“Vandalising trees planted in memory of loved ones who have died is beyond belief”
Mindless’ vandals have destroyed trees planted to honour the lives of Luton people who died during the Covid pandemic.
All 26 trees planted at Stopsley Common as part of Luton’s Peace Garden initiative have been cut down and vandalised.
But the community is determined to come together to replant them – and is appealing for people to donate.
Sujel Miah, the founder of the Peace Garden Initiative, said: "We are shocked and saddened to see all the trees that were planted in Stopsley Common during the cold, ice, and snow have been vandalised and cut down. We will not let this stop us, we will replant and continue to plant.”
26 butchered trees: What did I do to you?
Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Community Relations & Development at Luton Council of Faiths, has been working hard on the tree plantations, since the project’s inception. He movingly wrote:
I was a seed, and a few took painstaking care of me over 5 years so that I grow strong for you.
But what did I do to you?
I was there, given a home but you murdered me in my own home within only a month.
I was so happy to settle, to settle not just for me but for you and the community...
I would have given you shade for your comfort,
Fruits to quench your hunger and strengthen your body with minerals I take from the ground
Pure oxgygen for your lungs and your cells
Beauty for the pleasure of your eyes
Ease for your stress
Support for animals and insects
I was so happy the day, in the cold full of snow, that a group of keen and selfless people who understood ecology and the diversity came with care and spent 4 hours to put me in the ground.
How beautiful and happy we were. But what did I do to you? Why such hate and anger?
I wish you used the same energy to join us and plant one more tree!
I am angry too when I see how trees are put down, how my mates are endangered but look like a Rose, just a bruise it gives you back a beautiful scent serving you.
I wish you channel that same anger and do something good rather than such a vile act.
I understand your trauma maybe but that was the whole purpose of me there helping in healing those with trauma, especially of the loss of a loved one.
Maybe you didn't realise, your disrespect has killed the dead twice.
Maybe it was not enough for you that Covid kill us!
I am still so grateful to those who have been fighting hard for at least a year for a place for me. A place that my ancestors were there well before you.
But here is something - nature is resilient, and those Peace Garden Guardians are resilient. We hope next time you will join us with the same zeal and plant a tree.
Yours
26, dead trees at Stopley Common Peace Garden Initiative
Ps. We will still look after your generation cause nature is about mutual aid.
