UPDATE: Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin has canceled tonight’s meeting described below, perhaps he’s getting some spine or he’s just worried about national media attention. He tweeted: “Mtg cancelled. Policy stands and shame on the Sheriff for not guaranteeing mutual aide emergency support to Berkeley because he disagrees with our tear gas ban.”, in a Twitter thread that tagged Berkeleyside and others.
The Berkeley City Manager has requested to allow use of tear gas, smoke and pepper spray while City Council goes on sumer vacation, so the Berkeley City Council just called a Special Meeting for Thursday August 4, 2022 8:15 PM. The one agenda item is:
Discussion and possible action regarding the temporary suspension of the June 9, 2020 policy prohibiting the use of tear gas, smoke and pepper spray for the duration of the City Council recess.
Call in and demand the council does NOT allow this violent City Manager’s wish.
Thursday, August 4, 2022 City Council Special Meeting at 8:15 PM – (8:15 in the evening)
AGENDA: 1. City Manager – Discussion and possible action regarding the temporary suspension of the June 9, 2020 policy prohibiting the use of tear gas, smoke and pepper spray for the duration of the City Council recess.
This is a transparent attack on the people power that tore down the fence at People’s Park. Please call in and express your thoughts to stop these attacks on people trying to stop the destruction of People’s Park by UC Berkeley.
Note: This post will have ongoing updates. Last updated 1:52 PM August 3, 2022
August 3, 2022, 1:45 AM
Police Closing People’s Park Under Cover of Darkness, August 3, 2022
UC is moving on the park NOW! Please go to the park if you’re able, and let others know! Word from the park (as of 12:15am) is that surveillance light towers, fences are going up
They’re closing off Dwight. Towing cars. They’ve got Hillegass and Regent blocked off at Dwight with low portable fencing. The surrounding cars are being towed to another lot ‘to prevent possible damage from protesters’. This is it.
August 3, 2022, 3:13 AM
Light towers were about to be unloaded. Looks like UC is about to fence off the park. If you can make it down, please do. Text SAVETHEPARK to 74121to get notifications.
Sorry to share yuck news but it’s all about our resistance to it at this point.
August 3, 2022, 6:22 AM
In a deeply courageous moves of non-violent civil disobedience to stop the destruction of People’s Park, Berkeley community members are sitting and moving beneath heavy equipment suspended from cranes trying to install surveillance lighting.
Non-Violent Civil Disobedience to Stop Construction on People’s Park, Early morning August 3, 2022Non-Violent Civil Disobedience to Stop Construction on People’s Park, Early morning August 3, 2022Non-Violent Civil Disobedience to Stop Construction on People’s Park, Early morning August 3, 2022
Construction industry with police aid destroys People’s Park, August 3, 2022, an act of profound and long lasting damage to the Berkeley community. This opportunistic profiteering for the few, despite several other sites where housing could be built.
August 3, 2022, 7:32 AM
People’s Park Protectors Needed! The police are in the park with bulldozers and they have blocked off Haste and Dwight.
“If Roesch did not sign the order, then UC is in clear violation of the stay, which is actually really bad for them. The other part of this is the return of the students. I expect that they are slowly filtering back into town. Keep up the resistance! The more students there are around, the better it is for us.” — A long-time People’s Park contributor
August 3, 2022,9:54 AM
The National Lawyers Guild is on site at People’s Park and was aware of 7 arrests, 3 released, and no information on the other 4. If anyone has info, please call them: 415-285-1011.
August 3, 2022, 11:19 AM
“Lawyer Phil Bokovoy says that UC has no legal authority or right to close off city streets. At any blockade of a city street you can demand that those stopping your passage show or cite their authority to stop you. If they have none you are entitled to use that street. That may be true for sidewalks also, which is where the fence is bolted down so that may be illegal also.” — A long-time People’s Park contributor
August 3, 2022, 12:38 PM
Protesters shaking the fence during destruction of People’s Park by UC Berkeley, August 3, 2022Trees destroyed and fencing going up around People’s Park, August 3, 2022Trees destroyed in Northeast corner of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
August 3, 2022, 1:13 PM to 1:22 PM
West side trees destroyed by UC Berkeley in People’s Park, August 3, 2022
Westward view of People’s Park destruction, August 3, 2022
Park destruction equipment on basketball court of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
The great palm tree destroyed by UC Berkeley in People’s Park, August 3, 2022
UC Berkeley’s fencing torn down by People’s Park defenders, August 3, 2022
UC Berkeley’s fencing torn down by People’s Park defenders, August 3, 2022
West side People’s Park trees destroyed by UC Berkeley, August 3, 2022
Trees destroyed by UC Berkeley in East side of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
Redwoods and other trees in Northwest corner of People’s Park destroyed by UC Berkeley, August 3, 2022
Trees destroyed by UC Berkeley in Northeast corner of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
Media workers reporting on UC Berkeley’s destruction of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
Berkeley community and students witnessing UC Berkeley’s destruction of People’s Park, August 3, 2022
Note: This post will have ongoing updates. Last updated 1:52 PM August 3, 2022
Video and photos note: Please document the activities in the park, police, fencing, etc. This is a historically significant event. When documenting activities in the park with cell phone video cameras, please turn the camera horizontallybefore recording for better video and photos.
