Police are defending the decision to deploy 70 officers to the fig felling in Newcastle’s Laman Street this week, despite a big drop in protest numbers.
So far, only a 25-year-old man has been charged for entering the enclosed area.
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I am appalled at the protesters for the way they have carried on. I am extremely disappointed with the lack of leadership shown by John Tate. Like the fig trees John Tate will be gone also.
We need a leader for this great city and unfortunately John Tate has sat on the fence on too many issues.
congratulations to the Newcastle City Council Staff for their integrity in carrying out the Legal Decision of council.The real shame is on those who do not accept that the Local Government act 1993 and ancillary Acts bestows responsibilities in respect to such matters despite their own personal agenda.
Yet the Police sat under the shade of the Figs in the Constrauction zone without Helmets during lopping. Then wild wet windy weather also provided another suposedly high risk hazardous event. But dont let that stop anyone from getting on with hanging in the killer figs. O H & whats that other letter? thats right ‘S’ for SAFETY
I was holding a vigil for a few hours in the rain with my brolly on the first night of the destruction of the majestic figs.I am no radical or ratbag.I came to pay my respects and to witness the destruction for myself.I was alone for much of the three hours there.I brielfyspoke to contractors and even a policecarman stopped to have a friendly chat and do his duty.I told him I was praying for the city and am saddened at the events and the impact that it will have on our city. I met some beautiful Novocastrians like myself who came to pay their respects.When two of us were seen together talking a police paddy wagon was sent passing by and we waved kindly. All of us are saddened and concerned at the turn of events.I spoke to one of the security people and thought that work wouldn’t proceed in the rain for safety reasons.The next day I heard through the media work was continuing.I visited area and witnessed the destruction of what appeared to be very healthy branches that were solid and healthy.I spoke quietly with a number of people and with an elderly lady who was deeply deeply upset.She shed a tear as I gave here words of comfort. There was no need for the heavy showing of the police as the people were gathered peacefully. Very sad day and very saddened at the awful commets made to people on websites.Very sad.
the real criminals here are the councillors who sentenced these beautiful trees to be destroyed the impact of their actions has had a huge effect on thousands of novocastrians their process was flawed from the beginning but they were determined to remove the trees with total disregard and an unriviled arrogance there is nothing but contempt for these councillors amoung a large amount of the community the loss is palpable there will be no forgiveness for what they have done
or these councillors amoung a large amount of the community the ioss is palpable there will be no forgiveness for what they have done