100 local residents in the Deurne-South area of Antwerp have held a wake to mourn the felling of around 50 trees. The felling of the trees has been temporarily halted after protest from locals and a well-publicised political debate. Nevertheless, the local action group Juiste Spoor (Right Track) believes that it is important that the continue to gather to decry the disappearance of the trees.
Locals in Deurne-South hold wake to mourn the loss of trees felled to allow for work on tram loop
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At Thursday evening’s gathering there were several speeches and the actor Warre Borgmans read poetry and Antwerp's self-proclaimed “fake mayor”, Geert Buelens gave a stand-up comedy performance.
Juiste Spoor’s Lode Daelemans said that "It is with laughter and tears that we are trying to digest the events of the past few days". Some people of those present left flowers and candles at the memorial for the trees.
In addition to the felling of 50 trees, the controversial felling has also left emotional scars for many local residents. Mr Daelemans told VRT News that "We are devastated and left with grief. Not only because of the felled trees, but also because of how we have been treated."
“What has happened here is traumatic. Fortunately, we as a neighborhood are sticking together. This is a warm community."
The last remaining trees will be allowed to remain for a while longer. The felling of the trees that is needed for the construction of a tram loop was temporarily halted yesterday after talks between the Flemish nationalists, the socialists that make up the governing coalition on Antwerp City council and the oposition green party Groen. As soon as calm returns, the last trees will also be felled.
Alderman Koen Kennis (nationalist, photo above left) told VRT News that " Tempers have become frayed, partly due to a lack of information and communication."
Residents will continue to protest and also expect there to be political consequences. "We're leaving it up to them to decide what those consequences should be. That’s not for us to decide. We whant a strong signal from Alderman Koen Kennis and the coalition partners and this is something that has not yet been given", Mr Daelemans said.