Tree-sitters fast for the passage of Heritage Tree Act-SB 754

For immediate release

July 26, 2004

Contact: Martin (in tree) (707) 834-2348
NCEF! Media (707) 268-5613


Fast for the Ancient Trees
Tree-sitters fast for the passage of Heritage Tree Act-SB 754

From July 24 through August 4, activists high in the canopies
of ancient redwood trees are doing a juice and herbal tea fast to
draw attention to the plight of all remaining old-growth trees in
California. Heavily decimated by industrial logging, less than
one-half of 1% of ancient forests remain on non-federal lands.

This fast will coincide with the struggle for the Heritage Tree Act,
which, if passed, would protect much of the remaining old-growth
trees on non-federal forestland in California as "Heritage Trees,"
defined as any tree as old than the state of California, or 150 years
and older.

"The Heritage Tree Act goes to the state assembly
Appropriations Committee on August 4, and we have timed our fast to
end on this important date with prayers for the passage of the Act
and a call to action to contact elected representatives before the
Committee vote," said Martin, a tree-sitter on "Gypsy Mountain," in
the Van Duzen River watershed. "We ask anyone who feels inspired to
fast with us for a day, or for however long they feel comfortable
fasting. People are also encouraged to call their Assembly Member
and urge them to support SB 754."

North Coast Earth First! is also hosting an action camp at Swimmer's
Delight campground in Humboldt County Park, on highway 36, twelve
miles from highway 101, just south of the town of Fortuna. Trainings
in non-violence, backwoods actions, legal preparedness, and media
will be ongoing through August 4.

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