Arctic defenders still in police custody

Posted by lisavickers — 3 September 2010 at 7:00pm - Comments

We are still waiting for our climbers to be released but hoping they will be back on board the Esperanza soon. They are sorely missed - especially Timo's lovely guitar playing in the evenings. Anais is talking about preparing a "Welcome Back!" banner for them and every time the captain or our campaign leader walks past we keep asking "any news?". The answer is still no. Nobody knows exactly when they will be out and perhaps they wont be allowed back to the ship at all.

Sim, Timo, Jens and Matt are truly heroes! I don't think I have ever witnessed such an amazing direct action in all my time with Greenpeace. Timo, Matt, Jens and Sim scaled the oil rig by climbing a structure that looked unclimable to me. When I look at the footage of their ascent - my jaw drops open in amazement. They spent over 40 hours up there - suspended above the churning Arctic waves through freezing winds and periods of loud noise from the thrusters that keep the rig in position. They kept themselves in good spirits throughout the occupation and never complained about the conditions they were in. We're so very proud of them for stopping Cairn's Arctic drilling for so long. They really stopped it for 40 hours - and that's quite an achievement.

While our climbers were on the rig and since they have been arrested - we have received some very touching messages of support from so many people. I've  been gathering them today so that I can show the climbers when they're back on board. I thought it would also be nice to share them here (see below) and say thanks to everyone who sent us these messages - and the others I haven't managed to copy yet. It means a lot to us to receive them and I have already printed off several pages of them and passed them around over dinner in the mess. I even saw our chief engineer reading them and watched his face light up with big smiles. And he rarely smiles so this is quite an achievement!

Thank you so much. I'll let you know more news on our heroic Arctic defenders when I have it.

-- Lisa


Timo_MattTimo and Matt on the Esperanza before the action. We want them back along with Sim and Jens!


Messages to the climbers via Twitter:

OwenJ92
Aug 31, 11:49pm via Web
@gp_espy keep it going! what you're doing is amazing, I've never seen a protest like it! stick to it!

Emmabob3
Aug 31, 11:23am via Twitter for iPhone
@gp_espy - Well done for your amazing/brave/inspiring action. You have my total support & best wishes ; )

jonesthelight
Aug 31, 11:27am via Web
@gp_espy All the very best with that and what a great way to start my day :)

GinniKipper
Aug 31, 11:39am via Web
@gp_espy Massive congratulations and gratitude for what you are doing for us. I'm still gathering followers on FaceBook :-)
wolf_hazel


Aug 31, 11:54am via Web
@gp_espy Well done guys for the work on Cairn Energy! Hang in there! I support you and wish you all the best!


r3to
Aug 31, 12:10pm via CoTweet
@gp_espy Spectacular action!! Well done! Hope you can stop Arctic drilling for good.

patrickolszo
Aug 31, 12:21pm via Echofon
@gp_espy - this is amazing work - keep going - we are all rooting for you! A global moratorium on oil drilling now #gobeyondoil

givepeasachance
Aug 31, 12:36pm via Web
@gp_espy Well done to all, we're all cheering you on back home! Keep up the good work guys and gals. Much love and solidarity xx #beyondoil

Lear88
Aug 31, 2:21pm via Web
keep up the amazing work in the Arctic @gp_espy. You continuously inspire change - where others would rather take it away. :) #beyondoil

JohnBaldy
Aug 31, 3:21pm via Web
Follow @gp_espy for an object lesson in both saving the planet and in making a twitter feed exciting. Big up Greenpeace!

kateogden
Aug 31, 3:25pm via Web
@gp_espy You guys are an inspiration! Stay safe! #beyondoil

mayhew60
Aug 31, 4:05pm via Web
@gp_espy I woke up with a smile today. You guys are doing a great job. It is time to send a message that oil is not the future

tennilesunday
Aug 31, 4:33pm via Web
I effing love greenpeace @gp_espy for working to shut down Cairn Energy's oil rig in the arctic. http://www.gobeyondoil.org

alisonjanehealy
Aug 31, 6:28pm via Web
@gp_espy Guys, keep up the amazing work. When right is on your side, then many things are possible

iXalapa
Aug 31, 6:46pm via Web
@gp_espy Great Job!!!! even with the navy behind you do the job !!! we are proud and surprise

Chelspresso
Aug 31, 8:15pm via Twitpic
@gp_espy http://twitpic.com/2jy774 - Beyond impressive. Keep up the good work, MUCH love and respect.

OwenJ92
Aug 31, 11:49pm via Web
@gp_espy keep it going! what you're doing is amazing, I've never seen a protest like it! stick to it!

celiaalario
Sep 01, 12:02am via txt
Rt @Greenpeace: Wishing our4activists occupying Cairn'sArctic oil rig&everyone onboard @gp_espy a good sleep! http://bit.ly/bys

mariamonica
Sep 01, 3:06am via Twitpic
@gp_espy http://twitpic.com/2k0d3y - I've no words now that I've seen your courage.I wish I could do something from here. Pls. take care.

