Posted on 07/30/2015 7:17:53 AM PDT by Inspectorette
PORTLAND, Ore. – Protesters against Arctic drilling rappelled from the St. Johns Bridge early Wednesday morning to set up an aerial blockade of a Shell oil icebreaker in the port for repairs.
"They are creating a human barricade so that the Shell icebreaker cannot get through," said Annie Leonard, the executive director of Greenpeace U.S. "They are prepared to stay up there for days because that's what it is going to take to save the arctic."
The 13 Greenpeace protesters suspended themselves from the bridge around 3 a.m. Wednesday. One of them is from Portland.
“I think direct action is really powerful and also really inspiring because it shows people speak truth to power and what that looks like. And people who aren’t afraid to take more extreme messages and aren’t afraid to stand toe to toe,” said Georgia Hirsty via a Facetime interview as she swayed in the breeze suspended from the bridge. “Hopefully it doesn’t take a week for Shell to get the message.”
Hirsty came up from California to join the protest
Shell's icebreaker ship, called the Fennica, was set to depart at dawn after a gash in the hull was repaired in the Swan Island port. The Fennica was still dry docked Wednesday evening. According to Columbia River Bar Pilots, Wednesday’s departure was canceled. It could not say when or why the departure was canceled nor could it say when it will depart.
Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said in an email the Fennica will return to Alaska once final preparations are complete.
"As for the activities of the day, we respect the choice that anyone might make to protest based on Shell's Arctic aspirations; we just ask that they do so safely and within the boundaries of the law," Smith wrote.
Leonard said the 13 protesters have enough food and supplies to last a week, and they don't expect the boat to leave on Wednesday.
A flotilla of kayaktivists paddled into the Willamette just below the bridge. They were back on land by 7 a.m. and plan to redeploy this evening.
“What we’re doing is holding space on the water," said Maya Jarrad of the Climate Action Coalition. "We’re saying, ‘We were here first. This is our space. Please do not enter that space and create a dangerous situation for us.’”
It's unknown whether law enforcement agencies in the area plan on pressing charges against the protesters.
“It’s a complex and difficult situation," Oregon Department of Transportation's Don Hamilton said. "We are looking for the best way to resolve this. That may or may not end up involving criminal charges.”
The icebreaker is a vital part of Shell's exploration and spill-response plan off Alaska's northwest coast. It protects Shell's fleet from ice and carries equipment that can stop gushing oil.
Opponents of Arctic drilling worry that the area's remoteness and rough conditions will hamper cleanup efforts should a spill occur. "These climbers hanging on the bridge really are at this point the last thing standing between Shell's plan to drill in the Arctic and the Arctic," Leonard said. She said the protest has been handled extremely safely, and the suspended activists have support team members on the bridge deck. "So far we've had a very cooperative and polite relationship with the police," said Steve Nichols, one of the protesters acting as anchor support for a suspended activist. "We're doing it very safely. They've recognized that, and at the moment they are letting us proceed with our activities."
No arrests have been made, and Portland Police will continue to monitor the protest through the day, Sergeant Pete Simpson said. Traffic is moving across smoothly, however, pedestrians are barred from crossing the bridge. The activists started protesting Sunday when the Fennica first arrived in Portland for repairs.
"Drilling in the Arctic is probably the most crazy thing I've ever heard of in my life. I am a big fan of our president, and I am absolutely appalled he let this go through," Chris Fountain, a kayaktivist, told KATU News on Tuesday.
These idiots are well-financed: professionally printed signs, etc. They’re asking (piss be upon him) Obama to stop drilling in the Arctic.
No ALL-AHEAD EMERGENCY.
Must say that I was sorely dissappointed to read the article.
The headline lead me to believe that 13 of Gaia’s idiot children had received their just rewards and were swinging from hempen nooses as a warning to their brethren and sistren.
Who do I sue for damages?
I mean, I’ll be bummed out for the rest of the day, maybe the whole week. I was ready for pay-per-view, t-shirts, ball caps, and coffee mugs.
What a buzz kill.
They’re being treated with kid gloves - just like the Occupy slobs in Portland a couple of years ago.
They love to treat protestors from the left like Saints from Heaven.
Protesters paddled there in kayaks made from petrol chemicals, after they drove there in their cars.
The protesters hanging from the bridge walked to that location.(/s)
Freaking hypocrites
when is national pancake day anyway?
Just sayin’, but if they’re still talkin’, it ain’t a proper hangin’.
I'd like to see this little twit ride a bicycle with no tires/tubes or seat.
-—We are looking for the best way to resolve this. ——
1. go on the bridge
2. cut the ropes
3. throw lifepreservers
OMG - the ship has turned around and stopped!! My head is exploding!
Screw that. Cut the ropes and let them swim home.
“Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!”
Option 3 is not required..
If they are hanging from a rope over water with out one. Pointless to try and save them.
Why not?
Where are they relieving themselves? In the river? Friggin polluters and also site them for indecent exposure. Now they can be on sexual predator list.
Now the freaks are whooping and cheering their victory. Authorities saying that their priority is to “keep everyone safe”.
Pull them almost to the top and then accidentally drop them.
In a saner age. You have an hour to pull yourselves up. Then we cut the ropes.
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