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A18 - Freshwater Update - more arrests & evictions
4-18-03: Two tree sitters in Freshwater California were taken out of 1000 year old tree, "Jezebel," today, by climbers hired by
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Co. The tree, which Pacific Lumber contracted logger (of Steve Wills Trucking Co.), was then cut, adding to the casualties of ancient Redwood trees which used to cover Freshwater, holding up steep hillsides and preventing floods, which are now so common.
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Co. The tree, which Pacific Lumber contracted logger (of Steve Wills Trucking Co.), was then cut, adding to the casualties of ancient Redwood trees which used to cover Freshwater, holding up steep hillsides and preventing floods, which are now so common.
April 18, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ONGOING PRESS ALERT; SEE 4-17-03 RELEASE FROM EARTH FIRST!
BAY AREA COALITION FOR HEADWATERS
Keep posted for more updates
TREESITTERS EXTRACTED FROM THOUSAND YEAR-OLD REDWOOD IN FRESHWATER
Humboldt County, CA: Two tree sitters in Freshwater California were taken out of 1000 year old tree, "Jezebel," today, by climbers hired by
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Co. The tree, which Pacific Lumber contracted logger (of Steve Wills Trucking Co.), was then cut, adding to the casualties of ancient Redwood trees which used to cover Freshwater, holding up steep hillsides and preventing floods, which are now so common. Both tree sitters were jailed, making a total of 30 Freshwater protest arrests within the past month.
Pacific Lumber-hired climbers, criticized for their dangerous tactics and life-threatening behavior when handling non-violet protesters/tree sitters, removed and lowered the first protester today, a male, without the presence of any law enforcement. The downed tree sitter was then examined by paramedics, who arrived soonthereafter. Supporters and other protesters, some of whom own property in Freshwater, were standing by and said the paramedics would not tell them what was "going on."
Next, four climbers went after the other tree-sitter, a woman, who had locked her arms with metal pipe and chains to a large branch about 170 feet up. Sandy, a Freshwater homeowner of 33 years who was on the scene said, "There were four men trying to get her out and dropping things from above her head." The tree sitter was sitting far from the truck on a thick branch, and climbers cut the branch up in pieces (some of the branch curved above the sitter's head) until she was left hanging on the end and climbers could pull her off.
Although under almost daily attack, about 15 tree-sits still exist in Freshwater, and at least three others on ecologically threatened PL property elsewhere in Humboldt.
Later, another protester in the same Freshwater area ran into the quickly disappearing woods and caused timber yarding to cease. Unfortunately, however, the cutting continued, even with the protester's presence known on the ground by law enforcement, timber workers, and witnessing critics of the logging operation.
Sandy said of the day and the ongoing situation, " I remember the family-owned Pacific Lumber, and this is the work of Maxxam Corporation. This is disgusting."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ONGOING PRESS ALERT; SEE 4-17-03 RELEASE FROM EARTH FIRST!
BAY AREA COALITION FOR HEADWATERS
Keep posted for more updates
TREESITTERS EXTRACTED FROM THOUSAND YEAR-OLD REDWOOD IN FRESHWATER
Humboldt County, CA: Two tree sitters in Freshwater California were taken out of 1000 year old tree, "Jezebel," today, by climbers hired by
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Co. The tree, which Pacific Lumber contracted logger (of Steve Wills Trucking Co.), was then cut, adding to the casualties of ancient Redwood trees which used to cover Freshwater, holding up steep hillsides and preventing floods, which are now so common. Both tree sitters were jailed, making a total of 30 Freshwater protest arrests within the past month.
Pacific Lumber-hired climbers, criticized for their dangerous tactics and life-threatening behavior when handling non-violet protesters/tree sitters, removed and lowered the first protester today, a male, without the presence of any law enforcement. The downed tree sitter was then examined by paramedics, who arrived soonthereafter. Supporters and other protesters, some of whom own property in Freshwater, were standing by and said the paramedics would not tell them what was "going on."
Next, four climbers went after the other tree-sitter, a woman, who had locked her arms with metal pipe and chains to a large branch about 170 feet up. Sandy, a Freshwater homeowner of 33 years who was on the scene said, "There were four men trying to get her out and dropping things from above her head." The tree sitter was sitting far from the truck on a thick branch, and climbers cut the branch up in pieces (some of the branch curved above the sitter's head) until she was left hanging on the end and climbers could pull her off.
Although under almost daily attack, about 15 tree-sits still exist in Freshwater, and at least three others on ecologically threatened PL property elsewhere in Humboldt.
