Posted on 11/11/2007 12:49:07 AM PST by Stoat
OLYMPIA -- At least 12 people have been arrested today as protests of military-cargo shipments from the Port of Olympia moved to downtown and the Plum Street entrance to Interstate 5.
Protesters on foot blocked traffic at Fourth and Plum about noon by jumping in front of 18-wheelers towing cargo containers containing military equipment bound for Fort Lewis. But Olympia police in riot gear moved in quickly,
About 10 protesters partially blocked Plum Street at the entrance to Interstate 5 by linking arms through PVC pipes and sitting in the road. Police shot them with pepper spray guns and, when they didn't move, cut the PVC pipes, handcuffed them and dragged them to a police van.
Earlier in the day, Olympia police officers dressed in riot gear used pepper spray and physically removed the 20 or so Olympia Port Militarization Resistance demonstrators who were blocking the entrance to the port about 9:45 a.m.
A larger number of protesters stood by and shouted at the police, decrying what they felt were excessive tactics. A smaller group that included some of the truck drivers who were waiting to move military equipment to Fort Lewis voiced quiet support for the police actions.
By about 10:20 a.m., a large number of trucks had entered the port and about 20 officers lined the road at Franklin and Market streets, making sure the road was clear of protesters.
About 10:30 a.m., several protesters -- including one young woman screaming in pain -- were being treated by paramedics after being pepper-sprayed by police. The line of protesters at the ports gates, some of whom wore goggles and other protective gear, withstood several sprays and were physically removed by officers who picked them up and threw them away from the road they had blocked.
All week, OlyPMR has been protesting the use of the port by the USNS Brittin, which landed at the port Monday to unload equipment that was used in Iraq by the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
On Friday, protesters, including several small children, were able to keep two trucks, including one towing a Stryker vehicle, from leaving the port. Olympia police said the department did not have enough officers available to remove the protesters Friday, and that they were not prepared to physically remove children.
Olympia Port Commission President Paul Telford said Friday night that he understood police did not have the resources to remove the protesters that day but added he was a little disappointed that we didnt get some police support.
Early this morning, protesters were blocking the main entrance to the port, and overnight a barricade had been built at another road providing access to the port on Market and Marine Drive. Protesters said they were there all night.
The barricade, which included the axle of a truck with four wheels attached and plastic garbage cans, was cleared by what appeared to be port workers using a bulldozer about 8:15 a.m. today. Police also cleared protesters from the barricade using pepper spray.
Before today's action by police, truck drivers who were waiting to do their jobs said they didnt feel police were doing theirs. Overnight, truck driver Mike Cutberth said protesters stole equipment from his truck that he had used to secure cargo containers.
The police response (stinks), Cutberth said of Saturdays incation by police.
Were a tax-producing business, said truck driver Tory Liljeblad. Why dont we get protection?
Nathan Forrest added that I cant make a living with the protesters blocking port access.
Were truck drivers; we cant get in and work, Mike Smith said.
After the trucks rolled into the port this morning, it appeared that OlyPMRs resistance would continue; police scanners were reporting various actions in the area of the port and on Fourth Avenue after 11 a.m.
For more information, check back at this site and see Page A1 in Sunday's Olympian.
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UPDATED CONTACT INFOR FOR THESE CLOWNS:
Contacts:
More Info Olympia Port Militarization Resistance
stopwar@riseup.net
(360) 791-7484
Andrew Yankey
Cell: 360-349-1089
yanand30@evergreen.edu
Anna-Marie Murano
Cell: 360-878-1401
ammurano@gmail.com
Phan Nguyen
360-352-4172
International Solidarity Movement
Wes Hamilton, Vietnam Veteran
Cell: 360-791-7484
Rob Whitlock, Photographer
Cell: 360-259-4291
robwhitlock1978@yahoo.com
Pepper spray? Tazers? The heck with that!
I’m thinking more along the lines of a ‘hickory shampoo’, combined with some good-and-mean police K-9 units.
It’s times like this where I wonder if The Evergreen State College should be allowed to exist...
those benevolent protestors have been watching the terrorist in Iraq and Gaza use little children as human shields.
the are just so nice and I wonder why the awful cops have to bust them in the chops
Child abuse and taking the idea from terrorists who use children as a shield.
Put those children in foster care.
It certainly looks like “endangering the life of a child” to me! The child welfare dept. needs to do a complete investigation of these parents to see if they are fit to raise a child. I suspect they are not!
There's always the possibility that these protestors ARE child services.
Those cops do good work.
“Don’t Taze Me Bro!”
hmmmm
bookmnarking to show hubby, a truck driver who has been shipping stuff in and out of bases this year....
LLS
Wasn’t that the institution of higher learning attended by Rachel (I’m feeling a little run down) Corrie?
Love,
FReeper
Ain't no problem removing children. Mrs. Pablo64 could show them exactly how you educate children in how to obey when ordered to move.
;-)
Nice dirty fingernails. I think they wasted an aweful lot of pepper spray they should have just let the convoy roll over them.
I’ll bet my German Shepherds could clear that road quicker than the cops did.
I normally would not recommend it, but this is one case where joining the Teamsters might get you some effective member benefits.
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Community Forum on Police Response to Port Demonstrations
Tonight (Sunday, November 11) Traditions Cafe
Yesterday, citizens of this community were brutally victimized by the Olympia Police for taking non-violent direct action to oppose the use of our public port by the military.
Others, including myself, were pepper sprayed and shoved with batons for doing nothing more than being there to witness and document the events, and for trying to help the injured.
The war abroad has now become the war at home. And its a war being waged against your friends and neighbors.
Regardless about how you feel about the use of our port by the military, it is important to understand that what is happening to your friends and neighbors who demonstrate against it is a threat to the civil rights and liberty of everyone.
There will be an important community forum tonight at 6:30pm at Traditions to document and discuss what happened. It is very important that the people of this community turn out to bear witness to the stories of brutality, and to help the victims process their trauma.
Please, please, please. Clear your schedule of other obligations and join us at Traditions tonight at 6:30 pm.
Contact me if you have questions, and please share this widely.
TJ Johnson
tjjohnson@scattercreek.com
360-943-4596 (home)
Thanks to all posters on this thread.
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