CALTRANS LIES & RUINS OUR LIVES

Photo by Andy Caffrey

For Immediate Release
2/21/2011

Richardson Grove Action Now!
(707) 602-7551

TREE SIT HIGHLIGHTS ENDANGERED REDWOODS MYSTERIOUSLY MARKED THAT ACTIVISTS BELIEVE ARE THREATENED BY CALTRANS ROAD WIDENING PLAN THROUGH RICHARDSON GROVE

HUGE BANNER SPANS HWY 101; READS - NO ROAD WIDENING. CALTRANS LIES & RUINS OUR LIVES.

There was a rally called this afternoon in Garberville town square. This event, organized by Richardson Grove Action Now! is an opportunity to expose the lies and misinformation that have been spread by the California Department of Transportation in order to gain support for their widely-opposed, federally-funded project which calls for road widening through Richardson Grove State Park.

During the rally, people were called to the north end of the grove where there are currently tree sitters and a banner drop that reads "NO ROAD WIDENING. CalTrans Lies & Ruins Our Lives." This action is part of an ongoing campaign and follows the lockdown at CalTrans District One Headquarters in Eureka on 2/7/2011 where six protestors chained themselves to the building and a crowd of people occupied the lobby throughout the day.

Though there is strong public opposition to the project, CalTrans is continuing to push forward. People are concerned because this project threatens the old-growth trees and habitat in and adjacent to Richardson Grove State Park. There are also concerns that the local economy will suffer from a "big box" invasion. This project also threatens to increase the militarization of the Northcoast. As RGAN activist Ingrid states, "I don't agree with it. Any time there's a highway project, the habitat suffers. There's no way to avoid casualties." Another RGAN activist , David, says "I don't want the road to be widened, the trees to be endangered, or Humboldt County to be further exploited through corporate takeover."

This campaign of direct action is one of necessity. RGAN will continue put our bodies and freedom on the line to protect ancient habitats, and to protect our communities from corporate and military invasion. We will not back down. Under the motto "One Demand, Cancel the Plan!" RGAN will continue to build momentum and oppose this CalTrans project until it is stopped.