M11 Campaign Latest
Against strong local resistance, the construction of the disastrous M11 link is continuing at a snail’s pace with serious cost to the authorities. This three and a half mile slab of tarmac will destroy 350 houses, part of Epping Forest and Hackney Marshes but has a long way to go. Since early November there has been a constant vigil, and on 6th December the fence around George Green, Wanstead was torn down in scenes resembling the Peasants Revolt.
The felling of an ancient chestnut tree was delayed when a tree house was declared a legal dwelling by the High Court, requiring a Compulsory Purchase Order from the DoT. (Just how do you value a 250 year-old tree?). On December 7th the DoT’s stance toughened and at 5.15am around 300 security and police arrived to be greeted by the same number of 'Protectors', who had been there in the pouring rain since 4am! Protectors chained themselves together - armlocked inside metal tubes - facing inwards around the trunk of the Chestnut with five rings of people protecting them. People were punched in the face, kneed in the groin, pulled by the ears and pressure pointed - pensioners and children were not excluded.
Despite this extreme provocation, no-one fought back, allowing the police violence to be clearly seen on TV. This has lead to numerous claims against the police. By 8.am the chestnut tree at the centre of the struggle had a tight cordon of police around it. An hydraulic platform was moved in inch by inch as people were removed from its path. The police brutality was incessant - a sobering thought for future actions.
One by one the people in the tree were removed - by sawing branches off, punching people, and generally endangering life. They were held up for a while by one person handcuffing himself to the hydraulic arm of the platform. Finally at 1.15pm in a final act of environmental terrorism the tree was ripped apart by an excavator. Tree sitters in other trees were also removed - one being dragged out by a rope tied around his feet. On Saturday 11th Dec police were again grappling with protesters who were trying to remove fences on George Green.
Despite the less of these trees, this is only the start for the police and DoT. Three of four contracts have yet to be awarded and up to thirty houses are being squatted. Unlike some campaigns, this has had strong local support: since the tree was smashed apart, George Green has already been the site for a Carol Service. However, we need many more people, homes are being bulldozed right now!
If you witnessed police violence or want to get involved call the M11 campaign office now on 081 530 5709.