Greenpeace: Defending America's Ancient Forests: Klamath Siskiyou

June 15, 2004
Taking A Stand to Save Our Ancient Forests

UPDATE APROX 8:00 AM PDT

So we're here in South West Oregon on BLM land defending the ancient forests that happen to lie in an area that the BLM calls the SouKow timber sale.

Many of the ancient forests in the area have already fallen but there are still beautiful groves standing. So far we've had loggers threaten to yank out the container with their bulldozer.

Luckily we have friends on the outside that have calmed things down a little bit. We are still here and thus the trees are still standing.

ANT
p.s. its not about me, its not about the trees, ITS ABOUT LIFE

UPDATE FROM ANT: 10: 49 AM PDT

So we've been inside this thing for about 7 hrs. Hopefully we're inside for a lot longer. Loggers and police have been all over the situation but no action has been taken to get us out.

I've already taken a nap since I haven't been able to get very much sleep the past few days. So far it hasn't been too tense. The people outside must be doing a good job in relaying that this is a peaceful protest. I hope everyone out there realizes this is all about peace and love for life and these forests.

Come out to your public lands and see what is being done to them. Thats what I've been doing and the energy that the last 5% of ancient forests filled me with has given me enough love to be where I am right now.
PEACE and LOVE ANT

Anthony “Ant” Villagomez lives in the Columbia River Gorge area of Northern Oregon. He works in the forest doing restoration-based fire management and fuels reduction. Ant is dedicated to sustainable living, and is a self described ‘hip-neck’ – the unusual co-mingling of characteristics considered ‘hippie’ and ‘redneck’.

Thank You all for your support. I am out of jail and in a safe place surounded by friends. We planned for any situation with the police but they were respectable and being arrested and in jail went smoothly. To be honest I am disappointed that the blockade didn't last longer. The security of the door all relied on the stength of a few bolts. When they entered the concrete that held down our lockbox hadn't dried totally and they easilly chipped away at it with a rock bar. But I was in the car driving away from jail when we saw the container driving down Interstate 5 and I new the message was still being seen. Hopefully we can all go out to our public lands and feel the transformation that happens to a person who sees the beauty and destruction that is OUR PUBLIC LANDS. Once again thank you all. Feel free to send e-mails.
PEACE and LOVE ANT

Posted by: ANT at June 16, 2004 01:20 PM

Thank you so much for fighting for our children's futures. As I sit at a computer, taking a break from studying, I cannot help but feel restless. Restless for what corporations are doing. Restless for our government not stepping up and stopping this horrible destruction.

This battle is fought on many levels. I just want you to know that, when you feel alone, there are thousands out there that are fighting for you and the message that we all believe in. "Life, love and the future are far more important than greed."

Thank you so much!
~Justin R. Gibson

Posted by: Justin R. Gibson at June 17, 2004 10:17 AM

They say an ant can carry 10 times its body weight. This ant has taken the burden of forest destruction and corporate greed on his weighty shoulders. Keep fighting the power!

Zurich

Posted by: Zurich Montana at June 15, 2004 09:22 AM

Thank you for taking a stand to protect ancient forests. I hope all is comfortable at the blockade, and that everything proceeds safely.
We know that so many people in the US and worldwide are sending their support for your courageous acts to save the last remaining ancient forests.

Pam

Posted by: pam at June 15, 2004 10:19 AM

Ant,

Thank you for putting your body on the line to protect America's ancient, old-growth forests from logging.

Those of us here in Montana who hung out with you during last summer's action camp in the Bitterroot send you our love and positive energy!

Posted by: Matthew at June 16, 2004 12:05 PM

Thank you for all you do from me too!!! I wish we could get through to people how important our trees are to all of life.
you have my support
susan dean
spartanburg science center
south carolina

