Four logging protesters arrested at Rainbow Ridge, one protester remains in tree

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PETROLIA, CA. (KIEM) – Four protesters were arrested Monday morning for locking themselves to a gate in an effort to prevent the Humboldt Redwood Logging Company from logging at Rainbow Ridge. One protester remains at the logging site in a tree.

According to the company, they are logging 280 acres. That’s 518 acres less than what was originally planned. They also will not touch groves and individual old growth trees. Protesters are still not satisfied.

“Cause these trees are more important as a living forest than as like forest products. Like we need them for climate stabilization. We need them for the ecosystem services that they offer,” said the woman in the tree who wants to be called Rook.

On Friday, a woman who wants to be identified as Rook, hiked eight miles beyond the gate and climbed 100 feet up a tree.

“Its actually very comfortable. I’m prepared to be here for a very long time,” said Rook.

The Humboldt Redwood Logging Company told NBC 3 they will take anyone on the property and show them what they plan to harvest. Rook does not trust the Logging Company or their motives.

“All of these places they’re logging are far from where the public can access on their own. They say they’ll bring people out here. They’ve refused a lot of those trips. And they mostly decide what you come and see,” said Rook.

According to Rook, a drone and private security team has been keeping an eye on her. The logging company wants to ensure everyone remains safe. Rook is prepared to stay in the tree longer than a month.

“They’re basically, I imagine they’re here to make sure that either I can’t come down and leave, or more importantly that no one can come and send supplies up to me” said Rook.

The logging company has already started timber falling at the site and the operation will last a few months.  As for now, Rook is staying in the tree as her fight to stop the logging.

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