UPDATE: 11AM, September 21 – The Franklin County 5 Are Free!
After over 48 hours in the Franklin County jail our brave blockaders are free! They were being held on a $2,500 bail each. Support them with a generous contribution to their legal support.
UPDATE: 10:30AM, Sept. 21 – R.C. Reunited with her 6 year old daughter
“I want to be able to tell my children that I did something when the time came.”
UPDATE: 12PM, Sept. 20 – Coverage of Wednesday’s lockdown on KLTV
KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News
UPDATE: 12PM, Sept. 20 – Our jailbirds will be going before the judge until 8 or 9 in the morning on Friday, September 21.
UPDATE: 5PM – Our flock of jailbirds won’t see a judge until 7 tomorrow morning. They will likley face Class B misdamenors.
UPDATE: 4PM – Our five blockaders who were arrested today delaying Keystone XL construction are scheduled to appear before a Franklin Country Judge any minute. We’ll keep you posted on their situation as it develops.
UPDATE: 1:30PM – Coverage on Climate Progress – Protests And Civil Disobedience Against Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline Continue, by Jessica Goad
“We don’t make the decision lightly. The fact is, other tactics – lobbying, petitioning, and packing public hearings – have failed to halt the pipeline. State authorities have bent to every TransCanada desire, and they show no signs of stopping now.” – quoting Tar Sands Blockade.
This morning’s protest is the fourth demonstration of civil disobedience by local landowners, climate activists, and young people in Texas. In early September, near Saltillo, Texas, a handful of protesters chained themselves to logging equipment, delaying construction for a day. In August, seven protesters locked themselves to a truck carrying pipe to the construction site, right after Transcanada was allowed to seize private land using eminent domain for pipeline construction. And in early August, organizers hung banners at equipment staging areas in Texas and Oklahoma.
UPDATE: 1:15PM – Meet Doug Grant, a former Exxon employee turned climate activist. Doug was arrested today outside Winnsboro, Texas when he locked himself to Keystone XL clear-cutting machinery.
“Having worked for years for Exxon, I know how enticing it is to want to develop the Alberta Tar Sands, but it’s just wrong; wrong for the folks who live near the surface mines and toxic ponds, wrong for the landowners who are coerced under duress into contracts or taken to court to have their homes stolen from them, and just wrong for the climate,” said Doug Grant, 65 from San Francisco, CA.
Doug and the other 4 blockaders are scheduled to see a Franklin County judge today at 4 PM. Wish them luck! Help offset the costs of a potentially big bail by chipping in for their legal support.
UPDATE: 12:30PM – Meet R.C. Saldaña-Flores – one of the five brave blockaders arrested today when she locked herself to Keystone XL machinery.
R.C. is a proud mother and step-grandmother and she took action today to protect her children’s future.
“I want to be able to tell my children that I did something when the time came. I’m willing to take risks today to raise awareness of this horrible situation – even if that means being away from my children in jail for a day.”
Tar Sands Blockade is providing child care for R.C.’s child while their mother is defending their future. Community values mean uniting to defend our homes and suporting each other in empowering ways. Join us as and be a part of our next action team.
UPDATE: 11:30AM – Five arrests made at Keystone XL construction site outside Winnsboro, Texas. Three brave blockaders locked to tree clear-cutting machinery delayed operations at the site for the morning.
Join us in celebrating our latest crew of brave blockaders: Doug is a former Exxon employee turned climate justice activist, Sam is an author of a pending book on Keystone XL, and R.C. is a proud mother who was arrestted today even though it means being away from her children for the day.
Show these blockaders your support! Please consider a generous donation to their jail support. Bail for five will likely be costly!
UPDATE: 11:30AM – David Hightower’s vineyard will not be cleared for the Keystone XL today, according to crews working there.
UPDATE: 10:40AM – Police have left the scene at David Hightower’s home.
UPDATE: 10:30AM – Police harassment and intimidation of protesters at David Hightower’s home. Three protesters holding signs on the public right of way next to Hightower’s home were threatened with arrest repeatedly, but are within their legal right to demonstrate.
UPDATE: 9:45AM – Police have taken signs from Tar Sands Blockade supporters standing vigil in David Hightower’s front yard. They are threatening arrests.
UPDATE: 9:30AM – While three blockaders are shutting down a Keystone XL construction site others are defending David Hightower’s home. Construction crews have arrived at Mr. Hightower’s to begin clear-cutting his trees and home vineyard. Tar Sands Blockade supporters are in David’s front yard continuing our vigil
UPDATE 9AM – Franklin County Sheriff and County Constable are on the scene at the construction yard. The sheriff tried to use hacksaw on blockader’s locking device and gave up in frustration.
