A centuries-old cottonwood tree, revered by protesters as the “grandmother,” has been destroyed to facilitate the construction of Donald Trump’s border wall along the US-Mexico frontier. The demolition comes after a prolonged and tense standoff with US Border Patrol agents.
Beginning in late July, a group of land defenders initiated a tree-sit occupation within the ghost town of Lochiel, Arizona. For more than 70 days, participants took turns residing on platforms elevated in the canopy of the 200-year-old tree, attempting to prevent its removal.
Despite the months-long effort to safeguard the landmark, the tree was ultimately toppled, leaving activists expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the natural and historical site.
Fascinating how a single tree became this massive political flashpoint. What a way to go out.
Did anyone document the ecological impact of removing such an old tree from the desert landscape?
Seems like a waste of resources to spend 70 days on this. Shouldn’t priority go elsewhere?
It breaks my heart that activists lost. That tree was a symbol of so much resilience.