Flowing river Quote by Edward Abbey
““Let's have some precision in language here: terrorism means deadly violence -- for a political and/or economical purpose -- carried out against people and other living things, and is usually conducted by governments against their own citizens (as at Kent State, or in Vietnam, or in Poland, or in most of Latin America right now), or by corporate entities such as J. Paul Getty, Exxon, Mobil Oil, etc etc., against the land and all creatures that depend upon the land for life and livelihood. A bulldozer ripping up a hillside to strip mine for coal is committing terrorism; the damnation of a flowing river followed by the drowning of Cherokee graves, of forest and farmland, is an act of terrorism. Sabotage, on the other hand, means the use of force against inanimate property, such as machinery, which is being used (e.g.) to deprive human beings of their rightful work (as in the case of Ned Ludd and his mates); sabotage (le sabot dropped in a spinning jenny) -- for whatever purpose -- has never meant and has never implied the use of violence against living creatures.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, 1968
The quote expands terrorism to include environmental destruction and corporate exploitation, distinguishing it from sabotage which targets property without harming living beings.
In simple terms: Terrorism can be ecological and corporate, not just political violence.
Recognize and oppose ecological harm as terrorism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activist campaigns
- policy debates
- community organizing
- environmental litigation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling environmental damage as terrorism affect activism?
- Can broad definitions help or hinder legal action?
The broad definition may dilute focus on human-targeted terrorism, making policy responses harder.