Shell No!

Look at the imagination, the nerve, the vision, and the courage of these Greenpeace and local activists! At 1 a.m. today, thirteen women and men rappelled off the side of the St. Johns Bridge. They did it to save the Arctic wilderness from exploitation, and they are prepared to hang there for a week, if necessary, to prevent a Shell Oil icebreaking ship from leaving Portland. The story as written by Pete Shaw is here, if you'd like to read it. 

The genius: each dangling protester has a week's supply of food and water. They are fit and mentally ready, have been preparing for this for months. Each dangler has a partner atop the bridge, standing by for support in any way it may be needed, and they are all roped together, so that if one falls or is harmed, all of them will be affected: just as we are all interconnected, but more visibly so. Portland is flocking to the park below the bridge to shout, "We love you!" and "Hang on!" 

Greenpeace hopes that this will raise awareness of the dangers of arctic drilling and that people will take action by signing the petition attached to that link.

Knocked to my knees in awe and wonder of the audacity of this action, I led a small group meditation at the foot of the bridge this afternoon, focused on the wish and intention, "May all beings be safe." 

So far the police have not interfered with the demonstration except to prohibit foot traffic on the bridge. They have not removed the people who are watching their friends below, but they won't allow others to join them. The icebreaker, which was scheduled to leave for the Arctic at 7 a.m. today, is still in its slip at 7 p.m. So far, the action is working.