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Indybay Feature
The Situation is Dire in Berkeley
"They are intentionally slicing into tree sitters' flesh with pole saws and people are bleeding."
Beginning on Tuesday June 17th and continuing in full force for three days (all day), the University of California has been violently extracting tree sitters. Everything we thought we knew about the Oak Grove being protected by the high visibility which comes from being an urban tree sit is totally out the window. The University has completely lost their mind and its a miracle that no one is dead.
The extractors have been attempting to remove people from the trees by cutting and untying traverse lines that tree sitters are attached to (even when these are their only lines). They are cutting support ropes to platforms that tree sitters are standing on and ramming wrecking balls into the trees. They are cutting webbing bridges out from under people's feet even when the tree sitters are not attached to any ropes overhead, leaving people dangling for their lives. They are crashing into tree sitters and traverse lines with heavy machinery. They are intentionally slicing into tree sitters' flesh with pole saws and people are bleeding. They are trying to physically fight people who are free climbing around at the very tops of trees. They are menacing tree sitters with chainsaws and knives. They are threatening female tree sitters with sexual violence. They are cutting down platforms with no regard for tree sitters who are standing on branches directly below. They are messing with our lines with people on them, creating super steep slopes that threaten to slam tree sitters into the ground. And more. Much more, communication is difficult and info is still coming in.
So far the university has only been able to successfully extract two tree sitters, also convincing a third to come down of his own accord after being cut off from other tree sitters and supplies. There are still about 10 tree sitters holding strong in the trees, holed up together in a Redwood on the north side of the grove.
At this point the University seems to have shifted from overwhelming force to starvation tactics. We remain vigilant in the face of another wave of possible extraction attempts, and are determined to re-supply the trees.
We know who the extractors are. They are Williams Tree Service out of Watsonville, CA.
We are reaching out to the entire forest defense community. If you can help us in any way, now is the time to do it.
We need people in the trees, people on ground support, people helping our legal team, people doing copwatch, people going through video footage, people making media, people doing community outreach, people doing jail support, people doing fundraising, and more. We also need advice, gear, and money (of course).
Any questions, please feel free to call Ayr or Citizen on the Ground phone. (510) 938- 2109
Love Over Fear,
millipede, extracted tree sitter
June 24, 2008
The extractors have been attempting to remove people from the trees by cutting and untying traverse lines that tree sitters are attached to (even when these are their only lines). They are cutting support ropes to platforms that tree sitters are standing on and ramming wrecking balls into the trees. They are cutting webbing bridges out from under people's feet even when the tree sitters are not attached to any ropes overhead, leaving people dangling for their lives. They are crashing into tree sitters and traverse lines with heavy machinery. They are intentionally slicing into tree sitters' flesh with pole saws and people are bleeding. They are trying to physically fight people who are free climbing around at the very tops of trees. They are menacing tree sitters with chainsaws and knives. They are threatening female tree sitters with sexual violence. They are cutting down platforms with no regard for tree sitters who are standing on branches directly below. They are messing with our lines with people on them, creating super steep slopes that threaten to slam tree sitters into the ground. And more. Much more, communication is difficult and info is still coming in.
So far the university has only been able to successfully extract two tree sitters, also convincing a third to come down of his own accord after being cut off from other tree sitters and supplies. There are still about 10 tree sitters holding strong in the trees, holed up together in a Redwood on the north side of the grove.
At this point the University seems to have shifted from overwhelming force to starvation tactics. We remain vigilant in the face of another wave of possible extraction attempts, and are determined to re-supply the trees.
We know who the extractors are. They are Williams Tree Service out of Watsonville, CA.
We are reaching out to the entire forest defense community. If you can help us in any way, now is the time to do it.
We need people in the trees, people on ground support, people helping our legal team, people doing copwatch, people going through video footage, people making media, people doing community outreach, people doing jail support, people doing fundraising, and more. We also need advice, gear, and money (of course).
