The occupation began at about 5 a.m. Saturday when 19 activists
from Canada, France, Brazil, Sweden and Australia moved on to the
property in the heart of what many affected land owners call
"cancer alley" to occupy four structures and continue exposing the
climate crimes of the production of dirty, dangerous and
destructive oil from the tar sands.
Police arrested the last nine activists at 5 a.m. this morning.
In all, 16 activists were taken into custody. Charges may include
breaking and entering, trespass and mischief. At the time of this
release, all remained in custody.
"This was another successful action to highlight the climate
crimes of the tar sands," said Mike Hudema, Greenpeace climate and
energy campaigner. "The addiction to oil that is fueling tar sands
development is leading to climate chaos. Already, hundreds of
thousands of people are dying every year because of climate change.
We have sent a message to world leaders that it is time to stop the
destructive energy path of the tar sands and develop a clean energy
future."
The Shell upgrader action was the third by Greenpeace in Alberta
over the past few weeks to expose tar sands climate crimes. The
Shell upgrader produces dirty oil from tar sands bitumen through an
energy-intensive process. The climate crimes of the tar sands will
get worse as plans to increase production will boost greenhouse gas
emissions to 140 million tonnes a year, about the current level of
Belgium, a nation of 10 million people.
"It's troubling that the Premier is fine with international oil
companies telling him what to do but won't listen to the voices of
citizens from those countries," said Hudema. "The Premier and world
leaders need to listen to climate science and make the deep
emission cuts our world needs or the doom us all to a climate
crisis. We need climate leaders not more dirty oil
politicians."
In December, the most important climate negotiations ever will
take place in Copenhagen, Denmark. At this United Nations Climate
Summit, world leaders must agree to urgent measures to prevent
climate chaos. The continued development of the tar sands
undermines international climate action.
Through its KYOTOplus campaign, Greenpeace Canada is working to
convince the Harper government to become a leader at the United
Nations climate conference in Copenhagen.
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High res photos and video of the Shell occupation are at
gallery.greenpeace.ca
For further information:
Brian Blomme, Greenpeace communications coordinator, (416)
930-9055
Mike Hudema, Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, (780)
504-5601