Later, another protester in the same Freshwater area ran into the quickly disappearing woods and caused timber yarding to cease. Unfortunately, however, the cutting continued, even with the protester's presence known on the ground by law enforcement, timber workers, and witnessing critics of the logging operation.
Sandy said of the day and the ongoing situation, " I remember the family-owned Pacific Lumber, and this is the work of Maxxam Corporation. This is disgusting."
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Earth First!
Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
For immediate release
April 17, 2003
More Arrests in Freshwater As Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Again Climbs Trees to Get At Protesters
Humboldt County, California-Protesters were on the scene again today as Maxxam/Pacific Lumber (PL) climbers went after tree-sitters occupying an area where PL is cutting residual old growth redwoods in
a watershed residents say is in a state of meltdown. This morning, climbers scaled a tree believed to be over 800 years old to handcuff and lower to the ground an activist who had been sitting in the tree, which had been continuously occupied since September,2002. The 4 to 5-foot diameter giant redwood was cut shortly after the sitter was extracted. There was another arrest when an activist locked himself to the axle of a log truck carrying old growth trees at least 4 feet
in diameter. The activist locked himself into a metal length of pipe after wrapping his arms around the truck axle and was injured as police dragged him out from under the truck.
An 8-12 inch ditch across Freshwater Rd. had to be repaired after PL felled a huge tree across the road yesterday, in an area where many local residents are supportive of the tree-dwelling activists because
they too oppose Pacific Lumber practices that have caused devastating floods and siltation of streams as torrents rush down denuded hillsides.
Forest defenders have been stalwart, though PL has been carrying out a propaganda campaign, running full-page newspaper and tv ads calling Earth First! "terrorists". The activists remain non-violent, though many of them have been injured in the tree-sit extractions that have horrified observers as young activists have been lowered from heights of over 150 feet by ropes after being handcuffed and having their
ankles tied. A total of eight activists have been taken out of the trees, though many old growth trees remain occupied.
The Freshwater Creek watershed has been heavily logged throughout the past 20 years and less than 5% of its original forest remained before the current spate of logging began. Freshwater Creek was the subject
of one of the most extensive watershed studies ever done in California, which concluded that the watershed is severely impaired and that all logging should cease and desist immediately. Pacific
Lumber ignored the analysis and has continued to clear-cut residual old growth forests on steep and unstable slopes while disregarding the concerns of residents.
In a move residents called "agency malfeasance", the Regional Water Quality Board, in late February granted waivers of waste discharge requirements on logging plans in the Freshwater watershed, clearing
the way for logging to resume where the tree-sits had been protecting trees. Resident Jesse Noell noted at the time, "These [timber harvest] plans had letters of non-concurrence from the Regional Water Quality Board staff. They are not in concurrence with the Basin Plan."
In addition to the media ads attacking the environmentalists, PL filed a harassment lawsuit against tree-sitters and other activists, seeking damages for interference with their operation.
###
Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
For immediate release
April 17, 2003
More Arrests in Freshwater As Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Again Climbs Trees to Get At Protesters
Humboldt County, California-Protesters were on the scene again today as Maxxam/Pacific Lumber (PL) climbers went after tree-sitters occupying an area where PL is cutting residual old growth redwoods in
a watershed residents say is in a state of meltdown. This morning, climbers scaled a tree believed to be over 800 years old to handcuff and lower to the ground an activist who had been sitting in the tree, which had been continuously occupied since September,2002. The 4 to 5-foot diameter giant redwood was cut shortly after the sitter was extracted. There was another arrest when an activist locked himself to the axle of a log truck carrying old growth trees at least 4 feet
in diameter. The activist locked himself into a metal length of pipe after wrapping his arms around the truck axle and was injured as police dragged him out from under the truck.
An 8-12 inch ditch across Freshwater Rd. had to be repaired after PL felled a huge tree across the road yesterday, in an area where many local residents are supportive of the tree-dwelling activists because
they too oppose Pacific Lumber practices that have caused devastating floods and siltation of streams as torrents rush down denuded hillsides.
Forest defenders have been stalwart, though PL has been carrying out a propaganda campaign, running full-page newspaper and tv ads calling Earth First! "terrorists". The activists remain non-violent, though many of them have been injured in the tree-sit extractions that have horrified observers as young activists have been lowered from heights of over 150 feet by ropes after being handcuffed and having their
ankles tied. A total of eight activists have been taken out of the trees, though many old growth trees remain occupied.
