Feature Archives

Santa Cruz, CA -- Over four hundred days ago, a handful of activists climbed up into the trees on Science Hill as a symbol of resistance to the University of California's plan to destroy 120 acres of campus forest. On December 13th at approximately 8:00am, the tree sit drew to a close as police seized control of Science Hill, arresting one tree sitter. Later, a tree cutting company hired by the university cut down a grove of 100 year old redwood trees to make way for construction of a Biomedical building.

The City Council of Santa Cruz has applied to extend city services to the currently undeveloped UCSC Upper Campus. This is a key step in preparing this unique ecosystem for destruction under UCSC environmentally irresponsible Long Range Development Plan. The City Council's attempt to aid the University in this process is in direct contradiction to the expressed will of the people of Santa Cruz and it violates the city's existing municipal code.

On November 13th, three Arab students, two female and one male, were attacked by members of the Zionist Freedom Alliance. The incident happened at the University of California Berkeley campus at a concert organized by ZFA. The three activists were targeted after they displayed Palestinian flags as a silent protest in response to derogatory remarks against Arabs by some of the performers at the event.

At noon on Wednesday November 12, San Francisco State University students attended a meeting with the heads of campus departments to discuss the impact of budget cuts. $31.3 million was cut over the summer, and in early November another $66.3 million in cuts was announced. The meeting spilled over into a rally, which led to actions that lasted all day and into the night, as students held an all-night sleep-in in the middle of campus.

On November 7th, about 75 people turned out on Science Hill, the site scheduled for construction of a Biomedical Sciences Facility, to celebrate the one year anniversary of the UCSC Science Hill Tree Sit. The festivities featured speakers, spoken word, and musical performances, as well as laughter, storytelling and conversation. People also marked the occasion by sharing memories of November 7th, 2007, the day that hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and community members withstood the police in order to support the tree sit.

On Friday, November 7th, students and other community members will gather on Science Hill at UCSC to celebrate one year of occupying trees in resistance to the UC’s plans to destroy 120 acres of forest in Upper Campus, home to the threatened Burrowing Owl, and a vital watershed area. Festivities, including speakers and a performance by Blackbird Raum, will commence at 1pm. Tree-sit supporters assert, "Only by coming together can we make an impact on the choices that will affect all of us living in this landscape."

On November 2, Hebrew University student Ali Bahar was detained for three hours after refusing to shake hands with Israeli president Shimon Peres. Upon approaching Bahar, the student refused to shake Peres' hand and stated "I will not shake hands with murderer of kids." Immediately following the encounter, Bahar was detained by university security personnel and his student ID was confiscated.