#419: Old Glory

Tree Sitter John Q. and Treesitter Travis are currently camped on the limbs of oak #419, Old Glory, as an act of civil disobidience. The tree was scheduled to be cut down on November first to make way for a four lane highway which would go through a neighborhood. The oak is 400-500 years old. On Thursday November 14, the developer, John Laing Homes,

tried to cut the tree. However, an alert was sent out and supporters showed up, preparing to lock down around the tree. Later that day representative Bill Rattazi, who greatly resembles Charles Hurwitz, greated the ground support grew and confronted SCOPE Vice President Lynne Plambeck. Rattazi claimed that the tree needed to be cut down, and a four lane highway was neccasary. An hour later, the sherriff came out to announce that at 3 o'clock, a chain-link fence would be set up around the tree, and once it was finished, anyone who was still inside would be arrested. To quote Plambeck "Tell Rattazzi that Lynne Plambeck will be among the arrested!" The police persisted in trying to convince people that they would be arrested. This was an empty threat because people still remain inside the fenced area and they have not yet been taken into custody. A rope with a carribeaner was hastily rigged up to a car in order to send supplies to the galliant tree-sitters and ground crew. PLEASE support this tree-sit! To get to this oak, exit Lyons Ave. from I-5 and head west. You are now on Pico Canyon Rd. Continue about 1-3/4 miles. The tree is on the south (left) side of the road once it passes over the creek.

To ensure that this tree is saved, write, fax, or call the LA County Regional Planning Commission, and ask them to direct the Public Works department to make the road change. Phone (213) 974-6411; FAX (213) 626-0434. Reference the Pico Canyon development, Tentative Tract Map No. 43896, and John Laing Homes.