Tacoma SDS

Protesters are resisting the US Military surge in Afghanistan by blocking Stryker Vehicles bound for the Port of Tacoma for shipment overseas.

May 3, 2009 Tacoma, WA – Activists staged a series of successful direct actions in several locations on the night of May 2, blocking striker vehicles bound for the Port of Tacoma from Fort Lewis. Blockades halted strikers at several points along Interstate 5, and 11 activists were arrested. Demonstrators have pledged to continue resisting the use of the port for war shipments.

Two PepperSpray collective members, Lambert Rochfort and Joe LaSac, on assignment in St Paul covering the protests associated with the Republican National Convention, were both arrested on Sunday while covering the story. Both are still being held without charges or an opportunity to go before a judge. update: Joe La Sac appears to have been released; no confirmation yet. update: Joe's release has been confirmed, although the police continue to hold his camera equipment and personal belongings hostage.

PRESS RELEASE -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Repeated attacks on the civil liberties of independent press and activists before and during the election process emerge as a pattern. Video after the break...

Early this morning at the gate of Fort Lewis three activists using lockboxes stopped Strykers from entering the Fort for over twenty minutes. The action ended up stopping shipments for twenty minutes and cost various law enforcement agencies a great deal of money. The on site street medic said that there were more cops at the action then he had ever seen in one place.

Two activists, K-Tee-O (Katherine Olejnik) and Kelly Beckham, were arrested for crossing a police line at the Port of Tacoma late Thursday night. Both women were thrown to the ground and treated roughly. K-Tee-O was pulled across the line by her hair. They are being held at Pierce County Jail in Tacoma, each on two charges.

Defendants in the Port of Tacoma trial have another mesmerizing, spell-binding hearing this week! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday...at 1:30 pm in the Tacoma County-City building in room 233, but let's be honest it changes every single time we appear. It would be greatly appreciated if you would come (with all of your friends) and show public support for these supposed social deviants. Hope to see you there.