CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Earth First! Climbs Bridge in Protest

Police arrested a dozen members of the environmental group Earth First! after they climbed hundreds of feet up the Golden Gate Bridge and tried to unfurl a banner reading “Save the Planet.” The group’s protest against pollution came as thousands of commuters were driving across the bridge to their jobs in the city. “Look at all the drivers. Look at all the fumes,” said Lee Dessaus of Santa Cruz, as police led him away in handcuffs. Police said eight of the protesters climbed about 600 feet up the bridge’s suspension cables, but were thwarted in their attempts to display their banner. Police said the demonstrators would be charged with vandalism and creating a public nuisance.