Columbia PD first to arrest at pipeline protest
Sergeant Jacobs of the Columbia Borough Police Department made the first arrest at today's pipeline protest just outside Columbia.
Note the protester's hand gesture as she is led away.
Singing protesters stood their ground Monday morning until police began arresting those who remained standing at a pipeline protest just outside Columbia. 23 protesters were arrested and charged with defiant trespass for attempting to block the path of an excavator on land owned by nuns at the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.
Applause and cheers greeted each person arrested. Construction workers watched the entire time and immediately began work after the last arrest.
Police from West Hempfield, Columbia Borough, Manor Township, and Southern Regional were among those present, as were federal marshals.
Protesters who were not arrested met at the nearby chapel to discuss their next action.
Within half an hour after the last arrest, the chain link construction fence was already partially erected.
In July of this year, a federal judge ruled that the Williams Partners can condemn the land. The pipeline project was subsequently given the green light to proceed.
Comments
Watching this group was both inspiring and sad. Inspiring that they did not give up, they stood up. Many of us would take the short term financial gain, foregoing the long term impacts. Easier to take the money and give up the struggle. Sad, in that we never actually own our land. Every single citizen should be alarmed by this, it could be your property next, perhaps for a different purpose, but regardless it could be gone. An injustice for one is an injustice to all. Rise to action and support each other.
Sharon Lintner