Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Allah brutalization by Eric Schatz & Mike Oxman 4-10-03
On April 10, 2003, Eric Schatz and his two climbers tortured and assaulted two tree-sitters in the Freshwater drainage. Here's some still images from the video that was taken.
Micheal Oxman is a employee or contractor of Eric Schatz who works for Maxxam/Pacific Lumber evicting tree-sitters.
After a round of evictions took place in mid March, seems as if the climber began to get lazy and frustrated that forest defenders were resisting the descration of the ancient trees. Trees that have inhabited this continent since the Natives discovered Columbus lost on the seashores of the east coast.
Eric was in the process of grinding out a tree-sitter when another sitter free climbed the same tree in an attempt to get above the climbers to prevent the splintering of the tree named "Allah" by local forest defenders. When they figured out what was taking place, they resorted to torture and outright brutality. Mr. Oxman(a supposed eco tourist fucking guide for tree top climbs) decided to take matters into his own feet. At times he stood directly on the second activists chest while Eric flawed around in the rain trying to zip tie the activists feet. When standing on his chest didn't work, he decided to elbow the activists in the throat in order to subdue him. Mr. Oxman has no formal training in restraining an individual without causing harm to them, in addition, this whole incident took place high up in the canopy at 160 feet. It's a miracle no one was killed.
Once the climber finished with the free climber, they resumed grinding the activists out of his lockbox. Eric was down on the ground when Oxman is seen eating a snack and decides to kick the tree-sitter in the ribs for no reason other than to get his rocks off. Oxman then proceeds to tie a rope around the tree-sitters legs and stand on it to buckle his legs in and cause rope burns around his calfs. At one point, Oxman grabs his feet and dangles the activist out over the drop trying to get him to fall to his death. The tree-sitter held on for his life and then when Eric returns to the canopy, Oxman resumes his normal behavior.
It has been reported by some in the scientific community that Oxman is a loose cannon. He fears he lacks the ability to due tree-top canopy surveys properly and it is known that he is unsafe with his clmibing tactics. Many biologists refuse to work with Mr. Oxman because he is so violatile and hot headed. Not only has he brutalized non-violent protesters, but he has also placed biologists lives at risk as well. Mike Oxman is a liability to Eric Schatz and Maxxam.
After a round of evictions took place in mid March, seems as if the climber began to get lazy and frustrated that forest defenders were resisting the descration of the ancient trees. Trees that have inhabited this continent since the Natives discovered Columbus lost on the seashores of the east coast.
Eric was in the process of grinding out a tree-sitter when another sitter free climbed the same tree in an attempt to get above the climbers to prevent the splintering of the tree named "Allah" by local forest defenders. When they figured out what was taking place, they resorted to torture and outright brutality. Mr. Oxman(a supposed eco tourist fucking guide for tree top climbs) decided to take matters into his own feet. At times he stood directly on the second activists chest while Eric flawed around in the rain trying to zip tie the activists feet. When standing on his chest didn't work, he decided to elbow the activists in the throat in order to subdue him. Mr. Oxman has no formal training in restraining an individual without causing harm to them, in addition, this whole incident took place high up in the canopy at 160 feet. It's a miracle no one was killed.
Once the climber finished with the free climber, they resumed grinding the activists out of his lockbox. Eric was down on the ground when Oxman is seen eating a snack and decides to kick the tree-sitter in the ribs for no reason other than to get his rocks off. Oxman then proceeds to tie a rope around the tree-sitters legs and stand on it to buckle his legs in and cause rope burns around his calfs. At one point, Oxman grabs his feet and dangles the activist out over the drop trying to get him to fall to his death. The tree-sitter held on for his life and then when Eric returns to the canopy, Oxman resumes his normal behavior.
It has been reported by some in the scientific community that Oxman is a loose cannon. He fears he lacks the ability to due tree-top canopy surveys properly and it is known that he is unsafe with his clmibing tactics. Many biologists refuse to work with Mr. Oxman because he is so violatile and hot headed. Not only has he brutalized non-violent protesters, but he has also placed biologists lives at risk as well. Mike Oxman is a liability to Eric Schatz and Maxxam.
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
I'm on the side of the tree-sitters, so please don't construe my comments as in any way opposed to them. However, whoever named the tree Allah, should know that this was not a good choice. The vast majority of Muslims around the world would take deep offense to naming a tree Allah, so it shows an insensitivity to Islam, rather than an appreciation for diversity. I do not believe in god myself, but I was born and raised in a muslim country, and I know for sure that 100% of the people I grew up with, no matter how progressive, would find the name to be not appropriate. One should note, that Islam was the third wave of monotheist belief, and it was explicitly a response to and in opposition to polytheism, animism and dynamism (the worship of inanimate objects, objects in nature, human beings and multiple gods). So the culture and theology of Islam is as a result, deeply commited to the use of the term Allah in reference only to the one god, etc. To take ecumenical liberties and name a tree Allah, indicates a lack of understanding (if not outright disrespect) of the history, culture and theology that underlies the beliefs of most who consider themselves muslim.
