7 UES Residents, Including 3 Grandmothers, Arrested In Tree Removal Protest

80-Year-Old Protestor: 'If I Have A Record For A Good Cause, It's OK With Me' May 23, 2014 6:13 PM

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Eight Upper East Side residents, including three grandmothers, were arrested Friday for trying to stop the city from cutting down trees.

The UES Eight were held for five hours at the 19th Precinct so police could do criminal background checks, CBS 2s Marcia Kramer reported.

They faced disorderly conduct and obstruction charges.

The Upper Eastsiders cries were heartrending but futile in a last-ditch effort to stop the city from cutting down eight30-year-old pear trees at Asphalt Green as part of building a new garbage transfer station, Kramer reported.

The protesters were furious at Mayor Bill de Blasio for ordering the so-called arboricide.

Barbara Heyman arrested in UES tree removal protest (CBS 2)

Barbara Heyman was among those handcuffed and photographed by cops before being carted away.

I hope Mayor de Blasio will listen to us and realize money could be better spent in improving education, Heyman said. Listen, Im 80 years old. If I have a record for a good cause, its OKwith me.

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7 UES Residents, Including 3 Grandmothers, Arrested In Tree Removal Protest