Native Voices Address Olympia Port Commissioners

Above: Earth-Feather Sovereign of the Colville Confederated Tribes and Okanagan from British Columbia addresses Port of Olympia commissioners on Monday night.

-Activists, Sheriff John Snaza also speak at port meeting

-2018 Budget Passes, Taxes Raised

-Rail Blockade Continues

By Janine Gates

Little Hollywood

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Due to the continued direct action rail blockade by activists in downtown Olympia, Port of Olympia commissioners provided community members an extra half hour of time to speak at its Monday night meeting.

A standing room only crowd of about 65 people packed the port’s meeting room.

Several speakers were activists involved with blockading the railroad tracks in downtown Olympia. Other speakers included Native community members, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza, who was not in uniform, longshore workers, and community members supportive of the blockade.

The four hour meeting also included a vote to increase taxes to support the 2018 budget and the purchase of two new log loaders. Commissioner E.J. Zita voted no on the budget, suggesting other ways to raise needed funds.

At the outset of the meeting, commissioner Joe Downing suggested that commissioners make extra time in their agenda to allow activists who are specifically blocking the railroad line time to speak. He said he went to the blockade two times over the weekend and spoke with activists. 

“Dialogue is the start to a solution…I’m hoping for a peaceful resolution,” he said.

Collectively known as Olympia Stand, the group is demanding that the Port of Olympia cease all fossil fuel and military infrastructure shipments. They also demand “horizontal and democratic control of the Port of Olympia, including participation from area indigenous tribes,” according to a press release. 

The blockade began November 17, outlasting a similar blockade for the same reasons in November, 2016. That blockade lasted seven days and ended by a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement action.  

Commissioner Zita said she was told by port staff that corn syrup, not ceramic proppants, was currently needing to leave the port in train cars.

Commissioner Bill McGregor said the soda pop bottling companies at Mottman Park in Tumwater such as L&E Bottling Company are being adversely impacted as a result of the rail blockage and will make production decisions within the next few days.

Commissioner Zita asked for a commissioner discussion on the situation but that was denied by Commissioners Downing and Bill McGregor. She then asked for a work session to meet with the City of Olympia and others to peacefully resolve the situation before law enforcement is involved. She said that Sheriff John Snaza had reached out to her and shares a concern for public safety. 

“We have an opportunity to do better this time than we did last time,” she said.

Commissioners McGregor and Downing were non-committal in their desire to meet.

Many speakers asked for a halt to the port's contract with Rainbow Ceramics. Ceramic proppants are used in the process of hydraulic fracking in North Dakota.

Kyle Lucas, Tulalip Tribes and Nlaka’pamux Nation, called for an end to the port’s Rainbow Ceramics contract, and requested port consultation with Indian tribes. She said many different groups have come together at the blockade and although no one group speaks for the blockade, she speaks for the Indigenous Caucus.  

“As land defenders and water protectors, we as the Indigenous Caucus formed last year…to stand up for the Standing Rock Sioux to help support them defend their water…from a terrible practice called hydraulic fracturing….We have been fighting for our land and water against corporate and government oppression for 200 plus years. We don’t always agree among ourselves but tribes and indigenous peoples gathered at Standing Rock to make a stand for months in the most unbelievable weather conditions because we feel so strongly about this….

“We feel silence would be tantamount to aiding and abetting the carnage in one of the most dirtiest, most wasteful, reckless and wasteful industries in the world…We ask for your support in ending that complicity by ending the contract. We also ask that you please consult Indian Tribes…please end this deadly practice of contributing to climate change, global warming whose ravages we have witnessed with unprecedented wildfires, hurricanes, storms, flooding and mass displacement of peoples, many of them brown peoples….Migwetch….thank you for hearing me,” said Lucas.

Earth-Feather Sovereign of the Colville Confederated Tribes and Okanagan from British Columbia asked that port staff start the public comment clock after tribal members are done introducing themselves. She said she was very disappointed to not see the flags of the Medicine Creek Treaty Tribes of 1854 displayed in the port room or at Olympia City Hall or the Capitol Building. She was also disappointed that tribal council members weren’t present as part of port conversations.