Innosanto Nagara ,
You have to first understand E.F. First and formost is that they feel they have the right to do whatever they damn well please. Second, they don't care how they use Allah as long as it gets their point across. This also reminds me on how upset E.F. was because Martin Luther King and Gandhi appered on an ad that P.L. put out. Now isn't this special. Upset over King and Gandhi, but slaps Allah in the face with a branch.
You have to first understand E.F. First and formost is that they feel they have the right to do whatever they damn well please. Second, they don't care how they use Allah as long as it gets their point across. This also reminds me on how upset E.F. was because Martin Luther King and Gandhi appered on an ad that P.L. put out. Now isn't this special. Upset over King and Gandhi, but slaps Allah in the face with a branch.
It would be offensive to any monotheist to name a tree after the One High and Mighty. It is simply the Arabic word for the One Lord. Either way the name is the same Higher Power.
For more information:
http://www.sleepybrain.net/bum.html
Just outta' curiousity why are all you people bitching over the name given to the tree?I mean come on if Allah means one God then he put the tree there and it would be a praise to Allah to name such a beautiful, majestic tree after him.Shit would you rather them name the tree George Bush because you'd still be BITCHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good job Oxman!!! What does that job pay per dirt bag removed?? Why did you just use the elbow?? The knee is much better.
Did you ever stop to think that the guy was climbing above oxman to cut his life line that holds him in the tree??
Again, way to go Oxman.
Again, way to go Oxman.
what a way to make a living......i hope oxmans kids are proud of him. what goes ar
I remember that day... Hells, I remember all of them. But there's three days in picticular that I remember, Allah and Posidon's tragity, Marvelous' murder, and Jerry's de-limbing. All four trees I've known since I was 9 perhaps that's only five years, but I knew them well. Especially Jerry and Marvelous. I've lived in each one for a little while and it was heart-breaking to watch these evil people kill and/or cause them harm.
I just don't get why they're doing this... Are they really going to go out of bussiness by not chopping a few Redwoods? Are people really that cruel? I mean, I wouldn't kill they're pets and nor would they... But why the trees...?
You know what the sad thing is...? That the plea of thousonds of people are nothing to any leaders in our nation... And because of that we had 9/11, the murdering of millions of tress, and other tragic events... It makes me want to cry. ...But I won't. I'll stayt strong, like a Redwood Tree. And not weak like the people who kill them.
-M.M.
I just don't get why they're doing this... Are they really going to go out of bussiness by not chopping a few Redwoods? Are people really that cruel? I mean, I wouldn't kill they're pets and nor would they... But why the trees...?
You know what the sad thing is...? That the plea of thousonds of people are nothing to any leaders in our nation... And because of that we had 9/11, the murdering of millions of tress, and other tragic events... It makes me want to cry. ...But I won't. I'll stayt strong, like a Redwood Tree. And not weak like the people who kill them.
-M.M.
who owns the land?
I don't understand why people get so misty eyed when thinking about a plant. It's not even an animal. Billions of years ago when one bacteria engulfed another to form the first animal cell (with mitochondria), plants were completely different. Unless you are getting all weepy over the bacteria that you destroy, or the fungi that you eat, then why do you care what happens to a big bunch of cellulose?
and by extention osygen and air, it is nothing but molecules forming an atmosphere?
A lot of people are fighting and dying in various parts of the world who strongly disagree with you.
To whoever wrote: "It's a tree. Not even an animal."
Man, you need to lighten up! The girl is 14 for crying out loud! I think 'M.M.' deserves a little compassion, no matter your stand point on the matter.
And further more, a tree is a living, breathing, life form. If you want to play the biology game then here it is; In all of life there are five classifications of life and Plante (plants) is one of them. Animalia (animals) is another. There are three more, two types of bacteria and Fungi. These are all in the classification of 'Kingdom'. It is still a life. I'm not ging to go down the whole process of classisfying a Redwood Tree, it's pointless for someone as heartless as you.
Anyway, seeing as how a Redwood is alive and how a goat is alive, they would both be living creatures, right? Because if you didn't get it the first three times they are, in fact, living beings.
Now, why do people get misy-eyed when a tree is chopped down? For their own personal reasons. There could be dozens. I'm not going to name them off, because once again, to someone as heartless as you it is pointless.
But tell me this, why do people cry over a crashed car? Or lost money? How about a child who lost their favorite blanket or stuffed bear? They all seemed to get misty-eyed.
In short, lighten up and show some compassion. If it were me saying what M.M. said then I wouldn't be so hostile. But for crying out loud! She's 14! Have a heart, will you?
-Turtle Shell
Man, you need to lighten up! The girl is 14 for crying out loud! I think 'M.M.' deserves a little compassion, no matter your stand point on the matter.
And further more, a tree is a living, breathing, life form. If you want to play the biology game then here it is; In all of life there are five classifications of life and Plante (plants) is one of them. Animalia (animals) is another. There are three more, two types of bacteria and Fungi. These are all in the classification of 'Kingdom'. It is still a life. I'm not ging to go down the whole process of classisfying a Redwood Tree, it's pointless for someone as heartless as you.
