Caltrans on Trial: Support Will Parrish

Mendocino County Courthouse, 100 N. State St., Ukiah
10:30 a.m. pre-trial hearing;
12 p.m. gathering & press conference

For over 30 years, people in and near Willits have worked to convince Caltrans, elected officials, government agencies, and the judicial system to create transportation infrastructure in Willits' Little Lake Valley that minimizes destruction and cost. In March 2013, Caltrans began constructing the Willits 101 Bypass -- the largest draining and fill of wetlands in Northern California in 50 years. Over 30 people have been arrested for acts of civil resistance opposing the Bypass' construction.

JUSTICE FOR WILL PARRISH

One person who Caltrans and the Mendocino County DA have particularly targeted is Will Parrish, the Ukiah-based journalist and activist. Will occupied a wick drain "stitcher" to block the draining of wetlands for Caltrans bypass construction. The charges against Will entail a maximum jail sentence of nearly eight years! And Caltrans has filed a claim alleging Will owes them nearly $500,000 in criminal "restitution" for damages they say they incurred as a result of Will's stand for the Little Lake Valley watershed.

The rights of those practicing civil disobedience is on trial. The trial is scheduled to begin January 28th at the Mendocino County Courthouse (this date is subject to change - stay posted to http://www.savelittlelakevalley.org). Gather at this pre-trial hearing to stand strong with Will and send a powerful message to the DA!

For more background, read Cal Winslow's excellent recent piece in Counterpunch:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/01/13/caltrans-at-willits-widening-the-way-to-pelican-bay/
AND
the Justice for Will Parrish Page - http://www.savelittlelakevalley.org/free-will/