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Arcadia Weekly Jul 02, 2011
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Two Activists Agree to Settlement – ‘Tree Sitters’ Fined $60
Two of the four Arcadia so called “tree-sitters” who attempted to block the removal of acres of pristine woodlands in Arcadia earlier this year – Julia Jaye Posin, 23, of Venice Beach and Andrea Bowers, 45, of Los Angeles – pleaded no contest to one count each of trespassing in Alhambra Superior Court.
Julia Posin told Beacon Media: “Considering the extent of the original charges/penalties, we came a long way. They dropped all restitution (originally $23,000), they dropped all fines (originally close to $1500), they dropped 2 of the more severe charges and will drop the third in less than a year. I took a principle stance, after we lost our beloved woodlands, that is the most I felt I could do. The DPW recklessly tore down an entire old growth forest, and I refused to be oppressed by their prosecution. I feel successful in our resolution. I will walk away with a clean record, as I should, as anyone should who takes a peaceful stance to protect what is most sacred. I hope this whole experience can serve as inspiration to others who want to engage in civil disobedience. It does make a difference, you will be supported, and no matter what your fight will never be in vain.”
The two women were fined $60, and ordered to do 10 hours of community service.
The protest against the L.A. county flood control’s destruction of Arcadia woodland on Jan. 12 also included John Quigley, 50, of Glendale and Travis Jochimsen, 28, of Lancaster. These two are scheduled to appear in court sometime in July.
The women agreed to a settlement as prosecutors dropped their demand for more than $22,000 in restitution, lowered the fines from up to $3,000 to $60 and dropped the charge of obstructing a police officer.