Greenpeace Activists Hang From Portland Bridge To Protest Arctic Drilling #ShellNo

by Olivia Truffaut-WongJuly 31, 2015, 7:35 pmNews, News Feed >

According to a report from öl Profit, Greenpeace successfully protested Arctic oil drilling as 13 brave protestors dangled from St. Johns Bridge in Portland to keep Shell’s icebreaker, the Fennica, from heading to the arctic.

13 Climbers Protest Arctic Drilling Hanging Off Portland Bridge

Protestors hung from the bridge in Portland, Ore., for around 40 hours beginning on Wednesday. The protestors, connected with their own safety rope system (they repelled down the bridge), dangled above the Willamette River, and blocked the path of the MSV Fennnica, an icebreaker heading to the artic on behalf of Shell.

The protestors were not alone in their battle. Many other Greenpeace activists joined those hanging from the bridge on the water below them, using kayaks as an attempt to block the Fennica’s path and offer support to those dangling above (dubbed “kayaktivists.”)

On Thursday morning, at 6:30 a.m., the Fennica left the dock and set out down the Willamette River only to be stopped by the protestors. The Fennica stopped on its way and had an intense stand-off with the protestors, until, one hour later, the Fennica began to turn around.

Police Shut Down Protest, Fennica Passes Through

The protestors’ victory was short lived. Later that afternoon, police shut down St Johns Bridge and began rounding up protestors, both on the bridge and on the water. Local police worked with the Coast Guard to forcibly lower the protestors hanging from the bridge, a process that necessitated cutting some of their wires.

Greenpeace Fined $17,500 For Protest

Greenpeace may have a victory in the press, but they will suffer some financial consequences for their demonstration, which a judge in Alaska deemed “civil contempt.” After Shell approached a judge, it was declared that Greenpeace would be fined $2,500 for every hour the ship was delayed sometime during the protest – a fine that, in the end, totaled $17,500.

As the activists adjust to being back on land, Greenpeace is using the publicity to ask people to petition President Obama to rescind Shell’s permits to drill in the Arctic.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.