Tenants who enjoy puffing away in Santa Monica may soon have to butt out if Santa Monicans for Non-Smoking Renters Rights has their way. Local self-proclaimed "tree hugger" Jerry Rubin is leading the call to put in place "what would arguably be the country's tightest restrictions on smoking -- a ban on the practice in apartments, condos, duplexes and any 'multi-family units' in the city," according to the LA Weekly. Rubin and the renters' rights group believe that tenants shouldn't suffer the effects of "third-hand smoke" and are endorsing the kind of ban first proposed in SaMo by Santa Monica Rent Control Board member Robert Kronovet; they don't govern such legalities, however, and it remains to be seen how far Rubin and the Non-Smoking Renters will get with the city council, who do. more ›

Jerry Peace Activist Rubin followed through with what he said he would do if he had to after a year of battling with the city of Santa Monica over trees. Yesterday, he tied himself to a ficus tree that was being dug up and removed. Santa Monica Police arrested him for "resisting or interfering with a police officer." In a letter posted on the Treesavers' website, a writer says Rubin's actions were a powerful statement, especially in an election year: more ›

Earlier this morning, tree activists from the group Treesavers reportedly chained themselves to ficus trees scheduled to be relocated by the city from 4th Street in Santa Monica. During the protest the Treesaver himself, Jerry 'Peace Activist' Rubin was arrested by police for "resisting or interfering with a police officer," according to Sergeant Renaldi Thruston. As of 2:00 p.m. Rubin, who is running for City Council this November, was still in custody. Treesavers believed the removal of the trees would harm them. In May, Santa Monica cut down over 20 trees on 3rd and 4th streets (see photos here). more ›