Two Activists Lock Down to Shell Barge in Bellingham

from Earth First! Newswire

Update from Wild Idaho Rising Tide, 2:35pm: “Since 7 pm on Friday night, two determined Bellingham Rising Tide heroes have boarded and locked-down, in cold, vulnerable positions, to the anchor chain of the Arctic Challenger docked in Bellingham, to prevent its passage to the Chuckchi Sea northwest of Alaska for oil drilling blowout back-up. The Coast Guard arrived and attempted arrest, but apparently decided to wait. Activists have been providing all-night support, shuttling vessels to the lock-down site from Cornwall Beach at the foot of Cornwall Avenue. Chiara and Matthew are still going strong, but please join the land and flotilla protest.”

Update from ShellNo Action Council: “14 hours later, Chiara is still going strong and has been joined by another activist named Matthew! Both are locked to the anchor chain of the Arctic Challenger, one of Shell’s drilling support vessels docked in Bellingham. Their message from earlier this morning: ‘We’re doing ok. Just want to see the sun rise and our earth healthy.'”

In Bellingham, WA, at around 10 AM yesterday morning, community organizer Chiara D’Angelo locked down to the anchor chain of the support barge for the Shell Arctic drill rig, the Arctic Challenger.

She was joined by another activist name Cody Erdman.

A rally of anti-Shell protestors looked on in support.

The Coast Guard was seen detaining support vessels helping the chained activists.

The Shell rig is currently moored illegally outside of Seattle.