Any questions, please feel free to call Ayr or Citizen on the Ground phone. (510) 938- 2109
Love Over Fear,
millipede, extracted tree sitter
June 24, 2008
For more information:
http://humboldtforestdefense.blogspot.com/...
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My house has been burglurized twice. The windows in the cars in our neighborhood are constantly being broken for no reason. The murder rate is triple what it was the entire year last year. Property crime in Berkeley is twice what it is in Richmond and Oakland combined. Crime is threefold what it was on campus last year. When our neighborhood called Donna Spring she actually said "what do you want me to do about it"? I've lived in Berkeley for 15 years and have slowly watched it go downhill. Cody's book just closed downtown, further showing that it's no place to sustain a business anymore.
I'm begging you tree sitters, please stop. We desperately need the police (and city government) to do what they're supposed to do - fight crime and create a better place for us to live in.
I'm begging you tree sitters, please stop. We desperately need the police (and city government) to do what they're supposed to do - fight crime and create a better place for us to live in.
I'm sorry but honestly I think "Millipede" is really exaggerating here. I don't think it's fair to libel the tree service and it just makes the rest of her claims seems less plausible.
The UCPD isn't tied up with tree-sitters when they should be dealing with crime.
That's BPD's job. UCPD is a pretty bored police force. Check out their online police bulletins (http://www.police.berkeley.edu). They don't do much other than harass homeless people for sleeping on campus.
That's BPD's job. UCPD is a pretty bored police force. Check out their online police bulletins (http://www.police.berkeley.edu). They don't do much other than harass homeless people for sleeping on campus.
if UC and their police department were normal and not obsessed by the tree sitters they would have plenty of time to do whatever it is they need to do. As in any fascist state, non violent peaceful protests like the one done by the tree sitters becomes a major issue...a reason for a show of force.
Why don't you blame the tree sitters for all the money wasted in Iraq that could be spent on schools. Or why don't you blame them for outsourcing jobs, for Nafta. As in any fascist state, blame the blameless for all the problems and make them pay dearly.
Why don't you blame the tree sitters for all the money wasted in Iraq that could be spent on schools. Or why don't you blame them for outsourcing jobs, for Nafta. As in any fascist state, blame the blameless for all the problems and make them pay dearly.
Oh, and isn't it great how the university has put up fences, lights, cameras and full time police presence. Who is going overboard here with money and resources? Why don't they bring in tanks...grenades....tear gas...tasers....other resources to protect society against people sitting in trees. They are very, very dangerous you know.
Last I checked we have elections and are actually a democratic society.
Read the definition and see what you think. Typical of a hot-headed protester, the word *fascism* is completely misinterpreted. You're no different than the mass media:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
Read the definition and see what you think. Typical of a hot-headed protester, the word *fascism* is completely misinterpreted. You're no different than the mass media:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
Are you saying that Hitler wasn't a fascist before he came into power in 1933 ? They were holding election then.
Read your history. After hitler was elected and rose to power he turned his government into a fascist state. He broke down all forms of checks and balances in Germany *after* he was elected. They were democratic at that time he was elected. The US is far far from being fascist. You're misuing the word.
Our country (and yes, even the City of Berkeley) has elected and appointed officials. Our government in Berkeley works most of the time. I live in Berkeley and can tell you that I know of very very few people that agree with what you're doing. Look below the trees. What do you see, 20, maybe 30 people? I bet you most of them (besides Donna Spring) don't even live in Berkeley. There are 100,000 people that live in this city and I can tell you if we all agreed with you we'd be there. We're not there. Look around you. You're really protesting the equivelant of the trees in someone's back yard. There will be 3 times as many trees when the university is done. They planted them in the first place.
In a fascist society you wouldn't even have a chance to speak your mind. Hear at least you can, although most of us in this city are getting sick of listening, especially when you're breaking our laws.
