author: Convergence for Climate Action
e-mail:
westcoast@climateconvergence.org
Human "Dam" Blockades
PacifiCorp's Portland Headquarters
Three protesters lock into 600 pound concrete barrels,
demand removal of Klamath dams
Portland, OR - August 14th, 2007 - At noon today three
protesters blockaded the main entrance to PacifiCorp's
headquarters (NE 7th and Multnomah). The protesters
were joined by a rally of several dozen supporters,
many of whom wore hazmat suits painted with fake blood
to draw attention to the poisonous conditions on the
Klamath River. The action was claimed by the
Convergence for Climate Action, Stumptown Earth First!
and Rising Tide.
"We're locked down to demonstrate our solidarity with
affected communities and the salmon of the Klamath
River who are fighting for their health and survival,"
said Will Munger, one of the blockaders. "We demand
the immediate removal of PacifiCorp's Klamath dams."
PacifiCorp is the owner of numerous dams blamed for
the loss of several species of Pacific salmon.
Reservoirs on PacifiCorp's four Klamath dams have
created liver-toxic algae blooms in concentrations
that exceed World Health Organization guidelines by
4,000 times.
Despite the wind mills splattered across its website,
about 88% percent of PacifiCorp's energy comes from
climate change producing coal and gas-fired power
plants. PacifiCorp has 5 new coal plants on the
drawing board across the west, including one in
Washington State. Dams themselves release methane from
rotting materials, and methane from large dams around
the world cumulatively contribute more than four
percent of global warming pollution, according to a
report by the International Rivers Network.
"PacifiCorp is a climate criminal and salmon killer
living in the heart of Portland," said Cedar Knoll,
who was also locked into the blockade. "For human
health, salmon survival and a livable climate,
PacifiCorp must un-dam the rivers of the west and
eliminate its use of fossil fuels."
PacifiCorp is controlled by the Bershire Hathaway
Corporation, owned by Warren Buffet who is the third
richest man in the world.
The protest follows the "Convergence for Climate
Action" which took place in Skamokawa, WA over the
past week. Yesterday, protesters from the camp
occupied the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas terminal
at Bradwood, Oregon for several hours. A simultaneous
occupation took place in Asheville, North Carolina on
Monday where a Bank of America branch was shut down by
protesters for its lead role in financing the coal
industry. Police at the Asheville protest used a TASER
to electrocute immobilized protesters using
non-violent civil disobedience tactics, an
unprecedented application of this device.
Today in London an affiliated "Camp for Climate
Action" begins just outside of Heathrow airport, where
more two thousand participants plan to target airline
industry giants profiteering amidst the climate
crisis. The London gathering has garnered front page
media attention across the UK, where more than 1800
police have been mobilized and anti-terrorism laws
have been activated for the camp's surveillance.
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