News

Ugly confrontation after decision to chop figs

BEN SMEE

01 Dec, 2011 08:44 PM

Tonight’s Newcastle City Council meeting ended with a decision to chop the trees, allegations of assault and attempts to prevent councillors from leaving the building.

Councillors voted seven to four against a motion for a State Government-backed assessment of the fig trees.

An ugly confrontation broke out immediately after the meeting, when councillors who voted against the assessment attempted to leave the council chambers.

A large number of protesters, who reacted angrily to the vote, aggressively attempted to block a group of councillors and council staff members from leaving.

A woman fell to the ground and police were investigating allegations she was assaulted.

FULL REPORT in tomorrow's Herald

RELATED COVERAGE

10 Nov 11:

Stop this fig sham

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Axe reprieve: fig injunction extended to Tuesday

15 Nov 11:

Laman Street fig trees fight continues

11 Nov 11:

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09 Nov 11:

Axed fig debate has council spitting chips

03 Nov 11:

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03 Nov 11:

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08 Nov 11:

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04 Nov 11:

$1.5million pricetag on figs fiasco

19 Nov 11:

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18 Nov 11:

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01 Dec 11:

Council's 13th Laman Street fig tree vote

20 Nov 11:

OPINION: Newcastle City Council and the Laman Street figs

17 Nov 11:

Save Our Figs wins injunction

16 Nov 11:

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15 Nov 11:

Legal advice says three proposed motions on figs unlawful

17 Nov 11:

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16 Nov 11:

Council again fails to complete fig meeting

comments

Date: Newest first | Oldest first

The usual "Peaceful" SOF protesters of course. Arrest the whole lot of them until the trees are cut down.

Posted by sickofitall, 1/12/2011 9:06:37 PM, on The Herald

SOF Here's some simple advice "GET OUT OF THE BLOODY WAY"

Easy.

Posted by James, 1/12/2011 9:07:41 PM, on The Herald

Why don't you leave the poor Council workers alone, and let them get on with the job?

Posted by Leave them along, 1/12/2011 9:12:33 PM, on The Herald

HAHA

Proof that SOF aren't the peaceful group they claim to be..

Posted by Marcus, 1/12/2011 9:15:55 PM, on The Herald

The water cannon should have been present to wash this noisy rabble into the harbour, Time to go figs, I hope the Saturday edition of the Herald has plenty of pictures of the chain saws in action.

Posted by thinkitthrough, 1/12/2011 9:17:21 PM, on The Herald

Decision made - time to move on - cannot blame the councillors on a 7 to 4 vote - any further expense to ratepayers lie solely at the feet of those who will now seek to impede the democratic process.

Posted by ClownTown, 1/12/2011 9:18:20 PM, on The Herald

PRESS CHARGES ON ALL OF SAVE OUR FIGS NOW!!

Posted by roger, 1/12/2011 9:18:40 PM, on The Herald

Typical SOF actions. Accept the decision before someone gets seriously hurt

Posted by Nafe, 1/12/2011 9:20:45 PM

Your rate dollars at work. What will it take for Barry to find a pair and dismiss these clowns?

Posted by Scott Hillard, 1/12/2011 9:24:09 PM, on The Herald

I'm a supporter of the figs. I really am. But to see Civic Park in the state its' in, fenced off, weeds and rubbish everywhere behind the fences, and Laman Street now closed for two years, enough is enough. If the decision is to chop, let them go. And let's look forward to a new and different Laman Street.

Posted by Selina, 1/12/2011 9:26:53 PM, on The Herald

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