Bonnie Raitt, Julia Butterfly Hill, John Densmore And
Others Arrested In Illinois Protest Against Boise Cascade

ITASCA, Ill. July 25 (Reuters) - Police on Wednesday arrested 20 peaceful activists, including singer Bonnie Raitt, who were demonstrating against logging practices outside an office products company.

The protesters, who also included former Doors drummer John Densmore and activist and author Julia ``Butterfly'' Hill, staged a well-orchestrated sit-in outside the headquarters of Boise Cascade Office Products in Itasca, a suburb of Chicago.

They were handcuffed and led away and later charged with disorderly conduct, a crime punishable by a small fine, and released from the city jail.

``Deforestation worldwide is a life and death issue. We want deforestation halted, we want it now and we want it for future generations,'' said Randall Hayes, the founder of Rainforest Action Network, the group that organized the event.

Cascade's parent, paper and manufacturing giant Boise Cascade Corporation, has fought a public battle with RAN for more than a year.

``We believe that Boise Cascade Corporation, their old-growth logging operation and their trading of old-growth around the world makes them an American disgrace,'' RAN executive director Chris Hatch told protesters before the demonstration.

``Their operations are barbaric and their anti-environment campaigns, their efforts to stifle free speech are a disgrace to America,'' he said.

Boise Cascade is continuing efforts to reduce the amount of old-growth forests used in timber production and has hired a third party auditor to review their logging practices, said company spokesman, Michael Moser.

``Their accusations are incorrect,'' Moser said. ``If they would correct the information and agree to have a dialogue, then maybe progress could be made.''

Boise Cascade and RAN have met three times and both sides say they are willing to do so again.

``We'll offer a meeting right now,'' said RAN spokesman Mike Brune. ``We're not short on meetings, we're short on results.''