorney fees?"      "Has the North American ELF Press Office ever received financial support from animal rights groups?"      "Are the ELF planning future acts?"      "...if one has the courage of one's convictions, shouldn't they have the courage to risk conviction?" Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR):      [regarding Rosebraugh invoking the Fifth Amendment] "...run and hide behind the laws of the constitution...there is no commitment there."      "Are you related to Ken Lay?"      "What evidence do you have that the national forests are decimated?"      "Do you think science provides anything positive to society?" -Portland IndyMedia

Over 100 local activists gathered outside downtown Portland's federal building over the noon hour on Feb. 12 as part of a rally and march in support of Craig Rosebraugh, former spokesperson for the Environmental Liberation Front (ELF). The gathering, a demonstration of solidarity for Rosebraugh as he appeared before a congressional subcommittee on eco-terrorism, spent about 30 minutes speaking out about the growing repression of activists, particularly those expressing "radical" views. The group then set off on an "unpermitted" march through the streets of downtown Portland. Despite the lack of a permit and the occasional blockage of traffic caused by the marchers, police took no action except reportedly citing one demonstrator for trespassing at the close of the march.

In Washington D.C., Rosebraugh invoked the Fifth Amendment upon being asked the first question by the subcommittee. He was then subjected to open taunts from subcommittee members who questioned whether his taking the Fifth Amendment cast in question his commitment to his cause. But beyond the taunts were questions seeking to link Rosebraugh with ELF and other groups, creating what the subcommittee hoped would be validation of their idea that a web of interlocking boards connected "terrorist" groups with more mainstream progressive organizations - the "Ben and Jerry are terrorists" theory.

Rosebraugh did enter prior to his appearance a 12-page statement condemning the United States for engaging in terrorism and destruction of the environment. Rosebraugh called the United States the "most extreme terrorist organization in planetary history."

The subcommittee has raised the question whether the statement represents a waiving of Rosebraugh's right to not answer subcommittee questions, a claim Rosebraugh's attorney, Stu Sugarman, flatly rejected. But the subcommittee chair, Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) went on record as saying he would likely reconvene the subcommittee at a later date for the specific purpose of charging Rosebraugh with contempt of Congress.

-Dave Mazza

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