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"Hundy Sunday" at the Stadium Oak Grove
Berkeley March 11, 2007

Over a hundred supporters of Berkeley's urban tree-sit came out on this very sunny day to celebrate the 100th day of the free speech action. The "Hundy Sunday" gathering at the Stadium Memorial Oak Grove included arts, crafts, live music and a community barbecue potluck.

Zackary Running Wolf, one of the first to occupy the trees back in early December 2006, took a moment to speak with the picnickers about the courage of the tree sitters. He also expressed his gratitude for all those who have shared in making the tree-sit a success. Ayr, who has been part of the grove ground crew from the beginning also spoke briefly about the need to continue supporting the tree sitters by visiting the site. Berkeley Internet NEWS

UC Police Second Raid on Stadium Oak Grove (05:13)
Memorial Oak Grove
Berkeley - February 22, 2007

Today, UC Berkeley campus police were once again ordered to clear the resources and personal properties from the Oak Grove tree sit ground support. Shortly after noon officers moved in with university service crews and removed everything from the Oak Grove including public information materials, signs, rain tarps and all remaining personal belongings. The police then confiscated ground support supplies and personal property located outside the memorial grove on the city's sidewalks and on several adjacent private autos.

This latest police action has further weakened the ability of tree sit ground crews and their support of the six tree sitters still lodged high above in the oak grove canopy. The urban tree sit, a non-violent action, is in its 82th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Indian burial protest signOhlone Burial Site Press Conference
Stadium Memorial Oak Grove
Berkeley - February 20, 2007

Ohlone Burial Site Press Conference
Members of the local Native American community called a press conference today in the Memorial Oak Grove at the University of California campus. The event was organized by activist Zackary Running Wolf to draw attention to recent reports that the Oak Grove is part of an Ohlone burial ground.

Running Wolf appeared with several other Native American speakers, including Corrina Gould, Wounded Knee DeOcampo, Fred Short and Morning Star. The group expressed concerns over the possible desecration of the sacred burial site in association with the Stadium project and construction of a high performance training center. They also called for the return of approximately fourteen thousand native burial remains now held at UC Berkeley. The tree sit is now in its 80th day.
Berkeley Internet NEWS

ALSO SEE: Stadium Excavation Reveals Relics of Human Bones and Ancient Coin Daily Californian, February 23, 1923

Save the Oaks 24-Hour Community Tree Sit-In
Berkeley -- February 15, 2007

This morning, community organizer, Zackary Running Wolf, spoke to a group of fifty residents, UC students and faculty in Berkeley's Memorial Stadium Oak Grove. Running Wolf recounted yesterday's actions by the university campus police and their verbal threats to forcibly eject tree sitters and fence off the grove.

The Native American leader was one of the three original tree sitters who first climbed into the oaks on Cal's Big Game day last December. There were several other speakers including ground support organizer, Ayr. He asked the assembled audience for additional support in both food donations and in creating more of a community presence in the grove. The tree sit is now in its 75th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Doug BuckwaldFree Speech in the Trees (04:51)
Berkeley, CA -- February 15, 2007

Savethe Oaks 24-Hour Community Tree Sit-In
A diverse group of students, UC Berkeley faculty and members of the Berkeley community gathered today at the Stadium Memorial oak grove to begin a 24-hour sit-in. Organizer Doug Buckwald kicked off the press conference call "Free Speech in theTrees" with a brief update on the recent court actions and the concerns over the safety of the oak grove and tree sitters.

Carl Friberg, a well-known environmentalist and resident, began the vigil by climbing up to a platform positioned in one of the endangered oaks. Friberg spoke of the need to draw attention to the plight of the oak grove so that the University Regents "come to their senses" and look for alternative locations to build the high performance sports facility. Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 76th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Stadium Oak Grove Press Conference (02:52)
Berkeley - January 29, 2007 - 11:30 AM

Saveoaks attorneyOakland attorney Stephan Volker appeared at the press conference gathered at the Memorial Stadium Oak Grove to announce the decision handed down by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller. Volker said that the court had granted their request for a preliminary injunction on the Cal stadium project including the large high performance training center.

Volker also said that the legal action today would stall any attempts to cut down the oak grove or begin construction until the legal matters can all be heard in court. Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 59th day, will most likely continue for at least several more months. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Three Wise Women Join the Oak Grove Tree Sit (07:00)
Berkeley - January 22, 2007

Shirley DeanJust before noon today, three wise women from Berkeley came to the Stadium Oak Grove to join the ongoing tree-sit. Among this group was elder environmentalist, Sylvia McLaughlin, of Save the Bay fame. She climbed up onto a platform anchored in an oak tree at the stadium grove. The ninety-year old McLaughlin was accompanied by 86-year-old councilmember Betty Olds and the former mayor of Berkeley, 71-year-old Shirley Dean.