350
Sep 01, 11:00am via HootSuite
If you're not following Greenpeace's @gp_espy, you're missing a helluva adventure in the fight against #oil in the Arctic.

Emmabob3
Sep 01, 3:27pm via Web
@gp_espy- Just thought I'd check in to say well done for stopping the drilling in the arctic for 24 hours. Go go go (but keep safe) ; )

daisystreet
Sep 01, 3:31pm via Saezuri
@gp_espy : Good morning, Esperanza! Enjoying the updates. Thank you for not only believing, but *doing. Take care. Stay safe. Be wonderf

AshleighF68
Sep 01, 4:25pm via Web
@gp_espy you guys are doing so well!! being brave enough to go against what others think! you have my total support :)

Lear88
Sep 01, 5:55pm via Web
Hang in there @gp_espy the world is watching in awe. Let's all make a wave. #beyondoil

gotsound
Sep 01, 5:55pm via Web
@gp_espy For the past week every morning I wake up feeling inspired after reading your live tweets from the arctic. Keep up the battle!

soup1531
Sep 01, 6:05pm via Web
@gp_espy Hold strong ya'll. We are all extremely proud of you. I will start collecting beer to feed you when you get back to SF Sim!

Sneakyboots
Sep 01, 7:44pm via Web
@gp_espy Sim, you lucky dog! I'd give anything to be hanging up there with you right now! Way to go, guys and girls..good on you!!!

engagejoe
6:48am via HootSuite
@gp_espy What a beautiful video of Anais. Her Arctic story brilliantly illuminates why I organize locally. http://j.mp/9Z0U

brianfit
9:14am via TweetDeck
@gp_espy Sending a virtual cup of piping hot coffee to climbers aboard the Stella Don. ♨ http://bit.ly/bysplt

IanMcL13
11:13am via Web
@gp_espy Thanks for your courage and your passion on our behalf

twinkle031
12:11pm via twicca
@gp_espy you did so nice things! I live in Korea now but when I grow up, I want to be a big help. keep going!!

Messages to the climbers on Facebook

Abi Ralls: HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sylvia Watson-Stewart: Well done, we're with you in spirit!

Therese Davis: YOU GUYS ROCK! Wish I was there helpin'

Talitha Mcintyre-Burnie: You are my heroes! xx

Tara Wales: So friggen Far Out!!! You guys represent me also, I am disabled, I couldn't do that. So you speak for me also and I thank you all!

Deborah Barrass: Good, brave people.Their actions will be remembered in our uncertain future.

Wende Anne Maunder: Sim - thank you so very much. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the courageous work you are doing. I wish I had a million pounds to help you with your campaign. Bless you! Bless Greenpeace.

Sergio De Benito Navarrete: I'm very proud of all these Greenpeace activists. Thanks to all of you, and please never, never give up. Planet Earth needs more people like you. Greetings from Spain.

Polly Pearshouse: I used to be a climber but not like that! Scary stuff - huge respect for what you're doing - thank you

Jean Loughlin: Yeah...RESPECT GUYS....I couldn't do it!!!

Julie Bird: Love to you all and the deepest respect

Scott McNeil: this is what it takes, bravery and courage and determination, well done greenpeace

Julian Padfield Paddy: Good on you guys wish i was there,.

Jackum Brown: Bravo! Go for it, guys, you all deserve medals

Jo Billups You guys make my day! :)

Christopher Brooks: you're amazing! love your style. With you in spirit

Jackie Taylor: I support u all the way Greenpeace, please take care out there xx

Sue Tait: Sending blessings and light to your vital and wonderful work x

Annastacia Fulcher: Brilliant news and everyone is just amazing for what you are all doing. Thanks for the phone call Lisa letting us know whats going on. I wish you all well and pray for your safety.

Barbara Tencynskaya: Hurrah!! Ignore the mindless critics, GO GREENPEACE! :-D

Brian 'Jones' Smart: Go greenpeace!! Save what is left of this beautiful planet of ours before the big corporations who only care about money ravage it into a unlivable pile of dirt and pollution!!

Dimitri Fache: I admire your courage!

Andrea Liane: totally amazing staying in the Arctic until it get to cold to drill. i am so very impressed with the commitment of everyone aboard You on board deserve mega medals, and thank you from all who care. I no u'll never give up.

Michael Callender: Go guys, the world supports you!!! Wish I could be there.

Rebecca Fowler thank u brave activists, u inspire me daily! NO ARCTIC DRILLING!!

Cathy Monkley: You're all doing an amazing job. I salute you - big hugs all round x

Gemma Dawn: so much respect for all you guys that hung off that rig!!!!

