Protesters occupy 200-year-old tree at US-Mexico border to stop its destruction: ‘She’s our Statue of Liberty’
Summary
Protesters in Arizona are sitting in a 200-year-old cottonwood tree to stop its destruction by federal contractors building new sections of the US-Mexico border wall. The peaceful protest aims to protect the tree and the surrounding natural habitat from damage caused by the border barrier construction.Key Facts
- The protest is happening in Lochiel, a small town in southeast Arizona near the US-Mexico border.
- Federal contractors have already cut down three large ancient cottonwood trees to build two 30-foot border walls.
- The remaining cottonwood tree, estimated to be over 200 years old, is being occupied by protesters living in a platform high in its branches.
- The protest includes environmental activists demanding that Customs and Border Protection protect the trees and wildlife in the area.
- The area is home to important wildlife paths and a desert oasis, which the border wall construction threatens to harm.
- The protesters have permission from a private landowner to camp near the tree and have maintained a peaceful demonstration.
- Border wall construction has expanded, with contractors blasting mountains and drilling wells nearby.
- A second wall, about 60 feet north of the border, is planned along 384 miles, further threatening natural habitats with little impact on reducing border crossings.
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