BREAKING: Three Blockaders Lock Themselves to Keystone XL Machinery
Tar Sand Blockade again halts construction on the toxic Keystone XL pipeline in its sustained campaign of civil disobedience
WINNSBORO, TEXAS – September 19, 2012, 8:00AM –Three landowner advocates and climate justice organizers have locked themselves to a piece of machinery critical for Keystone XL construction.
Blockaders have locked themselves to a massive wood chipper and a skidder, both used in clear cutting trees in the path of the toxic pipeline. Tar Sands Blockade has again delayed construction on a segment of TransCanada’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Today’s action marks the third time that blockaders have halted construction in recent weeks.
Four blockaders total entered a construction yard risking arrest. Three are locked to the Keystone XL construction machinery. Texas-born blockaders have united with neighbors from other states to support rural and neighboring communities threatened by the toxic pipeline’s diluted bitumen slurry.
Doug Grant, 65 from San Francisco, CA, says, “Having worked for years for Exxon, I know how enticing it is to want to develop the Alberta Tar Sands, but it’s just wrong; wrong for the folks who live near the surface mines and toxic ponds, wrong for the landowners who are coerced under duress into contracts or taken to court to have their homes stolen from them, and just wrong for the climate.” Doug is [doing this].
“As a mother and step-grandmother, I want to be able to tell my children that I did something when the time came,” explains Amarillo-born R.C. Saldaña-Flores, 36. “I’m willing to take risks today to raise awareness of this horrible situation – even if that means being away from my children in jail for a day.”
Kentucky-based solar installation expert and author of the forthcoming book The Pipeline and the Paradigm: Keystone XL and the Rise of Global Consciousness, Sam Avery, 63, suggests that sometime you must create an obstruction in order to facilitate necessary discussion. “I don’t believe it’s too late. We have time,” he shares. “We simply must continue to stand with landowners who are having their homes and farms ruined. We must continue to press for dialogue amongst all people victimized by TransCanada’s ruthless harm. Civil disobedience allows for that space to develop.”
Tar Sands Blockade is a coalition of Texas and Oklahoma landowners and climate organizers using peaceful and sustained civil disobedience to stop the construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
“People from all walks of life are banding together to defend their homes in the face of TransCanada’s fraudulent bullying,” suggests Ron Seifert, a spokesperson for the Tar Sands Blockade. “Their Keystone XL pipeline serves no legitimate public interest, and people are waking up to the fact that this multinational corporation is stealing land and poisoning water supplies illegitimately. For that reason, we are proactively defending homes through nonviolent civil disobedience.”
One thing is clear from our recent victories that stopped Keystone XL construction for the entire day in both Saltillo and Livingston, Texas– people power works.
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Donna Mandt
September 19, 2012 at 4:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you, Thank you , Thank you for your bravery and your time and your dedication.
Katy
September 19, 2012 at 5:30 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
We’re cheering you on from North Carolina. You’re an inspiration to us all. Keep fighting the good fight! You have right on your side and one day, when your images and words get out to the world, public opinion will be on your side and events will turn your way. Have faith. You’re doing the right thing.
Don't Mess with Texas
September 19, 2012 at 7:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
TransCanada must fail in order for America (and the world) to win.
Gloria
September 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Until we stand up to these corrupt Corporations, they will continue to rape our environment and pollute our water, air, land. It takes courage to stand up for whats right for everyone, not just sum of us. Thanks to everyone, who have sacrificed their time and freedom, to do what is right. You’ve set the stage for us all to defend our land, liberty rights. We shall succeed in bring down XL Pipeline!
Beverly Walker
September 20, 2012 at 1:16 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
your actions are great, standing up for all of us and the planet thank you
Jerry Hightower
September 20, 2012 at 1:36 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sheriff Paul Fletcher had been nothing but accommodating on my family land until today. Where he had previously handed out reflective vests, he today threatened young girls in our driveway and off pipeline easement with arrest for merely displaying their constitutionally given right to inform others of what is happening in our country. I praise these brave young women for standing up for my family farm while I was away at work. I am not sure what changed the sheriffs mind about this peaceful movement to inform our nation, but I do know that the pipeline solves most of their problems with their wallet. Backed, of course, by their huge team of lawyers. I can’t thank these women enough for the stand they took in the face of handcuff toting gustapo.
Jerry Hightower
September 20, 2012 at 1:48 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Trans Canada Pipeline, coming soon to a sheriffs department near you!
A. G.
September 20, 2012 at 2:36 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Well done to all those involved, keep up the pressure. Have no doubt that you are doing absolutely the right thing. Love from London, UK.
