Belmont, MA – October 17, 2014, 9am – Four Cambridge residents were arrested this morning for trespassing within the Belmont and Cambridge Silver Maple Forest presently being clear-cut. Signs along Acorn Park Drive in Belmont with over 20 supporters read, “No climate change,” “Don’t cut our floodplain silver maple trees,” “Stop the cutting before it’s too late.” The arrests follow years of organizing to defend the Silver Maple Forest, an invaluable floodplain for Cambridge, Belmont, and Arlington.

O'Neill Properties of Pennsylvania has been the major backer of the development, which would include 300 mainly luxury units with 60 affordable units. Belmont has not yet determined final permitting. Cambridge continues with Hearings and a Policy Order concerning the property as well.

Organizers are drawing attention to the commencement earlier this week of clear-cutting of eight acres of woodlands in Belmont and Cambridge. Earlier this week, five conscientious objectors trespassed to tie pink protection ribbons on many trees to call attention to tree felling in the Upper Alewife Basin's only regional floodplain forest. The were arrested and released 5 hours later. Again, major cutting was seen this morning at 7:30am on the site which prompted the conscientious acts of civil disobedience.“People are acting out of their own conscience, and many have never before been arrested but consider this a serious environmental crime, especially in this era of climate change,” said Ellen Mass, an organizer who has been drawing attention to the forest for years through her organization, Friends of Alewife Reservation. A large Coalition of groups has taken root called "Silver Maple Forest Alliance" made up of neighborhood, peace and environmental group repersentatives.

The arrests were peaceful and without incident. Dana Demetrio, University of Vermont student, Sylvia Gilman, Illustrator with Peace Action; Ben Beckwith software repair and musician; and Paula Sharaga, children's librarian, were agreeably escorted by police out of the forest into paddy wagons after refusing to leave when asked to do so. They say permits are still pending or “up in the air” in Belmont and it is nonsensical to clear-cut before building permits are approved and municipal matters settled in both Cambridge and Belmont. The four are now out on 6 mo. trial probation and were fortunate not to pay fines, and may not return to the private property. Well treated, the incarcerated seemed elated to be able to fulfill civil rights protests in behalf of the beautiful silver maples.

A City of Cambridge Climate Vulnerability study has been delayed four times. The study would demonstrate the invaluable services provided by the 15-acre floodplain forest, which has stood for 60 years. This is a “crime against nature” said protester Lois Solomon of Cambridge. Madeleine Sis, a student at Lesley University who was arrested at the forest earlier on Tuesday, said “Each tree falling is like a human dying because people will pay dearly as more flooding happens.” Another witness of conscious said, “Clear-cutting trees in floodplains, which provide a safety net for tens of thousands of people in the Mystic River watershed, is criminal. Those allowing the silver maple forest to be developed should not be allowed to walk free but should face severe penalties,” said Mass. "A French coastal town is even preparing to send their Mayor and administration to prison for allowing permits on a floodplain which ended in 29 deaths with surges from storm Xynthia."

This Monday, October 20th at 7am, local groups, organizations, and individuals hold another rally at the woodlands clear-cutting staging ground at Acorn Park Drive. More individuals may engage then in another act of civil disobedience. That same evening at 5:30, the Cambridge City Council will hear a Policy Order requesting that no Cambridge property be used for the development designs or square footage replication area, which is problematic for the developer whose design plans include land in Cambridge. In addition, a temporary injunction has been filed in Woburn District court to stop the tree felling without known results.

Trees have been falling, but people of conscious are making sure their cries are heard above the trees crashing down around them.

PHOTOS OF TODAY'S SILVER MAPLE PROTEST

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