Anyway, seeing as how a Redwood is alive and how a goat is alive, they would both be living creatures, right? Because if you didn't get it the first three times they are, in fact, living beings.
Now, why do people get misy-eyed when a tree is chopped down? For their own personal reasons. There could be dozens. I'm not going to name them off, because once again, to someone as heartless as you it is pointless.
But tell me this, why do people cry over a crashed car? Or lost money? How about a child who lost their favorite blanket or stuffed bear? They all seemed to get misty-eyed.
In short, lighten up and show some compassion. If it were me saying what M.M. said then I wouldn't be so hostile. But for crying out loud! She's 14! Have a heart, will you?
-Turtle Shell
Those trees are put to good use by thousands of people. You hippies think that you own them, because you are the only ones nutty enough to go live in the woods. Well I bring those trees into neighborhoods and peoples lives by building high quality decks, why have somthing that only a few nut cases can enjoy when you can cut it up and spread the beauty of the tree around the world via the lumber market. Duhhh they grow back..
"....persons that climb trees as an act of protest have willingly accepted the risk of death or injury to themselves. However, when another person lawfully dlimbs into that tree to remove them, their acts of resistance increase the risk of death or injury to others. Therefore, those acts of resistance cannot and will not be tolerated by the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Paul Gallegos, Eureka Times-Standard, June 7, 2003.
Given these considerations, forceful restraint up to and including pain compliance is fully justified when protestors use reckless resistance or increase the risks to the climbers. That includes threatening climbers' lifelines and equipment. So stop whining about forceful restraint and pain compliance, you crybabies, you brought it on yourselves.
Paul Gallegos, Eureka Times-Standard, June 7, 2003.
Given these considerations, forceful restraint up to and including pain compliance is fully justified when protestors use reckless resistance or increase the risks to the climbers. That includes threatening climbers' lifelines and equipment. So stop whining about forceful restraint and pain compliance, you crybabies, you brought it on yourselves.
That's yet another logical fallacy.
See:
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/pop.htm
Appeal to Popularity (argumentum ad populum)
Definition:
A proposition is held to be true because it is widely held to be true or is held to be true by some (usually upper crust) sector of the population. This fallacy is sometimes also called the "Appeal to Emotion" because emotional appeals often sway the population as a whole.
Examples:
i. If you were beautiful, you could live like this, so buy Buty-EZ and become beautiful. (Here, the appeal is to the "beautiful people".)
ii. Polls suggest that the Liberals will form a majority government, so you may as well vote for them.
iii. Everyone knows that the Earth is flat, so why do you persist in your outlandish claims?
See:
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/pop.htm
Appeal to Popularity (argumentum ad populum)
Definition:
A proposition is held to be true because it is widely held to be true or is held to be true by some (usually upper crust) sector of the population. This fallacy is sometimes also called the "Appeal to Emotion" because emotional appeals often sway the population as a whole.
Examples:
i. If you were beautiful, you could live like this, so buy Buty-EZ and become beautiful. (Here, the appeal is to the "beautiful people".)
ii. Polls suggest that the Liberals will form a majority government, so you may as well vote for them.
iii. Everyone knows that the Earth is flat, so why do you persist in your outlandish claims?
I think it's time to send up pepper spray with the tree-sitters. it'd just be self-defense when oxman or schitz comes after ya. And i don't think he was going after these thugs lifelines, he was trying to protect the tree. Yes, phelp testified during judi and darryl's trial that in the 16 years of protest, none of the protesters has been violent towards the loggers or PL contractors. so your logic is ill founded and blatently wrong. Though it might be time to reevaluate the non-violence code and invoke a sense of self-defense tactics which should include pepper spray in the forest defenders bag. just food for thought, doesn't mean it will be used, but it's been discussed.
Good for Ox, the greenies are outta of control. Why was the activist free climbing at such heights. Ox probably saved his life
Actually, its the folks ripping up the trees who are out of control. Why do we presume the planet is ours to ruin?
I have had the displeasure of working with Oxman before. this guy is the biggest joke in the Seattle arborist community. no self respecting arborist will work with him anymore, thats why he has to go to california for work. You would the think he would be protecting the trees he relies oon for his livelihood!
A hundred years from now, those who know only the heartbreaking ruins left behind by your "honest work" will look back and finally understand that you are the supreme criminals of human history. All the previous 'Great Villains' -- Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot -- will seem quaint compared to monsters so vile, so insane, they could arrogantly kill their own planet. Humans will finally unanimously understand that your own deaths would have been far preferable, and their sorrow that this lesser (in fact trivial) evil did not come to pass will be the only taint on the otherwise epic memory of Earth Firsters as history's most righteous warriors
Michael Oxman's reputation for being dangerous and careless in arboreal work preceeds him. What he and Eric Schatz did for Pacific Lumber is shameful.
Calling Earth Firsters "most righteous warriors" is a little extreme. There are activists who do great work, and there are those who seem to just want (or demand) such high praises. You will find both in relation to Earth First.
Calling Earth Firsters "most righteous warriors" is a little extreme. There are activists who do great work, and there are those who seem to just want (or demand) such high praises. You will find both in relation to Earth First.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$140.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network