Yesterday, 60 heritage trees from farmer Gill’s arboretum met a violent death at the Gill Tract. This was the UC’s initial move to begin clearing the way for their proposed housing and shopping complex. They caught us off guard, and for good reason: there is an active lawsuit on appeal in the county courts, contesting the development’s detrimental environmental impact.
Knowing the community would mobilize to defend the trees, the UC hired a huge demolition team, cutting down the trees with lightening speed. The last trees were in the process of being destroyed at 9am, as farm supporters arrived.
This is a blatant escalation on the part of the UC and in return, we shall hold a TREE MURDER PROTEST and rally. Meet at the corner of Monroe and San Pablo Ave in Albany tomorrow, Feb 27, at 5pm. It is very important to be on time.
“This is structural violence. They have come and destroyed the trees, and they brought their security forces with them. They were in and out before anyone could do anything about it. They took everything.” – Hank Herrera
“The 60 trees that were cut down present a massive environmental injustice to the local community. This area has long been known for its dangerous air pollution from the freeway and the Pacific Steel Casting factories. It is already in the 78th percentile for asthma, and this destruction is happening right next to children in Oceanview Elementary and the University Village. The EIR highlights that the proposed development would be bringing in 6,500 new cars per day on Monroe street. This has got to be stopped, and we must replant.” Vanessa Raditz
“UC Berkeley’s determination to develop the Gill Tract at all costs reveals the privatization of a university that is not meeting the needs of or representing its students or community. This has been a 20 year struggle, one that does not end with the destruction of trees. The Gill Tract has been suddenly and violently altered, but our courage to envision more fuels our fight to defend this soil.” – Camille Fassett