Tree sitter dies in fall.

Beth O'Brien has been a mainstay of youth activism in Sonoma County since
the early 90's, she's participated in countless demo's, organized a zine
fair, booked dozens of shows, founded the latest Santa Rosa Food Not Bombs
and been an active part of the solution for as long as I've known her.  She
died Friday defending the forest at Eagle Creek. What follows is a press release from Cascadia
Forest Alliance.

CASCADIA FOREST ALLIANCE
contact: Kim Marks, Sarah Wald,
Tim Ream, Rolf Skar: (503) 235-8270

3 pm Press Conference at 1817 SE 12th Portland OR (3 blocks south of
Hawthorne on 12th, upper doorbell - Pink & Blue 2 story house).

Last night 22 year old Beth O'Brien died in a fall from a tree sit at Eagle
Creek. We are a community shocked and saddened by Beth's tragic death.

Years of community efforts, heralded by direct action, have protected the
Eagle Creek area thus far. Beth's death came as we were preparing to take
down the tree sits upon receipt of a signed legally binding contract
canceling the sales. This document is expected to be signed by the Bush
Administration early next week.

Tree-sitting is a risk taken to protect our remaining native forest from
destruction. It is a tragedy that such risks must be taken. While we
recognize the dangers inherent in tree-sitting, we take safety seriously.
Tree-sitters and tree-climbing trainers are taught the best safety available
and constantly stress the importance of conveying safety protocols to
others. This tragic accident results because communities must risk their
lives to protect their land.

The timeline of events leading to the accident are as follows. For two hours
Beth and two companions snow shoed into the area with supplies. At 7pm,
after climbing to a height of 150 feet Beth fell from a rope ladder between
platforms. She did not use a safety connection that was available. She
survived the impact. Emergency services were called by cell phone
immediately. First responders did not arrive on the scene until two
and-one-half hours later. She was pronounced dead upon examination.

We view Beth's death in a tradition of courageous action to defend life that
extends through decades of non-violent protest in the US and abroad.

A candlelight vigil in Beth's memory is scheduled for Mt. Tabor City Park
tomorrow, Sunday at sunset