Will People’s Park Survive?
We are at a crossroads — will we capitulate to dominance and colonialism or will we the people rise up? In Berkeley, this crossroads is evident at People’s Park. It makes sense that the radically free and unfettered energy that is the symbol of free speech to people the world over is yet again being targeted. For decades, UC has had its sights on developing People’s Park into a for-profit enterprise, and this despite Berkeley residents having literally lost their lives protecting it. The coming weeks will be pivotal in this modern David and Goliath story.
The stage for the current crisis was set in July, 2021, when the Berkeley City Council let themselves be bought for only $83M to approve UC’s community crushing Long Range Development plan. The plan included demolition of an 8-unit rent controlled building to be replaced — not by affordable student housing for California residents –but with luxury housing for foreign students willing to pay much higher tuition. Their plan also includes building on People’s Park, a violation of Measure L passed in 1986 to ensure 2-acres of recreational area for every 1,000 Berkeley residents.
As described by Professor Davarian Baldwin, “across America, universities have become big businesses — and our cities their company towns.” UC is among California’s largest landholders. As of April 2020, The University of California Real Property Portfolio lists hundreds of acres of properties the UC owns throughout California. Even so, the Regents are determined to raze People’s Park, an iconic symbol of resistance to state power and state violence.
The history of the park is a history of the struggle between powerful corporations and the needs of the people. In 1969, then Governor Ronald Reagan called in the National Guard to crush the people’s resistance to building on People’s Park. A 16-day battle ensued and the people prevailed. In 1991, 900 police showed up to take the park. The community engaged in passive and active resistance, but eventually, UC uprooted old-growth redwoods to construct a sand volleyball court. The community resistance continued for years and ultimately led to the removal of the court. Right now, a new crisis is looming, and it is possible that this time around, UC’s drive to develop People’s Park will finally prevail.
To build on People’s Park, UC must first empty it of the people. UC is doing that right now. The City of Berkeley evicted people living at the Rodeway Inn so UC could relocate up to 42 people there. They have 6-months temporary housing; after that, expect to see them back on the streets. And what about the rest of the people at the park?
This is the impending crisis.
According to a city official, once UC has filled the Rodeway or when there are no other people who want to move in — the UCPD will ambush the park at 3 am to evict the rest of those living at People’s Park. As in past attempts to seize the Park, we expect a fence to be erected and guarded by police, to enable the new construction. The City Manager will do nothing to protect the park and take no responsibility for the chaos that may ensue. But it doesn’t have to go this way.
We, the people, must save the park! Calling all environmentalists, indigenous peoples, nature lovers, community organizers, lovers of Berkeley NOW is our moment to act!
Text “SAVETHEPARK” to 74121 to receive bulldozer alerts. But don’t wait. Creative, nonviolent actions are being planned, plan yours! Disrupt city council meetings, occupy Chancellor Christ’s office, spread the resistance.
Thus far, meetings are planned for Thursday and Saturday May 26 & 28 at People’s Park ~ ALL ARE WELCOME.
Together we’ll ensure that this global symbol of free speech endures through an uprising & ingathering of everyone in our vast community. May 1,000 parks bloom!
This article was first published in the Berkeley Times on May 26, 2022.
