Earth First! Press Release – Mendocino Commentary, December 4, 1986
Earth First! is citing what they call the Maxxam Corporation’s disregard for Humboldt County’s ecology and economy as the reason for their third demonstration, to be held in Scotia, home site of Pacific Lumber’s mill, on Wednesday, December 3.
On October 22 in San Francisco, Earth First! launched their campaign to increase public awareness of Maxxam/PL’s increased redwood cutting by holding a well-covered demonstration at Pacific Lumber headquarters and by calling for an international boycott of all redwood products. Maxxam purchased Pacific Lumber last year in a leveraged buyout and according to Maxxam’s own prospectus; has doubled their timber production.
A second demonstration was held in Arcata on Nov. 25.
Earth First! has issued a list of demands to Pacific Lumber President Gene G. Elam. A return to a sustained yield policy and a halt to the cutting of old-growth redwood trees are two of the demands which, if not met, according to Earth First!, will result in the continuation of their call to boycott all redwood products.
“We owe our homes and livelihood to those trees,” said EF!’s Darryl Cherney. “Can we allow some Texas businessman who’s never logged in his life to come into our already struggling community and destroy the foundation of its economic base? The loggers and the redwoods are not some toy for him to play with to make a fast buck!”
The Texas businessman Cherney is referring to is Charles E. Hurwitz, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive officer of the Maxxam Corporation, Whose parent corporation, MCO Holding Corp., has interests in nuclear industries, resorts, country clubs and energy development.
Earth First! will be holding a second demonstration. On Wednesday, December 3, in Scotia, home site of Pacific Lumber’s mill. “We will not be venting anger toward the woodworkers,” said Cherney. “Ultimately, we are all environmentalists, with varying standards. Loggers want and need forests too. We want to bridge the gap now that we have something in common: a fear that Maxxam is going to sell Humboldt County down the road.”