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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 10, 2005 Six Ashlanders jailed for protest By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Six Ashlanders were slated for arraignment today in Josephine County after being arrested Wednesday in connection with ongoing Biscuit fire logging protests. The six were arrested as the green bridge, the gateway to the Fiddler timber sale in the Siskiyou National Forest, was declared a crime scene by county and federal authorities. Josephine County Courthouse officials could only confirm that three of the 11 people arrested Wednesday were from Ashland. Deputy DesLaurier, who refused to give her first name, said the other eight incarcerated activists were not providing authorities with the information necessary to prosecute them. Shelley Elkovich, an Ashland activist, confirmed that three of these protesters were from Ashland. She said they were utilizing a civil disobedience tactic known as "jail solidarity." She explained this as "a passive, non-compliance tactic in which an activist won't give their names, they may refuse to eat and refuse to actively participate in the booking process because they are challenging unjust laws." Elkovich would not disclose the names of those Ashlanders who are currently employing this technique. DesLaurier said the activists who would not give their names are being held in a separate holding area as "maximum security inmates" because there criminal history can not be determined. "You gotta love those Ashlanders," Elkovich said. "They've got a lot of heart." DesLaurier identified the three Ashland activists who were cooperating as Holly Christensen, Laura Beaton and George Sexton. Christensen and Beaton have been charged with interfering with an agricultural operation, interfering with a police officer, obstructing government administration and violating a release agreement. Christensen and Beaton were both arrested on Monday, as well. As a condition of their release, said DesLaurier, "they were told they could not go back out there and cause any more problems." The last charge, she said, was a result of their refusal to honor that agreement. Sexton was charged with the first three violations and not the fourth because he was not arrested on Monday. "Sacrificing my freedom is a small thing compared to what is happening to our public lands," Laura Beaton told Elkovich from jail. "To spend one day, one week, one month or one year in jail is absolutely worth it." Elkovich, who said the peaceful demonstrations have slowed the logging of the old growth timber by at least one day, indicated that there would be a "jail vigil" today at noon outside the Josephine County Jailhouse. At 1 p.m., a county judge will arraign the activists, DesLaurier confirmed. On Wednesday, Elkovich said, "Judge Hogan heard the temporary restraining order and he will be issuing his decision on Friday. A ruling in our favor would stop logging in all timber sales with old growth characteristics." At the green bridge this morning, Elkovich said there were "some colorful demonstrations but no road blockades. It could not be confirmed if logging was taking place. Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x 3040 or [email protected] . DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams