Environmental activsts arrested for unfurling a banner

"Smokestack Six" busted highlighting Bush's Dirty Energy Plan


Greenpeace , Feb 04, 2005 @ 21:00 GMT

Greenpeace smokestack banner drop


After hanging a banner on one of the dirtiest coal plants in the country to protest the Bush Administration's energy plan, six peaceful Greenpeace activists were charged with multiple state and federal felonies. The four women and two men scaled the 700-foot smoke stack at the Hatfield's Ferry power plant, 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, and unfurled a 2,500 square foot banner that read, "The Bush Energy Plan Kills - Clean Energy Now!"



Support the Smokestack Six!


The climbers have been charged with four state misdemeanors, three state felonies and two federal felonies.



"Federal felonies charges against Greenpeace activists are completely unwarranted and should be immediately dismissed," said Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Casey Harrell. 'The real threat to Americans is the Bush energy plan, which kills over 23,000 people every year."



The arrested climbers are: Jessica Miller and Renee Blanchard of Washington, D.C.; Josh Raisler Cohn of Portland, Oregon; Virginia Hunter of Los Angeles, California; Lynn Stone of Maine and John Watterberg of Brooklyn, New York.



The Bush administration has systematically weakened clean air laws by allowing power stations to install new equipment without adding pollution controls, and permitting coal-fired power plants to continue to release tons of mercury into the air and waterways. In addition to its negative impacts on health, dirty energy wreaks havoc on the environment, causing global warming, acid rain, and smog.



The Hatfield's Ferry Power Station in Masontown, Pennsylvania was under investigation by the Justice Department for violating the Clean Air Act - an investigation that was dropped by the Bush administration.



Greenpeace activists scaled the 700-ft coal plant smokestack at Hatfield's Ferry Power Station to denounce Bush's dirty power plan. A 2,500-square-foot banner reading "THE BUSH ENERGY PLAN KILLS - CLEAN ENERGY NOW!" was unfurled.



At the same time, one activist circled the smokestack with a powered parachute, flying with the message, "CLEAN ENERGY - CLEAN AIR" on its chute.



See: http://www.greenpeaceusa.org
[article.to_original.homepage.prefix]: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/06/291477.shtml

 

It doesn't matter if their message is right/true or not. It is still illegal.

 

well, some laws are meant to be broken, aren't they. If it weren't for committed activists breaking some laws, there would still be overt slavery, wouldn't there...

 

I know I didn't start the other thread but sheeesh. Why start a whole new thread about it? Couldn't you have just responded? Scrolled down the page a little?

http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65655

 

They definitely have my support. I don't care if it was illegal, so was dumping crates of tea into the harbor in Boston...before the American Revolution. Good luck to the both of them yo

 

i think its awesome what they did. i don't think they really gave a damn about being arrested cuz they felt so strongly about the point of what they were doing...and i think it will make an impact on how people think about the bush administration and how it's affecting our environment.

 

haha yea...they made the news and that helps the publicity the need. At least one person will become more aware of the anti-environmental laws being passed.

 

I respect them for this. I can only imagine how much work it was to actually get up the tower let alone unfurl that huge banner.

 

exactly the way i was thinking. it must have also cost a lot to make that banner, not to mention it takes a lotta guts to take such a daring action like that.what they did was very admirable

 

When I read that my stomach turned.

Just because the government says something is legal/illegal doesnt make it right/wrong.



If it wasnt for breaking a few laws, we would still be under English Control.
We wouldnt have the few freedoms we still have.
Like the other person said, we would still have slavery.
You wouldnt be able to type that opinion.

Man, you need to wake up, seriously. If you think like that, why are you even a member of this Forum?

 

Just to clear things up, since I'm feeling slightly attacked here (NatureFreak)... I agree with the above post. What I meant by my first post, which I was too lazy to thoroughly explain, was that it's good that they put the sign up, but on the other hand I wouldn't be rallying to get them out of jail... that's all.

I think anyone putting up these kinds of signs, which Greenpeace does all the time, expects to be arrested and has no problems with it... so it shouldn't be an outrage when it actually happens. At the same time, I'm not sure how a 2,500 sq. ft. banner is exactly ecologically friendly, but they chose their tactic. All I'm saying is if you are going to be an outspoken activist, you should always be ready to be arrested... it's the Man's way, we all know that.

