Letters Concerning the Attack on Luna
From late 2000 / early 2001
The following is moving collection of letters and essays recounting
various people's reactions to the attack on Luna.
Dear Julia,
There are no words for the outrage and devastation I felt in
learning today that someone has deeply harmed Luna. Nor are there words adequate
for the love and gratitude I feel for you, for all you have gone
through, and
for who you are in the midst of it all.
I am remembering how I felt, in April 1968, in learning that someone
had shot and killed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I had worked
with him, marched with him, loved him, and saw in him the hope that
we could someday, somehow,
become a more compassionate and sane society. Then some idiot,
maybe by themselves, maybe as part of an organized conspiracy,
had taken him from us. I believe
he is still with us, working from within our hearts and souls,
but
dear God, dear God, dear God, what a tragedy it was.
I carry Luna in my heart, and you, always, as sources of inspiration,
strength, commitment, and renewal. I am with you now, in this
time of grief, breathing with you, crying with you, screaming
with you,
listening with you,
praying with you. I send you my fondest affection, admiration,
and love.
Everyone at YES! is in prayer now, for you and for Luna and
for our world.
Your brother,
John Robbins
(Author of Diet for a New America and The Food Revolution)
Julia Butterfly Hill’s story has profoundly affected many people, spurring
them to actions of their own. Her impact has been especially strong
on young people. The following essay by a young person who was inspired by
Julia ’s
words and deeds:
I remember the moment clearly. It was right before dinner
and I was just quickly checking my e–mail. I opened my Inbox, happy
to see that I had an email from my godfather Paul.* I could hear the jingle
of my dog’s collar as he was sniffing around outside while my brother
talked to one of his friends. I clicked on the email and screamed.
Immediately my body started shaking and I went into convulsive sobs. I
opened the back
door and, still shaking and crying, told my brother Ethan that I
needed to talk to him. “Ethan. I need to talk to you,” was
all I could say. “Okay, I should go,” said my brother’s
friend, glancing at me very oddly. “What’s wrong?” Ethan
said calmly, completely unaware of the news he was about to get. “Ethan,
Luna’s
been cut. ”
After about two hours of sobbing it became clear to me
that crying would get me nowhere. Sitting around crying over something
that had already
been done was useless. It struck me that I had to do something. Something
more than I was already doing, something that would not only make my
class more aware but my entire school building, something that could
help. I rummaged
through my brain trying to remember the website my godfather had told
me about where I could print out a petition to stop the logging of
old–growth
redwoods by the Mendocino Redwood Company, which is owed by the Fisher
family, owners of the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy clothing
stores. I typed
it in and while it loaded I ran over my plan in my head. I would print
a petition for every class. I would try to get 3rd, 4th, 5th, and
6th graders to sign and become aware. I printed background information, six
petitions,
and pictures of clearcuts.
I kept a picture of Luna in my head all day.
After talking to my principal she agreed that I should make an announcement
to everyone during our
weekly Community Meeting. I split the announcement with my friend who
is also concerned
and I then handed out the petitions for people to sign. The outcome
of signatures from my class was amazing so I am hoping that it will
be the same for the
other classes. After doing something little like the petitions I feel
good about it but still I don’t feel like I can ever do enough. Every
time one of my friends talks about the Gap I just want to scream and yell
at them.
But I don’t, and someday I hope I will be able to talk as eloquently
as Julia Butterfly. But for now I feel good about what I did.
Amanda
Warren
(Age 12)
*Amanda’s godfather creates canopy walkways around the world.
He devised the collars around Luna and the supporting trees that are a key
feature of
the cabling system that is stabilizing the tree.
This
story was told to me by Richard Gienger (a salmon restoration worker
and old–growth advocate), at the same time that he told me of the attack
on Luna. A lot of hostility was generated during the conservation campaign
to protect the Lost Coast area. The Lost Coast was in the hands of the
BLM, which planned to log much of it. Instead, some very stubborn and
determined people managed to protect a significant amount of land by getting
it
transferred
from BLM to State Parks as the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. This
caused a great deal of anger among the logging community, which perceived
it as
a theft of resources.
