Saturday’s actions by police come one day after protesters were able to halt to two trucks from removing military equipment that had been unloaded from Iraq.
All week, OlyPMR has been protesting the use of the port by the USNS Brittin, which landed at the port Monday to unload equipment that was used in Iraq by the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
On Friday, protesters, including several small children, were able to keep two trucks, including one towing a Stryker vehicle, from leaving the port. Olympia police said the department did not have enough officers available to remove the protesters Friday, and that they were not prepared to physically remove children.
Olympia Port Commission President Paul Telford said Friday night that he understood police did not have the resources to remove the protesters that day but added he was “a little disappointed that we didn’t get some police support.”
Early this morning, protesters were blocking the main entrance to the port, and overnight a barricade had been built at another road providing access to the port on Market and Marine Drive. Protesters said they were there all night.
The barricade, which included the axle of a truck with four wheels attached and plastic garbage cans, was cleared by what appeared to be port workers using a bulldozer about 8:15 a.m. today. Police also cleared protesters from the barricade using pepper spray.
Before today's action by police, truck drivers who were waiting to do their jobs said they didn’t feel police were doing theirs. Overnight, truck driver Mike Cutberth said protesters stole equipment from his truck that he had used to secure cargo containers.
“The police response (stinks),” Cutberth said of Saturday’s incation by police.
“We’re a tax-producing business,” said truck driver Tory Liljeblad. “Why don’t we get protection?”
Nathan Forrest added that “I can’t make a living” with the protesters blocking port access.
“We’re truck drivers; we can’t get in and work,” Mike Smith said.
After the trucks rolled into the port this morning, it appeared that OlyPMR’s resistance would continue; police scanners were reporting various actions in the area of the port and on Fourth Avenue after 11 a.m.
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