MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Police in the US city of Seattle arrested three Greenpeace activists on kayaks, attempting to block departure of Shell’s oil rig, Polar Pioneer, to the Arctic, the environmental group said on its Twitter page on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the activists formed a human line in the Elliott Bay off Seattle, hindering a way for an oil rig.
@CMMikeOBrien arrested by US Coast Guard during kayak blockade of the Arctic drilling rigin #Seattle pic.twitter.com/wC3rcQQkrA
— Alex Garland (@AGarlandPhoto) June 15, 2015
“Three kayaktivists have been arrested but many more remain,” the environmental group tweeted.
The Greenpeace added that "the rig is on the move despite the brave and heroic efforts by kayaktivists."
According to the images, published on Twitter, police rolled up an anti-Shell banner, stretched on the water by the activists.
Stand with Greenpeace to stop Arctic drilling. #ShellNo @Greenpeace http://t.co/GgFoV829Th pic.twitter.com/oUzo6QdRO0
— Barbara Sinclair (@BSinclairJC) June 15, 2015
About 40 to 50 ShellNo activists in kayaks participate in the protest, local Kiro 7 TV Channel said.
Shell has assembled a small fleet of Arctic drilling vessels in Seattle after the US
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management allowed it to begin drilling off Alaska's coast this summer.
Right now kayaktivists are blockading Shell in Seattle port. Watch here as they stand up for the millions who demand an…
Posted by Greenpeace International on Monday, June 15, 2015
Shell's Arctic drilling plans have stirred controversy in Seattle, with Mayor Ed Murray and the city council openly voicing opposition to the oil giant’s presence in the Seattle’s port.