Skirmishes have broken between protestors and security guards over the felling of a mature tree in Battersea.
Video footage shows tensions rising, as removers arrived to cut down the 100-year-old poplar tree at around 6:30 am this morning (March 15).
Environmental activists have been stationed in York Gardens for three weeks, with one bold ‘tree protector’ living in its branches since February 22.
The tree was scheduled to be removed to make way for an electrical cable which is part of a housing redevelopment project.
An Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said:
"Security guards are using brute force restraining local residents protesting on the site.”
“One is kneeling on his neck, one on his chest and he can be heard on video saying ‘I can’t breathe’ and others calling out ‘Leave him alone’".
According to Extinction Rebellion, the 70-year-old resident who was restrained has now been taken to hospital.
Wandsworth Council has said that the tree’s removal is “sadly unavoidable”.
A spokesperson said: “No one wants to see mature trees lost but sometimes it’s sadly unavoidable, despite our best efforts in this case to find a suitable alternative solution.
“However as part of the regeneration scheme we are planting around 450 new trees around the estate and providing a new 2.5 hectare public park so that residents have newly created green outdoor space to enjoy.”
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