“When it comes to these port blockades, not only are they (the activists) protecting our environment and our Mother Earth, they’re also protecting our women and children who are being sex trafficked, being stolen and brought to these men camps and they’re protecting our women who are the backbone of this nation and if we are to uplift our nation, we need to uplift our women. We need to protect our children because not only are we protecting our children of our next seven generations, we are protecting your children and your seven generations….What’s going to happen when all the trees are cut down and we can’t breathe? What’s going to happen to the water when we can’t drink?” she asked.

The “men camps,” Sovereign referred to are the energy company–built barracks that have been built around fracking sites in North Dakota.

Marles Black Bird, Standing Rock Hunkpapa Lakota and Cheyenne River Mnicoujou Lakota, elaborated on the oil field camps and culture of sex trafficking, illegal drugs and violence, and increased alcohol use that impacts not only the surrounding towns but indigenous tribes.

“By enabling these (fracking) companies who are just turning a blind eye…is just being complicit,” she said.

Several speakers directly involved with the blockade strongly suggested meeting with the Indigenous Caucus. One speaker said that the Indigenous Caucus has the best perspective on economic hardships.

“There is a chance here to heal from the wounds enacted by generations of exploitation of land and water,” he said.

“There’s real potential to resolve the port blockade peacefully. You need to show good faith and prove yourself around this issue,” said a woman who identified herself as Emma. 

Sovereign spoke to the commissioners again, saying, “The Indigenous Caucus is a good beginning but we’re only here as advocates. The people you should be reaching out to are the tribes. I’m sure there are lots of businesses here who are supposed to have liaisons…but we are glad to be here to help bring in these people and help start these conversations,” she said.

Sheriff John Snaza also addressed the commissioners and the audience saying he appreciated all the comments he heard. He encouraged continued communication.

“I don’t get to pick and choose which laws I want to enforce and which ones I do not. The hardest part I’ve seen at the blockade is…the individuals I’ve contacted don’t really want to talk to the sheriff but…I wish they would be willing to speak with us and explain what their intentions are.”

He said that last year, there was a lack of communication “from the city to the port, from the city to Union Pacific, the port to the city, oh, and by the way, there’s no communication with Sheriff’s Office.”

Addressing the audience, he asked, “Please sit down and talk with us. Last year, unfortunately, when we broke up the blockade, individuals caused damage….(By doing so) you’re losing the point of your cause. Please make the point of your cause so we can understand….We may not agree on everything…but we have an opportunity to come to some sort of agreement without individuals being hurt or harmed.”

In the end, Commissioner McGregor said he believes in the rule of law, and state and federal laws are being broken. Instead of responding to the concerns of those who spoke at the podium, he quoted unsubstantiated demands and extreme comments he found on social media.

Commissioner Zita again suggested a work session on Wednesday to discuss meeting with the City of Olympia and the rail blockade’s Indigenous Caucus. Commissioners McGregor and Downing said they would check their schedules.

Above: Activists continue their blockade of the railroad tracks in downtown Olympia at Seventh and Jefferson Streets. The tracks are used to transport a variety of products, including ceramic proppants used in hydraulic fracking. Community members addressed Port of Olympia commissioners at their meeting Monday night.

Little Hollywood writes extensively about Port of Olympia issues. For more information and photos, go to https://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search engine.

Correction, November 28: Port commissioners voted to increase the amount of taxes collected from the current $5 million to about $6 million. It's complicated. See page 25 of the Port of Olympia meeting agenda packet, slide number 19 for Tax Levy Uses at https://www.portolympia.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3028

Law Enforcement Answers Rail Blockade Questions

Above: Multi-jurisdictional law enforcement wait just before their advancement on the camp that blockaded Union Pacific tracks in the early morning hours of November 18 in downtown Olympia. 

City Manager Steve Hall on Blockade, Port, City Communications

By Janine Gates

Little Hollywood

http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Little Hollywood has reached out to several entities involved with the November 18 raid on the rail blockade of Union Pacific tracks in downtown Olympia to get answers to lingering questions about the event.

By no means does the information gathered answer all questions, but it provides more information than has been offered in Port of Olympia or City of Olympia public meetings.

The rail blockade, begun by direct action activists in downtown Olympia on November 11, was in response to the Port of Olympia’s contract with Rainbow Ceramics and in solidarity with water protectors at Standing Rock. 

