Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 4, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 4, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Comments (118)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

11 arrested near Fort Lewis trying to block Strykers headed for Afghanistan

Anti-war protesters were jailed in Pierce County after attempting to block the movement of a Stryker Brigade headed for Afghanistan.

Seattle Times science reporter

Eleven people were arrested Saturday night trying to block a convoy of Stryker military vehicles from Fort Lewis in protest of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some of the members of Port Militarization Resistance, an anti-war organization with chapters in Tacoma and Olympia, were cited for disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

Some were jailed, but all of those had been released by Sunday afternoon after posting bail.

Tacoma police attempted to head off the protest by blocking the entrance to the Port of Tacoma dock where vehicles and equipment from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team were being loaded onto ships for deployment to Afghanistan.

But the protesters moved their operations away from the Port, targeting the armored personnel carriers as they pulled out of the gate at Fort Lewis, and at an exit off Interstate 5 that leads to the Port.

The activists either stood or lay down in the road, said spokesman Shyam Khanna. Though their actions only briefly delayed the convoy, Khanna said they helped draw attention to the Obama administration's military buildup in Afghanistan.

"It shows we're willing to make a real sacrifice to accomplish our vision to end the war," he said.

Port Militarization Resistance tries to prevent the shipment of military gear through civilian ports. The cost of one 2008 protest at the Port of Tacoma, which ran 12 days, was estimated at $1 million for extra security.

"Our goal is to raise the economic cost of these military shipments, to the point where no port is willing to take them," said Khanna, who spent 10 days in jail after a 2007 protest at the Port of Olympia.

He said the protests will continue the next several nights, as more Strykers and gear are moved off the fort.

Sandi Doughton: 206-464-2491 or sdoughton@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Comments (118)
Boy, that's really going to stop the war you idiots. THEY are going to war so that YOU can lay down in the streets. As stupid as you are, you...  Posted on May 4, 2009 at 2:05 AM by dame judith. Jump to comment
littlewoman: What flavor of KoolAid do you enjoy the most?  Posted on May 4, 2009 at 5:59 AM by rawdibob. Jump to comment
The tianneman man stood up for tyranny and got run over in China (spelling?). These people are just idiots, and there's nothing heroic about...  Posted on May 4, 2009 at 3:35 AM by funyoncity. Jump to comment

advertising


Get home delivery today!

More Local News

Arson suspect has long history of setting fires

Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders

Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19

Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away

Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising