Wildlife

Idaho activists win one

Sarah Dry March 3, 1997 From the print edition
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  A federal judge in Idaho recently overturned the 1995 convictions of 12 wilderness activists on the charge of violating a road closure in the Cove-Mallard area (HCN, 9/2/96). District Judge Edward Lodge ruled that when the Forest Service closed roads to the Jack Creek sale, it infringed on the First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


The 12 protesters all served jail sentences ranging from seven to 20 days.


"It's a pretty major victory," says cleared activist and Cove-Mallard Coalition staffer Mike Bowersox, 33. He says it means the Forest Service "won't be able to use closures to suppress our ability to monitor what they're doing on public lands."


* Sarah Dry


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