Mattole Activists Lock Down to Log Truck

This past thursday at around 11:45am, three forest activists locked themselves to a log truck on highway 36 in front of Maxxam/Pacific Lumber companys' Carlotta mill. They risked their personal safety to bring attention to recently begun logging activities in the Mattole watershed.
The North Fork of the Mattole is home to about 2,500 acres of old-growth douglas fir forest, countless endangered species that depend on that forest, and numerous locals threatened with the ever increasing danger of flooding.
About forty people slowed and stopped the truck while four others went under the truck. One person locked herself to the rear axle while another locked himself to the front one. The other two were direct supporters there to make sure that the "lock-downers" weren't harmed and were comfortable. The crowd gathered around the truck while one woman talked to the driver. Several ACLU human rights observers were quickly on the scene. Although the driver was not overtly violent, he refused to turn off the engine, subjecting the two under the front of the truck to constant loud noise, heat and fumes. Soon after, two CHP (california hwy. patrol) officers arrived and began directing traffic. For several hours more, the crowd was able to stay around the truck. After more CHPs started showing up, everyone was made to move to the opposite side of the highway. At some point soon after, the direct supporter underneath the front of the truck also locked herself to the log truck with a lock-box that seemed to materialize out of thin air While about half of the people who drove by cursed and gave us the finger, the other half gave us the peace sign or honked and waved in support. Several people who drove by pointed their hand like a gun and pretended to shoot people in the crowd, even aiming at a reporter. A local woman acompanied by several kids showed up to do a counter protest. They held signs that said "We support the timber industry". A couple of people went over to talk to them and quickly found common ground, the woman did not support Maxxam inc., the corporation that took over PL in 1986.
The truck was stopped for about six hours while the CHP was forced to fly in one of their head honchos from Redding to deal with the situation. Once tools to remove them had arrived, the lock downers agreed to a CHP offer to unlock if they would only recieve a ticket for the misdemeanor of refusing to obey a lawful order.