By Helen Pitt
At least three protesters have been arrested for chaining themselves to trees as part of a last-ditch attempt to stop Moreton Bay figs from being felled on Anzac Parade.
Hundreds of demonstrators attended the Monday night vigil causing traffic jams on Anzac Parade and Alison Road.
James Mathison is led away by police after trying to scale one of the Moreton Bay Fig trees on Anzac Parade, Moore Park, at a protest before they are cut down tonight in Sydney.Credit: Janie Barrett
Nick Murray, a Centennial Park resident and former lawyer, was arrested after he used 12 metres of chain to to attach himself and fellow protesters to one large fig tree.
"We've been peacefully complaining until now, but there was nothing left to do but to get inside the fences and tie ourselves to the trees to protect them. The construction company is lobbying to have us charged with trespass," he said.
Greg Vankuyk and Sharon Bowen leave the enclosure after protesting against the destruction of more Moreton Bay Fig trees on Anzac Parade.Credit: Janie Barrett
"Im no activist, just a local resident driven to protect these trees because once they are gone that's it."
Coogee resident Maria Bradley claims the construction workers chopping down the trees did not do a proper wildlife check within the foliage before they began work.
"All they did was shine a flashlight onto the trees – we heard that some native animals went into the woodchipper at the trees they chopped down on Wansey Road," she said.
John Bellamy, of the Sydney Light Rail Action Group, called on Sydneysiders to join the protest for the trees over the next few days.
"In 1983 Prime Minister Bob Hawke said bosses shouldn't get angry ar people taking the day off work to celebrate the Australia II victory. In 2016, bosses shouldn't get angry at people that want to take the day off to save the trees. We are desperate," he said.