Cyril Zeldine
September 20, 2012 at 3:33 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good luck today to the 5 Tar Sands Blockade heroes from across the seas. Though I can’t be there in person to help resist the keystone xl nightmare, I salute your bravery now and in the future. We need more people like you!
Susan Horn
September 21, 2012 at 7:34 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Yes, and local papers are writing excellent articles on this and many matters upon which we may ensure that our voices are heard. FW Weekly is tremendous in keeping her citizens aware of various local and state matters. United people in our united states, growing daily, restoring our Bill of Rights. Local sherriff’s offices continue to understand and have truly learned their duty to their citizen employers. These wise leaders also send their deputies to excellent seminars on that topic as well.
Jill Tyson Fairbrother
September 25, 2012 at 6:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sweet work dude. I recall reading a similar article on an ezine article website but yours seems more up to date. Nice.
Breaking News: Three blockaders lock themselves to Keystone XL machinery | Mobilization for Climate Justice
September 19, 2012 at 6:38 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] September 19, 2012. Source: Tar Sands Blockade [...]
Root Force » Blog Archive » Another Lockdown Against the Keystone Tar Sands Pipeline!
September 19, 2012 at 11:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] clear-cut trees near Winnsboro, TX to make way for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. This is the fourth action to date in the Tar Sands Blockade [...]
Tar Sands Blockade continues to delay Keystone XL pipeline in Texas – Jail Support Needed | Internationalist Books and Community Center
September 20, 2012 at 3:36 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] The activists participating in the ongoing effort to disrupt, and hopefully stop the pipeline have issued a call for jail support as part of their account of today’s action. [...]
7 Ways Canadian Environmental Groups Are Attacked as
September 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] placed construction of its northern leg on hold (and activists in Texas and Oklahoma have been relentlessly blockading construction for the southern [...]
Protests And Civil Disobedience Against Construction Of The Keystone XL Pipeline Continue - Ikkevold | Ikkevold
September 20, 2012 at 6:20 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] XL Pipeline Continue20. september 2012This morning near Winnesboro, Texas, three protestors chained themselves to logging machinery used to clear trees in the pathway of the Keystone XL pipeline. It is the most recent in a series [...]
Texas: 5 Arrested at Keystone XL Pipeline Blockade | Warrior Publications
September 21, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] Source: http://tarsandsblockade.org/4th-action [...]
7 Ways Canadian Environmental Groups Are Being Attacked as “Terrorists” | Warrior Publications
September 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] placed construction of its northern leg on hold (and activists in Texas and Oklahoma have been relentlessly blockading construction for the southern [...]
BREAKING: Eight People Climb Trees And Start Indefinite Tree Sit to Stop Keystone XL » Tar Sands Blockade
September 24, 2012 at 3:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] « BREAKING: 5 Blockaders Arrested For Stopping Keystone XL Machinery [...]
ACTION ALERT! EIGHT PEOPLE CLIMB TREES AND START INDEFINITE TREE SIT TO STOP KEYSTONE XL « My Blog spiritandanimal.wordpress.com
September 24, 2012 at 6:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] Tar Sands Blockade has already successfully shut down Keystone XL construction for about two-and-a-half days in Livingston, Saltillo, and Winnsboro. [...]
BREAKING: Two People Lock Themselves to Keystone XL Machinery to Defend Eight People in Tree Village » Tar Sands Blockade
September 25, 2012 at 4:24 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] Tar Sands Blockade is a coalition of Texas and Oklahoma landowners and climate justice organizers using peaceful and sustained civil disobedience to stop the construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. We have already successfully shut down Keystone XL construction for about two-and-a-half days in Livingston, Saltillo, and Winnsboro. [...]
BREAKING: Two People Lock Themselves to Keystone XL Machinery to Defend Eight People in Tree Village | OccuWorld
September 25, 2012 at 5:18 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] Tar Sands Blockade is a coalition of Texas and Oklahoma landowners and climate justice organizers using peaceful and sustained civil disobedience to stop the construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. We have already successfully shut down Keystone XL construction for about two-and-a-half days in Livingston, Saltillo, and Winnsboro. [...]
CENSORED NEWS: Texans lockdown again to halt Keystone tarsands pipeline
September 26, 2012 at 10:09 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] shut down Keystone XL construction for about two-and-a-half days in Livingston, Saltillo, and Winnsboro. Watch the high energy video from our recent actions and sign up to join us. “The risk of [...]
The Observer : Janine Boneparth takes on TransCanada with Tar Sands Blockade
December 16, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] the pipe route for this “Gulf Expansion Project”— until it is stopped or every motivated individual in its way is stopped. I don’t know what else to say besides: it’s a matter of peace, [...]