James F. Phillips

James F. Phillips (November 20, 1930 – October 3, 2001) was an American environmental activist who was known in the Chicago area during the 1970s for his direct action activities under the pseudonym The Fox.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, Phillips was first motivated in the 1960s to plug a sewage outfall after seeing dead ducks in the Fox River. In the following years, his activism included leaving signs around town criticizing US Steel, plugging sewer outlets, placing caps on top of smoke stacks, leaving skunks on the doorsteps of the owners of polluting companies, and, in one case, transporting 50 pounds of sewage from Lake Michigan into the reception room of the company that discharged it. His direct-action techniques were later copied by Greenpeace and other environmental action organizations. The Fox was an avid historical boater who educated and demonstrated native American and early trapper fishing and boating techniques. The Fox was radicalized to be a founder mentor of the Earth Liberation Front movement[1] after witnessing toxic dumping into the Fox River over decades which polluted the river to near-death. The Fox became famous after dumping a bucket of said toxic waste upon the desk of a Stone Container Corporation executive in Chicago. The Fox was rumored also to pug drainage pipes from toxic industrial plants from his canoe along the Fox River.[2]

In his daily life, Phillips was a middle school science teacher and later a field inspector for the Kane County Environmental Department. Although he never admitted to his role as the Fox, family and friends confirmed this identity.

Reactions to his activities were mixed. The police said they would charge the Fox if he were caught, but were unable to do so. One federal official suggested that the Fox's activities represented a challenge as to whether "we, as individuals in a technological society, have the will to control and prevent the degradation of our environment."

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Rosebraugh, Craig Burning Rage of a Dying Planet. Lantern Books, New York. p. 20
  2. ↑ Chicago History

References


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