 

Ok got ya, sorry about that but it made me really upset.

Yeah they should know that the man is like that, but I still think we should rally behind them and get them out of jail.

 

That's the spirit!! Great show of Solidarity for your brothers and sisters!!

So...that makes it right? the way you make that sound is as though you AGREE with the Man's way (the same Man that destroys our ecology on a daily basis), and that the Man has every right to pounce on non-violent activists who disagree for openly speaking their mind. That's what it sounds like you're saying. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, what's up with your Screen name? From someone calling themself "immortal dissident", one would automatically think that you support...dissent. Weird.

 

hmmm whats up with bashing everyone...? he apparently agrees with this thread and doesn't like the fact that they were arrested. he's just stating the sad ways of government whenever activists try to make a statement; that gov't gets scared and locks em up, which i think everyone on this forum agrees that being arrested for trying to stand for a good cause is not cool.

 

I get what he's saying. I think most greenpeace activists are very much aware that they face some kind of prosecution for what they may or may not engage in. But felony charges are a bit much. I mean what's next, whisking them away to some out of country detainment center as enemies of the state? hmmnnnnnn.......

 

Thank you Princess and Element, I was beginning to think I'd completely lost all of my communication skills.

Revo, that is not even anywhere near what I meant to be conveyed. I support environmental activists, I'm studying environmental policy and sustainability so I can fight it from multiple angles. But let me see if I can say how I feel with absolute clarity....

What they did was illegal (trespassing, destruction of property, and whatever else). It was illegal by US standards which whether you like it or not, are enforcable laws. What I was trying to say was that just because what they stand for is correct, it doesn't mean that I will fight the system for them. I believe there should be laws against people going onto private property and doing things like that; I sure as hell wouldn't like it if I was a business owner and someone put up a giant poster degrading my business. Just because I agree with a law doesn't mean I approve of our political or justice systems either. Everything is separate and there are exceptions for everything.

The six people who climbed the smoke stack knew from concept to action that they would be arrested; I'm sure they were aware that there was only one way down. This isn't the first time this has happened, and the result is always the same, so I'm never shocked or outraged by the actions taken against them. As an activist, it's part of your life. If they have a problem with getting arrested for putting a sign up on private property, then they need to start fighting for police reform and justice.

And Revo, I think your last comment about my name was completely uncalled for. I believe that there is a time and place for everything. There should also be a method to madness, which many activists don't consider these days. There are more than 5 ways to get the word out and they need to be demonstrated.

I must say that I don't post in the Enviro. forum often, and I sure as hell don't feel welcomed now. I think people need to ask questions and for clarity before judging and making assumptions about others and their opinions. This is the second time I've had to defend my stance tonight and it isn't about who is right or wrong, everyone has their opinion, can't we just let it be? And lastly, not that it matters, I'm a she.

 

o my! i feel really embarassed now...sorry:&

 

Ok, I apologize for the way I talked to you, but you did set yourself up for it, by what you said in your previous posts!
I guess we just have a disagreement of opinion on how to effect change. We as "radicals" believe that change through electoral or legislative reform doens't work, otherwise it would be made illegal. We believe the system is rotten to the core (and that's how they like it), and that the ONLY way to effect change in this world is through non-violent direct action. Civil disobedience. It's why black people can vote...well, in theory at least lol. That's pretty much the bottom line.

To understand this philosophy a little bit better, check out www.ruckus.org

 

I understand the processes and beliefs of radicals, of revolutionaries, and I even agree with a great deal of the things they preach. What I think (I personally think) is different today, is that most of the people who are "radicals" aren't living up to what they preach. Yes, I know there are many out there who do, but the majority don't. Of course I dislike the government, justice system, capitalism, environmenal destruction... but to rage against it, you must first understand it. Every great radical has had a deep understanding of what motivates their "opponents," it's the only way to win or at the very least make an impact. I'm not sure how much of an impact putting signs up has made for Greenpeace, every time I see it on the news, or read about it, the only thing I think is... "eh, they've done it again." I just don't know that this is the most efficient way to send the message. Of course, at least they are doing something.

I just sometimes wonder if people have been swept up by a movement, or if they actually believe, really believe, in what they are saying. And hopefully if they really believe it, they are living it to the best of their ability.

Peace

 

I forgot why I was going to reply, but I think I was going to say something along the lines of im Radical- ish