Protester Unleashes Tirade At Earth Day Tree Planting

Protesters kept their distance from city officials at Crocker Park today, quietly holding signs to “Save Blair Park” and calling out the irony of an Arbor Day/Earth Day tree-planting ceremony while the city has tentatively approved plans for a multi-sport field in Moraga Canyon that will mean the felling of dozens of trees.

But after the official speeches, and after some 20 children had planted irises around Crocker Park’s new Coast Live Oak tree, a man stepped forward to shout at the crowd gathered.

“That tree would be worth a lot more in Moraga Canyon,” a man shouted. “Where’s your brain?”

The man, who declined to identify himself, had entered the park and asked the gathered protesters whether they minded if he shouted something. One member of the group told him yes, as long as he moved away from them. So the man walked further up the path and started shouting.

“Wow, that tree is so big!” he shouted sarcastically. “I can think of all the wild animals that are going to live in that tree. Maybe we can shuttle bus all the ones that are going to be killed and maimed and hit by cars and have no homes. But you know what? We’ll put them in that tree. Brilliant thinking. I approve.”

A woman on the opposite side of the park shouted back for the man to "wait until the kids leave." The man responded that the children should worry about trees, too.

City officials in attendance included Park Commission Chair Randy Deutsch, Park Commission Vice Chair Jukka Valkonen, Vice Mayor John Chiang and Councilmember Margaret Fujioka. A half-dozen police officers were present, but no arrest was made. 

The quieter “Friends of Moraga Canyon” protesters were quick to make clear that the man was not a part of their group.

“We’re here to be a witness for the trees,” said Susan Kahn, a member of the “Friends of Moraga Canyon” group. “We believe in being civilized. We’re angry, too, but we control our behavior and turn it to constructive uses.”

Moraga Canyon advocates have staged this month.

 Not everyone agreed that the shouting was inappropriate. “Good for you,” an onlooker told the man as he left Crocker Park.