Press release - 4 May, 2012
Fehmern Belt, Denmark/Germany, 4 May 2012 – Greenpeace activists this morning swam in front of an icebreaker in the waters between Germany and Denmark to stop it from reaching the Arctic. The icebreaker Nordica is part of Shell's support fleet to drill North of Alaska this summer.
It is the fourth time in four days that Greenpeace activists have intercepted the Nordica. The 14 swimmers are from Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Denmark including Executive Director of Greenpeace Nordic Mads Flarup Christensen.
"I'm in the water this morning because the Arctic must be protected from companies like Shell. This unique region, which plays a crucial role in stabilising our planet's climate, is melting before our eyes, yet this tragedy is seen as a business opportunity by the oil industry," said Mads Flarup Christensen from the water. "That is why I have taken peaceful action today and why more than 400,000 around the world have joined me to demand that Shell stops its reckless plans to exploit the Frozen North."
Today's protest follows two similar ones earlier this week when 20 Greenpeace Nordic activists boarded the Nordica in Helsinki, Finland. When the first team of activists was arrested, 22 more activists arrived onsite in two inflatable boats and three canoes. Two days later, six Greenpeace Nordic activists boarded the same vessel off the coast of Sweden and until Swedish authorities were called to the scene. Two days later, six Greenpeace Nordic activists boarded the same vessel off the coast of Sweden until Swedish authorities were called to the scene. After 10 hours the activists were removed by a SWAT team and taken into custody. They were arrested under preliminary charges of aggravated trespass and arbitrary conduct (1).
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The activists onboard are from Denmark, Germany and New Zealand.
(1) Preliminary charges mean that the activists have been presented with the charge, but charges will not be formally issued until the investigation closes. The charge of aggravated trespass carries a mandatory prison term if convicted.
Contacts:
Birgitte Lesanner, Greenpeace Nordic communications + 45 23 95 12 14
Greenpeace International Press Desk Hotline: +31 20 718 2470
Photo and video will soon be available here:
https://info.greenpeace.se/a_mediarelease/?openfolder=1200_Stop_Shell/1200_Denmark_Stop_Shell