From local media news:  http://www.channel3000.com/liveatfive/15763095/detail.html 

MADISON, Wis. -- An act of eco-vandalism timed to coincide with April Fools' Day backfires for one group in Madison.

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Around the world on Tuesday, environmental activists celebrated the first-ever "Fossil Fools Day."

In Madison, an unnamed group deflated dozens of car tires sitting
outside homes in the campus area and near-east side and left notes that
read, “Happy Fossil Fools Day.”

"I think it's a good idea to do Fossil Fools Day," said Ann Freiwald.
"I agree with that part, but the whole idea of letting air out of
people’s cars, I just don't think that helps us in the least."

Freiwald has been a longtime cycling activist and conservationist in the community.

"They (group responsible) don't know when they do this kind of thing,
why this person has a car. They might be disabled. They might not ever
use that car except for very few occasions. I just thought this doesn't
help our cause in the least. It's just going to make people angry,"
said Freiwald.

Louise Young said it certainly made her husband angry Tuesday morning.

The family found their car tires deflated as they went to take their sick son to the doctor.

"It just seemed incredibly ironic that this particular neighborhood and
we had been targeted for this kind of education campaign because
actually my husband takes the bus to work and I either walk or take my
bike every day," said Young.

Young said her family bought their first car just four years ago. She
said they only use it for grocery shopping and doctor visits; otherwise
the family walks, bikes or uses the bus.

Young said her entire street on Summit Avenue was targeted just like
Williamson, Langdon and Monroe streets. Madison police said they took
more than 30 reports of deflated tires, but dozens more went unreported.

"As far as I know, we haven't seen something like this in the past. But
obviously Madison is a place where you can get some people who are
rather militant and want people to drive less. And whether this was a
way to escalate the public dialogue, we're really not sure," said Joel
DeSpain, public information officer with the Madison Police Department.

Police said the tires were deflated, not slashed, and that no permanent damage was done.

"If you look around at the cars, these are small cars," said Young. "A
whole line of Toyota Corollas, some of the most energy-efficient cars
you can buy."

"I don't know what the thinking was there," said Freiwald. "Obviously,
if you wanted to target a neighborhood there may have been on the west
side that might have been more logical. To target clearly the east
side, Willy Street and the campus are two areas where bicycles and
pedestrians are welcome and there are an awful lot of them."

"I think this is a really important cause and whatever you can do using
humor or some kind of dramatic way of getting the message across, I
really do think that’s great but this really crossed the line," said
Young.

Young said the message of energy conservation got lost in her
neighborhood where people were just angry and ended up using fuel to
drive to have their tires fixed on a day they might otherwise have
walked.

"I think it's counter-productive and it makes people mad," said Young. "It seemed like a childish, juvenile gesture honestly."

Both women said the afternoon Fossil Fools Day demonstration in front
of the Hummer dealership was a more appropriate message to send.

"We're trying to spread awareness that if we want to save the earth and
not have to fight for oil that we should change our consumption
patterns and part of that is not driving giant cars," said activist
John Peck.

Peck took part in Critical Mass' bike ride and demonstration in front of Bergstrom Hummer during Tuesday afternoon's rush hour.

The group held signs urging motorists to choose a more energy-efficient
vehicle and handed out pamphlets with tips on conserving fuel and
ditching large vehicles like Hummers.

"We are letting Americans know that we really can't afford this
lifestyle anymore," said Peck. "We need to downsize and stop using so
much fossil fuel. When I see a Hummer, I'm disappointed and saddened
that we're still driving these things and we're in the 21st Century."

The Madison demonstrations were just two of dozens that happened worldwide.

Police said that if someone was caught in the act of deflating tires,
that person could face a disorderly conduct citation. If a vehicle
sustained rim or other damage, police said the penalties could have
been more severe.

Related Info:

For information about other demonstrations