Update 10/07/07 - here's the article in the LA Times:

Court bars removal of Santa Monica trees
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer.

Right on! Chris and the gang called me up last night to let me know that all of our hard work paid off and they have a restraining order to protect the trees for three weeks while everything is re-investigated.

I'll have more up on all this soon -- but I must swim before I start working every day - my new rule! :-)

Okay I just wanted to let everyone know -- those of you who've been asking or following this for the last few weeks -- thanks so much for your concern. It's been a great experience...and whaddaya know...

This time we saved some trees!

Here is the full text of the article in case the link goes bad:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ficus6oct06,1,2585776.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

Court bars removal of Santa Monica trees
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By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 6, 2007
Protesters obtained a restraining order Friday to stop the destruction of a stand of ficus trees in downtown Santa Monica that the city had planned to remove starting Monday as part of an $8-million downtown development project.

Local activist Jerry Rubin got the order approved by a judge on behalf of Santa Monica Treesavers. The order prevents the city from removing 54 ficus trees on 4th and 2nd streets unless they pose a danger to the public.

The city planned to remove 23 trees that its arborist considered damaged or diseased and to replant 31 of them elsewhere in the city.

Protesters doubt the trees are damaged and want time to get a second opinion.

"If the trees were truly a danger to the public, they would have been removed already," said the group's attorney, Thomas Nitti.

molly.hennessy-fiske @latimes.com