Good news for Cal in construction court battle

The Bear Insider is reporting some good news despite the court injunction being issued against the construction of Cal’s new sports facility.

Petitioners argued at a hearing on Thursday, February 8th, that because Cal’s EIR was being contested in court and had not yet been approved, Cal should not be allowed to make any changes (whatsoever) to the physical environment of the project site, and should also not be allowed to enter into any contacts in furtherance of the project, even- for example- for schedule planning that would involve no physical changes at the site.

The judge ruled against both requests. Marie Felde of Cal’s Media Relations called this ” … an important victory for the university.”

This allows Cal to go ahead with the bidding/contracting process and also gives the University the ability to ensure public safety if needed (with police action, temporary fencing, etc). According to a recent report from campus police, the tree people are being tolerated but are regularly told that they are breaking the law. A few key points from the article:

1. The protesters are breaking the law, both by trespassing and lodging on campus. Individual street people who sleep on campus are customarily promptly removed, often with just a warning and sometimes with assistance in finding shelter. Repeat violators are cited, and sometimes face jail time.

2. Campus police regularly patrol the tree-protest area to be sure that no public safety issues occur beyond what is already occurring.

5. Campus police have been careful to not take any action that would prejudice or adversely affect Cal’s efforts in court.

7. “The protestors have not developed the swell of support they wanted, and in fact the support may even be tapering off.”

11. “Of course they have to go, no question about it. But it will be at a time - and with methods - of our choosing,” said [Chief] Celaya.