For immediate release:

March 3, 2003

On Saturday, March 1, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. in Freshwater, a security guard employed by Pacific Lumber slashed a tree sitter’s hand while attempting to cut his climbing rope. The man wearing plain clothes and driving an unmarked car took photographs of the tree sitter, Bear, Meighan O’Brien, a local resident and her car that was parked in a public easement. The man who was only later identified to be a security guard then crossed the road towards the tree sit.

“I saw him open a switchblade and go behind the tree, looking for Bear and reaching for the rope” Meighan said.

The tree sitter was later treated at the hospital for a four-inch knife wound across his palm. Meighan called the sheriff’s office to report the violence.

The man drove away but he returned, after the sheriffs arrived, now wearing the uniform of Initial Security; badge, cap and all. The sheriffs cited the security guard who will be arraigned on charges of assault, battery and vandalism on March 31, 2003.

The tree sitters in Freshwater as those in the Mattole and Van Duzen watersheds are protesting the liquidation logging practices by Maxxam/Pacific Lumber that are responsible for widespread flooding, landslides and loss of critical habitat for endangered species.

“Tree sitting may involve some risks, but unfortunately it’s the only way to keep these trees standing in the face of Pacific Lumber’s onslaught,” Ms. O’Brien stated, “however, Earth First! takes steps to lower the risks by conducting regular non-violence and climbing trainings, while Pacific Lumber’s policies have consistently increased the danger in the process of removing tree sitters from trees.”

Activists have recently filed a lawsuit against Pacific Lumber Company, CEO Robert Manne, Security Chief Carl Anderson and climber Eric Schatz for endangering tree sitters.

Naomi Wagner, a longtime Earth First! activist and Freshwater supporter pointed out, “It certainly calls into question what is “reasonable force” in protecting private property when human life is involved. As Judi Bari said, ‘After all, the penalty for trespassing is not death.’”

Naomi further stated that recent allegations of fraud against Maxxam/Pacific Lumber by the Humboldt County District Attorney have raised the issue of what constitutes trespass in the first place.

The Regional Water Quality Control Board last week granted Pacific Lumber a waste discharge waiver, allowing them to continue logging in the Freshwater watershed. Tree sitters and supporters are concerned about the possibility of further assaults as cutting is imminent.

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Posters Note: The image includes Bradley Thrasher of Initial Security Co., spy gear inside Brad's truck and Bear's cut hand.