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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/activists-hang-from-bridge-portland-block-shells-arctic-oil-vessel
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| Activists hang from bridge in Portland to block Shell's Arctic vessel | Activists hang from bridge in Portland to block Shell's Arctic vessel |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A group of environmental activists have rappelled off a bridge in Portland, Oregon, in a bid to block a key vessel in Shell’s Arctic drilling fleet leaving the city’s port. | A group of environmental activists have rappelled off a bridge in Portland, Oregon, in a bid to block a key vessel in Shell’s Arctic drilling fleet leaving the city’s port. |
| Greenpeace said that 13 of its climbers were hanging off St Johns bridge and had enough supplies to last days in their attempt to hinder Shell’s Arctic drilling plans, with another 13 people assisting them. | |
| Related: The new cold war: drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic | Related: The new cold war: drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic |
| The oil company’s 380-foot Fennica icebreaker arrived in a dry dock in the city for repairs on Saturday, following damage to its hull in the Aleutian Islands earlier this month. | The oil company’s 380-foot Fennica icebreaker arrived in a dry dock in the city for repairs on Saturday, following damage to its hull in the Aleutian Islands earlier this month. |
| Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace US, said, “Every second we stop Shell counts. The brave climbers here in Portland are now what stand between Shell and Arctic oil. This is president Obama’s last chance to wake up and realize the disaster that could happen on his watch.” | Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace US, said, “Every second we stop Shell counts. The brave climbers here in Portland are now what stand between Shell and Arctic oil. This is president Obama’s last chance to wake up and realize the disaster that could happen on his watch.” |
| Sergeant Peter Simpson, a Portland police spokesman, told the Guardian that arrests may take place later today: “We are aware of the demonstration and are monitoring it in the area. The St Johns Bridge remains open to all vehicle traffic. Arrests may be possible as the day goes on. Our top priority is public safety, including that of the demonstrators and other people using the river.” | |
| Activists Hang from Bridge in Portland to Block Shell’s Arctic vessel http://t.co/E486VwfrBp pic.twitter.com/NhrqlzXEq7 | |
| The US coast guard was reported as monitoring the situation. Onlookers said the activists were handing out diapers to one another because they could be on the river for a long time. | |
| Other protesters have said they will take to the water in kayaks to attempt to block the vessel leaving Portland. The action is similar to one that took place in Seattle last month in an attempt to stop Shell’s rig, but failed after the so-called ‘kayaktivists’ were pulled out of the way by the coast guard. | Other protesters have said they will take to the water in kayaks to attempt to block the vessel leaving Portland. The action is similar to one that took place in Seattle last month in an attempt to stop Shell’s rig, but failed after the so-called ‘kayaktivists’ were pulled out of the way by the coast guard. |
| “Our goal is to basically demonstrate as much community resistance to Shell’s plans to drill for oil and secure new oil reserves in the Arctic,” Meredith Cocks, of local green group Portland Rising Tide, told Reuters. | “Our goal is to basically demonstrate as much community resistance to Shell’s plans to drill for oil and secure new oil reserves in the Arctic,” Meredith Cocks, of local green group Portland Rising Tide, told Reuters. |
| Last week, the Obama administration granted Shell permission to bore two new exploratory wells, subject to conditions. | Last week, the Obama administration granted Shell permission to bore two new exploratory wells, subject to conditions. |
| Leonard added: “Greenpeace prioritises safety above all else and rappelling from a bridge is a walk in the park compared to the risks that we’ll face if we continue the climate change trajectory we’re on now.” | Leonard added: “Greenpeace prioritises safety above all else and rappelling from a bridge is a walk in the park compared to the risks that we’ll face if we continue the climate change trajectory we’re on now.” |
| It is unclear if the protesters have delayed the vessel from leaving. | It is unclear if the protesters have delayed the vessel from leaving. |
| The Guardian has contacted Shell and is awaiting a response. | The Guardian has contacted Shell and is awaiting a response. |