Hey Alliance members,
Sharing this call to action from forest defenders on the Olympic Peninsula, who launched a tree sit blockade this week to halt the clearcut logging of one of the last low-elevation mature forests in the Elwha Watershed. See the photos & press release below in this email, or find more info about the protest here.
Community support for the protest is growing; late yesterday afternoon, dozens risked arrest and marched past the police closure blocking access to the tree sit, and rallied in support of the forest defender camped in the canopy. The timber sale, known as “Parched”, is currently under litigation by the Earth Law Center and Legacy Forest Defense Coalition. A petition—started by members of the Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe urging that the watershed be protected—has been signed by over half of tribal members, as well as being widely supported by local residents, and has garnered over 7,000 total.
How to Support — Call the Commissioner of Public Lands
Activists are asking supporters and the public to call Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands–Dave Upthegrove, (360) 902-1000 ext 4–and tell them
1. you support the tree-sit,
2. to call off the cops endangering protesters,
3. to cancel the timber sale and
4. halt clearcutting in the recovering Elwha watershed.
1. you support the tree-sit,
2. to call off the cops endangering protesters,
3. to cancel the timber sale and
4. halt clearcutting in the recovering Elwha watershed.
More info and talking points for calling CPL Upthegrove’s office here. Help spreading the word on social media is also appreciated. It seems like the @elwhatlegacyforestscoalition and @sacred.action.northwest Instagram pages are where updates are being shared from, and folks can contact olympicforestdefenders@proton.me
Thanks,
Alex Budd
he/him/his
Alliance Organizer | Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance