Weyerhaeuser Home Targeted By Protesters

Members of the environmental group Earth First! staged a protest Tuesday at the home of George Weyerhaeuser, chairman of the board of the forest products company founded by his family.

One demonstrator was chained to a tree and another to a tree stump during the event at Weyerhaeuser’s home in this Tacoma suburb, said spokesman Curt Benson of the Pierce County sheriff’s department.

The protesters left after a couple of hours, Benson said. There were no arrests.

Weyerhaeuser and his wife were out of state but were advised of the protest, company spokesman Frank Mendizabel said.

Weyerhaeuser essentially told authorities that if the protesters were causing no property damage, “leave them alone,” Mendizabel said. He noted that Weyerhaeuser has retired as company president and is no longer involved in day-to-day operations.

Earth First! contends the company’s timber-harvesting practices violate state and federal law. The group is calling for revocation of the Federal Way-based company’s charter, seizure of its assets and dissolution of the corporation.