Hi Everyone- I’ve just been speaking with Paul Friedman, a member of the Alexandria community who is also hard at work to save the tree at TC Williams. He let me know that THIS THURSDAY there is a gathering at TC Williams to show support for saving this healthy historic tree. Please see more information below, and attend if you can (while wearing your masks!):
Save the Tree at TC! (TC Williams High School)
Join us! Meet up with us at the gate next to our WITNESS TREE and behind Alexandria's high school garage on THURSDAY 7/30 at 7:30 pm!!!
"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."
– A tweet from Rep. John Lewis, June 2018
The magnificent tree, also known as our Witness Tree since it has seen so much over its many years, pictured here is on the chopping block. No later than the end of August it will be gone if we don't act. In about a week, it will be under control of the company hired to cut it down. There must be another way.
HELP SAVE OUR WITNESS TREE!!!
Join us! Meet up with us at the gate next to our WITNESS TREE and behind the high school garage on THURSDAY 7/30 at 7:30 pm!!!
Why should we act now?
1) We can't afford this. We are in a fiscal crisis. The project that is forcing this tree to be cut down is to modernize the football field with lights and a new concession stand with bathrooms. This project is not essential, especially when we don't have students in schools, nor do we have football teams or fans allowed to attend games.
2) This tree captures about 48 pounds of carbon every year. Even if and when they grow to ten years old, all 31 trees promised to be planted wouldn't absorb more than 22 grams of carbon every year. There are already plans to eliminate a slew of other older trees to improve stormwater in another part of the city. Cutting down these trees is killing our world.
Alexandrians have long prized our history in Old Town. We care about the past but also recognize its value to our tourism and our future. Respecting our history also means saving the old trees that tell their own stories. They also have future value, as our city and our world gets hotter and hotter. Saving trees are our best means to combat climate change.
3) This tree provides valuable shade and a natural barrier between the field and the neighbors, who have already suffered from the decision to create this high school and now expect to suffer more from the establishment of the lights and the nightly activity that will come with them.
4) If we need to move forward with a new concession stand and bathrooms, let's move them to the other end of the field closest to the school, not the homes. Let's respect the nearby African American and native community and move this building as far from their homes as possible.
The nearby community had homes and land stolen from them to create this school. Then, it was named for an avid segregationist. The insults have just kept coming. Now is the time to draw a line in the sand.
Join us! Meet up with us at the gate next to our WITNESS TREE and behind the high school garage on THURSDAY 7/30 at 7:30 pm!!!