Greenpeace said Wednesday several of its activists have suspended themselves from an Oregon bridge using climbing gear in a protest against Royal Dutch Shell.
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Thirteen climbers with Greenpeace were dangling from a Portland, Oregon, bridge on Wednesday morning – and threatened to do so for days – in protest of Shell’s scheduled launch of a ship for Arctic oil exploration. It protects Shell’s fleet from ice and carries equipment that can stop gushing oil.
According to Annie Leonard, executive director for Greenpeace USA, the group is trying to prevent passage of Shell’s MSV Fennica, which has been in a dry dock on Swan Island where a tear in the hull was being repaired.
Opponents of Arctic drilling worry the area’s remoteness and rugged conditions will hamper cleanup efforts in the event of a spill, risking devastation to a fragile marine ecosystem.
Activists hope any delay will give the Obama administration time to reconsider granting the final permit.
“Shell acknowledges the right of any individual or organization to express their point of view; however we won’t condone illegal or unsafe tactics that put people’s safety at risk”, company spokesman Ray Fisher said.
Supporters of arctic drilling say it can be conducted safely with existing technologies and that future production will help sustain the country’s energy needs and limit reliance on imports.
The protest was not affecting vehicle traffic on the bridge, but the sidewalks were blocked. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
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“We’re here fighting for humanity against the most wealthy and powerful industry in human history, but we’re not afraid, because everything we love and value in life is on the line”, said Maya Jarrad, community coordinator for the environmental group 350PDX.
