June 25 marked the sixth day in which Will Parrish has been occupying a wick drain stitcher in the Willits Bypass construction area. He is currently out of food and water but is staying strong. Resupplies have been attempted but with no results, as he is being guarded by two CHP officers at all times. Parrish has managed to stop Caltrans from working for six days and plans to be up there until they stop the project. Caltrans has planned for the bypass to go around the greater Willits area. This is part of a six year project that they have already begun.

The wick drain stitcher is a machine that punctures the earth with a drill that is about one hundred feet long. As the drill comes down, a wick is also brought down into the ground and sticks out about three feet above the surface. The wick is used to draw water ninety feet up and it evaporates into the air. Little Lake Valley is a marsh with a lot of of groundwater, and Cal Trans wants to take it out to make the ground more stable for the bypass. Earth First! Humboldt reports that the community is very strong in Willits but needs more support from those who are able and willing to help.

Read More with Photos | See Also: Will Parrish at SubRosa on Tree Sits, Saving Little Lake Valley, and Defending the Land

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