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US Coast Guard moves to end Shell icebreaker protest | |
(34 minutes later) | |
The US Coast Guard has begun an operation to remove Greenpeace protesters blocking an icebreaker from departing Portland, Oregon. | |
Some of 13 activists who have been hanging from a bridge since Wednesday have been forced down. | |
They prevented a Royal Dutch Shell owned icebreaker vessel from leaving for the Arctic for a drill operation. | |
A judge has ordered the protesters to pay a $2,500 (£1,600) fine for every hour they block the ship. | |
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. | |
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. |