Climate activists took to land, sea and train tracks from Friday, May 13, to Sunday, May 15, in mass protests targeting the oil refineries at March Point in Anacortes.
Activists set up an encampment Friday to block rail lines leading to the refineries, which constitute nearly half of Washington’s oil refining capacity. The refineries at March Point are owned by Tesoro and Shell, and rely on the train tracks for the delivery of crude oil.
“I think it’s really important recognizing not only this is bad for the environment, this is taking it away from the people who were here before we were and have a right to this land.”
Sophomore Lydia Lee
Police raided the encampment at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday, arresting 52 people. Over 150 people had camped out on the rail lines Friday and Saturday night, according to organizers.
Freshman Ryan Schluter was sleeping on the tracks when police arrived and left when they evacuated the area.
“Policeman came charging down both sides of the railroad with guns and tasers and told us to put our hands up and evacuate as soon as we could,” Schluter said."We had 15 minutes until they started arresting people.”
“Neither fighting nor running away is going to help this community, or those workers, find their voice and be a part of a solution.”
Steve Gary, retired worker
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