On February 27, 2015, after investigating the Instagram feed of Andre Saraiva, Modern Hiker published the story “Is Mr. Andre Tagging in Joshua Tree?”
On March 3, 2015, Modern Hiker received a letter from Mr. Andre’s lawyer, demanding that we remove the story from the web site. (PDF viewable here).
On March 9, Modern Hiker responded to this letter through the law firm of Levine, Sullivan, Koch & Schulz, LLP. That response follows below. Both legal documents have been altered to remove individual contact information. (PDF viewable here).
Modern Hiker has no intention of removing our original story. We believe the reporting is solid and the facts speak for themselves.
We feel very strongly about the issue of graffiti and vandalism in our natural spaces, whether they be in National Parks or neighborhood green spaces. While we understand you likely share many of our feelings and frustrations about these issues in general and in this instance in particular, this case’s outcome now rests in the capable hands of our National Park Service investigators.
We do not wish to encourage nor do we condone in any way any harassment of Mr. Saraiva, and believe the most constructive things we can do at this point are to encourage and support the Park Service with their investigation, to donate our time and energy to local cleanup and volunteer projects, and to push Congress to fully fund our National Parks, Forests, and Monuments to effectively enforce vandalism violations and prevent them from happening in the first place.
As I posted in the original story, people are welcome to comment here or on other forums to give their points of view.
If there are any further updates, we will share them with you as soon as possible.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modern Hiker, Author of "Day Hiking Los Angeles" and "Discovering Griffith Park." Walking Meditator, Native Plant Enthusiast.
73 Comments
This turd thinks so highly of himself that he believes putting his inane mark on a majestic work of God's, will improve the scenery. Let's say he did remove it in 3 days; what about the people who saw it during that time, think of how it spoiled their trip. I know I would have been enraged.
Leave a Reply to Maureen Mcgloin Cancel reply
This whole graffiti thing makes me sad, so thank you for going after it. There is a large graffiti eyesore on Table Mountain along HWY108/120 which is on the way to Yosemite. They must tag it at night . The highway patrol is always on this road, giving out speeding tickets so they must see something, even at night. Have they done anything about it? No. And it gets bigger everytime we pass by. I wish these people could be caught and locked up for a very long time.
Leave a Reply to Kay Cancel reply
Thanks for being on top of this. I'm still confused about the boulder (when was it graffitied, when did it get cleaned, and when did it get flipped?), but I'm really glad you're out there bringing pressure on this guy.
Leave a Reply to Chris Cancel reply
Thanks, Kurt! Thanks for saying everything I was going to say. I always collect trash when I hike/walk; it's a pleasure to know there are others out there of a like mind. "Thanks, Casey, for exposing this buffoon", indeed!
Leave a Reply to Scott M Cancel reply
Don't Graffiti in the parks in the first place then you don't have to get all lawyered up its simple.
Leave a Reply to Brimyers Cancel reply
Can anyone near the site actually confirm that he did indeed remove the graffiti?
Leave a Reply to Hunter Cancel reply
I think the comments suggesting violence are counterproductive to the Modern Hiker's logical and legal effort. It may take a long time before the case is resolved thru the Feds, but it's the correct way. (Speaking of such, any update on Casey Nocket?)
