Santa Cruz, CA — Over four hundred days ago, a handful of activists climbed up into the trees on Science Hill as a symbol of resistance to the University of California’s plan to destroy 120 acres of campus forest. For the past 13 months, the tree sit has drawn attention to UCSC’s plan to develop upper campus in a way that activists say is, “without regard for the welfare of one of Santa Cruz’s last wild ecosystems.”
On December 13th at approximately 8:00am, the tree sit drew to a close as police seized control of Science Hill, arresting one tree sitter. Later, a tree cutting company hired by the university cut down a grove of 100 year old redwood trees to make way for construction of a Biomedical building. At 2:00pm, tree sitters and tree sit supporters held a press conference at the base of campus.
The three clusters of redwoods which have now been clearcut were inhabited since November 7, 2007, when over 500 students, alumni, and community members rallied in opposition to the University’s Long Range Development Plan.
Photos | More Photos | Audio and Photos: Final Press Conference
On October 31st, Halloween, Bay Area youth, families and other community members gathered around the Northern California Headquarters of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 630 Sansome in San Francisco to denounce the atrocities committed by ICE against immigrant communities, even in the so called “sanctuary cities.” The demonstration included a lively funeral march, drumming and dancing by Danza Azteca, inciting speeches delivered by three Xicanas, as well as Sleeping dragons set up on two sides of the ICE building, effectively blocking the entry and exit of ICE vehicles for several hours. Demonstrators call for an immediate end to all ICE raids and to shut down all detention centers. 
On October 1st, green mesh fencing was put up again in Santa Cruz’s Parking Lot #4 next to the downtown Farmer’s Market. The market began at 2:30pm and by 3:00pm, many people were disappointed by the fencing around the trees and the absence of the sounds of drumming in the air. But the drumming got started when a little kid, a regular at the drum circle, began playing his drum in the dirt near the sidewalk on Cedar Street. 
Mesh fencing that circled the magnolia trees in Santa Cruz’s Parking Lot #4 at noon on September 24th had been removed by 3:30pm and a painted cardboard banner hung proudly declaring, “Home of the Farmer’s Market Drum Circle 10 Years Here!!” The drum circle seemed as large as ever with more people gathered in the parking lot. Wes returned, along with others in Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra, and Food Not Bombs provided another delicious vegan meal. At one point there were at least two police officers monitoring the drum circle, but unlike last week, they maintained a low profile while people enjoyed the special community gathering. 
Once again, metal stakes and green mesh fencing have been put up by the city of Santa Cruz to prevent the weekly drum circle and gathering in Parking Lot #4 next to the Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market. September 24th marks the fourth week in a row that police are taking action to shut down the traditional community gathering where people play music, share food and take time to try and enjoy life. 
