Court Order Forces Activists to End Protest

Chevron won a second court order today forcing Greenpeace activists to end their protest of deepwater drilling.

The protest began last week when the Esperanza, a Greenpeace ship caught up to the STENA CARRON, a Chevron leased drill ship, off the Shetland coast. Four activists from the Esperanza managed to attach themselves to the anchor chain using climbing gear.

A day later the environmental group attached a pod to the drill ship anchor providing activist’s shelter from the elements. Greenpeace claimed they would be able to live in the pod for a month, with food and even a makeshift toilet.

Chevron called on the company to discontinue their actions and remove themselves from the ship but Greenpeace refused. Local police warned the protestors of poor weather conditions and that their presence was a danger to themselves and others.

Chevron took to the courts filing a petition for Removal and Interdict. The petition was granted Friday, forcing Greenpeace to remove themselves from the ship or face huge fines.

A spokesperson from Greenpeace said they would comply with the order to avoid handing over any of their supporter’s money to Chevron.

After Friday’s court order activists came down from the chain and began swimming in front of the ship to prevent her from reaching the Lagavulin oil prospect where Chevron wants to drill an exploratory deep-water well.

Chevron was back in court with another petition this one banning the activists from interfering with the vessel’s progress.

Wednesday, September 29, the Stena Carron is now en route after more than a week of protests.

Photos courtesy of Greenpeace