The Port of Olympia receives ships loaded with ceramic proppants, and transfers the cargo to trains bound for North Dakota or Wyoming. Ceramic proppants are used in the process of hydraulic fracking for gas and oil extraction.

As the week unfolded, new supporters joined the cause, creating a new group that collectively evolved and communicated with local officials in various capacities.

The blockade was broken up in the early morning hours of November 18 by a currently unknown number of Union Pacific special agents, the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Thurston County Sheriff’s Department, and the Olympia Police Department (OPD), with assistance from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

Washington State Patrol

According to Kyle Moore, government media relations staff for the Washington State Patrol, 23 troopers were involved in the November 18 operation. Troopers acted as observers, pilots and provided perimeter security.  

According to OPD, the Washington State Patrol also protected the train’s engineer, conductor, and the train as it left Olympia.

The Washington State Patrol used a Cessna aircraft to provide an aerial view of the demonstration to officers on the ground, which accounts for that persistent droning sound of small aircraft seen and heard frequently above downtown Olympia that week.   

Moore said that the total cost of the rail blockade, for both regular time and overtime, is $9,336.00.

Above: Thurston County Sheriff's Department officers participated in the escort of the Union Pacific train out of downtown Olympia on November 18.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Department

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Department was asked similar questions.

“We responded to the rail blockage under the umbrella of mutual aid, requested by Olympia Police Department. There were approximately 19 law enforcement officials from our agency that responded. Our role was to provide scene security for Union Pacific police. I am not certain of the final cost,” said Carla Carter, public information officer for the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department last week.

Olympia Police Department

Olympia Police Department Lieutenants Paul Lower and Aaron Jelcick each answered Little Hollywood’s questions through email and in telephone interviews.

According to OPD, Union Pacific railroad special agents were in the lead, and in charge of the “clean-up” operation the morning of November 18.

A total of 46 OPD officers were present in different capacities.

Seven OPD sergeants were present, who oversaw the arrest team and conducted crowd control. Seven officers conducted traffic control and roved around the area in case marchers or protesters interfered with traffic. Two officers videotaped the process of arresting protesters and of alleged property damage. 

A still unknown number of officers were at the scene outside the Fish Tale Ale. Lt. Jelcick said that was a dynamic situation.

Above: At least 17 officers formed a line to prevent fewer than 15 protesters from being near the original blockade site. OPD says that some officers stayed inside and outside the perimeter to provide security for Union Pacific special agents as they cleared the tracks.

OPD used a pepper ball gun on protesters when the arrests started and when protesters starting climbing on moving vehicles. 

Pepper ball guns deploy a small plastic capsule that contains a little powder, an irritant, called capsaicin. When aimed at the ground, the capsule is broken open and a puff of pepper spray is released, causing people to move away.

Lt. Jelcick said he does not yet know how many capsules were used. The pepper ball gun can be used against people directly.

“It is the safest, lowest level crowd control option we have,” said Jelcick.

OPD also used flash bang grenades and threw three of them toward protesters outside the Fish Tale Ale to move them back off the tracks. The ones used were inert, says Lt. Jelcick, although he says the department does have the type of flash bang grenades that contain rubber bullets that go in all directions when used.

Lt. Jelcick says the department does not have or use tear gas.

Lt. Jelcick said two Lewis County Sheriff’s Department corrections officers assisted with transport of those arrested, and provided a vehicle for that purpose.

He said the Olympia Police Department did not videotape protesters or their camp prior to the raid.

A final cost for the operation has not yet been provided.

Olympia City Manager Steve Hall also answered more of Little Hollywood’s questions on December 9:

Little Hollywood: Where the protesters were camping, Olympia Stand says is “public land.” Is that true?  

Hall: No. It is public right of way. Any camping within right of way is not permitted. Could someone pitch a tent on Plum Street, which is right of way?  No. The same is true for the railroad tracks and blocking railroad trains.

For example, Olympia City Hall and Olympia Fire Department stations are public property, but a citizen cannot pitch a tent and camp in or on City Hall or Fire Department property. The demonstrators were asked to leave so that the railroad police could clear the adjacent tracks. Many left on their own - those who did not were arrested. I don’t know what charges were filed.

