Nov 8, 2007 11:17 pm US/Pacific
New Fencing Goes Up Around Berkeley Tree Sitters
BERKELEY (BCN) ―
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Tree Sitters at UC Berkeley
CBS 5
University officials in Berkeley Thursday added new fencing around an oak grove near Memorial Stadium to prepare for a judge's Wednesday ruling on whether the tree-sitters must leave.
Protesters have been in the trees since UC regents voted last December to approve a plan to build a sports training center and other facilities near the stadium. In addition to trying to save the oak trees, the protestors say the grove is a World War I memorial and a Native American burial site.
Dan Mogulof, a university spokesman, said the added fencing is not intended to cut off the tree-sitters' food supply.
"It is not blocking walkways, nor are we changing our stance on food and drinks," he said.
The fences will also secure the area for Saturday's football game and cordon off the trees if Judge Barbara Miller rules in Alameda County Superior Court that the protestors have to go, said Mogulof.
"When the judge rules, everyone will have had their day in court," he said. "We must secure the area and enforce the law."
But tree-sitter Zachary Running Wolf thinks the action is much more aggressive than the university is letting on. To take steps before a court has ruled defeats the purpose, he said.
"We're surprised," said Running Wolf. "They're throwing mud on the judge's courtroom. We're surprised by this aggressive move."
Running Wolf said the protestors' plan of action won't change much, despite what the judge may rule Wednesday.
"Whatever they do, we'll counter and stay in the trees," he said. "We've got support and we've had support for 341 days."
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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