EarthWays and Action Resource Center (ARC) have established an activist center in Venice, California to provide an LA activist base. Since the recent closure of the Los Angeles Greenpeace office and the Santa Monica RAN office, the Los Angeles activist community needs a resource base and networking hub more than ever. The presence of Greenpeace and RAN offices in Los Angeles supported a broad range of activism for many groups and individuals, including many of the people who now make up Action Resource Center. As the range of community activism continues to grow here, there is a critical need for an ongoing support base. The Venice activist house operates with a theme expressed by the acronym RETINA: Radical Environmentalism Through Inspiration & Non-violent Action. ARC and other activist groups will use this center to plan and manage campaigns for the environment.

Multinational corporations are continuing to consolidate power at the expense of our natural ecosystems and human rights. There is a need to directly and publicly confront these dominating forces. This problem is best addressed at the grass roots level, where a large number of people can be involved.

For example, ARC will provide training, resources, and support for groups and activist working on social justice, human rights, and environmental issues. One of ARC's primary interests is in old-growth forest issues. A long-term campaign is being developed based on protecting all ancient forests.

ARC is in its early stages of development. Action camps are the primary means by which communities are reached. In 1997 alone, communities in Southern California (Malibu), the Southwest (Arizona), the Pacific Northwest (Vancouver), the South (Georgia), and the Northwest (Vermont) will be included in the training programs.

On a local level, ARC works with a community of Burmese political exiles, providing a bridge over cultural and language barriers to increase support for their cause form the general Los Angeles community. Together they have rallied students, academicians, and professionals. The L.A. campaign for a Free Burma has played a significant role in gaining the withdrawal of U.S. companies from Burma including Eddie Bauer, Columbia Sportswear, Liz Claiborne, Heineken, and PepsiCo. Within Burma, the media (under 100% military control) has blamed efforts in Los Angeles for stunting campaign tourism dollars with our "misinformation".

This year ARC plans to work on two specific issues: The Campaign for a Free Burma and Headwaters old-growth campaign. ARC also helps with the work of the Ballona Wetlands Coalition, the Forest Action Network (California), the Uwa campaign and the Pure Food Campaign. In addition, ARC intends to continue to organize activist training and a regional activist camp with the Ruckus Society.

With the support and encouragement of the activist house, other groups will join with ARC in creating sustainable ways of living together.

Project Director: Brett Doran
Contact: P.O. Box 2104 Venice, CA 90294 or
EarthWays 20178 Rockport Way Malibu, CA 90265 tel: 456-8300
ARC is a project of Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE), an affiliate founded by EarthWays.

info@earthways.org