UCSC Tree-sit as Long Range Resistance
From Berkeley to Santa Cruz, the art of the tree-sit is spreading. On November 7, 2007, activists opposed to UCSC's Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) launched a tree-sit in redwoods near Science Hill. UCSC plans to develop the occupied site into a new Biomedical Sciences Facility. A rally and march that began at 11am drew hundreds of supporters. A tense standoff with police commenced, as supporters attempted to get close enough to the trees to send up supplies. Police pepper sprayed the crowd and arrested at least four, but were unable to stop the students’ momentum.
The Biomedical Sciences facility would be the first project under the University's plan to destroy 120 acres of forest. The Biomedical Sciences building would have no allotted classroom space, despite student complaints about overcrowded class sizes. But it would have room for live animal experimentation, which includes such practices as food/air deprivation, infection, and non-anesthetized surgery.
This building, which will house biotechnology and nanotechnology research, is exemplary of how the new LRDP marks a clear shift from UCSC's commitment to undergraduate, liberal arts education to the more lucrative programs funded by large corporations. Following the trend of privatizing public universities, students are paying more for education and receiving less. Students are calling for more funding for humanities and arts, including the creation of an Ethnic Studies department.
Critics say the planned addition of 4,500 full-time students is irresponsible given the existing shortage of resources. They cite overcrowded classrooms, overworked teaching assistants and dissatisfied faculty as signs that the UCSC has already exceeded its capacity.
The Santa Cruz tree-sit has become home to vibrant, radical gatherings of students. They’ve held events such as forest walks, Tao Te reading groups, anti-racism discussions, and nights of poetry, singing, and bacchanalian revelry. Take a trip down to UCSC to camp out with them! Learn more at www.lrdpresistance.org.