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Indybay Feature

One Arrested, as Activists Occupy Trees to Oppose UCSC Expansion

by LRDP Resistance
Tree-sitters take to redwoods at site of proposed Biomedical Sciences building.

Press Conference
Wednesday , Nov.7, 2007, 10am
Science Hill parking lot #121
LRDP Resistance
Contacts: Jennifer Charles
(831) 430-6791
LRDPaction.media [at] gmail.com

Press Conference

One Arrested, as Activists Occupy Trees to Oppose UCSC Expansion
Tree-sitters take to redwoods at site of proposed Biomedical Sciences building.

Santa Cruz, CA, Nov. 7, 2007– At least one person was arrested this morning as activists hoisted platforms into redwood trees at UCSC. The activists have occupied trees at a proposed building site to protest UCSC's Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). A press conference will be held in front of the trees at 10am on Wed.

Tree-sitters say that they are opposed to the planned addition of 4,500 full-time students and the development of 120 acres of upper campus forest.

UCSC plans to develop the occupied site into a new Biomedical Sciences Facility. The building would be the first project under the new LRDP. The Biomedical Sciences building would house a live animal testing lab but has no allotted classroom space, despite student complaints about overcrowded class sizes.

Press release and interview opportunities will be available at the press conference.

Press Conference
Wednesday , Nov.7, 2007,10am
Science Hill parking lot #121

Directions: From base of campus, turn left on Hagar Dr, then turn Left on McLaughlin. Parking lot is on the left-hand side, after the student Health Center.
§A Platform in the Trees
by ~Bradley (bradley [at] riseup.net)
treesit1_11-7-07.jpg
photo taken at about 7:50am on Wednesday, November 7th.
§Police Line
by ~Bradley
police-line_11-7-07.jpg
photo taken at 9:40am, November 7th
§Another Platform in the Trees
by ~Bradley
treesit2_11-7-07.jpg
9:40am, November 7th.
§UCPD and UC Administration
by ~Bradley
ucpd-administration_11-7-07.jpg
9:40am, November 7th
ehs_11-7-07.jpg
This employee from UC Santa Cruz - Environmental Health and Safety was observing the tree-sit. We were both walking away from the tree-sit when I overheard him explaining the situation to a student. This following quote might be a little rough, but also accurate.

"They are protesting against the building of the new biomedical sciences building. I feel like joining them because I'll be losing some parking spots. I know, we all have our priorities."
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Back in the mid sixties at the time of the first phase of university construction, my husband's landlord was the lead building inspector for UCSC. My husband's family lived across from UCSC and he grew up there. My husband, Gary, was very familiar with the Cowell property and knew the Cardiffs who managed the property for the Cowell's interest. The landlord and Gary discussed the buildings that were going on. The inspector understood that Mr. Cowell's will indicated his wishes that the Redwood trees not be destroyed and the construction should be built around the Redwood stands. Gary said that he has heard this information from both the Cardiff's and the lead inspector that Mr. Cowell's will specifically noted that it was his wish that the university not disturb the Redwood trees. It might be worth checking Mr. Cowell's will and testament.
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