Officials Move In, Start Cutting Down Berkeley Oaks

California officials began cutting down a grove of oak trees Friday to clear way for a new sports center that will be adjacent to Memorial Stadium. The chainsaws started buzzing less than 24 hours after a state appeals court denied a request from tree advocates and a neighborhood group for an order to stop the project.

Several people were arrested while officials cut down at least a dozen trees. All the trees except one, where four tree-sitters remain, will be removed by the end of Saturday. Campus officials said the tree-sitters have three days to evacuate, but did not elaborate on what action would be taken to remove the protesters if the ultimatum expires.

Video comes with a language warning. Protest Shooter also has several images of Friday's developments, including the shot below of Dumpster Muffin, a former tree-sitter who was meditating at a shrine while officials were cutting down the trees.

Comments

[Scott]

If a tree falls on a "tree-sitter" does anybody give a shit?

[greg6363]

Did I hear that activist call the guy holding the sign a "faggot"? Not very P.C. in Berkeley. I think he'll be taken out to the woodshed by his fellow left-wing zealots.

[Mac G]

These "tree sitters" do not speak for progressives as much as the right wing loon who shot up the liberal church in Tennessee speak for conservatives.