Monday Update from Esperanza and Binar 4 | Home | Victory in Las Palmas! Binar 4 in deep deep trouble... (updated with photos)

   

17 April 2006

Day SIX - another activist arrested, but we're getting closer...

by Dave, onboard the Esperanza


©Greenpeace/Walsh
It's 9pm on Monday, day six of the Binar 4 protest. I've just come in from the bridge wing of the Esperanza, where Nadia's keeping watch on the reefer through binoculars. I've also just been talking to Sara - she's over by the reefer - who tells me that one of the activists has come down, and has been arrested - so we still have 2 people - one on the crow's nest, and one on the crane. They've been there for something like 90 hours now. After the arrest, Mr Kim, the apparent owner of the Binar 4 climbed up on the crane and started arguing with the remaining activist, and threatened to bring down the other activist on the crow's nest himself. I doubt she would be impressed. Anyway, the police intervened again, and made him back off. As I Sara told me all this on the phone, there was a rousing cheer from the gang on the dockside, as the police car went off with Oscar inside.

The guys on the Binar 4 have been incredible - this afternoon they were still smiling, still full of energy. Unfortunately, there wasn't much room on top of the crane, so the two guys there had barely enough room to sit, never mind lie. One of the climbers even gave a live radio interview - she conducted it by shouting from the top of the mast!

Meanwhile, in the weird world of politics, things are moving forward, if not quite as quickly as we would like. The Spanish government had stated that it intervene if Guinea confirms the illegality of the cargo - Guinea has has informally confirmed this, but, as Sara said to me earlier, on the quayside, "now we're just waiting on a damned piece of paper!"

- Dave

   

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Comments

You Go Greenpeace and you people on the Binar 4 and in jail are amazing!

I was wondering... How do you go to the 'bathroom' when you're up in the mast/crane?

Have a nice day

Posted by: Heidi at April 17, 2006 11:14 PM

I know the attached article is off topic, but thought it needed posting, since Guinea, a country you are helping, is listed as an ally of Japan in the whaling arena.
Maybe government of Guinea needs to re-think pro-whaling position in response to efforts of Greenpeace to help this country.

Published on Monday, April 17, 2006 by the Independent / UK
The Great Betrayal: Pro-Hunting Japanese Seize Control of Whaling Commission
Through a lengthy, covert operation, Japan is poised to seize control of whale hunting - and that spells disaster for the endangered mammal
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0417-02.htm

Posted by: echo at April 18, 2006 12:25 AM

Hey Heidi. That's a trade secret! We have methods...

Posted by: Dave - Webbie on the Esperanza at April 18, 2006 12:51 AM

Marta,
tu fuerza y entusiasmo son increibles.

Un besazo.

Posted by: Marta at April 18, 2006 3:00 AM

Is there any way I can help you? I'm working just in front of the Binar 4, in Las Palmas, and perhaps I could give you a hand.
Thank you for your courage and determination!
Take care.

Posted by: Pablo at April 18, 2006 10:07 AM

Hey Pablo - you should drop down to the people by the barrier, and say hello! If you offer support, I'm sure they'll be happy to get you in involved.

Posted by: Dave - Webbie on the Esperanza at April 18, 2006 11:44 AM

thanks a lot for keeping the rainbow warrior's spirit alive!

marta, genial! gracias por estar allí y compartir con nosotros tanto!

ya os echo de menooos

Posted by: aina at May 1, 2006 10:26 PM

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