Toll Road Protesters to Pay No Restitution
Eight Earth First! activists arrested last year for chaining themselves to bulldozers about to begin construction of the San Joaquin Hills tollway will not have pay restitution for lost income and expenses associated with their actions, a group spokesman said.
Patrick T. Mitchell said Commissioner Kenneth Schwartz announced his decision Monday in South Orange County Municipal Court.
Mitchell, 27, was arrested with seven other environmental activists Sept. 27 after they chained themselves to bulldozers to protest the building of the toll road.
The decision came two months after the activists promised not to repeat their action in exchange for a penalty limited to 10 days of community service and informal probation.
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