Battle for platanus #502

Post date: Feb 26, 2010 10:08:33 PM

26.02.2010.

I write these lines, wary after several days of patrols and stopping cutting down majestic platanus trees. Today, city government of Belgrade decided to use police force to remove peaceful protesters in order to commit ecocide.

Whole day several units of JKP "Zelenilo - Beograd" (city run utility company that takes care of parks) were cutting down trees in 2,5 km long street. Here is the story in pictures. Sad story of apathy of many and heroism of few.

Citizens could only slow them down, but couldn't stop this massacre of the trees, because of the strong police presence.

Finally, citizens made desperate last stand at platanus #502.

Police tried to intervene, but citizens stood firm.

Relentless chainsaws of tree murders kept coming on.

Some of the citizens were dragged away by the police, but other came to fill in their place.

The workers and the police were determined to cut every tree, down to the last one.

In doing so, they've showed complete and utter disregard for any life: tree or human. They were actually throwing pieces of timber on peaceful citizens.Finaly they gave away, confronted with determined citizens and growing number of members of the press ...

Platanus #502 still stands... until tomorrow, when chainsaw will sound death once again, in the street that was proud and joy of Belgrade.

Whoever reads this should know, though we are just a band of few, we value all life and will protect it. We are tired, but nevertheless we shall do our best to see that platanus #502 lives at least a day more.