Tom Cohen: hang in there sim hope you have ear plugs sounds pretty loud under there,great anchor points thoughlooks made for you!

Sergio C Buitrón: If you were looking for a hero look no more.

Bonnie Marie Lindsay: SIM~YOU ARE AWESOME!!

Kyra Winn: love your work Sim and friends :)

Gregory Riley Now: THIS is the kind of DIRECT ACTION I pay for!!!

Katharina Dumrath: I hope the activists willl be okay and that there will be no severe repercussions. I understand why the police had to arrest them (they were trespassing), but I pray that they'll have the sense to release them with a slap on the wrist instead of making a huge deal out of it. We already have 2 activists facing prison sentences in Japan- we don't need any more

Sandy Wilson: What a strange world we live in. Those fighting for our planet are arrested whilst those killing it are let free. Good on you guys for putting your life on the line.

Didoo Hydi: You are really amazing guys.. keep on, we'll always support the cause till the end.

Maria Elena: nothing is so much less than 40+ hours

Luis Rivas: drill stopped turning! That's a result! Hope they are out soon :D

Ruth Daw I am glad the four brave activits are fine!

Saskia Morice: You amazing guys have all my support as well as thousands and thousands of other´s everywhere...We are with You! We love you so much for what you are doing in the name of our Mother Earth..Thank You!

Tamari Chi: greenpeace outshines politics and politicians. When the governments should be handling things, it takes special organizations to do their job for them.

Rakesh Prashara: Well done everyone, my thoughts are with the activists in custody. Our future depends on going beyond oil!

Denys Tsutsaev: good job guys!!!Well done!!

Jackey Caldwell: What you are doing today changes all our futures. Hang on in there.

Tim Hatcher: Hang in there guys (literally). All right thinking people of the world are with you.

Jean Loughlin: thank you !!!!!! for what you are doing ....you are doing it for so many people.....Bless you for your bravery!!!

Ok I'm not one for enthusiastic comments, and I suspect the bursts of praise above, is more an indication of the media used (Facebook & Twitter) than back slapping.

However the individuals in question do deserve praise, for taking action in harse conditions, to demonstrate the insanity of even considering drilling for oil in the Arctic.

The Greenland police are clearly also a disgrace, both in the ways they have lied to the media, but also their complete bias towards the interests of the oil company, potentially at the expense of human life.

Various comments on this series of blogs are from Greenlanders, who's views I respect, but are perhaps represent the more rabid, right wing locals.

Equally it seems clear that drilling in the Arctic will be a massive disaster for the people of Greenland. Most of the profits will go offshore, and then when there is an accident, Cairn will disappear, leaving Greenland to pay.

More disturbingly the continuing increase in greenhouse gas emissions will destory Greenlands ecosystem faster than anywhere else. If that oil rig continues to drill, then Greenland is screwed.

So one would expect that views as to drilling, for a black toxic substance, offshore are more divided both in Greenland and internationally, but the internet is ever the home of rabid right wing bloggers.

Finally many other comments read like the spin of a PR firm, so I wonder who Cairn have employed to argue the toss at every point. We live in a digital age and someone is being paid to generate such criticism, from a briefing published by the corporate interests Greenpeace is clearly doing a great job shining a light on.

So I guess its time to reclaim this space from the rabid reactionaries and the PR firms. If you agree post your support below.

Ok I'm not one for enthusiastic comments, and I suspect the bursts of praise above, is more an indication of the media used (Facebook & Twitter) than back slapping. However the individuals in question do deserve praise, for taking action in harse conditions, to demonstrate the insanity of even considering drilling for oil in the Arctic. The Greenland police are clearly also a disgrace, both in the ways they have lied to the media, but also their complete bias towards the interests of the oil company, potentially at the expense of human life. Various comments on this series of blogs are from Greenlanders, who's views I respect, but are perhaps represent the more rabid, right wing locals. Equally it seems clear that drilling in the Arctic will be a massive disaster for the people of Greenland. Most of the profits will go offshore, and then when there is an accident, Cairn will disappear, leaving Greenland to pay. More disturbingly the continuing increase in greenhouse gas emissions will destory Greenlands ecosystem faster than anywhere else. If that oil rig continues to drill, then Greenland is screwed. So one would expect that views as to drilling, for a black toxic substance, offshore are more divided both in Greenland and internationally, but the internet is ever the home of rabid right wing bloggers. Finally many other comments read like the spin of a PR firm, so I wonder who Cairn have employed to argue the toss at every point. We live in a digital age and someone is being paid to generate such criticism, from a briefing published by the corporate interests Greenpeace is clearly doing a great job shining a light on. So I guess its time to reclaim this space from the rabid reactionaries and the PR firms. If you agree post your support below.

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