UC Berkeley Ejects Tree-Sitters to Build Sports Center

FOX News ^ | November 23, 2007 | staff

[Baladas]

BERKELEY, Calif. — University of California officials have won the legal right to oust a band of tree-sitters who've taken up residence in an oak grove standing in the way of a planned sports center.

But how do you uproot a tree-sitter in Berkeley, one of America's most politically correct cities?

"Extremely difficult," acknowledges campus spokesman Dan Mogulof.

As the protest nears its one-year anniversary, plenty of people have suggestions: Fire hoses, skunk spray and tranquilizer darts are among the thorny ideas Internet posters have planted.

So far, the university has moved cautiously.

The university wants to remove dozens of the picturesque trees, called evergreen coast live oaks, to build a $125 million training facility for its Golden Bears athletic teams.

There have been scuffles between police and tree-sitters; and campus officials have put up chain-link fences around the grove. University lawyers have told a judge they are considering pruning lower branches — to make it harder to ferry supplies up to the protesters.

Both sides say they don't want a treetop confrontation.

[Baladas]

Timber!!!

[Loud Mime]

When is the next windstorm?

[mirkwood]

My way was better.

[JoeGar]

My suggestion: build a fire around the trunk and watch the tree sitters climb down quickly.

[Disambiguator]

One guy with a chainsaw could have solved this problem in 20 minutes.

The issue is simply having the nads to to do what needs doing, and not worry about a bunch of handwringers.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Evict him? I thought he fell out?

[Mr. Mojo]

But how do you uproot a tree-sitter in Berkeley, one of America's most politically correct cities?

A dude with a chain saw sporting a Bush-Cheney t-shirt.

[Snickering Hound]

Git R Dun

[GOP Poet]

:-) Woo Hoo!

[NewHampshireDuo]

Throw soap at ‘em.

[Turret Gunner A20]

Cut the trees down and let them use their own judgment.

[Turret Gunner A20]

Cut the trees down and let them use their own judgment.

[kingu]

‘tis easy - first turn on a cell phone blocker in the grove. Next.. Wait, there won’t be a next - if they can’t gain fame by sitting in a tree, they’ll all go away. It’s all about the blog, man...

[norton]

"My way was better."

Good plan, heck, they intend to cut 'em down anyway.......

[norton]

[I especially like the absence of a safety net]

[bigjackattack]

girdle the trees and wait

[IronJack]

“Tase me, bro!”

[blake6900]

But how do you uproot a tree-sitter in Berkeley, one of America's most politically correct cities?

[EGPWS]

The university wants to remove dozens of the picturesque trees, called evergreen coast live oaks, to build a $125 million training facility for its Golden Bears athletic teams.

There have been scuffles between police and tree-sitters; and campus officials have put up chain-link fences around the grove. University lawyers have told a judge they are considering pruning lower branches — to make it harder to ferry supplies up to the protesters.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive. ~snort~