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By Anita Varghese
Staff Writer

October 22 -- In another effort to convince the City of Santa Monica to not relocate or compost rows of ficus trees along Second and Fourth streets, members of a group of environmental activists calling themselves the Treesavers went on a hunger fast Saturday.

More than 20 Treesavers of all ages and backgrounds have decided to fast for one day, a few days or the entire week leading up to a Friday court hearing in which a Superior Court judge will determine whether to extend a temporary restraining order preventing the City from removing the trees.

The judge will also hear oral arguments concerning environmental laws and the statute of limitations on filing a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) appeal.

Some Treesavers will be fasting on juice only, while others chose a water-only fast. The activists who are fasting range from students to senior citizens.

“Various elements of fasting depend on where the City is taking this,” said activist Jerry Rubin. “This is not a hunger strike. Nobody is planning to be a martyr.”

Even if the judge decides to lift the restraining order, the City is unable to move forward with its Second and Fourth Streets Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvement Project because the Treesavers have also filed a landmarks designation application for the entire rows of ficus trees.

With the filing of a landmarks application, the project must cease until the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission schedules a public hearing, most likely in November or December.

City Manager Lamont Ewell said City officials have been talking to State and Federal agencies funding the $8.2 million streetscape improvement project in an effort to ensure the funding is not jeopardized by the delays.

City officials have warned that changes in the project could result in the loss of transportation funding.

The City plans to relocate or compost more than 50 mature ficus trees and replace them with new Ginko trees as part of the third phase of the Downtown Urban Design Plan.

“We do not want any healthy trees relocated for design or aesthetic reasons,” Rubin said. “The majority of these trees are being relocated to make streets more attractive to shoppers. This is a very un-Santa Monica plan.”

The Treesavers will hold a rally at 5 p.m. Tuesday in front of City Hall before going inside to make public comments at the City Council meeting.

A Green Alert Treesavers meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Santa Monica Place mall, first floor, inside the former Eddie Bauer store.

“We are trying everything legal, political, educational and now emotional to achieve a win-win situation for the City, for us and most importantly for the trees,” Rubin said.