Houston, Texas — All 26 Greenpeace USA activists taken into custody following Thursday’s peaceful action on the Houston Ship Channel have now been released. Four were released on personal recognizance early Saturday morning and face a state felony under Texas’s new critical infrastructure law. The remaining 22 were held for a release hearing before a federal magistrate, and were released on personal recognizance Saturday afternoon. In addition to the state felony, they also now face a federal misdemeanor charge.
Greenpeace USA General Counsel Tom Wetterer said:
“This was a peaceful action, and Greenpeace takes safety very seriously. These activists have the skills and experience necessary to peacefully protest safely. The most dangerous thing about the shipping channel wasn’t the Greenpeace climbers, it continues to be fossil fuel executives’ reckless plans to push us further towards climate chaos.
“We have heard disturbing reports that detention officers abused the activists while they were in custody. Racist and transphobic abuse of anyone in custody or otherwise is unacceptable,” said Wetterer. “We will be following up with Harris County officials to seek accountability for the dehumanizing treatment and violation of human rights endured by these peaceful activists.
“We are in a climate emergency, created by the fossil fuel industry and made worse by Trump. We have little more than a decade to take ambitious action to cut fossil fuel use in half and transition to renewable energy. We can either take the bold actions necessary to stave off climate crisis today or suffer the radical consequences of climate-fueled disasters — more floods, more megastorms, and more fires — for years to come. We’re here because there’s no time to waste.”
Contacts:
Ryan Schleeter, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (415) 342-2386, [email protected] (in Baytown)
Valentina Stackl, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (734) 276-6260, [email protected]
For additional updates and visuals requests:
Travis Nichols, Media Director, Greenpeace USA: +1 (206) 802-8498, [email protected]
ENDS
