I69 protesters take to the trees in defense of Mother Earth(and Mitch Daniels)
On the morning of
Monday, May 19th, a small group of people opposed to the construction of
Interstate 69 set up an
aerial tree occupation in the path of construction. The sit was erected at the
north end of the first 1.77 miles of the proposed route, just south of State
Road 68. This is the area proposed for construction this summer.
The road has been resisted for nearly two decades by a wide range of groups and
individuals throughout the state. This action is in opposition to the start of
the NAFTA Superhighway, a devastating road-building agenda that is set to
destroy communities across the country:
“The governor is pushing this road down the throats of southern Indiana
communities for the benefit of Big Business, not for those whose lives are
going to be destroyed, whose houses, farms, woods, wetlands and wilderness are
going to be paved over. This action stands in the way of construction in order
to preserve these areas, to stop the self-interested state government from
exploiting the people and land of southern Indiana, and to stand in solidarity
with those who are fighting similarly destructive infrastructure projects up
and down the continent”
-Harriet Ray, one of the tree-borne protesters.
The protesters raised living quarters into two maple trees along the route and
hung banners (facing State Road 68), informing the neighbors about the presence
and displaying their support of local struggles against the road. While
construction has not technically begun, it is hoped that this action will be
the first of many attempts to physically halt the building of the road:
“After nearly two decades of resistance, INDOT and the governor’s office
are still ignoring the undisputed opposition of the vast majority of Hoosiers.
I urge everyone not to let them silence you and to continue taking the actions
needed to stop I-69.”
-Grant Reynolds, the other tree occupier.