The Sally Bell Grove, named for the last of the
Native peoples indigenous to the area, was a place where activists
gathered to strategize, celebrate
their victories and rededicate themselves to the fight. Of course,
this distinction made the Sally Bell Grove a target. After the area
was protected, someone
attacked the Grandmother Tree in the Sally Bell Grove, maiming her
and putting her life in great danger. The tree was supported and
cabled. Her wounds healed
and she still stands today.
The icon that stands can be attacked,
even destroyed. What that icon means to us, the symbol that lives
in our hearts and our minds, can
never be touched or harmed. With much love,
Kate Crockett
(Affiliate Development Director for The Trees Foundation)
Julia,
As important and vital and living a being as Luna is, what you have
done in bonding with her so deeply goes beyond her individual life
or yours. It’s an archetypal act of magic, a re–bonding of
Human and Tree group souls, an act of deep healing that goes beyond anything
that happens
to any one of us, human or tree. Powerful changes always provoke powerful
backlashes. I’ll pray deeply for Luna’s health, and yours, and
all of ours. You are a constant challenge to me to transmute my rage
into love. I’m only meeting it part way at the moment, but I love you
deeply. Creativity will be our best revenge.
Love,
Starhawk
(author of The Fifth Sacred Thing)
These letters were written by high school students in Thomas Azwell’s
Research Science class at Indio High School, Indio, California. Here is Tom’s
introduction:
December 4, 2000
I teach 9th grade Environmental Science at Indio High
School. The students who wrote the letters, however, are in a class
called Research Science
(except for one student who wrote the last letter). We spend the
first semester learning
how to perform research such as writing essays, practicing the scientific
method, etc. I like to use current environmental topics to teach
this first semester. The second semester is spent developing new original
research projects.
My assignment for them was to research Julia’s tree–sit and answer
questions. Later, when the tree was vandalized I asked them to read about
it. They were all so taken aback by the news because they had done this previous
research and felt a part of Julia’s conquest. I suggested that they
all write her a letter. Some of them chose to insert a poem because
they knew that Julia likes to write poetry. Tom Azwell
(High School
Teacher)
Dear Julia Hill,
I was deeply sorry to hear the news about Luna. This was
not just a tree, it was a part of our history. Nothing can replace it’s thousand
years of existence. It is a terrible tragedy that someone could destroy a
living monument from our past. I feel bad for the people who did it. Such
ignorance is a burden in the soul. I only hope that in time they can purify
themselves and begin again. My only solace is the outcry that is being heard
around the nation. Your efforts were not in vain. Because of you, a classroom
of kids in the desert feels sympathy for a tree that they have never seen.
Without you, we would never be able to personalize the grief felt by many
because of the constant deforestation of our world’s forests. You have
done much for us and for nature. Please continue to hold your head
up high. You are a great woman and the world would be lost without
you.
Sincerely,
Tianna Sheehan
Dear Julia,
There is nothing that can be said to right the wrong, or heal
the fatal gash in Luna’s side. If not for your dedication to this tree,
Luna’s
existence may never have even been recognized by so great an audience.
Your actions have spoken louder than words, and because of it, a new
level of
awareness has been raised. Now this cruel and spiteful act will not
go unrecognized.
Sincerely,
Stevie Rembold
Cruelty greed spite and hate
The root of mankind seems never to abate
Patience kindness goodness and love
The hope of mankind comes from heaven above
Soil grass plants and trees
The frailty of nature is comprised of these
Dedication endurance healing and trust
This world will survive but it relies on us
Dear Julia Butterfly,
I feel real sorry for what
has happened to the tree that you tried so much to save. I know how it feels
to have put so much effort
into something and then it all goes bad. I hope that the person that did
this
awful thing
will always have it in his mind and it will haunt him forever.
Anyone who does such a terrible thing deserves to be cursed forever. I hope
that
this
letter will make you fell better and let you know that there are
people out there that care.
Sincerely yours,
Adam Lopez
Dear Julia,
I’m sorry about the tree. The people that cut the gash in the tree
are cruel and cold–hearted. They will never be able to feel the joy
that you were able to feel when you heard about the agreement not to cut
down the tree. They will, however, feel the guilt and forever be looked down
upon by the entire world. There is not a punishment in the world that can
compare to the hurt that you felt when you heard the news. All I can think
of is that this will make the fight against deforestation stronger. I will
continue to support the rain forest project and the World Preservation Fund.
