Oak Grove / Free Speech Fight at UC Berkeley

The following is posted in solidarity; at least one member of the Bay Area IWW has been targetted by this dragnet.   

 

Don't believe everything you read, free speech is once again an issue in Berkeley.

Though it might not have started as such, the struggle to save the Oak grove at Memorial Stadium has become a fight for free speech, tapping into our activist legacy: the Free Speech Movement.

The Oaks Protest became a fight for free speech when the fence was built around a peaceful protest and those participating were given the options of either coming down, and being arrested, or starving.

It became a fight for free speech when those providing food, water and supplies to the protesters, an act of humanitarian aid, were arrested, taken to jail and charged with serious crimes.

It became a fight for free speech when supporters were arrested for announcing the presence of police in the area.

It became a fight for free speech when the police arrested a supporter for saying "fuck the police" and charged him with assaulting a police officer.

It became a fight for free speech when the police illegally confiscated the camera and stole the tape of an observer, so as to hide their misconduct.

It became a fight for free speech when supporters were arrested for simply talking to those in the trees.

It became a fight for free speech when supporters on the ground were threatened with arrest for holding signs or even vocally supporting the protest.

It became a fight for free speech when even those just standing on the sidewalk, whether actively supporting the protest or not, were at risk of harassment and arrest.

The UC police are systematically persecuting the free speech rights of the protestors, and as this harassment and intimidation escalate, we must stand together to fight against these infringements. We must call out the University for their attempts to eliminate not only our basic rights to speech and assembly, but also to deny the tree sitters' human rights to food, water and shelter.

Since the beginning of the tree sit, over 150 people have been ticketed or arrested in conjunction with the protest.  This includes accusations of trespassing or lodging, contempt of court and or violation of a court order, and assaulting a police officer.  At this time, several individuals are facing charges, fines and jail time for their alleged crimes.

Don't believe everything you read in the Daily Cal, don't believe everything the University tells you, get the facts and decide for yourself. This isn't just about the trees; there is a direct human cost and ethical question at hand.

To support Free Speech at the Oaks, exercise YOUR freedom of speech: contact the people or organizations listed below and tell them to stop the police harassment of protesters and drop the charges against those already arrested.

Alameda County District Attorney Thomas J. Orloff - (510) 272-6222

Vice Chancellor for Administration Nathan Bostrom -(510) 642-3100

[email protected]

Office of Chancellor Birgeneau - (510) 642-7464

UC Police Chief Victoria Harrison - [email protected]

(510) 642-1133

UC Police Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya - [email protected]

(510) 643-9597

UC Police Department - [email protected]

(510) 642-6760

The Oaks Arrestees Defense Committee was founded to provide legal, financial and public support for anyone arrested or harassed due to their involvement with the protest at the Memorial Oak Grove.