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Newbury Eviction Climb Down
7 March 1996
At least one climber, being used by the bailiffs to help clear campaigners from the route of the Newbury Bypass, has packed his gear and refused to continue assisting with the evictions, after apparently recognising friends protesting in the trees. Some reports claim that possibly another two climbers have also left.
Events took place earlier this morning as bailiffs once again attempted to evict tree protestors at the Pixie Camp at Snelsmore Common, where evictions started last week.
Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth said:
"Most security guards, climbers and bailiffs would leave or defect if they could, but sadly most of them need the money. Nobody here wants to be associated with this destruction - the trouble is most people have no choice."
Last month, the British Mountaineering Festival [1] , gave a special award to climbers who were assisting with the Newbury evictions. The "Down Side Award", was given "for abusing climbing skills by employing them against defenders of the environment and upholders of conservational values at Newbury and elsewhere."
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The British Mountain Festival took place in Wales on 17 February and was the largest ever gathering of climbers in the UK.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
