Tree Protesters

Today we visited the GTU in Berkeley, about 45 minutes away over in the East Bay. There we heard about some people who were up in a tree in defiance of a proposed expansion to the Cal stadium.

"The Earth isn't dieing... The Earth is being killed!"

So my friend Pete!!! (to emphasize his preference over Peter) and I headed off to find these people. We soon found a small group of people standing behind a chain-linked fence, with a policeman watching from inside where the trees were. Redwood, one of the people supporting the protesters, befriended us.

Myself with the Tree People

Apparently, people have been in the trees for over 9 months in protest. Currently there are 11 people up there in the trees. The fence was recently put in by the school to protect the protesters from the football fans on the upcoming opening game day. We had thought it was to starve them out, but overhanging branches allow for some transport. A judge recently ruled the fence to be in compliance with safety concerns.

Pete!!! and Redwood in front of the food supplies for the tree lovers

It's interesting that a cause such as cutting down trees would cause such a riot, but such is California I suppose. I did admire these people for spending so much time there - think of all the food that must come in, the sleeping arrangements up in a tree, and then what to do with waste! I hope a more peaceful agreement will be brokered that makes both sides happy without resulting in court appeals and such visual protest.

Pete and Myself in a Tree of Our Own

In admiration of their efforts, Pete!!! and I decided to claim a Tree of Our Own that will not be cut down. Ours happened to be outside the GTU library. An administrator came out to politely request we come down, and since it was time for the library tour and our resolve was weak, we quietly obliged. Thankfully passions on both sides were not so fierce.