Freed From UWS Home: Environmental Lawyer Donziger Ends House Arrest

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The Upper West Side must have never looked so good.

Neighborhood resident and environmental lawyer Steven Donzinger spent nearly the last 1,000 days under house arrest after refusing to turn over his computer and other electronics during a long-standing battle with Chevron over their damage to the Amazon rainforest.

Donzinger's refusal to do so turned him into a bit of a cult hero as he maintained an active social media presence while locked in his home on West 104th Street between Broadway and West End.

Earlier this week, Donzinger was freed from his Upper West Side home, celebrating with a "Freedom Block Party" on the street outside his apartment.

The freedom party was attended by family, friends, actor Susan Sarandon, and Amazon labor organizer Chris Smalls.

"My first time roaming outside after 993 days detained," Donzinger tweeted. "New York City never felt so good."

The environmental lawyer listed going for a jog and getting a burger as the two activities he wanted to do first upon his release.

"It feels wonderful," Donzinger told Democracy Now. "You know, honestly, I didn’t really understand freedom until it was taken away. We take it for granted."

Now allowed to leave his 104th street UWS apartment whenever he wants, Donzinger will be able to go to the nearby deli on Broadway, or the Ben & Jerry's across the street, the nearby popular Cafe Du Solei, or roam into Riverside Park as the weather continues to warm up.