Tree-Sitters Descend, Marching From Redwood to Police Station

Two UC Berkeley students descended from the heights of a redwood tree near Sproul Plaza Wednesday and submitted themselves for arrest by the UCPD after one week of tree-sitting.

Senior Jason Ahmadi, an ethnic studies major, and senior Michael Schuck, an interdisciplinary studies field major, decided to accept arrest on behalf of the Phoenix Coalition, said group spokesperson Matthew Taylor.

“It felt right (to come down),” Ahmadi said. “I feel that through non-violent action, the university will listen to us.”

Formed in March, the Phoenix Coalition is an alliance of student groups and community organizations including Stop BP-Berkeley, Berkeley Stop the War Coalition, Students Organizing for Justice in the Americas, Berkeley Copwatch and Save the Oaks at the Stadium.

Among the group’s goals are to increase students’ input in their education, obtain fair wages for immigrants and UC employees, save the oak grove near Memorial Stadium, stop UC Berkeley’s deal with BP Amoco PLC and prevent the construction of nuclear weapons, Taylor said.

About half a dozen coalition members and supporters marched over to the redwood tree shortly before 1 p.m. to cheer the students on as they climbed down. No UCPD officers were present.

“It’s amazing up there,” Schuck said. “We came (down) out of our own good will. The arrest is about love and not violence.”

Coalition members then promenaded on Sproul Plaza with a banner reading “freetheUC.org,” and group members rallied around the two tree-sitters as they entered the UCPD station in Sproul Hall.

Once inside, Ahmadi and Schuck walked straight to the front desk and announced that they were “turning themselves over” for arrest.

The sitters were issued citations for trespassing or entering areas with the intention of obstructing lawful business, said UCPD Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya.

The field citation said a court date will be set within 30 days. The police report will go to the Alameda County district attorney’s office for review, who will then decide whether to file charges or not, Celaya said.

“I believe we’ve dealt with them in a very professional (way). I’m satisfied that the arrest today took place in a peaceful, cooperative manner,” he said.

Six to eight Phoenix Coalition members continue to take turns occupying the redwood tree, Taylor said.

“There are still people up there (who will) listen to their hearts to see when is the right time to come down,” Ahmadi said.

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