SIERRA CLUB IN OUTCRY OVER PEPPER SPRAYING

The Sierra Club on Friday joined the outcry over pepper spraying of
antilogging protesters, showing a TV ad criticizing a congressman's stance
on the spraying and on protection of ancient redwood groves.

The 30second spot, to start airing Monday, takes on Rep. Frank Riggs,
RWindsor, in whose Eureka office one of the spraying incidents took place.

The intent is to educate voters to what Sierra Club Executive Director Carl
Pope called Riggs' "cozy" relationship with Texas financier Charles
Hurwitz, whose Maxxam Corp. controls Pacific Lumber Co.

Hurwitz wants to log the Headwaters Forest in Riggs' district, the world's
last major stand of oldgrowth redwoods in private hands, and Riggs has not
done enough to stop him, Pope said.

The club also wants Riggs' constituents to know about the congressman's
endorsement of Humboldt County sheriff's deputies' use of pepper spray on
nonviolent protesters.