Green Party councillor Alison Teal and Sheffield Trees Action Group (STAG) chair Dave Dilner have vowed to appeal a High Court decision preventing ‘direct action’ protests against tree felling. Teal and Dilner expressed disappointment at the ruling in Sheffield Council’s favour allowing injunctions to be granted against them, Calvin Payne and “persons unknown”. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield City Council has won a court battle to bring injunctions against protesters taking “unlawful direct action” to prevent trees being felled. About 5,000 trees have been cut down after being assessed as diseased, dying or dangerous, but campaigners say some healthy trees have also been lost. Orders have been made against three people, Dave Dilner the chair of Sheffield Trees Action Group (STAG), Green Party councillor Alison Teal and tree campaigner Calvin Payne, plus “persons unknown”. The council say the ruling will prevent “catastrophic financial consequences”. Under the terms of the injunction protesters will be barred from “continuing to take unlawful direct action” or from encouraging others to direct action, including entering “safety zones” erected around trees being felled. Councillor Bryan Lodge the cabinet member for the environment read a prepared statement outside the town hall today. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Dozens of protesters mounted a successful blockade at a property on Abbeydale Road to prevent eviction of a family from their home. Campaigners from ACORN anti-eviction group said the family had been forced to live with a pest infestation and disrepair, including damp and broken furnishings, but when they complained to the landlord they were served with an eviction notice despite being up to date with their rent. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Many protesters gathered at Sheffield town hall earlier today to protest against the new changes and cuts to bus services. An online petition to stop the cutting and bring back the old services has reached 12,000 signatories.