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Greenpeace activists blocking Shell icebreaker face fines US Coast Guard moves to end Shell icebreaker protest
(34 minutes later)
A federal judge has ordered Greenpeace protesters to pay a $2,500 (£1,600) fine for every hour they block an icebreaker from departing Portland, Oregon. The US Coast Guard has begun an operation to remove Greenpeace protesters blocking an icebreaker from departing Portland, Oregon.
The Royal Dutch Shell icebreaker was heading to the Arctic for drilling and has been in Portland for repairs. Some of 13 activists who have been hanging from a bridge since Wednesday have been forced down.
On Thursday the icebreaker retreated when activists refused to move. They prevented a Royal Dutch Shell owned icebreaker vessel from leaving for the Arctic for a drill operation.
Protesters started hanging from Portland's St John's Bridge on Wednesday. A judge has ordered the protesters to pay a $2,500 (£1,600) fine for every hour they block the ship.
Thirteen are hanging and another 13 are looking out. The icebreaker was heading to the Arctic for drilling and has been in Portland for repairs. On Thursday it retreated when activists refused to move.
Protesters started hanging from Portland's St John's Bridge on Wednesday. Thirteen were hanging and another 13 were looking out.
Authorities are now lowering some of the protestors around 200ft (60m) onto Coast Guard boats below the bridge.
US District Court Sharon Gleason ruled that Greenpeace is in civil contempt.US District Court Sharon Gleason ruled that Greenpeace is in civil contempt.
In May, Ms Gleason validated Shell's request that activists in protest of the company's Arctic drilling stay away from Shell vessels.In May, Ms Gleason validated Shell's request that activists in protest of the company's Arctic drilling stay away from Shell vessels.
The US Coast Guard warned the protesters that they were breaking the law. No authorities told the icebreaker to turn around, said Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener. The US Coast Guard warned the protesters that they were breaking the law.
"I don't know what led the master and the pilot on board to come to that decision," he said.
The activist said they have packed enough food and water with them on the bridge "for the long haul".The activist said they have packed enough food and water with them on the bridge "for the long haul".
The icebreaker is a part of Shell's exploration and spill-response plan off of Alaska's coast, protecting the fleet from ice.The icebreaker is a part of Shell's exploration and spill-response plan off of Alaska's coast, protecting the fleet from ice.
Activists want to delay the ship until 2016 and hope President Obama will rescind the permit for Shell to drill in the Arctic.Activists want to delay the ship until 2016 and hope President Obama will rescind the permit for Shell to drill in the Arctic.