Good Luck. Here’s a poem that I wrote just for you:
Julia’s here and there,
What she saves I really care,
When they cut down trees,
She drops to her knees.
David Lopez
Dear Julia,
I would like to send my deepest sympathies. I know I can
never feel the same sense of anger or sadness for your loss. Do
not think of this
as a defeat, but rather a step forward for the quest to save our
national and
international treasures. Let us not turn the destruction of Luna
in vain and let us turn it into something positive.
Sincerely yours,
Omar Garcia
Corruption
In all parts of the world I hear, see, and sense the same
thing, corruption. Our environment is in constant danger, but under
the mighty dollar
they will never be safe.
I say to myself at times why does it take so much
for people to keep
from destroying their own environment and every time I come back
to the same conclusion, corruption.
Dear Julia,
I am sorry to hear about the vandalism that happened to
Luna. What they did was unfair to you and what you have accomplished.
If the vandals
had any morals they wouldn’t have done such a vicious act. What you
did made a powerful impact on the world and everyone that is heavily
involved with preserving the environment. It also helped people become more
aware
of the well–being of trees and what they symbolize. Again, my deepest
apologies.
Sincerely,
Crystal A. Burton
Dear Julia,
My name is Brandon Reyes and I am a student at Indio High School.
I’m
very sorry about the incident of the tree you lived in and sacrifice
two years of your life! I think that was a powerful statement and event to
protect
a tree. I’m glad that someone like you cares about the environment
and keep your “Guts and Glory” towards all Trees and the environment.
Sincerely,
Brandon Reyes
Dear Julia Butterfly,
I am deeply saddened to hear about Luna. I am very sorry about what
these vandals did. However, I hope that from this incident people will feel
stronger about protecting the last remaining old–growth trees. Selective
cutting is a very good idea and I hope that the logging companies agree with
you. I really hope that your two years up in this tree were not in vain.
I think you were very brave to have done this. I believe you sent a strong
message not only to logging companies, but also to the younger generations
of people who will follow in your footsteps.
Sincerely,
Aracelli Casarrubias
Dear Julia,
I heard what happened to Luna. It is very sad that all your hard
work went down by just one cut. You should see the positive side of
what happened to Luna because for what you did, more people will be
more involved in saving
the environment. By what happened to Luna now people will have time
to think about saving the environment and caring for what others
do to save it. I
feel very sad because I feel that the work that many people put to
save something from our mother earth many people don’t take it seriously
like others. If more people get involved in saving the environment
we owe it to you and
Luna. Just keep thinking positive that it will do you good for the
future. Your project is not over is just the beginning of a new
journey. What you
did will give you strength and power to continue saving our old trees.
So please don ’t
give up that easily instead be strong and keep going.
Sincerely,
Angela Gallegos
Dear Julia:
I recently read the amazing thing you did. I read your story and
to tell you the truth I think that you did something that nobody would
ever do or have the courage to do. I believe that you really cared
about what
you were doing for the environment and for the redwood tree. I think
that what the vandals did was wrong, but I think that even though they
cut Luna,
you should always remember your courage and how many young people still
listen and care. You might not know them, but you still get your message
through.
You should be very proud and happy of what you did because I never
knew that there were real people that really cared about not only the
animals, but
also the trees! Even though right now you’re not up in the top of Luna,
you should remember the beautiful things you did, saw, and wrote! For me
you’re an idol, because of the things you have done!
Sincerely yours,
Martha Verduga
Indio High School | 9th Grade
December
1, 2000
I took my eight year old son to hear Julia speak at Book Passages
in Corte Madera, California last Spring. I was torn upon hearing about
the vandalism
of Luna about how to tell him.
When I did finally find the right words,
he was concerned if Luna would die. I said, “The strong storms and
winds might be too much for her.” He
said, with the uncompromising logic of a child, “Then I’ll send
her my blanket.”
Instead, we his family will send a donation to your
organization, but I thought this little story might bring hope to
your members, that
the children who are the future will help us save our earth. Thank
you.
Mary Malloy
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