Our country (and yes, even the City of Berkeley) has elected and appointed officials. Our government in Berkeley works most of the time. I live in Berkeley and can tell you that I know of very very few people that agree with what you're doing. Look below the trees. What do you see, 20, maybe 30 people? I bet you most of them (besides Donna Spring) don't even live in Berkeley. There are 100,000 people that live in this city and I can tell you if we all agreed with you we'd be there. We're not there. Look around you. You're really protesting the equivelant of the trees in someone's back yard. There will be 3 times as many trees when the university is done. They planted them in the first place.
In a fascist society you wouldn't even have a chance to speak your mind. Hear at least you can, although most of us in this city are getting sick of listening, especially when you're breaking our laws.
Show me one credible picture or proof of the tree service purposely attacking people with chainsaws and knives. I don't believe you.
And yes, we know who they are. They're the company the treesitters or their supporters vandalized in December by slicing their tires, breaking their windows, and painting graffiti messages threatening them if they returned to the UC campus.
And yes, we know who they are. They're the company the treesitters or their supporters vandalized in December by slicing their tires, breaking their windows, and painting graffiti messages threatening them if they returned to the UC campus.
While I agree with the plight of the tree sitters, I think that ultimately there's a much much bigger problem with deforestation.
If you look at the largest use of trees it's homes and paper. Home construction is just a part of life. With paper, however, something can be done.
The US Mail delivers tons of trees to our houses every day in the form of junk mail that no one reads.
The only thing you're doing by sitting in trees is to generate news stories. To me, if you want to protest saving trees, you can do so much good by putting your energy where it will count.
If you look at the largest use of trees it's homes and paper. Home construction is just a part of life. With paper, however, something can be done.
The US Mail delivers tons of trees to our houses every day in the form of junk mail that no one reads.
The only thing you're doing by sitting in trees is to generate news stories. To me, if you want to protest saving trees, you can do so much good by putting your energy where it will count.
I say again that those slandering or otherwise maligning the tree sitters and their cause are quite obviously university shills trying to divide off the tree sitters from their natural supporters in the community. Probably just one person posting multiple times under different names, as they all have a common source of "you should be doing this instead." Who are youto tell activists what they SHOULD be doing?
You do something, rather than complain!
Its sad, but quite inciteful that they see this site as central to supporting them.
Go tree sitters! Your cause is worthwhile, and others' complaints about other causes aren't accurate and undoubtedly aren't even sincere. They are just splitterists, in a quite calculated and pervasive fashion.
Save the Oaks! Berkeley Alumni do support the sitters.
Build the athletic center (if you must) to the side above a parking lot. Stanford's stadium is surrounded by Oaks- Cal should have its single grove.
You do something, rather than complain!
Its sad, but quite inciteful that they see this site as central to supporting them.
Go tree sitters! Your cause is worthwhile, and others' complaints about other causes aren't accurate and undoubtedly aren't even sincere. They are just splitterists, in a quite calculated and pervasive fashion.
Save the Oaks! Berkeley Alumni do support the sitters.
Build the athletic center (if you must) to the side above a parking lot. Stanford's stadium is surrounded by Oaks- Cal should have its single grove.
I've been following this post and need to voice my opinion. I have to disagree with you 'truth'. I live in Berkeley and have absolutely no association with the University, yet I don't think the tree sitting is doing any good. I think you're being paranoid.
Someone mentioned the mail system wasting trees in junkmail. I think they're right. There's better ways to solve these problems and actions that take less effort to save them and do more good. The Forest Action Network is another example. They pressured Home Depot to stop selling old growth lumber. They didn't chain themselves to trees, they DID SOMETHING! I donated money to them because of this. You can save trees without being disruptive to society.
Someone mentioned the mail system wasting trees in junkmail. I think they're right. There's better ways to solve these problems and actions that take less effort to save them and do more good. The Forest Action Network is another example. They pressured Home Depot to stop selling old growth lumber. They didn't chain themselves to trees, they DID SOMETHING! I donated money to them because of this. You can save trees without being disruptive to society.
