Climate protest 'a success'
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Greenpeace protesters
attempting to board the coal vessel as it docked at Kingsnorth.
Picture courtesy Jiri Recan/Greenpeace
by Chris Hunter
Greenpeace has hailed
attempts by activists to stop a coal-carrying ship from docking
at Kingsnorth power station as "very successful".
A total of 10 protesters were arrested. Campaigners boarded a
moving bulk freighter carrying coal to the controversial power
plant on Sunday night, before scaling the vessel's funnel and
foremast.
Police say other some protesters entered the water in an
effort to "impede" the vessel.
Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart - who was among those cleared
of charges following last year's protests at the same power station
- said the principal aim of the operation was to prevent coal from
being unloaded.
He said: "It was successful. They prevented coal from being
unloaded for a whole day and the guys say they felt they got to
have their say."
Greenpeace said three women, including mother-of-three Emma
Gibson, from Whitstable, swam out in front of the ship, while
climbers were "hanging off the side".
A stand-off between police and four protesters on the ship
continued throughout Monday, during which Sarah Shoraka , speaking
from the top of the mast, said "coal is the most
climate-wrecking fuel there is".
All four came down from the mast on Monday night following
negotiations with police and energy company E.ON, and were arrested on suspicion
of maritime offences.
Six others were arrested earlier. The vessel did manage to
dock at the power station.
- Read the full story in Friday's Medway
Messenger.
Wednesday, June 24 2009
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