With Students Gone, UCSC Tree-Sit on Alert

During summer break, the UCSC tree-sit is on high-alert with expectations of a possible attack. In Berkeley this week, police, professional tree climbers, and cherry pickers were used to cut climb and supply lines. Similar techniques could be used here in Santa Cruz to remove protesters who've been in the trees since November.

Historically, UCSC has always cut trees and broken ground on controversial projects during summer and winter breaks. While students are off campus, the administration understands that resistance to their expansion plans will be minimized.

This pattern played out in Berkeley with an attack on Oak Grove tree-sitters comign a day after many graduation ceremonies. In Berkeley, tree-sitters protect a grove of oak trees at the site of a planned athletic facility. Rather than waiting for the courts, UCB police moved in cutting lines and supports a day before a court decision on a long-standing lawsuit.

Here at UCSC, tree-sitters are perched high above the ground in redwood trees at the site of a planned Biomedical facility. Now in it's eighth month, the protest opposes UC expansion plans to develop 120 acres of upper campus forest and add 4500 new students.

Supported by students, faculty, staff, and the Santa Cruz community, the tree-sit stands in direct opposition to UC plans to develop the campus and dramatically increase enrollment. Earlier this year, UCSC lost a suit to restrict supporters from bringing food and supplies to the tree-sitters. The judge ruled that the university was overreaching in its attempts to restrict free speech.

The UCSC tree-sitters suggest that if you care about the upper campus forest, come support the tree-sit.

Email: upinthetrees@riseup.net
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Following photos by Bradley (bradley@riseup.net)