The three women entertained a crowd of reporters and photographers at their treetop press conference. Each spoke to the importance of saving the oak grove and the need for UC Berkeley to seek an alternative site for the proposed athletic training center. Berkeley residents, positioned under the canopy, cheered when the three unfolded a banner that read "Save the Oaks at the Stadium". You are never too old to sit in a tree. Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 52th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

CelayaUC Police Invade Memorial Stadium Oak Grove (04:34)
Berkeley - January 12, 2007

This morning, just before 6 AM, over twenty campus police officers from the University of California at Berkeley entered the Memorial Stadium oak grove and forced the tree-sitter support team from the property. The police, under direction of Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya, then ordered UC campus crews to remove everything from the site.

When asked why he chose to act under the cover of darkness, Celaya said that the University wants to return the area to its natural condition before the students return from semester break. Citing section 602 of the California State Penal Code, Celaya stated that the ground support team had not been noticed of this action because there was no legal demand to do so.
Both ground support supplies and personal property were seized and indiscriminately bulldozed into a waiting truck and hauled off. Celaya said that the material in the dump truck was evidence of trespassing, but clearly made no attempt to identify ownership or contents.

The community began to arrive at the scene shortly after the police invasion and remained on the sidewalks next to the oak grove until the UC police had withdrawn. Six tree sitters now occupying the grove watched from above. Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 42th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Third Berkeley Tree Sitter Cited, not Arrested at Oak Grove (07:15)
December 14, 2006

police and tree sittersFor the record: Last Thursday evening a graduating UC Berkeley student was caught propelling down from a tree in the Memorial Stadium oak grove by UC campus police. He was cited & released, not arrested for tresspassing on university property and then released after being ticketed. This student is the third person to be cited by the campus police in connection to the occupation of the oak grove.

The citation restricts him from returning to the site for 7 days.
Community members have voice concern that enforcement of tressspassing laws has been selective. Many of those who have taken their turn sitting in the canopy, like fellow UC students and even this reporter, were not cited. Video source: unnamed. Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 12th day.Berkeley Internet NEWS

At the Stadium Oak Grove with Carol Denney (05:42)
December 16, 2006

Carol lifts her voice in solitary with those who now occupy the University of California Berkeley Memorial Stadium Oak Grove. Longtime Bay Area activist and Berkeley resident leads a community sing along with her tune, "If a Tree Falls in the Forest". Carol Denney www.caroldenney.com Berkeley's urban tree-sit, now in its 14th day. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Wavy Gravy meets Satan in the Stadium Oak Grove (01:45)
Saturday December 16, 2006.

Community Celebration at the UC Berkeley Stadium Oak Grove. Raising both humor and consciousness, Wavy Gravy comes to the Oak Grove Community Celebration and meets the Devil. "If you don't have a sense of humor...then it just isn't funny anymore", says Wavy as he joins forces with Satan to also say "Don't Croak the Oaks...Don't Croak the Oaks!" Berkeley Internet NEWS

Country Joe McDonald's Hoakie Oakie at the Stadium Oaks (05:17)
December 16, 2006. Berkeley

This cold December day of community celebration at the threatened UC Berkeley stadium Oak Grove brought many to the site where tree sitters still maintain their vigil. Family and friends of the Oak Grove gathered for a day of dance, song, face painting and tee shirt making.

Among those who came to support the two-week long urban tree sit was Berkeley's own Country Joe McDonald. Country Joe struck up his version of the "Hoakie Oakie" while residents and UCB students danced the day away. Berkeley Internet NEWS

Call for a Temporary Restraining Order at Stadium Oak Grove (05:50) Save the Oaks at the Stadium , December 16, 2006

Berkeley City Councilmember Dona Spring braved the cold and wind today to share in the community celebration being held at the oak grove in front of the UC football stadium.

Spring, a longtime environmental activist, spoke to a large crowd about her concerns over the threatened trees and her attempt to seek a temporary restraining order. This would prevent any work on the trees until the lawsuits against UCB by the City of Berkeley and the neighbors can be heard.
The urban tree sitters protecting this ancient woodland have been up in the trees for two weeks now. Berkeley Internet NEWS

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