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Student protester in Salem tree cited for trespassing

05:39 PM PST on Friday, November 14, 2008

By ERIC ADAMS, kgw.com

SALEM, Ore. -- A protestor who camped in a pine tree this week in the State Capitol State Park was cited for trespassing Friday.

Watch KGW report on protest

Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky clambered about 50 feet up the pine tree on Tuesday and originally planned to stay through Friday night.

Zimmer-Stucky was protesting a Bush administration plan to increase logging on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

Others who were protesting with her may also face tresspassing citations for being in a closed area without a permit, according to Oregon State Police.

Zimmer-Stucky is a member of the Eugene chapter of the environmental group Rising Tide, based in Britain.

The group draws attention to climate-change issues, including public transportation and cap-and-trade permits.

A Rising Tide spokeswoman in Oregon said the logging plan provides a short-term gain for a few companies at the expense of long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

State Capitol Park Manager Jim Bader said Oregon supports using the park for political expression; however, camping is not allowed in the park and those staying overnight must first obtain proper permits.

"Park rules are there to protect people and the park's resources," Bader said. "Visitors who don't follow those rules risking being cited."

The group had also hoisted a platform into tree, which Bader said also violates park policy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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