Rebecca Woods, a 59-year-old beekeeper from Massachusetts, is serving six months in jail for releasing her bees near sheriff's deputies who arrived to evict her elderly friend — a man in his 80s undergoing cancer treatment — from his home.

Woods drove her hives to her friend's property in Longmeadow after learning deputies were on their way to carry out an eviction order. Her lawyer described her motivation as "a sincere hope that he would not suffer the humiliation and devastation of going through an eviction, of losing your home." Woods herself had been through multiple evictions and believed her friend had fallen victim to predatory lenders charging extortionate rates.

A jury heard the case and acquitted Woods of all seven felony charges against her. She was convicted of four misdemeanor counts of assault and battery and two counts of reckless assault. She has maintained her innocence and filed an appeal.

Her friend still lost his home.

Whatever you think of her methods, Rebecca Woods acted out of genuine compassion for a vulnerable elderly man in a medical crisis — and a jury of her peers rejected every serious charge brought against her. She should not be imprisoned for defending someone she loved from losing everything.

We are calling on the Hampden County District Attorney to drop the remaining misdemeanor charges and support Rebecca Woods's appeal. No one who acted out of care for a sick, elderly friend should be sitting in a jail cell.

Sign to demand Rebecca Woods be freed.

Photo: Hampden county sheriff's office