Olympia protesters have been trying to attract attention lately, complaining that the Port of Olympia is doing what it’s supposed to do by providing a place where construction materials can be shipped. However, since the environmental extremists involved do not like what the materials could be used for – developing fracking wells in North Dakota – they have been trying to block railroad tracks, disrupting city council meetings, etc.
However, now The Olympian says the protesters have gone too far, by harassing Port of Olympia workers. The destruction of railroad property, the associated costs to the public to have the police clear out their illegal protest campground, and forcing a public council meeting to change locations were just a prelude to this latest overstep. As The Olympian opined, “the port actually plays a minor role as a materials supplier for an industry much larger than what is being challenged here. The port employees are pawns in this local drama and — if harassment is meant to punish those who earn a living (even remotely) by assisting oil extraction — then the wrong targets are being punished.”
Here’s hoping that the protesters themselves see some “punishment” soon for their law-breaking.
