As widely reported elsewhere, the FBI NL is now investigating NL treatment of Headwaters protesters by Humboldt County authorities. On October 30, lawyers for the environmentalists released horrifying videotapes showing deputies methodically swabbing the eyes of protesters with concentrated pepper spray as the nonviolent protesters scream and writhe in pain. One woman is sprayed directly into her eyes from an approximately three inch distance. Key Chain
The mace-made videos contained footage from a September 25 demonstration in the lobby of Pacific Lumber Company headquarters and an October 16 sit-in at the office of Representative Frank Riggs (R - Scotia). On October 31, Riggs defended this mace behavior on the House floor. An unedited version of those remarks appears below. Key Chain
A former NL deputy sheriff and real estate speculator, Riggs represents the sprawling Northern California First District. He has long has been criticized for his close ties to the timber industry, and his performance ratings from environmental groups are among the lowest in Congress. Logging companies showed their appreciation last year by contributing about $34,000 to his expensive re-election campaign, making them his third largest donor, behind only ideological PACs and wineries.
