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Who Bombed Judi Bari?

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Who Bombed Judi Bari?

As threats to the environment persist across the world, laws and police practices continue to protect corporate interests – taking aim at front line activists who defend the land and natural resources.  This strategy of criminalizing dissent took an ugly turn in 1990, in Oakland, California, when environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney were car bombed. Despite receiving death threats, the pair was instantly arrested by the FBI and Oakland Police for bombing themselves.

Our radio adaptation of the film, Who Bombed Judi Bari?, explores Bari’s bold activism to save the Redwood Forest in the face of corporate greed, and the violent measures taken to silence the environmental movement. Produced by Darryl Cherney, Elyse Katz, Sheila Laffey, Bill and Laurie Benenson and directed by Mary Liz Thomson, the film delves into the bombing and her fight against the FBI’s attempted frame-up.

Special thanks to the producers Darryl Cherney, Elyse Katz, Sheila Laffey, Executive Producers Bill and Laurie Benenson and Director by Mary Liz Thomson for use of the film.

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Image Credit: Xiang Xing Zhou via Wikipedia

Featuring:

  • Environmental Activists, Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney
  • Attorney, Dennis Cunningham
  • Darryl Cherney, Activist and Musician
  • Voices of various law enforcement officials and news reporters.

Making Contact Staff:

  • Host: Anita Johnson
  • Executive Director: Lisa Rudman
  • Staff Producers: Anita Johnson, Monica Lopez, Salima Hamirani
  • Associate Producer: Aysha Choudhary
  • Engagement and Web Manager: Kathryn Styer

Music

  • Who Bombed Judi Bari? by Darryl Cherney recorded in 1991
  • Morning Light by Ensemble Mik Nawooj
  • …and Bonnie Raitt singing her hit “Angel from Montgomery

Criminalizing Dissent

On the next Making Contact…

Actuality Clip: Excerpt from the film

As threats to the environment persist across the world, laws and police practices continue to protect corporate interests – taking aim at front line activists who defend the land and natural resources. This strategy of criminalizing dissent took an ugly turn in 1990, in Oakland, California, when environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney were car bombed. Despite receiving death threats, the pair was instantly arrested by the FBI and Oakland Police for bombing themselves.

Today, we’ll hear from the documentary, Who Bombed Judi Bari?. Produced by Darryl Cherney, Elyse Katz, Sheila Laffey, Bill and Laurie Benenson and directed by Mary Liz Thomson, the documentary explores Judi Bari’s bold activism to save the Redwood Forest in the face of corporate greed, and the violent measures taken to silence the environmental movement.

As threats to the environment persist across the world, laws and police practices continue to protect corporate interests – taking aim at front line activists who defend the land and natural resources.  This strategy of criminalizing dissent took an ugly turn in 1990, in Oakland, California, when environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney were car bombed. Despite receiving death threats, the pair was instantly arrested by the FBI and Oakland Police for bombing themselves.

Today, we’ll hear from the documentary, Who Bombed Judi Bari?. Produced by Darryl Cherney, Elyse Katz, Sheila Laffey, Bill and Laurie Benenson and directed by Mary Liz Thomson, the documentary explores Judi Bari’s bold activism to save the Redwood Forest in the face of corporate greed, and the violent measures taken to silence the environmental movement.

Actuality Clip: Excerpt from the film 

Judi Bari was a key organizer with the radical environmental group called Earth First!

And on May 24, 1990, Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney were nearly killed, when a bomb exploded in Bari’s car. It’s believed that because of her activism, she was targeted by the government to halt her advocacy and protection of the wilderness and actions against the timber industry.

In 1997, Judi Bari gave a deposition for a civil rights lawsuit against the FBI and Oakland Police Department. Here she is speaking with attorney Dennis Cunningham about the bombing and the incidents that proceeded it.

Clip: When the bombing happened.

…car seat.

Anita: Judi Bari

Clip: You bought it on yourself Judi.

Anita:

In the suit filed by Judi and Darryl, claimed false arrest and unlawful search in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It also claimed a politically-motivated conspiracy in violation of the First Amendment which attempted to suppress and chill their free speech by discrediting them in public perception as violent extremists.  Here’s Judi Bari describing the nefarious actions of law enforcement while investigating the car bombing.

 Clip: Coincidence

Outro: set up a line of authority

Music Bridge:

Clip: Cointelpro

 Anita:

Judi Bari died of breast cancer in 1997. Yet twelve years after they were accused of carrying a bomb that exploded in Bari’s car, the two Earth First environmentalists were awarded a victory in the federal civil suit. 

Clip:

Anita:

Now, let’s give Judi Bari the last word…

Clip:

“This case is not just about me or Darryl or Earth First!, This case is about the rights of all political activists to engage in dissent without having to fear the government’s secret police.”- Judi Bari 

Music

Anita:

You’ve been listening to the film “Who Bombed Judi Bari?,” Special thanks to the producers Darryl Cherney, Elyse Katz, Sheila Laffey, Bill and Laurie Benenson and director by Mary Liz Thomson for use of the film. Check out our Web site, radio project dot org to learn more about Judi Bari and the film. Also download past shows or make a difference by supporting our work, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Our handle is making underscore contact.

The Making Contact team is executive director Lisa Rudman, producers Monica Lopez, Anita Johnson, and Salima Hamirani. Associate producer is Aysha Choudary, audience engagement and web coordinator Kathryn Styer. I’m Anita Johnson. Thanks for listening.

Author: Radio Project

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