 The Phoenix Coalition to Free UC was launched in March 2007 by a broad cross-section of the student community who are seeking to overcome what they see as numerous systemic problems. The mission statement of the group: “We are a coalition dedicated to the transformation of the University from an elitist, corporate, militaristic, autocratic institution into a responsible, just, diverse, equitable, democratically-governed body that educates and works for the public welfare. We seek to build a radical student movement that will use nonviolent direct action to create pressure for structural change of the University." Further details can be found at: www.FreeTheUC.org
The Phoenix Coalition is comprised of a variety of student groups and community organizations who focus on the above problems individually, including: Association of South Asian Political Activists (ASAPA),
Berkeley Copwatch, Berkeley National Organization of Women (BNOW), Berkeley Stop the War Coalition (BSTW), Fiat Pax, Student Coalition to Save the Oaks (SCSO), Students Organizing for Justice in the Americas (SOJA), and Stop BP-Berkeley. By joining together, individuals, student groups, and community members believe they can accomplish significant change that they could not on their own.
|
Berkeley’s Memorial Oak Grove and Tree-sit
 The Rebirth of the University of California: From Imperial University to People's University February 27, 2008. A teach-in and forum sponsored by the Coalition to Free the UC. A presentation by Matthew Taylor of “Free Speech - Free Trees” about the Berkley Tree-sit on the University of California campus. “Why save the Oaks? Why Care?” For more information contact www.FreeTheUC.net |
 The University of California and Nuclear Weapon Development – Gray Brechin
The Rebirth of the University of California: From Imperial University to People's University February 27, 2008. A teach-in and forum sponsored by the Coalition to Free the UC.
Dr. Gray Brechin addresses the teach-in and forum sponsored by the Coalition to Free the UC. He speaks of the early history of the University of California at Berkeley and the campus connection to nuclear weapon development. For more information contact www.FreeTheUC.net
|
University of California Regents and the Occupation of Palestine
The Rebirth of the University of California: From Imperial University to People's University February 27, 2008. A teach-in and forum sponsored by the Coalition to Free the UC. A presentation by Students for Justice Palestine (SJP) - Allison Deger. For more information contact www.FreeTheUC.net |
Central Campus Tree Sitter Comes Down 02:58
Central Campus Tree Sitter Comes Down
Berkeley, CA March 14, 2008
 After perching in a oak tree on the central campus of the University of California for over two weeks, the tree sitter calling himself Fresh has finally come down.
He was awaken this morning at daybreak when a group of UC police raided the tree-sit. UCPD brought a cherry picker and ladders to remove all the supplies stored up in the tree. The officers left the lone tree sitter with little more than a blanket to shield off the rain.
At noon, a group calling itself "Students Against Hippies in the Trees" organized a rally in opposition to the tree-sit. During the event, Fresh decided to end the tree. He was immediately arrested and cited for trespassing and illegal lodging.
|
 UC Police Attempt to Remove the Berkeley Campus Tree sitter 03:15
Berkeley, CA March 10, 2008
In what appeared to be a comedy of errors, UC police converged on the tree sitter stationed high up in an oak tree on the central campus. After setting up a steel barrier several days ago officers moved in today to remove the tree-sit and its single occupant.
Armed with a ladder and bucket truck, UCPD climbed up into the canopy and cut down his supplies including a hammock. Both the captain and one detective attempted to coax the sitter to come down. The police said that they would not press charges but could not answer for what actions the County District Attorney's Office might take.
The event was attended by Vice Chancellor Nathan Brostrom, UCPD Chief Victoria Harrison, Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya and more than three hundred students. The tree sitter known as "Fresh" remained in the tree as the police and ladder crew withdrew. However, campus police continue to maintain a twenty-four hour vigil at the site to restrict the demonstrator access to any food and water.
|
 No Food and Water for Berkeley Campus Tree Sitter 04:31
Berkeley, CA March 9, 2008
After nearly two weeks, Police have erected a steel barrier around the peaceful tree-sit on the Berkeley central campus. UCPD is now exercising a policy to restrict all food and water to the single student lodging in a oak tree near Sather Gate.
Shortly after 3 PM supporters from the ongoing Memorial Oak Grove tree-sit (now in its 464th day) gathered around the tree and attempted to supply food and water. Eight campus police tussled with the crowd and there were two arrests.
Berkeley Internet NEWS
|
Student Arrested at Berkeley Central Campus Tree-sit 02:14
Berkeley central campus February 28, 2008
Report by Jessica Schley
 Yesterday I gave water to a young man sitting in a tree on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. I was arrested for it. It took only a moment to make the decision, and I was told I would be arrested, but I acted because I doubted the existence of a law in which a person could legally be denied water, a basic human need.
Read her comments: Human Needs More Important Than Laws. Jessica Schley March 11, 2008 Berkeley Daily Planet
Berkeley Internet NEWS |
 Student tree-sitters descend from redwood tree and are cited by UCPD
Berkeley - April 25th, 2007
At 12:30pm, UC Berkeley students Jason Ahmadi and Mike Shuck ended their one-week occupation of a redwood tree on Sproul Plaza on the university campus. The students are a part of a new campus group calling itself the Phoenix Coalition to Free the UC. Both tree sitters "decided to turn themselves in" to the university police after being threatened with arrest on Tuesday. The students were cited by campus police for illegal lodging and then were released.
The coalition said that they occupied the redwood trees at Sather Gate "to raise consciousness among students about love, nonviolence, and the need to change UC Berkeley into the University it should be." Further details can be found at: www.FreeTheUC.org.
Berkeley Internet NEWS |
 A group calling itself the Phoenix Coalition held a press conference today at Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus during the annual Cal Day. The group’s press release included a mission statement which read: "We are a coalition dedicated to the transformation of the University from an elitist, corporate, militaristic, autocratic institution into a responsible, just, diverse, equitable, democratically-governed body that educates and works for the public welfare. We seek to build a radical student movement that will use nonviolent direct action to create pressure for structural change of the University." For more information SEE: www.FreeTheUC.org
Berkeley Internet NEWS
|
 Student Tree Sit at Sproul Plaza UC Berkeley
Free Speech, Berkeley - April 19 2007
Early today, two students took to the trees near Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus and unfurled a banner that read “Activate your Love Force”. The tree sitters appeared to be setting up camp fifty feet high in the canopy of a huge redwood. The site of their demonstration couldn’t be better since Sproul has long been known as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement.
Months ago, the university was confronted with its first tree occupation at the Stadium Oak Grove which is now in its 139th day. It is unclear if the newest tree-sit on the central campus is related to the Stadium Oak Grove since the two climbers were unavailable for comment. However, a UC campus police officer guarding the base of the redwood obviously wanted to downplay this new free speech action. When asked what was going on at the site, he simply stated, “Someone up a tree. That’s it. No story.”
Berkeley Internet NEWS
|
|
