Support grows for tree protest

8:31am Monday 14th January 2008

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ATTEMPTS to put up more steel barriers to fence off Oxford's Bonn Square were halted as protesters held a mass demonstration.

Supporters of tree protester Gabriel Chamberlain claimed "partial victory" amid bizarre scenes on Saturday afternoon, when contractors abandoned attempts to install more security fencing ahead of moves to evict Mr Chamberlain.

The 34-year-old protester is spending his 12th day camping in a sycamore tree ahead of a court hearing today to evict him. Over the weekend, he was joined by a second demonstrator.

The tree is set to be felled as part of a £1.5m redevelopment scheme by Oxford City Council.

During the weekend's peaceful protest, security guards and police initially stopped campaigners from standing inside the square, warning they could be arrested for trespass.

But when contractors started surrounding the whole of the grassed area with new security fences, protesters linked arms and then swamped inside the square chanting and waving flags and placards.

After police intervened, the barriers were removed and about 50 campaigners were allowed on to the square to protest without threat of arrest.

Yesterday, security guards were back patrolling the square, warning remaining campaigners they would be arrested if they trespassed.

Protester Brian Melling, 43, who praised police and security guards for their handling of Saturday's protest, said: "It's not often you get a partial victory. The council said they have consulted the public but you can see how many people are here and what they think of what they are doing."

Protest organiser Danny Chivers, 29, said: "Hopefully we can put enough pressure on the council so they realise this development is not good for Oxford."

Protester Derek Greig, 42, said: "We came up and stood here to stop the barriers because we believe we should save the last piece of green area in Oxford city centre."

Tree protester Mr Chamberlain backed the campaigners.

Calling down from his tree he said: "I think what these people have done is great. It's not just about saving the tree but about saving the planet.

"This is the last bit of grass people can sit in in Oxford and they are going to turn it in to stone. Why don't they just leave the grass?"

He told bystanders the second protester who had joined him in the tree was called Eddie Beaumont.

Mr Chamberlain's mother, Josephine Knight-Jacobs, joined Saturday's protests.

She said: "I think what he is doing is brilliant. I am very proud of him. Too many people don't stand up enough in this country.

"I don't understand why they have to cut so many trees down."

Half of the square at the base of Mr Chamberlain's tree remains cordoned off. Police made no arrests but a spokesman said the fences were removed because the contractors ran out of steel barriers.

Meanwhile, a second tree protest at the nearby Westgate car park was temporarily called off for the weekend.

Bruce Hegarty and a fellow protester, Stig, climbed the tree in a bid to prevent the city council carrying out preparatory work as part of plans to redevelop the Westage shopping centre.

They gave up their vigil on Friday evening but vowed to return this morning.

Mr Hegarty said: "We knew during the weekend the tree wasn't going to be cut down. We'll see how we feel on Monday."