Although “If A Tree Falls” didn’t win the Oscar, our viewing followed by Q&A with co-producer Sam Cullen convinced us that this film which tells the story of what environmental activists from the Earth Liberation Front went through in their campaign against corporate powers should have been the right choice in this “Occupy” era.
Although the activists did engage in destruction of private property, the larger question when corporations environmental policies are so destructive to humans as well as animal and plant life, what’s the bigger crime and where is justice?
We urge all to see the film and see for yourself.
On Thursday we had the privilege and honor to host retired Capt. Ray Lewis, formerly of the Philadelphia Police Department. Capt. Lewis shared how he was living on his farm in upstate New York when he heard of the Occupy Wall Street action to set up camp in Zucotti Park. He decided he could not remain silent but must express his solidarity with the movement against corporate corruption and economic disparity. Capt. Lewis came to NYC just beforethe park was raided. He joined the effort in uniform by standing with others at the park to voice their complaints against Wall Street greed. He shared how NYPD “white shirts” threatened that they would “get” him for what he was doing. Then, Capt. Lewis gained national attention when he wound up being arrested just like any other protester.
