On March 10th, Judge Paul Burdick of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court ruled that the University of California's lawsuit was an attack on the first amendment rights of at least two tree sit supporters. A motion to strike from the lawsuit tree sit Media Support person Jennifer Charles and tree sit supporter Oliver Schmid was granted.

Because the case involved the first amendment, the University will be asked to pay Charles' and Schmid's lawyers fees, on top of the money spent serving the injunction and on the University's own lawyers. The ruling by no means ends the tree sit, as only the people named on the injunction, and others served, are not allowed to give humanitarian aid to the tree sitters.

Three clusters of redwoods have been inhabited since November 7th, 2007, when over 500 students, alumni, and community members rallied in opposition to the University's plans to destroy 120 acres of forest. Tree sitters have continued their vigil through police attacks, winter storms and ninety-mile an hour winds.

The tree sit is necessary at this time because of the University's failure to meaningfully address the concerns of Santa Cruz city and county officials, community members, environmentalists and UCSC faculty and students. Instead of acting upon the concerns of the thousands of people who have voiced opposition to increased University construction, the university has pursued a lawsuit against tree sit supporters since December. Read More

see also: LRDP Resistance || Friends of Flora and Fauna || Coalition For Limiting University Expansion