The Freshwater Creek watershed has been heavily logged throughout the past 20 years and less than 5% of its original forest remained before the current spate of logging began. Freshwater Creek was the subject
of one of the most extensive watershed studies ever done in California, which concluded that the watershed is severely impaired and that all logging should cease and desist immediately. Pacific
Lumber ignored the analysis and has continued to clear-cut residual old growth forests on steep and unstable slopes while disregarding the concerns of residents.
In a move residents called "agency malfeasance", the Regional Water Quality Board, in late February granted waivers of waste discharge requirements on logging plans in the Freshwater watershed, clearing
the way for logging to resume where the tree-sits had been protecting trees. Resident Jesse Noell noted at the time, "These [timber harvest] plans had letters of non-concurrence from the Regional Water Quality Board staff. They are not in concurrence with the Basin Plan."
In addition to the media ads attacking the environmentalists, PL filed a harassment lawsuit against tree-sitters and other activists, seeking damages for interference with their operation.
###
Why does this press release fail to mention the assistance that a convicted arsonist has been providing NCEF. He even served as a spokesperson for the group on local television.
Just to let you know, this "convicted felon" you speak of has not been helping us out in Freshwater at all. He's been m.i.a. for quite a while now. Second, NCEF! is not even responsible for the forest defense out in Freshwater. We are simply small affinity groups of concerned citizens and residents working together to protect our watershed. If you insist on idenifying us with an organization or group it would have to be We Save Trees, not EF! Also, anyone who works with us out in the woods MUST agree to the non- violence code that has been consensed upon by all people involved. We do NON - VIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE. We do not set things on fire or resort to property destruction of any kind. Unfortunately the same can not be said for PALCO hired climbers in the past month.
If you are not with EF then why does the press release say that you are? Hmmmm.
EF! as an organization is being used as a letterhead/umbrella organization in that press release. You'll also notice that the text was sent by the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters. That organization is based in Berkley but they have amazing press/media skills. Individual forest defenders can not be responsible for every posting regarding their work. Also, it seems to be fallacious to discredit an organization or group based on one "member" or participants actions. That should not detract from the message being sent. That message is; tree sitters will come down when Maxxam Corp. re-enstates sustainable timber practices, including the end to old growth cutting, no cutting on steep and unstable slopes, stop using herbicides and pesticides, and stop clear cutting.
You are going to sit at your computer and actually type a lie to everyone? Non violent civil disobediance? what do you call dumping dirt and rocks into an engine of a front end loader? You people wouldn't know what non violent civil disobediance is if it slap you in the face.
Here's the most probable theory regarding the damage to the logging equipment. PL/Maxxam damaged their own equipment in order to cast blame on and discredit the tree-sitters. This is very much in line with the whole media blitz frenzy that they are currently engaged in. If you have witnessed the violence being used against the tree-sitters by PL/Maxxam employees and their police department you know what you say is totally incorrect. If you haven't been a witness to the forest defenders non-violent response to these actions, then there is no legitimacy in your remarks.
Freshwater forest defenders were not responsible for any rocks or other materials in a loader.
That is nothing but a slanderous acqusation.
Do not accuse, this is America.
Innocent until proven guilty, right?
That is nothing but a slanderous acqusation.
Do not accuse, this is America.
Innocent until proven guilty, right?
BACH is headed by Karen Pickett. She is a leader of EF. It is the same as EF.
regardless, you will not find a tree sitter out in Freshwater who identifies themself with EF!
yeah, it would be nice if E.F. had a large member base as some claim, if they did, this battle for the protection of the forest would be over, but to say that i'm a member of E.F. is wrong, in fact i've pleaded for their help only to be told that they just didn't have the resources. so i went out on my own. i did have non-violence training, but not from E.F. so, i'm thinking that you are only looking for a goat ot hang your fears on, but fear not cause i don't belong to E.F., and never will. i will continue to defend the forest, and i will protest against Maxxam, until this county(humbolt) gets it though thier head, that maxxam is here to take and not give back. since the head of maxxam took my fathers pension away, he has had a hard life, P.L. promised him a good retirement, now he barely scapes by. I don't think thats O.K., do you?
I had to laugh. On the one hand, the reasonable suspicion that Earth First (or whatever label of convenience and deniability "forest defenders" use to identify themselves) sabotaged logging equipment is regarded as slander. The same people contend that PALCO or a contractor committed tens of thousands of dollars worth of sabotage on their own equipment to discredit Earth First. That's not slander?! That's almost as good as the one about some Jewish conspiracy crashing the planes into the World Trade Center to discredit Arabs. Earth First encourages sabotage. That's what the monkey wrench symbol is all about. And "direct action" consisting of assault without battery and other behaviors intended to harrass or intimidate workers is not non-violence. Don't lie and say those things don't happen.
