Arcadia Woodlands 'Tree Sitters' May Take Legal Action Against County and Contractor

Arcadia Woodlands "tree sitters" John Quigley and Julia Posin appeared in Alhambra Superior Court Thursday for their parts in a protest that attempted to stop a controversial county plan that destroyed 11-acres of land home to more than 200 oak and sycamore trees.

Quigley and Posin, represented by attorney Colleen Flynn, asked Judge Stephanie M. Bowick to delay their arraignment two weeks as they were still "arranging counsel." Judge Bowick granted the extension and set their new arraignment for Feb. 18 at 8:30 a.m.

Quigley and Posin's fellow "tree sitters" Travis Jochimsen and Andrea Bowers were also scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Quigley said the two did not appear because they were currently out of state.

In a press conference following the arraignment, Quigley made it clear though the woodlands may be gone, the fight for them is not over.

"We're seriously looking into legal action against the county and the contractors for their reckless behavior on the day," Quigley said.

Quigley said the contractors came within inches of knocking a 70 foot tall sycamore into the tree he and Bowers were stationed in.

"I could practically touch it as it was coming towards us " Quigley said. "Only when we yelled as long as we could and as loud as we could did they stop."

Quigley believes the contractors were attempting to intimidate the "tree sitters."

The "tree sitters" will be setting up a Web site, www.arcadia4justice.org, that will seek contributions for their legal defense fund. The site is not yet active but Quigley expects it to be up and running by the weekend.

On Jan. 12, Posin and Quigley, along with Bowers and Jochimsen, climbed and stationed themselves in oak trees in an 11-acre grove owned by the county and located in Arcadia. The county bulldozed the trees and plant life in the area so that 500,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Santa Anita Dam could be put in their place.

Quigley said the tree sitters faced charges of tresspassing, disturbing the peace and resisting and obstructing a police officer for their actions that day.

"They piled on a lot for being in a tree," Quigley quipped.