In this case, it wasn't the owner of the land that did the work. It was hired contractors.

This sort of thing has been going on for many years. Look back on the union movement during the early part of the 20th century. Do you know the story of Joe Hill? Civil rights marches and sit-ins.

Tom

That's right, it wasn't the land owners themselves. But to keep using the yard analogy: It's as if you were trespassing on a little old lady's yard and she called her big, burly neighbor to do the removal for her because she physically was unable.

So on public land, extracting would be illegal then?

On public land, "timber" sales to the logging companies render trees the private property of the owner of the sale. During a logging show, especially a contested one, timber companies can block public access to the sale area. They don't own the land, they own the wood. As I understand it, there is no effective difference between public and private land when it comes to occupying a tree that's been sold for timber. The tree is private property even if the land isn't.

This means every treesitter is trespassing. Every treesitter is breaking the law. Every treesitter risks eviction and/or arrest.

It comes down to principle. How do you feel about the hero who stands alone in front of the tank? The tank can legally run him down.

I appreciate everyone on this thread for your passionate attention to this disturbing and important issue.

Sophia

Thanks for clearing that up, Sophia.

Thanks Sophia! That makes good sense. So the tree sitters need to get out of the trees and just sit around the _base_ of the tree so it can't be felled!

love
nick