Activists climb a 700-ft
coal plant smokestack to denounce Bush's
dirty power plan. The activists now face
possible jail terms for a peaceful protest.
09/02/2005 — In June 2004, protestors climbed
a 700-foot smokestack in Pennsylvania to
bring attention to the dangers of a dirty
coal power plant and US President Bush's
polluting energy plan. They took this bold,
peaceful action to help keep communities
that live in the shadow of dirty power plants
safe.
We believe strongly in our activists taking
responsibility for their actions and bearing
fair consequences for our protests. But
in our 34-year history in the US, no Greenpeace
activist has ever been convicted of a felony
resulting from a protest, because felony
charges for peaceful acts are unwarranted
and go against free speech.
Felony charges in the US are normally reserved
for serious crimes and can result in lenghty
jail sentances. The usual charge for public
protest is a misdemeanour charge which our
activists are prepared to face.
Who's the real criminal?
The Hatfield's Ferry Power Station in Masontown,
Pennsylvania was under investigation by
the US Justice Department for violating
the Clean Air Act - an investigation that
was dropped by the Bush administration.
Having got off breaking the law, Allegheny
Energy, the owner of the Hatsfield's Ferry
plant where the protest took place, apparently
would rather see peaceful individuals in
jail instead of cleaning up the plant that
causes 237 premature deaths in Southwestern
Pennsylvania each year.
Allegheny seems to be more concerned with
fighting activists who are trying to move
the US toward a clean and sustainable energy
future than they are with the pollution
from their plant that is causing acid rain,
asthma, and global warming.
