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Indybay Feature

Memorial Grove Tree Sit Anniversary

by tristan
December 2 was the one year anniversary of the tree sits going up in Memorial Grove in Berkeley. The struggle to save it goes on.
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The Tree Sit is One year old!

So many people have come and gone, tree sits have come and gone, so many have been a part of it all. Thank you everyone.

Now the pressure is increasing but there are people ready to respond.

A wonderful anniversary party took place on the Dec. 2 anniversary. One year ago three people climbed up three old oak trees and the community came out in support.

The day began early with dozens of people gathered on the sidewalk in front of the grove. people chatted and ate food while the mainstream media interviewed speakers. Now there are two big fences to keep us out of the grove. Older women organized food and the tree sitters lowered lines. The bags and buckets of food were tied on and the rope pulled up. Load after load went up and the tree sits are now set for many days.

People called for a march. We went down the sidewalk then turned into a parking lot inside the outer fence. There were police barricades but people moved them out of the way and we ere able to enter part of the grove. Police stood inside the inner fence and video taped. People shook the fence, climbed a tree, wrote "Save the Oaks" in sticks on the fence, danced and spoke.

Outside by the sidewalk there was a large bus and many bands played inside. People crowded in to see.

Later Circus Pandemonium had a performance in the grove. The whole grove is lit up by bright new lights and this was perfect for the performance. They juggled and did skits about the tree sit and other performances. The best was wen one woman lowered long cloth from a tree sit and did airial dancing.

A drum band played and people inside the grove and on the sidewalk/street had a dance party. Another band played inside the bus. Then the bus left and by 9:00 there was only a small crowd. People talked to the tree sitters and to friends as the wonderful day drew to a close.
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by tristan
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"Native Burial Ground" banner on the outer fence denotes the graves that have been discovered in the are during excavations.
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by tristan
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Tree sitters wait in a tree for food to haul up and to talk.
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by tristan
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The crowd loads a basket thing with food and it is hauled up.
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by tristan
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"Here put those in."
"Bananas on top."
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by tristan
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Crowd watches as the food they just packed goes up.
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by tristan
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Five gallons of water going up.
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by tristan
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The Birthday Cake is finished off.
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by tristan
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The march skirts the fence, enters through a parking lot and heads for the grove.
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by tristan
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People gather in the grove for the firth time in weeks.
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by tristan
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Police video tape the gathering.
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by tristan
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Tree sitters are busy distributing food.
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by tristan
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Meanwhile...inside the bus bands entertain many.
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by tristan
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Native leads prayer in the grove. He was told that no fire is allowed in the grove. "you'd think the Regents [who make the decisions for the University] would be out here blowing on it...burn up the whole grove.
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by tristan
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Tree lovers and hoola hoop in the grove.
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by tristan
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Circus Pandemonium performs in the grove.
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by tristan
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A clown mimes climbing the inner fence and getting in to the trees.
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by tristan
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A clown juggles.
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by tristan
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Airial dancing from a tree sit inside the inner fence.
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by tristan
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Tree sitters watch a clown.
Add Your Comments
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TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
Trees Not Concrete
Wed, Dec 26, 2007 2:11PM
plant ally
Wed, Dec 26, 2007 1:56PM
Berkeleyan
Tue, Dec 11, 2007 12:20PM
Just the Facts Jack
Mon, Dec 10, 2007 11:40PM
treehugger
Mon, Dec 10, 2007 11:36PM
Berkeleyan
Sun, Dec 9, 2007 11:46PM
Tree Hugger
Sun, Dec 9, 2007 7:54PM
Berkeleyan
Sun, Dec 9, 2007 12:26AM
limb
Mon, Dec 3, 2007 1:58PM
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