17 Year Old Woman Halts Old-Growth Logging in Memory of Joan Norman
Wild Siskiyou Action, 08.08.2005 08:38
A blockade has been constructed to stop ancient forest logging within
the Biscuit timber sale and to honor the late Joan Norman. Atop a
platform 50 feet in the air, a 17 year-old woman sits committed to halt
felling within this contested old growth reserve timber sale, called
Hobson.
For Immediate Release
August 7, 2005
SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD WOMAN HALTS OLD-GROWTH LOGGING IN THE BISCUIT IN
MEMORY OF JOAN NORMAN
Media Contact: Wild Siskiyou Action/Shanna Foley
541-659-2682
Ancient forest logging began at the Hobson old-growth reserve timber
sale last week. The sale has been the site of numerous acts of civil
disobedience. In the wake of a court decision in favor of the timber
industry's further exploitation and destruction of the very last
ancient forests on public land, large numbers of citizens continue to
come out of the woodwork to defend the Wild Siskiyous. The media is
invited to visit the Joan Norman Memorial Road Blockade today.
In the spirit of 75 year-old late activist Joan Norman, who inspired
people all over the world with her courageous acts of commitment to
ancient forest protection, the young woman is currently suspended 50
feet in the air. The platform is suspended from a traverse between two
trees, with support lines anchored into multiple points in the road.
Any interference with the ropes will cause the platform to tip, thus
endangering the woman's safety.
“I’m incredibly inspired by Joan,” said Leera, the young woman occupying
the road blockade. “I know that the protection of the last ancient
forests is up to all of us; following in Joan’s footsteps, its time for
my generation to lead the way.”
Leera intends to remain in the structure until old-growth logging is
halted at Hobson. At only 17 years of age Leera is putting her young
life on the line to protect the ancient forests that she loves. Leera
is also dedicating the blockade to Joan and hopes that her act will
help to inspire others to take action.
We are also announcing a new canopy protection station in Unit 12 of
Hobson. Located in an area that highlights the complexity of fire
ecology, hanging amongst the intermixed mosaic of green and singed
trees, is an innovative canopy protection station. Unlike a
traditional tree-sit that protects one tree, this design utilizes new
tactics and technology. The protection station is able to defend the
majority of the unit slated to be cut.
Local residents of the Siskiyous and concerned citizens from all over
the country will continue to oppose the destruction of the last roadless
areas and ancient forests on public land. Media is invited to visit the
Memorial Road Blockade on Monday, August 8th. Also, media is welcomed
and invited to visit the canopy protection station on any day, as the
vigil will be sustained until the area is protected.
Escorts and interviews are available – Please call Wild Siskiyou Action
at 541-659-2682
Directions:
From I-5 take the Merlin exit
Head West on the Galice Rd, you will cross the Rogue river and pass
Indian Mary campground
Take a left on Forest Service Road 25; there is a detour sign
here (road also known as Taylor Creek Valley Rd, or Briggs Rd)
Go 10.5 miles, take a right at the juncture onto the 2510
road
Continue to follow the detour signs, the next juncture is
about 4 miles away-veer right onto the 2402 road (Chrome Ridge Road)
Keep following detour signs (towards the coast)
When you get to a 3 way intersection, go left towards the coast (not
towards Galice)
Follow this road until it ends at a paved road. This is Forest Service
Road 23, on some maps it is labeled 34-8-36.
Turn Left on FS road 23
Go approximately 1.5 to 2 miles after you have turned onto the paved
road and take your first left on Forest Service road 2411. This road
is not marked, but you will soon come to a "Y", go right at the Y. The
road will now be marked 2411.
Drive along the 2411 road until you hit the blockade, it will
be located a few miles after the fork.
For more detailed directions to the canopy protection station (which is
located further down the road)please contact Wild Siskiyou Action at
541-659-2682.
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Pod still stands! 08.08.2005 - 11:59 At around 10 this morning, Forest Service law enforcement attempted to disable the sky-pod by bringing in a cherry-picker. Despite their attempts, the cherry picker was too small to reach the pod. snot> Forest Service builds road around blockade 09.08.2005 - 12:03 At around noon yesterday, the Forest Service brought in a bulldozer to build a road around the pod when they could not figure out any other way of removing the structure from the road, a move that is most likely illegal, since any new roadbuilding most be done with a permit and a certain level of analysis. While it is disapointing that the Forest Service took illegal action to allow loggers through, it is also exciting that activists have built a structure that the Forest Service was not able to disable any other way. Not only that, but logging was also shut down for the entire day! snot> Not quite 09.08.2005 - 14:19 It would appear that it wasn't a matter of couldn't remove the structure but a matter of easier and safer to go around. Its always interesting that the FS, the police, and those damn loggers seem to be more interested in protecting these people that are the only ones breaking the law, than the rest of you are. All you can do is be criticle of their humanity. By the way there is no structure that cannot be removed...period. I say let her sit in the snags with the heat, yellowjackets and charcoal dust. Now thats back to nature. Curious> hoooorray! 09.08.2005 - 14:34 sounds swell to me!! way to keep fighting! anne arkee> The alternative 10.08.2005 - 08:10 Maybe the loggers should just live up the reputation being given them by the tree leaches. Take a saw and cut the trees, down comes the problem and on with the job. This would be the reasoning of the "blessed", but instead the "destroyers" do everything reasonable to not get anyone hurt and still accomplish what makes sense. What is ironic is that when something is accidently hurt or damaged by the loggers they are fined or sued and actually pay for damages, on the other hand when things are intentionally damaged by the protesters or they are sued, they never seem to have the money to pay. The protesters talk about having their rights violated, yet they can prevent others from accessing public land. The protesters whine about the destruction of habitat, yet because of their actions there is more destruction, amazing, really amazing. Could this be part of the reason most of society thinks the protesters are just a bunch of dope smoking, welfare rats? Chane Sau> keep it up 10.08.2005 - 12:19 hey, thanks for the updates snot. keep them comming if you can. i'm excited and proud of all you folks and i hope you can keep your spirits high amidst the destruction. salamander> sounds beautiful... would love to see it 10.08.2005 - 13:55 Hey, this sounds wonderful. Hope she stays up there as long as necessary to save those trees. Far-away folks like myself (Santa Cruz,CA) would sure love to see a photo or two, if possible. A picture would make for a better feature story for our imc, too. Rawk Awn. IMCista>  Homepage:: http://santacruz.indymedia.org
Pictures 10.08.2005 - 18:22 
Loggers preveted from going to work 
Sky pod blocks logging Here are some pics of Monday's action snot> |