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Contact:
Cisco DeVries
(510) 981-7103 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2007
Statement from Mayor Tom Bates
Regarding the Fence Installed at Memorial Stadium
August 30, 2007
Yesterday, UC Berkeley installed a
fence around the disputed tree grove at Memorial Stadium.
A number of protesters remain in the trees and are now being denied
supplies, food, and water. Last
evening, I observed the site to take a look at the situation for myself.
While the University may have
serious concerns about the safety of the protesters and football fans at
Saturday’s game, there is simply no justification for UC Berkeley Police
to deny protesters food and water. UC’s
actions are unacceptable and I believe they are putting people’s lives
at risk unnecessarily.
It should be noted that the tree
grove is on University property and the City of Berkeley has had no
involvement in the fencing of the protesters nor have the Berkeley Police
Department assisted the UC Police in their efforts.
This morning, I contacted the
Chancellor’s office to urge them in the strongest possible terms to
reconsider their position and allow the protesters access to food and
water. Regardless of a
person’s opinion of the merits of the tree-sitters protest or the UC
Stadium proposal, we all need to respect basic human and civil rights.
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