Posted by: susan at June 16, 2004 02:13 PM


	• Senator Wyden: Defend the Public Forests of Oregon • Support the passage of the the Leach Bill! FOREST RESCUE STATION • Get directions • Who we are • Weblog home MULTIMEDIA • Umpqua Action Photo Gallery •Soukow Action Photo Gallery • Forest Rescue Station Photo Gallery • Video: "The Police Break in" • Video: "Inside the Container" • Video: "Woods Speaks" • Video: "Ant Speaks" OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO SAVE OUR PUBLIC LANDS • National Forest Protection Alliance • Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center • Oxygen Collective • Northwest Old-Growth Campaign RECENT ENTRIES • Umpqua National Forest Action Photos • 4:30 PM PDT Action Update • 10:05 AM PDT Arrests • LOSING CONTACT • Latest Update from Skyking • 7:59 AM PDT • 7:58 AM PDT Update • 7:57 AM PDT: Update From Rundeep • 6:35 AM PDT: From Rundeep Inside the Container • Kayla Starr: Taking a Stand to Save Ancient Forests WEBLOG ARCHIVES June 2004		June 15, 2004 Taking A Stand to Save Our Ancient Forests UPDATE APROX 8:00 AM PDT So we're here in South West Oregon on BLM land defending the ancient forests that happen to lie in an area that the BLM calls the SouKow timber sale. Many of the ancient forests in the area have already fallen but there are still beautiful groves standing. So far we've had loggers threaten to yank out the container with their bulldozer. Luckily we have friends on the outside that have calmed things down a little bit. We are still here and thus the trees are still standing. ANT p.s. its not about me, its not about the trees, ITS ABOUT LIFE UPDATE FROM ANT: 10: 49 AM PDT So we've been inside this thing for about 7 hrs. Hopefully we're inside for a lot longer. Loggers and police have been all over the situation but no action has been taken to get us out. I've already taken a nap since I haven't been able to get very much sleep the past few days. So far it hasn't been too tense. The people outside must be doing a good job in relaying that this is a peaceful protest. I hope everyone out there realizes this is all about peace and love for life and these forests. Come out to your public lands and see what is being done to them. Thats what I've been doing and the energy that the last 5% of ancient forests filled me with has given me enough love to be where I am right now. PEACE and LOVE ANT Anthony “Ant” Villagomez lives in the Columbia River Gorge area of Northern Oregon. He works in the forest doing restoration-based fire management and fuels reduction. Ant is dedicated to sustainable living, and is a self described ‘hip-neck’ – the unusual co-mingling of characteristics considered ‘hippie’ and ‘redneck’. Comments They say an ant can carry 10 times its body weight. This ant has taken the burden of forest destruction and corporate greed on his weighty shoulders. Keep fighting the power! Zurich Posted by: Zurich Montana at June 15, 2004 09:22 AM Thank you for taking a stand to protect ancient forests. I hope all is comfortable at the blockade, and that everything proceeds safely. We know that so many people in the US and worldwide are sending their support for your courageous acts to save the last remaining ancient forests. Pam Posted by: pam at June 15, 2004 10:19 AM Okay, I know I already posted a comment for Woods, but this one is for Ant...THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU FROM SPOKANE! Posted by: Stephanie at June 15, 2004 10:56 AM anthony, we love you and we are so proud of the work you are doing...thank you!!! love mom & dad Posted by: laura villagomez at June 15, 2004 07:05 PM Ant, Thank you for putting your body on the line to protect America's ancient, old-growth forests from logging. Those of us here in Montana who hung out with you during last summer's action camp in the Bitterroot send you our love and positive energy! Posted by: Matthew at June 16, 2004 12:05 PM Thank You all for your support. I am out of jail and in a safe place surounded by friends. We planned for any situation with the police but they were respectable and being arrested and in jail went smoothly. To be honest I am disappointed that the blockade didn't last longer. The security of the door all relied on the stength of a few bolts. When they entered the concrete that held down our lockbox hadn't dried totally and they easilly chipped away at it with a rock bar. But I was in the car driving away from jail when we saw the container driving down Interstate 5 and I new the message was still being seen. Hopefully we can all go out to our public lands and feel the transformation that happens to a person who sees the beauty and destruction that is OUR PUBLIC LANDS. Once again thank you all. Feel free to send e-mails. PEACE and LOVE ANT Posted by: ANT at June 16, 2004 01:20 PM Thank you for all you do from me too!!! I wish we could get through to people how important our trees are to all of life. you have my support susan dean spartanburg science center south carolina Posted by: susan at June 16, 2004 02:13 PM Thank you so much for fighting for our children's futures. As I sit at a computer, taking a break from studying, I cannot help but feel restless. Restless for what corporations are doing. Restless for our government not stepping up and stopping this horrible destruction. This battle is fought on many levels. I just want you to know that, when you feel alone, there are thousands out there that are fighting for you and the message that we all believe in. "Life, love and the future are far more important than greed." Thank you so much! ~Justin R. Gibson Posted by: Justin R. Gibson at June 17, 2004 10:17 AM Thanks Ant, for taking this action. I hope it inspires more this summer. Every night/day/moment is for the Earth! 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