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Berkeley Tree-Sitters Finally Climb Down

Last protesters climb down as university erects scaffold around redwood

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2008 5:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – The last four tree-sitters climbed down from their perches at UC Berkeley today, ending a 2-year vigil to protest the university's plans to cut down a grove of trees and build a sports facility, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The university will build the facility, but it agreed to set up an environmental review board to oversee future development. Police arrested the four when they descended, but they're not expected to face felony charges.

"We love you," the last one told hundreds of cheering supporters before climbing down. Today's development became just a matter of time after a state appeals court rejected the protesters' arguments last week. Yesterday, the university cut off the protesters' food and water.

Protesters sit in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., yesterday. Their vigil ended today.
Protesters sit in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., yesterday. Their vigil ended today.   (AP Photo)
Tree sitters raise their arms toward supporters while sitting atop a redwood tree on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley today before descending.
Tree sitters raise their arms toward supporters while sitting atop a redwood tree on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley today before descending.   (AP Photo)
Protesters sit in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. the 2-year vigil ended today.
Protesters sit in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. the 2-year vigil ended today.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A protester who identified himself as Huck flashes a peace sign while standing in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., yesterday. Huck was the last to descend today.
A protester who identified himself as "Huck" flashes a peace sign while standing in a redwood tree in Berkeley, Calif., yesterday. Huck was the last to descend today.   (AP Photo)
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