Defend Knowland Park issued a call-out for direct action in the Oakland hills: "Defend Knowland Park supports and encourages autonomous non-violent direct actions to slow and hopefully stop the privitization of 56 acres, cutting of over 400 native and non-native trees, and neo-colonial gentrification of Oakland. As we have stated before, we need to resist the destructive and gentrifying Zoo development to protect the animals, land, and neighborhood. We invite everyone who feels compassionate about environmental justice, animal rights, and tenant rights to join us, organize, and take direct action."

On Friday, August 7, Defend Knowland Park took its first direct action against the fencing construction in hopes that people would do the same on a regular basis. An affinity group of three built a creative blockade of the fencing by piling wood on the fencing pole in an artistic manner looking something like a Mourning Dove resting. Over the weekend, Defend Knowland Park received an anonymous communication with pictures that construction flagging and markings were removed to prevent electric lines from being buried.

On Friday, August 21, a Knowland Park Defence Convergence Festival and Campout is scheduled with bands, workshops, films, and more.

Direct actions to defend Knowland Park against fencing and development begin in Oakland, CA! | Converge for direct actions and Knowland Park Defence Fest and Campout! | Earth First! Direct Action Manual (1st edition) | DefendKnowlandPark.org

Previous Related Indybay Feature: Knowland Park Advocates Say "Keep It Wild"