A climate activist and two documentary filmmakers were arraigned Thursday in Washington state for their roles in last week’s #ShutItDown act of non-violent civil disobedience.
Ken Ward of Oregon, who was arrested for closing a safety valve on Kinder Morgan’s TransMountain tar sands pipeline in Anacortes, Washington, faces charges of burglary, criminal trespass, sabotage, and assemblages of saboteurs.
Videographers Lindsey Grayzel and Carl Davis, who were on site documenting Ward’s actions—but did not participate—were arraigned on conspiracy charges. Four other activists, two support team members, and another independent documentary filmmaker are also facing charges in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
Ahead of his participation in the “unprecedented” protest, 59-year-old Ward explained why he was taking part: “There is no plan of action, policy, or strategy being advanced now by any political leader or environmental organization playing by the rules that does anything but acquiesce to ruin. Our only hope is to step outside polite conversation and put our bodies in the way. We must shut it down, starting with the most immediate threats—oil sands fuels and coal.”
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