It is hard to say how many Greenpeace activists were arrested in the action today, but here is what we know now...
It is getting quiet here near the ExxonMobil world headquarters, as the police swept up everyone and anyone involved in the action this morning. Our over-worked lawyer is down at the Irving courthouse trying to determine who was arrested, who has just been detained and what the charges may be. We do know that about 35 people are with the police right now.
The plan worked extremely well: dozens of activists evading ExxonMobil security and getting into the buildings and grounds, blocking entry to the grounds with an activist blockade, and most importantly, confronting ExxonMobil executives with a listing of their crimes against the environment.
As one activist here put it "The police did their job, and we did ours". The initial police response was overkill. There were officers with SWAT gear, tear gas and a cavalcade of cars. Once they realized the threat posed by activists in bright orange fuzzy tiger suits and peaceful activists blocking the drive, their actions calmed down.
This was a relief to the activists, who have been coached in non-violent protest, and had no defense against the police. We are certain that no tear gas was used, and reports of pepper spray being used could have been misunderstood as the police threatening to use pepper spray.
Now the 'hurry up and wait' part begins, while we wait for the activists to be sprung by the efforts of our lawyer.
Posted by at May 27, 2003 01:43 PM | TrackBackI work for Exxon, and while I don't like your tactics, your message ought to be heard. There are many of us working for this company who believe that current management is making a mistake by ignoring or, worse, challenging the science on climate change.
It's a public relations mistake, and a market positioning mistake, that other oil companies have been quicker to avoid.
Oil isn't going to go away tomorrow. But then, neither is global warming, and we ought to stop pretending it will.
I'd prefer to work for a company that took that problem seriously, and did more to look after my children's future.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 27, 2003 02:03 PMI reckon there's a lot more Exxon staff who agree with what the rest of the world is saying. But if you do you get fired, right? Who wants to work in a climate of fear? It would be great to hear from from Exxon staff who feel like this as we know you're not all like Lee Raymond!
Posted by: at May 30, 2003 07:02 AMI reckon there's a lot more Exxon staff who agree with what the rest of the world is saying. But if you do you get fired, right? Who wants to work in a climate of fear? It would be great to hear from from Exxon staff who feel like this as we know you're not all like Lee Raymond!
Posted by: at May 30, 2003 07:02 AM