Downtown Seattle, WA — Just days after kayaktivists attempted to blockade the Polar Pioneer on its way to the Arctic, #sHellno protesters swiftly organized a demonstration against Shell Oil and Foss in front of the Renaissance Hotel where the two conglomerates were holding an elite conference June 17. The protesters met in front of the hotel at 7:30 am sharp to begin protesting the deleterious effects of Arctic drilling and the decimation of Indigenous people’s land.
Liberation News was on the ground with the chanting demonstrators who garnered attention from the guests of the hotel and drivers in traffic alike. Many stuck in traffic at the four way intersection honked their horns in support of the message that Arctic drilling must be stopped and corporate greed must go with it.
Roughly two hours into the protest this reporter found out that some protesters planned to enter the hotel and disrupt the conference. The plan was that the group would go to the side entrance door on the left and be let in by a friend who had entered the hotel before the demonstration had even begun. When the organizers said the code word the entire group headed for the side entrance and a few were able to enter before security slammed and locked the doors on protesters. Pnly a fraction were able to get in but they were determined to send a message.
The protesters headed up the escalator to the conference and that was when one security guard put this reporter into a bear-hug and tried to take them to the ground. Luckily they were able to get away and reach the top of the stairs with the rest of the group, chanting “Shell no!” and “Those people inside trade environment for profit!”
This went on for several minutes before Seattle police showed up to defend big oil and harass protesters. The group was forced out of the hotel and onto the street but held on for another 45 minutes. During this time organizers gave issued an arrest warrant for the people inside for their complicity in supporting the destruction of the Earth.
As the end the demonstration was reached organizers called for an end to Shell and Foss and their desire to drill in the Arctic. We promised that they will be stopped and we will be the ones who stop them.