Not all is lost in Humboldt County. There are still many trees being protected throughout the county but help is needed to keep these forests standing. Donations can be sent to NCEF! PO Box 28 Arcata, CA 95518. If you have supplies to donate please call 707 825 6598 (press # to skip recording and leave a message. If you are able to sit in either Freshwater, Aradia or the Mattole (the Mattole also needs backwoods ground support) please call We Save Trees at 707 845 5491.
PS. Don't forget the benefit show at the Bayside Grange tonight, Tues. 4-22 starting at 7:PM
PS. Don't forget the benefit show at the Bayside Grange tonight, Tues. 4-22 starting at 7:PM
There are individuals who asist in the freshwater treesits who advocate property destruction. Coronado is one of them. If you don't beleive this then just ask him. He has also been giving local radio interviews that state his beliefs. He has been around Humboldt County for a while. That does not mean that anyone has followed up on his advice, but the truth still stands.
Coronado does not beleive that property destruction is "violence", and that such actions can be justified to attain a higher goal. The semantics of violence could be argued at long length, but the issue at hand is that this philosophy does go against the stated goals and philosophy of the local forest activists.
If the protesters are true to their mantra, then denounce the philosophy of property destruction. Don't just say you don't do it, state that you won't allow others around you to do it either. Otherwise you end up guilty by association.
Coronado does not beleive that property destruction is "violence", and that such actions can be justified to attain a higher goal. The semantics of violence could be argued at long length, but the issue at hand is that this philosophy does go against the stated goals and philosophy of the local forest activists.
If the protesters are true to their mantra, then denounce the philosophy of property destruction. Don't just say you don't do it, state that you won't allow others around you to do it either. Otherwise you end up guilty by association.
By far the overwhelming majority of civil resisters pledge themselves to non-violent action as well as non-violent reaction. It takes much more courage than being violent, and those who are committed to non-violence have earned our highest respect.
I would like to have all PL employees and contractors also pledge themselves to non-violence. It is a highly ethical stance, and makes communication between disagreeing parties possible.
If there is anyone reading this who has not yet committed themselves to non-violence, I call on you to take this important step, and to ask your co-workers to do the same.
I would like to have all PL employees and contractors also pledge themselves to non-violence. It is a highly ethical stance, and makes communication between disagreeing parties possible.
If there is anyone reading this who has not yet committed themselves to non-violence, I call on you to take this important step, and to ask your co-workers to do the same.
Trying to see the overall picture without predjudice has become almost impossible. But I continue to try. I have heard reports of sabatouge to equiptment and read accusations from both sides. I have sat in parks, restaurants and benches on the streets and eavesdropped on conversations. I have heard about and read about these groups and about Maxxam/Palco and so far the only conclusion I can arrive at is that a group of radicals have decided that Maxxam is evil and must go. They seem to align themselves with different group names as they choose and do so in order to avoid proscecution for their illegal activities. I have become convinced that they (the acrivists) should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that we need stronger penalties for this type of illegal actions.
I have listened to loggers and their families as well. They are angry, hostile and fed up. A few may even be tempted towards violence.
Mobs are incited to violence with words and threats. Whatever name you use and hide behind as a group or an individual makes no difference. The facts are clear. Activists are causing property damage and endangering lives.
There is more at stake here than Maxamm/Palco and the jobs of Humboldt County. If these activists are allowed to set policy in this county and ride roughshod over the legal activities of workers here in the name of a cause then it sets precedents for others to do the same, breaking law and inflicting the will of the minority upon the majority.
I for one, hope to see them brought to justice, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to the maximum allowed by law.
I have listened to loggers and their families as well. They are angry, hostile and fed up. A few may even be tempted towards violence.
Mobs are incited to violence with words and threats. Whatever name you use and hide behind as a group or an individual makes no difference. The facts are clear. Activists are causing property damage and endangering lives.
There is more at stake here than Maxamm/Palco and the jobs of Humboldt County. If these activists are allowed to set policy in this county and ride roughshod over the legal activities of workers here in the name of a cause then it sets precedents for others to do the same, breaking law and inflicting the will of the minority upon the majority.
I for one, hope to see them brought to justice, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to the maximum allowed by law.
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