In the area where I live a major issue is the construction of a major coal terminal to export coal. Indigenous people of the Northwest are leading the opposition to this project. They have a long history of destruction of their livelihoods at the hands of European settlers and are now being threatened once again with coal-related pollution that is threatening their fishing economy which is vital to their way of life. Corporation funded actions are appearing everywhere to meet this opposition to a coal terminal. Corporations are even promoting an Indian hate campaign and targeting journalists who report on their nefarious activities.
On February 5, 2014, Gateway Pacific Terminal consultant Craig Cole sent a letter to Whatcom Watch editor Richard Jehn threatening a lawsuit for publishing Robson’s January 2014 article that exposed the convergence of Peabody Coal, Pacific International Terminals, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and the Tea Party with Citizens Equal Rights Alliance as a looming threat to Lummi Nation and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.... Cole’s threat against investigative journalists like Robson and myself might not matter to passive readers, but for those that put their lives on the line against the portentous movements in America intent on promoting interracial discord and a growing politics of fear, it matters a lot.
