Arrested over a trumpet
Held by police, tree activists who used toy instruments at protest
THE battle to save a city’s trees descended into farce as an activist was arrested for blowing a toy trumpet.
The 57-year-old sounded her plastic horn as chainsaw gangs felled a lime tree on a picturesque street.
Following anger at her arrest on Wednesday, more demonstrators carrying instruments turned out to protest in Sheffield yesterday.
A woman in her 50s – holding a pink recorder – was seized by police for refusing to move out of the way of a truck. Another was held amid claims she used a tambourine to assault officers. More than 5,500 trees have so far been felled under a 25-year contract worth £2.2billion to maintain Sheffield’s roads.
Contractors have surveyed every street to decide which trees are dying or dangerous to pedestrians or drivers.
But furious protesters have been trying to stop the chainsaw gangs as they insist most of the trees are healthy and should stay.
Around 40 police and guards working for the contractor have been going out each day to stop the activists interfering with workers.
Residents have vowed to make their point peacefully. The woman with the trumpet was making her feelings known at Rivelin Valley Road – the second longest avenue of limes in the UK.
A video posted online showed her being warned by an officer after setting off a rape alarm. The woman – who has not been named – was further warned about blowing her trumpet after a member of the public complained about the noise. She ignored the caution and was taken away.
‘I’ve been arrested for playing a musical instrument,’ she said.
‘I don’t understand it, I’m not breaking any laws.’
Pointing at the tree fellers, she added: ‘They’re making more noise than I am.’
South Yorkshire Police said she was detained on suspicion of causing intentional distress, under the Public Order Act 1986. The force said that she has received a court summons as a result.
Yesterday one protester was held on suspicion of obstructing a highway, and the other on suspicion of obstructing a constable.
There have been several other arrests amid the dispute. Dave Dillner, one of the protesters, said of the latest incident: ‘Is it just me or is this getting beyond silly?’