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
Hey LA-based tree hugger peeps!
Time to come out in full force tomorrow evening in Santa Monica for a
March to Save The Trees in memory of Gandhi's Birthday.
Chris Paine, and old friend of mine, and Director of the awesome film, Who Killed The Electric Car, has been helping to organize a series of Tree Saver meetings that have been going on over the past few weeks to save over 50 Ficus trees scheduled for removal under the guise of being diseased (extreme disagreement over this point by experts in the community).
There's a Tree Saver Blog where you can get more information about it all.
Below: The Tree Savers Crew
This is a few weeks ago. We're a much larger group now, with over
| Here's more about Who Killed The Electric Car too! Lots to talk about on this front in the days - and years, to come: Press/Reviews of Film Why Electric Cars Are Better Cool Scenes From The Film I found on YouTube Trailer Buy The DVD |  |
If you're in LA tomorrow night - Thursday, September 27, 2007, please go to the meeting and show your support.
Video footage of the meeting would be highly appreciated too!
This Wednesday, September 19th at 7PM at 'Magicopolis' in Santa Monica - Save the Trees!
get directions -- BLOG
| The City of Santa Monica is removing over 50 perfectly healthy trees for no good reason. If you're in the LA area, please come down to the meeting in Santa Monica this Wednesday to help. What:'Save The Trees' Meeting #2 When: Wednesday, September 19th - 7 PM Where: Magicopolis - 1428- 4th Street (between Santa Monica Blvd and Broadway) Santa Monica, CA Let's work together to STOP the senseless removal these trees! Why should taxpayers pay the whopping $700,000+ price tag for this unwarranted tree-removal activity? |
Background articles:
Hard to say goodbye"
(http://www.smdp.com/site/archives/091407.pdf)
Santa Monica Trees get the ax
(http://www.smdp.com/article/articles/4020/1/City-Council-gives-SM-
trees-the-ax)
