article_snippet.sent: Police officers were also on hand to maintain order after protesters attempted to stop the trees' destruction .
article_snippet.sent: Several dozen protesters tried unsuccessfully yesterday to block the first seven trees from being felled in Oria, near Brindisi, even climbing the branches and shouting 'assassins.'
article_snippet.sent: Pictured left are protesters sitting in the branches of an olive oil tree earmarked for destruction .
highlights_snippet.sent: Protesters failed in an attempt to stop the government-ordered destruction .
  