Chicago Indymedia : http://chicago.indymedia.org/archive
Chicago Indymedia

News :: Protest Activity

War protesters arrested at Wash. port

Dozens Arrested in Protests Against Iraq War Shipments Bound for Wash. State Army Base
Police used pepper spray on a crowd of about 150 demonstrators as they tried to block shipments of military gear from Iraq, but officials managed to move out several loads to a nearby Army base through a side entrance

Police arrested 43 people Tuesday night at the Port of Olympia in the state capital during the second week of demonstrations against the shipments, which arrived at the port after an Army Stryker brigade based at Fort Lewis returned from the war.

Those arrested were released until prosecutors decide whether to charge them, police spokesman Dick Machlan said.

Police wearing riot gear fired pepper spray projectiles into the crowd. Demonstrators had been warned five times that pepper spray would be used, police Lt. James Costa said.

A window in a police cruiser was broken by several rocks and another rock hit an officer in the knee, he said.

The protesters first sought to block truck convoys at the port's main gate. Arrests began after authorities moved several loads through a side gate and protesters rushed there to attempt to block them, police said. Demonstrators poured cement over railroad tracks at the port but were unsuccessful in halting trains.

Also present were 30 to 40 counter-demonstrators who said the protesters were a disgrace and returning troops should be welcomed home without being denied their equipment.

Andrew Yankey, a spokesman for a protest group calling itself the Olympia Port Militarization Resistance, said Wednesday that demonstrators weren't protesting soldiers — just the equipment that he said is likely being sent back for repair before being shipped out again.

"The soldiers have made it home, and we're really glad about that," he said. "This is about the military equipment. As long as the government refuses to listen to the will of the vast majority of people who want an end to this war, it's not safe to allow the military to have its hands on this equipment because it will continue to support the war in Iraq."

At a City Council meeting earlier Tuesday, several people accused police of overreacting with the use of pepper spray and batons to move protesters out of the way of convoys in earlier protests.

Patti Grant, spokeswoman for the port, said she could not say whether any additional equipment would be unloaded Wednesday, citing security. She said the port suffered minimal damage.

"The port respects the right of people to protest against the war. Lawful, peaceful demonstrations is what our society is all about," she said. "Unfortunately, the demonstrators here in Olympia have chosen tactics that break the law."

Protester Sandy Mayes said that the group did not condone the damage that was done downtown, but noted that most of the protesters "have been engaging in peaceful, nonviolent resistance."
 
 

Donate

Views

Account Login

Media Centers

 

This site made manifest by dadaIMC software