Tar Sands updates

Greenpeace blockaded two Suncor conveyor belts to expost the climate crime of the tar sands

2 October, 2009 (Fort McMurray)—All 21 Greenpeace activists arrested in connection with our disruption of Suncor’s tar sands operation on Wednesday are now out of custody. After more than 36 hours in police hands, they were all released on bail by about midnight Thursday.

Of those arrested, eight were from Germany, five from Quebec, two from Ontario, two from B.C., and one each from Brazil, the UK, France and Alberta. Among those arrested was Bruce Cox, Greenpeace Canada executive director.

The action at Suncor was a big success. Activists disrupted huge conveyor belts that feed Suncor’s upgrader that produces dirty oil. They also brought international attention to the climate crime of tar sands production.

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 6:30 p.m. 30 September 2009 (Fort McMurray)—The Greenpeace blockade of two giant Suncor conveyor belts at its operations north of Fort McMurray has ended after about 10 hours.

 The 10 activists who blockaded the conveyor belts were arrested by RCMP late in the afternoon. Earlier, police arrested about 10 other activists who had been undertaking other activities, including floating a large banner on the Athabasca River that read: “Dying for Climate Leadership.”

 The action began early this morning when 23 activists from Canada, France, Brazil and Germany entered the Suncor site. One team stopped two giant conveyor belts that carry bitumen from Suncor’s mine on the east side of the river to its upgrader on the west side. Greenpeace Canada executive director Bruce Cox joined the activists and was arrested.