65 arrested at pipeline sit-in

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of environmentalist protesters were arrested outside the White House on the first day of a planned two-week protest over a proposed oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Park Police spokesman David Schlosser said 65 people were arrested Saturday. The protest is scheduled to run through Sept. 3.

The protesters want President Barack Obama to deny a permit for the 1,700-mile TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, which would cross the Ogallala Aquifer and Nebraska's Sand Hills on its way to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur, Texas.

Protester Gus Speth, co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, told the Wall Street Journal that the pipeline would continue the nation's reliance on fossil fuels. TransCanada says its pipeline would provide jobs and needed oil.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110821/NEWS01/708219873#65-arrested-at-pipeline-sit-in

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World-Herald staff writer Joseph Morton contributed to this report.


The Associated Press Protesters gather Saturday. Nebraskans are expected to join up on Monday and on Sept. 2, Bold Nebraska director Jane Kleeb said.

[KansDem]

1. What's wrong? "Carpet of gold or carpet of bombs" isn't working?

Or is that phrase copyrighted by the United States and can't be used by any other country...

[SpiralHawk]

2. k and r

With a hawk wing wig-wag salute to the protestors.

[newfie11]

3. Wish I could have been there

If that oil gets into the Ogallala we are screwed. Our drinking water and irrigation will be contaminated. Not just here in NE but all the way to Texas.

[ixion]

4. I see they managed to work in that GOP buzzword 'environmentalist'

which is a dog whistle to the GOP to rally around Big Oil. :grr:

[amyrose2712]

5. Bill McKibben was amongst them

http://planetsave.com/2011/08/20/bill-mckibben-70-others-arrested/

[freedom fighter jh]

9. He was one of the organizers.

See www.tarsandsaction.org.

[newfie11]

6. Why are people now arrested for picketting peacefully outside the white house

In the 70's I walked by there everyday on my way to work and there was always someone protesting something. What changed? Is there a new law that peaceful demonstrations are not allowed?

[NCarolinawoman]

11. I was wondering the same thing.

When did they start arresting PEACEFUL PROTESTERS?!!!

[prete_nero]

7. good

This goes right through western South Dakota, one of the most conservative parts of the upper great plains...I think the fact that it is so close to home has even the voratious superconservatives quiet. Something very real when the thing being threatening is home instead of "some rainforest". People here realize that pretty much the ONLY reliable source of water is the Ogallala aquifer...if that is ruined this part of the country is going to become so de-populated you might as well make it one entire state called "Desolation".

Its just telling that when even local conservatives won't defend this thing that its a bad idea.

[deminks]

8. A big K&R from Kansas.

:patriot:

[Pooka Fey]

10. K&R