Yesterday the Bonn Square tree protest was evicted and the tree cut down. Several protesters were arrested.
Yesterday morning Gabriel was arrested and work began on destroying the tree. I don't know the exact details; whether it was a planned eviction or whether he was grabbed having come down from the tree for supplies or a break.
Protesters were outnumbered by cops and security and the tree itself was surrounded by several layers of fencing. Nevertheless a few attempted to block the work, but were quickly dragged away. They were arrested for aggravated trespass and I believe all have now been released on police bail, and will find out in a few weeks whether or not the charges will be dropped.
This is not the end of the campaign though; there are still tens of trees under threat as part of the Westgate expansion, and the Bonn Square campaign has served to galvanise local action. Watch this space :-)
Meanwhile the Radley Lakes Town Green application was turned down by the County Council, despite plenty of evidence; campaigners will take the case to the High Court.
Protesters were outnumbered by cops and security and the tree itself was surrounded by several layers of fencing. Nevertheless a few attempted to block the work, but were quickly dragged away. They were arrested for aggravated trespass and I believe all have now been released on police bail, and will find out in a few weeks whether or not the charges will be dropped.
This is not the end of the campaign though; there are still tens of trees under threat as part of the Westgate expansion, and the Bonn Square campaign has served to galvanise local action. Watch this space :-)
Meanwhile the Radley Lakes Town Green application was turned down by the County Council, despite plenty of evidence; campaigners will take the case to the High Court.
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Council Tyranny
18.03.2008 11:49
The plans submitted never included cutting down the trees in this beautiful old garden - the public was deceived and misled. Even the tiny number who ever took part in the consultation were never told what was really going to happen.
The trees were supposed to be protected by law, as this is a conservation area. The Council has carried out an act of massive vandalism.
They have behaved in a criminal way, and it is the City coucncil which should be prosecuted, not the protestors.
Predictably, the police whom we pay have ignored our rights and followed the instructions of the criminal Council.
Jean Fooks personally ordered the felling of these trees. She must be voted out, disgraced and brought to justice through the courts.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act of 2003 includes a clause about Environmental crime. It should be used to prosecute Oxford City Council, starting with the smug Michael Crfton-Briggs, the council deskman who handled the planning consents and who obviously doesn't give a damn about anything,
Warren