Authorities wants to put two anti-coal activists in prison for the crime of trying to stop climate change, reports the AP’s Philip Marcelo:
Environmental activists Ken Ward and Jonathan ‘‘Jay’’ O’Hara say they don’t intend to dispute many of the facts of the case during their jury trial, which opens Sept. 8 in Fall River District Court. Instead, they want to prove that global warming is real and that bold action is needed to stabilize the planet, according to their website, LobsterBoatBlockade.org.
The two are charged with disturbing the peace, conspiracy, failure to act to avoid a collision, and negligent operation of a motor vessel for the May 2013 incident at the Brayton Point Power Station in Somerset. […]
The defendants say they face months, if not years, in prison if convicted. A spokesman for the Bristol district attorney’s office declined to comment.
The protest delayed one shipment of coal for one day. That’s worth “years” in prison?
From start to finish, the Brayton Point protest has been met with embarrassing overreaction and wastes of taxpayer money from local government. The police chief in sleepy Somerset spent $30,000 on riot gear specifically for the peaceful protest and had his officers pose for media looking ready for war while brandishing billy clubs.
How is the public’s safety enhanced by trying to imprison these activists? Was Big Coal in danger of scratching its anchor? The only message being sent here is that DISSENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, even if the status quo is steering us towards catastrophe.
Bristol County DA Samuel Sutter should drop these charges.
UPDATE: The DA dropped the charges! It turns out Sam Sutter is wicked awesome.
I support preventing climate change, but colliding with another ship is not peaceful.
Protests may not infringe on the rights of others by prohibiting movement or causing harm. Sometimes breaking the law is justified, as it may be in this case, but there are consequences.
This is equal protection of the law as well. The content of speech is irrelevant under the law. If the Westboro Baptist church rammed into another vehicle you can bet your ass they would be serving time.
attempting a “collision” like a protester standing in front of a tank in TIannamen Square is attempting a “collision.”
Perhaps you are not aware of the Southern Freedom Movement, with its lunch counter protests and marches, or Vietnam Protest movement and its sit-ins?
Pray, tell, what boat was “ramming into another vehicle” during these protests — or even threatening to do so?
Not moving when told is the whole freaking purpose toward disobedience. Standing aside is not civil disobedience.
Historically, we generally don’t throw people in jail and lock the key because they’ve committed an act of civil disobedience. We give them a fine and move on. That’s what should have happened here. Jail is just a fear tactic from the very, very rich and powerful as a means.
It won’t work, but it’s a shame so many people in this country have forgotten what actual civil disobedience looks like. We will never be able to challenge the status quo until we’re willing to engage in actual civil disobedience — which sadly has been vilified by generations of the elites to the point where many regular citizens actually dislike protesters and protests. For shame.
Under present law you can get arrested for civil disobedience if you infringe on the rights of others. Impeding the movement of others is considered that under present law. It IS peaceful protest, but some forms of peaceful protest are not protected if they infringe on the rights of others. The Civil rights movement, did not change that. As I said before there are times when civil disobedience is warranted. But charges are still filed nonetheless.
The bufferzone bill is designed to prevent protesters to infringe on allowing access to abortion clinics. Do you believe that law is not justified, or is an infringement on peaceful protests?
No one went to jail for being on the wrong side of the buffer zone even before it was ruled unconstitutional. They were escorted away and fined.
I believe there are huge differences between protecting women from being harassed at incredibly difficult times and protecting powerful, incredibly wealthy oil companies from the inconvenience of having to wait a little while longer before delivering their supplies.
While that may be an sense of fairness I agree with, the law does not distinguish the difference.
then send the protesters home with a fine, like we do all protesters.
You’re the one who is trying to defend this bizarrely strict and draconian action.
Nice slogan, though. Not nearly as accurate as you think.
I’m pretty sure MLK ended up in the Birmingham jail from which he wrote his famous letter because of non-violent protest.
But was he thrown in there for years?
And let’s remember that took place in the racist deep south. I don’t think anything about what happened re: the authorities there should be a model for how we want to do things in Massachusetts now.
A years worth of prison time is very extreme.
But sounds like it will be prosecuted instead as failure to avoid collision and negligent operation of a boat. I will be surprised if the jury acquits, or if the District Attorney settles the case, after the high visibility it got in the press.
thegreenmiles, thanks for the post! Hope to see you in Fall River on Monday and Tuesday.
-Jay