This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Protesters Go Out on a Limb to Try to Stop Tree Removal
Protesters who oppose the County's removal of trees in the Arcadia Woodlands took to the trees themselves today in order to offer resistance to the bulldozers poised to take the oaks down. A local Sierra Club member confirmed to Arcadia Patch that the protesters are not affiliated with their organization, but did say that the protesters "had climbed 40 to 50 feet high in the oak trees," in order to make their position known. One of the participants was identified as "activist David Quigley, who has staged similar acts of civil disobedience in the past."
The protesters accessed the site through a side entrance; many stationed themselves at the fence of the property, and refused to leave the scenes. Trees were taken down by the bulldozers as scheduled, though none that contained people were removed. At this time, it is believed all the protesters have been talked down from the trees, and the bulldozing will be completed as planned, according to a live report on KCAL9.
The 179 oak trees and 70 sycamores in the 11-acre canyon are being cleared to make way for a place to deposit hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of silt, rocks and vegetation that is being moved out of the Santa Anita Reservoir, which has not been dredged since 1993.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