I'd say you've done your part, good job. Your voice has been heard. You've done all you can.
Sad, but absolutely true, the tree sitters won't win. There's so much momentum with a massive University (esp with sports) that ultimately, the tree sitters will fail. Its inevitable.
Sad, but absolutely true, the tree sitters won't win. There's so much momentum with a massive University (esp with sports) that ultimately, the tree sitters will fail. Its inevitable.
I agree that it seems like UC has some of their professional PR people posting like mad on here. Its sad but government operates like that now days. There are no ethics...nothing...just neo cons who run our government and universities. I suppose these anti tree sitters would have loved it back in the days they were killing and driving Indians off their lands. They too were in the way of manifest destiny....they got in the way of progress.
Someone was saying that these sitters aren't doing anything. The mere fact they are up in the trees, raises the issue. It makes people think.
In the early ninties, one lockdown (bicycle lock around the neck of a protester) at a gate entering a Illinois State park and the legislator took up the issue, banned logging on all State Parks. All that it took in that instance was numerous treesits and actions in the adjacent Shawnee National Forest and the anniversary of Earth Day and the timing coincided and walla, the end of commercial logging on the state park system in Illinois thanks to the legislature saying they didn't want to deal with logging on the state park system.
I use the Illinois example as a point, if the University gets their way in the court, will they cut em down, sure. Will the sitters have lost the war, no. They'll have lost the battle for these trees, but overall, they've raised awareness. Good or bad. It's a thorn in the admin at UCB; there are people meeting people who would have never met. It might even make people who don't agree with the sitting as a tactic, but makes them think, where do I want to see the development on campus head in the future.
The direct action activists generally are despised as low baggers, not doing anything. In actuality they are doing tremendous amounts of things. They just don't package it in slick glossy mailers or press releases because their out doing and not worried about funding for their next campaign or being able to sit at the table with some hob knob.
EF!
In the early ninties, one lockdown (bicycle lock around the neck of a protester) at a gate entering a Illinois State park and the legislator took up the issue, banned logging on all State Parks. All that it took in that instance was numerous treesits and actions in the adjacent Shawnee National Forest and the anniversary of Earth Day and the timing coincided and walla, the end of commercial logging on the state park system in Illinois thanks to the legislature saying they didn't want to deal with logging on the state park system.
I use the Illinois example as a point, if the University gets their way in the court, will they cut em down, sure. Will the sitters have lost the war, no. They'll have lost the battle for these trees, but overall, they've raised awareness. Good or bad. It's a thorn in the admin at UCB; there are people meeting people who would have never met. It might even make people who don't agree with the sitting as a tactic, but makes them think, where do I want to see the development on campus head in the future.
The direct action activists generally are despised as low baggers, not doing anything. In actuality they are doing tremendous amounts of things. They just don't package it in slick glossy mailers or press releases because their out doing and not worried about funding for their next campaign or being able to sit at the table with some hob knob.
EF!
This place is supposed to provide scholarships for the very best sport. What if we provided education to people just for wanting it. The cost of this stadium would provide a lot of money for scholarships, but we are told that watching people bash their heads together is a better use of the money and space, I don't think so.
I have been so upset with the tactics UC employs to get their point across. Harassing people? Check. Disrupting society? Check. Manipulating media? Check.
They are equivalent of nazis and the holocaust. the trees are being eradicated for some sick ideal of this fascist organiztion. Moglouf is the equivalent of Heinrich Himmler and the arborists are the SS. They won't stop unless we force them to stop, through any means necessary.
I advocate sabotaging their equipment.
They are equivalent of nazis and the holocaust. the trees are being eradicated for some sick ideal of this fascist organiztion. Moglouf is the equivalent of Heinrich Himmler and the arborists are the SS. They won't stop unless we force them to stop, through any means necessary.
I advocate sabotaging their equipment.
Get your cameras and head over there.
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