--- begin forwarded text Date: Sat, 1 Nov 1997 11:04:51 -0500 (EST) From: Peter F Cassidy <pcassidy@world.std.com> To: Robert Hettinga <rah@shipwright.com> Subject: FYI re BATF (fwd) Mime-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from QUOTED-PRINTABLE to 8bit by pop.sneaker.net id LAA23122 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 1 Nov 1997 06:35:29 -0500 From: Unka Bart <mendicant@buddhist.com> To: Peter Cassidy <triarche@world.std.com> Subject: FYI re BATF From: John_Johnson <TXJohn47@ix.netcom.com> Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 01:30:51 -0600 To: FIREARMS@LISTSERV.UTA.EDU Subject: Fwd: Is the BATF Up to Their Old Tricks Again? **** Begin Forwarded Message **** Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 20:32:09 -0700 From: Douglas Davis <davisda@rmi.net> Subject: Is the BATF Up to Their Old Tricks Again?
From: byteme@msn.com (Karmann Powell) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 08:27:52 -0500 Organization: AirPower Information Services (610) 259-2193 Subject: Is the BATF Up to Their Old Tricks Again?
I am cross posting this e-mailed information received from a Karmann in AZ. She has e-mailed me and sent local newspaper information via snail mail to support her claims that her community is being bullied by the BATF. For some reason they are having a difficult time getting the information out - even with a whole community and local newspaper of angry citizens. Anyone that can assist and verify the following would be most appreciated.
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RIGHTS & FREEDOMS AT RISK IN NEW RIVER, ARIZONA New River is a small, non-incorporated community 30 miles north of Phoenix, AZ. On September 10, 1997, the BATF raided the property of Charles Byers, a former munitions manufacturer. On the property they found a shed containing chemicals that the BATF claims are highly unstable and shock sensitive. A list of the chemicals obtained via court records shows that most of the chemicals are used in the production of fireworks. The shed has been described by some as "a glorified high school chem. lab". Our community, as well as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, are under an all out assault. The BATF has invaded New River and plans to create an environmental hazard against our wishes and without legal permits. On September 23, 1997, the BATF blew up two bunkers full of explosives. The community was not notified. The resulting shock wave rattled houses as far as four miles away. Kids at New River Elementary school were bounced out of their chairs and scared half out of their wits. The materials in the shed did not ignite. The BATF brought in heavy equipment to build a berm around the shed, then constructed a concrete wall on top of it. The BATF claims that the heavy equipment did not set off the chemicals in the shed because they used equipment with "rubber tires." The BATF decided the only way to solve the problems of the unstable chemicals is to burn the shed using Thermite as an accelerant to incinerate the shed and its contents at temperatures between 3000 and 5000 degrees. This would completely destroy any organic compounds that might exist. The inorganic compounds would not be destroyed, but would instead, vaporize and form possible new and deadly airborne combinations. The EPA approved the BATF's plan, a federal judge issued an evacuation order, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, went along. The burn was set for October 18, 1997. The Sheriff, a thirty year veteran of the DEA, sent his posse to notify residents that they were to evacuate their property, including all domestic animals and birds. Since this is a rural area, most people have more than just a cat or dog. Folks here raise horses, pigs, chickens and exotic birds and animals. Many raise more than one species and have multiple head. At a community meeting with the BATF, EPA and Sheriff Arpaio, residents asked questions of the assembled panel. The panel could not or would not respond to residents inquires: "What exactly was in the shed and in what quantities? What effect would burning the chemicals have on our soil, air and ground water, both short and long term? Where were residents to take their animals? Who was going to pay for any damages sustained to properties (Brush fired hazard is very high this time of the years)?" It was evident that the effects of the burn had not been determined. The EPA representative said numerous times, "We will monitor before and after." Sheriff Arpaio threatened to forcibly remove anyone who refused to leave their property. He could not understand why residents did not want - or appreciate - his 'protection'. He stated that it is within his power and responsibilities to protect us from ourselves. So many people refused to evacuate that the October 18 burn was postponed until November 1, 1997. Three hundred fifty homes were to be evacuated, for 12 to 24 hours, within a three mile radius of Byers' property. The evacuation maps provided to us, prepared by the BATF, were completely wrong. They have been redrawn - with the radius now only extending 1.5 miles so as not to inconvenience the people in the Manufacturer's Outlet Mall nearly three miles from the proposed burn site. When asked, "If these chemicals are so sensitive, why did the BATF set off explosions near the shed?", they said it was a mistake. We have not accepted that the federal, or even local, government can force us to leave our homes, proceed with reckless behavior with detrimental effects on our land, lives and livelihoods, and not be accountable. The BATF and Sheriff Arpaio have tried to make us feel like we are over-reacting and just need to get with the program. Sheriff Arpaio did not stop his threats of forcible removal - until he was contacted by the community's attorney. On October 25,1997, New River residents held a peaceful demonstration at the site of the proposed burn. We walked two miles up and down steep hills and stood before the BATF with American flags. We wanted to remind the BATF that this is still America and that we have the right to live peacefully on our property. Our government cannot, on a whim, destroy what we have worked so hard to build. Certain sections of our government are testing American's resolve. They are looking to see where we draw the line. In New River, we have drawn that line in the dirt we hold sacred. We will not allow the burn and will not leave our homes. A talk show host in Phoenix called what's happening here "The New River Rebellion." We do not want New River added to the list of American Tragedies that includes Ruby Ridge and Waco. Call your own congressman or senator. Let them know that you know about New River. If we let it happen here, where will it stop?
Contact the following people/locations for comments or more information: Karmann Powell - byteme@msn.com The Desert Advocate, Karen Seemeyer, Editor - thedesadv@aol.com The Arizona Republic - being covered by Timothy Tait timothy.tait@pni.com
-- (byteme@msn.com) AirPower Services BBS - (610) 259-2193 - info@airgunhq.com Interested in Firearms, RKBA, Airguns, the Shooting Sports? PRN Regional HQ, Northeast United States * Jim Henry and AirPower Services take no responsibility for * * message content as this is an *un-moderated* list. * -- John_Johnson TXJohn47@ix.netcom.com © 1997 All rights reserved
--- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert Hettinga (rah@shipwright.com), Philodox e$, 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' The e$ Home Page: http://www.shipwright.com/ Ask me about FC98 in Anguilla!: <http://www.fc98.ai/>