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Indybay Feature

Tree Sitters Served SLAPP Papers

by Forest
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Freshwater, CA
carl_eric72.jpg
Hired tree-sit evictor, Eric Schatz, prepares to do his dirty work while PL/Maxxam Head of Security Carl Anderson on far left looks on. Today, Eric served SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit papers to activist in 11 trees. The activists are putting their bodies on the line. They are living in the trees hoping to save the remnants of old growth Redwood trees in the area. Remedy has spent the longest time in a tree. This month marks the 12th month she has not set foot on the ground.
§Eric Climbing Above Platform
by Forest
ericclimbing72.jpg
Eric climbs toward a large platform above an activist locked down to a barrel on a smaller platform.
§Lockdown on Platform
by Forest
platformlockdn72.jpg
Tree-sitter unlocks from concrete filled barrel momentarily to photograph Eric as he climbs to a larger platform above.
§Treetop Lockdown
by Forest
treetoplockdn72.jpg
An activist locks down to the top of a small Redwood tree as Eric climbs toward her from below.
§Respect
by Forest
respect72.jpg
Two local residents came to give support to the activists protecting trees of their Freshwater watershed. Notice the tree is marked to cut.
§Support
by Forest
support72.jpg
Approximately 50 local residents and activists came to observe and support the activists in the trees. Public observation helps insure the safety of the activists during these types of operations by PL/Maxxam and local law enforcement
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Comments (Hide Comments)
by the welcoming committee
Q: How many non-violent activists does it take to go poop?

A: 55 - One to climb up a tree, eat a lunch of eat wheat germ and hummus, smoke a medicinal cigarette, and then go poop in a five gallon bucket in front of God and everybody. One to wash the re-usable towel that the tree-pooper used to wipe with (can't use paper, don't want to murder any of the last trees). One to lower the bucket full of poop on a rope. One to dig a hole along Greenwood Heights Road and scoop the poop into it. One to take the bucket down to Freshwater Creek and wash the poop bucket out so that the tree-pooper won't have to smell his or her own poop. And 50 people (3 of whom took sick days from their State jobs - you know who you are- shame on you!) to stand around and watch the whole disgusting process.
by chrystiff
Shame on you not on the person that is there to make sure people like you don't harm the tree sitters. If it wasn't for people like you the tree sitters wouldn't have to "poop in a bucket" they could be home with they're families. They are not harming you, maybe your pocketbook, so let them be. We have a right as Americans to protect and protest what we believe in!
by the welcoming committee
First, I would never lay one finger on someone in a tree, not only for his or her safety, but beacuse I'm certain that they don't wash their hands with soap and water after pooping in buckets (I just can't get over that, all the advances in plumbing and people are still going in buckets......man!) These people are tresspassing and standing in the way of a perfectly legal operation. You don't have the right to tresspass. What does it take for these people to respect others' property rights? You can go home to your families now, wherever that is (Arizona?, Texas?, Virginia?). You aren't welcome here. You and the rest of the tree-poopers are nothing more that a bane on Humboldt County and we don't want you here anymore! Now get your things, your friends, and all your poop buckets and get out of Humboldt County so that we can go on with our normal lives you big bunch of jackassess!
by Wildcard
Well, once again, there are individuals amongts us who are willing to state that the only thing they live for is their PL paycheck. I guess they believe in something. Like Charles Hurwitz is making Humboldt County a better, healthier, more cohesive place to live. And, again, that the only thing you are good at is calling people names. Why don't you redirect all your anger in the right direction. Reclaim PL from Maxxam and operate a sustainable, envioromentally sound business. Shame on you for being purchased by PL.
by Cynic
Tree Poopers? HA!!!

by Peanut
No reaction from the Earth Firsters who regularly post here about the TRO? What gives?
by Amethyst
The TRO was signed by the judge on Monday and PL now has five days to serve it on the tree-sitters. The activists then have 24 hours to vacate or it's open season on anyone in a tree. We have been blessed with rain which has hopefully slowed them but I'm sure Eric is getting ready to climb. The question is who will be first? Blessed be the people in the trees, thank you for helping protect the watershed and forest in which I live. Thank you to all those who show love and support. Shame on those who don't yet see the destruction in front of their eyes. May they soon be enlightened!
by Same old B.S.
The way I look at it is, the faster we cut the trees down, the faster we can boot your asses out of here. Get a life people.
by Samson
Having enough courage to take a stand and cause a little bit of back up in running PL's corporate machine doesn't make someone a jackass. A jackass is someone who clearly sees what is taking place right in front of their eyes and does nothing but criticize those who care about the unlawful things money brings poeple to do. If you have to immaturely label tree sitters, call them hippies, because unlike all the jackasses I know, they have the best intentions for the environment they live in and all the people they share it with. And maybe you still hide behind little green pieces of paper for now, but won't be when you realize your company took all the resources you need to get paid.
by chawin' 'baccer
The trees seemingly don't like being sit in, at least not as trees. They've spit a couple or three sitters out in the past year or so. Better to sit in the tree when it has been molded and shaped into a deck, sittin' in my wooden rocking chair next to my old hounddog.
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