Activists Protest Deforestation in Downtown Eureka

Eureka – Forest activists brought their protest out of the woods and into the streets on Wednesday, when two logging trucks were blocked as the made their way up Fifth Street in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse. Citing concerns over local watersheds currently under assault by Maxxam’s liquidation logging practices, as well as logging policy under George W. Bush, activists used banners and their bodies to block logging trucks carrying Douglas Fir carcasses northbound to a mill. After the trucks were stopped, two activists climbed on top of the logs to hold up signs demanding “Forests Forever.”

Despite having a roadblock kitty corner from the Humboldt County Sheriffs Department, it took officers fifteen minutes to arrive on the scene to begin directing traffic. And although officers became physically aggressive with some activists, there were few arrests. Out of about 100 protestors, four were arrested.

One lane of traffic was left open while activists passed out information to motorists about logging practices that are destroying water quality and habitat for wildlife.

The day’s action began as a roadside demonstration in front of the courthouse, where protestors, attorneys and journalists discussed the crisis in the forest and the need for direct action. Participants in the demonstration included residents young and old, the able-bodied and the handicapped, professionals and students, all of whom are affected by environmental degradation.

An amusing end to the protest came after the fire department arrived to assist in the removal of two activists from the top one of the log trucks. As soon as the activists were down, the log truck driver took off, unknowingly carrying three police with him. The men in blue got the rare opportunity to surf the redwood highway for about five blocks before a patrol car chased the truck down to rescue the stranded arresting officers.