US News and World Report: Falling Excrement Prompts Court Order for Tree-Sitters

UC-Berkeley officials are seeking a court order to force down tree-sitters who have been protesting the removal of 26 oak trees since December, the Daily Californian reports. The university cited "fire hazards, falling containers of excrement, and the increase of structures in the trees" as reasons for demanding the tree-sitters' extraction.  According to a university spokesman, the protesters have at least two propane tanks in the trees— for cooking. Though at least one protester completely denied the use of propane in trees, another tree-sitter who goes by the name of 'Stoic' questioned the school's complaints. "We don't know what the issue with the propane is. If it's about safety, we're willing to hear it and align ourselves accordingly."  Protesters say there are nine shelters in the trees; police peg the number at 12.