Regarding Robert Amon’s views on eco-terrorism, I must stress there are valid means of protest, and burning down buildings is not one of them (HCN, 4/17/06: Eco-terrorism and the trial of the century). Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi did not sneak around at night, wearing masks and committing acts of destruction. Yes, they broke laws through civil disobedience. However, in civil disobedience one acts openly, in public, and is willing to face arrest and imprisonment for the acts committed. Some people believe that the ends justify the means. King and Gandhi taught us that the ends and means must be in harmony. Those who commit arson in the name of environmental justice serve neither justice nor the environment.
Stephen Borton
Vernal, Utah
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Destruction is not a valid protest.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
