|
http://news.excite.com:80/news/bw/990429/ca-capitol-raitt Bonnie Raitt and Joan Baez Climb 180 Foot Redwood to Present Julia Butterfly With Award Tree Sitter Reaches 16-Month Mark In Vigil to Protect Redwoods Updated 5:24 PM ET April 29, 1999 STAFFORD, Calif. (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) - Over the Earth Day weekend, two of the world's leading recording artists/social activists, Bonnie Raitt and Joan Baez, climbed high into the canopy of what is perhaps the world's most famous redwood to honor Julia Butterfly Hill. Julia has been keeping a 180 foot tree-top vigil on a plywood platform to stop MAXXAM/Pacific Lumber Co. from cutting down a 1,000-year-old redwood tree renamed Luna. The redwood grove she is trying to protect along with tens of thousands of acres of other critical redwood habitat was not saved in the recently signed and much-criticized Headwaters agreement between the government and Charles Hurwitz's MAXXAM Corp. Julia has not touched the ground for 500 days and has been sitting above a massive mudslide caused by a MAXXAM/Pacific Lumber clearcut that destroyed and damaged more than 30 homes in the town of Stafford. Raitt and Baez decided to lend their support to Butterfly's vigil by climbing the steep two-mile mountain in Stafford (250 miles north of San Francisco), and then used a pulley system to get up the tree onto one of the two plywood perches in the branches of Luna. The pulley system was constructed by the United Steelworkers of America, who are currently locked out of their jobs by another one of MAXXAM's affiliates, Kaiser Aluminum. The steelworkers have joined with Headwaters Forest activists in a struggle against a common foe -- MAXXAM. "It's incredible to see labor unions and environmentalists getting together to stop the corporate mentality that destroys both jobs and the environment," said Raitt. At the California Music Awards (the BAMMIES) held in San Francisco this past March, Raitt was given the Arthur M. Sohcot Award, which recognizes a group or individual, who through dedicated public service and/or professional activity has contributed to the betterment of the community. The award was presented by two other activists/musicians -- Tracy Chapman and Baez. Raitt announced that night that she would take the award to Julia Butterfly in the tree and present it to her for her courage. Raitt, a long-time Headwaters activist, invited Baez to make the pilgrimage with her over Earth Day weekend. "Visiting Julia Butterfly was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life," said Baez. Raitt added, "To experience Julia's commitment and love for these forests in person was a life-changing event. She was literally shining." On Thursday, May 6, Raitt will perform "Lover's Will" (from her current CD, "Fundamental") with Paul Shaffer's band on "The Late Show with David Letterman." She will kick off her U.S. summer tour on June 4 in St. Louis. Jimmie Vaughan will be opening the first few dates (June 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9), then Jon Cleary and the Absolute Mobster Gentlemen take over the opening slot for the remainder of the tour. NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request. Contact: Capitol Records Brenda Hanson, 323/871-5718 or Julia Butterfly Hill, 707/269-6334 (pager) or Environmentally Sound Promotions (for information on Headwaters) 707/923-4949
|
Return to Home