The environmental group “Los Árboles Hablan” has organised an unusual demonstration outside the Santa Cruz City Hall scheduled for next Friday, from 10:00 to 11:00. During this time, “the trees of the city will request forgiveness from the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez.” The demonstration aims to highlight the “critical state of neglect and mistreatment of the capital’s trees by the Parks and Gardens department and the Public Services department overseen by Carlos Tarife,” as stated by the organisers.
Coinciding with the final session of the municipal council before the summer break, environmental activists have chosen to raise awareness by expressing their disapproval of recent tree fellings in various areas of the city. This includes the removal of a mature eucalyptus tree over 60 years old from García Sanabria Park at the start of June, following an incident where one of its branches fell on a tourist, causing moderate injuries.
In response to this tree felling, environmentalists staged a vigil at the base of the felled tree, which was attended by approximately fifty individuals dressed in black, holding candles and signs to denounce the City Council as being responsible for “arboricide.”
They are now planning another unique gathering where the tulip trees in Plaza de Orche and the flamboyant tree in the La Salud neighbourhood community, among other tree species, will seek forgiveness. In light of this, they are making a plea to the public to help save the trees.
