UCPD Attempting to Take Tree-Sitters Down

The Daily Californian ^ | June 17, 2008 | Jacqueline Johnston and Ashley Trott

[cdbull23]

The tree-sit that has been going on for more than 18 months in the oak grove near Memorial Stadium may have reached its end now that UCPD officers are attempting to take the sitters out.

In the latest of several developments, an arborist harnessed on the end of a crane was mobilized onto one of the trees where he was attempting to cut down a structure in the tree when a tree-sitter began hitting him with a plastic bottle. The workman was pulled out of the tree by the crane.

Two cherry pickers are also on the site, one of them carrying two police officers who have cut some of the ropes that the sitters use to travel between the trees.

At least 20 UCPD officers in hard hats are currently at the scene. Beginning at approximately 6 a.m., they erected a third barrier around the oak grove that blocks pedestrians from using the sidewalk on the west side of Piedmont Avenue.

Some of the tree-sitters yelled from the trees while a few of them have poured excrements down to UCPD officers below.

"Don't worry, we're ready for this," said protest leader Zachary RunningWolf.

At least 15 pedestrians have stopped to watch the ongoing scene.

The actions come one day before a lawsuit ruling will determine whether or not the campus can proceed with the construction an athletic center. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller is expected to issue a ruling in the case tomorrow.

[cdbull23]

This is happening right outside the building that I work in. Haha, it's pretty hilarious, actually. Most of the people who were watching this happen were cheering the police.

One guy started booing all the hippies. Some old hippie lady and some old guy got in his face with flurry of F-words. He just laughed in their faces. I'm guessing he's one of the physical plant employees here at the university. Most of his buddies were there, laughing too.

This is good news for all of us Cal Football fans.

[hoe_cake]

California is absolutely wacko. So wacko Californians don’t even realize they’re wacko.

Good to hear there’s a reasonable soul such as yourself there.

[Billthedrill]

A BTT. I see the enviros are behaving with their usual moderation.

[cdbull23]

Hi Admin, maybe we could add in parenthesis at the end (Breaking in Berkeley) or something like that. This is happening now — and it’s pretty damn funny.

[Lurker]

when a tree-sitter began hitting him with a plastic bottle.

That's a battery right there.

Arrest this puke.

L

[SoftballMominVA]

Any chance that a local station is carrying on-line coverage?

[SF Republican]

We are not wacko, IMHO the sitters should just marry the tree! /s

[NRA1995]

Rubber bullets.....

[Russ]

What happened to trespassing laws in California?

[cdbull23]

I believe so -- I saw a police helicopter and a few news vans parked around there. Let me look it up -- haha, I was thinking I might walk out there with some funny signs.

"FreeRepublic.com -- cutting down trees since 19xx!"

[hoe_cake]

“the sitters should just marry the tree! “

And the sitter would be greated with a woodie every morning? :`)

[SoftballMominVA]

Oh man that would be GREAT!

I'm searching for links too, but none yet - I bet there will be coverage at the noon news

[Niteranger68]

Praying for fire hoses.

[SF Republican]

Any chance that a local station is carrying on-line coverage? - doubt it, protests in Berkeley is not exactly news.

[TYVets]

Rubber bullets.....

No Way!

The local SWAT team needs some practice.

[shankbear]

CHAIN SAWS would help the situation.

[hoe_cake]

greated = greeted

oops

[mkleesma]

They’re going about this the hard way.
Set a bonfire under the tree, and watch how fast these idiots climb down.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Like one of my professors, “Bush is a Fascist,” but anytime he disagreed with some government decision he is entitled to stand in the way and the police who enforce order are Jack Booted Thugs.

[Dixie Yooper]

I can take care of this!

[SeafoodGumbo]

I'd get the local kids who play baseball and tell 'em that the one to bean the tree-sitter outta the tree gets $50.

[Nervous Tick]

I still say, the proper way to clear the protesters is to drag them out of the trees one at a time with a sharp, barbed grappling hook.

“Zachary RunningWolf” my foot. More like “Wankery RunningMouth”.

[cdbull23]

Actually, someone outside told me that during Cal football games, some of the older alumns could sometimes be heard saying that they should each pay $100 and hire random people to drag the tree-sitters out and get away before the police showed up.

Extra money to anyone who managed to avoid getting arrested.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I'll see your dinky toy and raise you 1 G175 Letouneau Tree Crusher. :)

[SeafoodGumbo]

Hehehe...I can just picture that scene. You've got to feel bad for the normal people that have gone to Cal to get a good education who have to deal with the loony-hippy environment and Berkeley weirdos.

BTW, I don't know why, but the phrase "lawn darts" just popped into my head...

[Kimmers]

Work must be fun these days........

[piytar]

That, or police mace. Or the excrement cannon. Or all three!

[Slicksadick]

All they had to do was "girdle" the trees. Kills them EVERY time within a year. It would have been hoot to watch those idiots, sitting up in those naked dead trees, eventually falling to the ground.

[TYVets]

All they had to do was "girdle" the trees. Kills them EVERY time within a year,,

You nailed it the perfect solution.

"Gridle" the trees and walk away, sooner or latter those trees are going to come down. Very little cost to the taxpayers

BTW,,,,time lapse photographs would be great.

[dirtboy]

In the latest of several developments, an arborist harnessed on the end of a crane was mobilized onto one of the trees where he was attempting to cut down a structure in the tree when a tree-sitter began hitting him with a plastic bottle.

Typical liberal, bringing a water bottle to a gun fight.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Getting a tree-sitter out of a tree is the simplest thing in the world. Just make a peace sign with one hand, and wave with the other.

[Dixie Yooper]

At least I can clean-up after myself!

[NormsRevenge]

Any chance that a local station is carrying on-line coverage? - doubt it, protests in Berkeley is not exactly news.

—

KRON was the only possibility,, and all they have on is same sex coverage.

[MountainDad]

Let loose the pack of hungry beavers!

[gridlock]

I lived in International House, next to this grove, for several years. I used to sit under the trees, and they were beautiful. This little grove was one of the few leafy places still in the area.

That said, it is the property of the University of California. If they want to bulldoze it, I’m not going to stand in their way, lest somebody stand in my way when I want to cut down trees in my own backyard.

Of course, I think a Pleasure Palace for Cal Football should not be high on the list of priorities, but that is not my decision to make.

[Hacklehead]

On the next episonde of “Ax Men”...

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Some of the tree-sitters yelled from the trees while a few of them have poured excrements down to UCPD officers below.

That's assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Good for ten years of love at Folsom.

[LetsRok]

Time to bring in the bean bag guns!! The police use them to knock jumpers off of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in DC.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Time to bring in the secret weapons:

[reagan_fanatic]

an arborist harnessed on the end of a crane was mobilized onto one of the trees where he was attempting to cut down a structure in the tree when a tree-sitter began hitting him with a plastic bottle

Don't plastic bottles clog our landfills and take a very long time to decompose?

For shame!

[raybbr]

[Hoodlum91]

TIMBER!!!

[SunkenCiv]

One word. Firehoses.

[vpintheak]

I’m thinking tear gas and rubber bullets would get them out of that tree relatively quickly.

[P8riot]

I do like beavers