[imc-oxford-features] proposed feature

[Jennie B]

Hiya

Owen and I have just written a feature about the current protests on bonn
square/westgate development.

See what cha think.

I recognise I may have to change the protest into past tense!  xXxx

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Headline - They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Picture - tree at bonn square with all the demonstration trimmings (mmm)

The beginning of 2008 saw more resistance to the ongoing gentrification of
Oxford.  On the 4th January a sycamore, reportedly 100 years old, was <a
href="/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/388776.html">occupied by a sole
protestor</a> (with plenty of support from below) to prevent it being
felled for the 'redevelopment' of Bonn Square. They have since been <a
href="/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389023.html">served with a court
summons</a> and could do with support on <strong>Monday 14th January from
10am</strong> at [Oxford County Court].

Meanwhile, [the Westgate Partnership] have been <a
href="/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389023.html">merrily chainsawing trees to
make way for the Westgate expansion</a> (which is technically different
from the Bonn Square project, but linked to the West End 'regeneration').
This is despite the fact that a public enquiry is still going on over the
demolition of Abbey Place sheltered housing - a clear indication of what
the developers think of the legal process.

On Wednesday 9th January there was an impromptu  <a
href="/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389089.html">day of action</a> at the
back of the Westgate centre where some trees had been already been cut
down.  This protest led to the arrest of Councillor Glass Woodin and also
saw one of the London Plain trees being occupied for over 24 hours.  The
bad weather on the 10th saw off  - no pun intended - any more tree
carnage.

There has been a protest called <a
href="/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389187.html">for Saturday 11th
January</a>.

Video of the Bonn Square protest:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389121.html