Little Hollywood: What was the city's position was for letting the protesters be there? 

Hall: The City did not direct the protestors to the land upon which they pitched tents and camped. The City attempted to resolve the protest peacefully and OPD warned the protestors that they had to leave or be subject to arrest.  Many chose to leave. The few who did not leave were subsequently arrested.

Little Hollywood: Are there any communications protocol currently in place that informs the city when hazardous cargo, such as the ceramic proppants, is running through the City of Olympia? 

Hall: It is my understanding that proppants are not considered hazardous cargo. They are ceramic coated sand or silica. They may be controversial, which is different than hazardous. I believe federal law dictates requirements if railroads carry hazardous cargoes such as chlorine but I don’t know what obligations they have to advise cities along the route.

Little Hollywood: I remember attending a joint city council-port meeting at was then the Phoenix Inn years ago. That was great. When was the last such joint meeting? 

Hall: Our last joint meeting with the Port was June 21, 2016. Items on the agenda were shared successes, sea level rise, the Downtown Strategy and the Nisqually Canoe journey. A variety of other minor issues were mentioned but I don’t recall if any mention was made of marine terminal cargo.

Little Hollywood: Have you and (port executive director) Ed Galligan sat down to discuss anything as suggested by Commissioner Downing in a recent port meeting? 

Hall: Ed and I have talked several times about a productive conversation(s) around this issue. At this time I don’t think a big formal meeting in a fishbowl would be productive. No council/commission meetings have been scheduled at this time.

Questions to Port, Rainbow Ceramics Asked, Still Unanswered

The Port of Olympia and Rainbow Ceramics have yet to respond to some of Little Hollywood’s questions regarding the disclosure of future shipments by rail. Questions were sent to Port of Olympia executive director Ed Galligan on November 30 and resent December 6. Other questions were submitted to the port's public records officer.

A representative of Rainbow Ceramics in Houston requested that I submit questions in writing, as she was unable to answer questions. She said she would submit the questions to their legal department. Little Hollywood did so on December 1 and awaits a response.

For more photos and information about the rail blockade, Olympia Stand, Olympia Police Department, Chief Roberts’ statement against ceramic proppants, the Port of Olympia, Ed Galligan, Rainbow Ceramics, and ceramic proppants, go to Little Hollywood, http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.

Risky Business: Olympia Port Commission vs City of Olympia

Above: Part meeting, part trial, the Port of Olympia Commission met on Monday night with a capacity crowd present. The tenuous relationship between the City of Olympia and the Port of Olympia and county-wide community members involves risky business, and no dispute resolution seems to be in sight.

By Janine Gates

http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

- Port tables discussion of City of Olympia’s hydraulic fracking, Standing Rock resolutions, meeting discussions with City

- 2017 Budget Passes, Downing sought to censure Zita for her role, conduct in rail blockade citing Little Hollywood, The Olympian news sources; McGregor refuses to vote for censure

- McGregor gives statement about Port's Role in Rail Blockade Raid, City of Olympia’s Chief Roberts’ statement 

Like a Thanksgiving family gathering gone bad, it was a Port of Olympia meeting that finally ended, after four hours and fifteen minutes of contentious, downright cringe-worthy, bickering behavior.

Much like the City of Olympia's council meeting last Tuesday night, the meeting room was nearly filled to capacity, and many wanted to speak or at least hear more information about the rail blockade of a Union Pacific train that ended November 18. 

The train, filled with ceramic proppants, was set to leave the Port of Olympia under contract with Rainbow Ceramics on November 11, but was forced to return to the port when protesters blocked the tracks. 

It was the first Port of Olympia meeting held after the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement raid on the camp, and like the council meeting, specific details were absent.

The 48 page agenda dramatically shape-shifted at the outset, with Commissioner Joe Downing dispensing with a discussion of the City of Olympia’s 2014 resolution concerning the oil-by-rail industry, hydraulic fracturing, and oil exports, and its October 2016 resolution in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

Commissioners were also scheduled to discuss the details of a possible meeting with the city.

“(We need) to determine, what the city does, if anything, about Chief Roberts' statement. We need to know where the city stands on protecting individual's private property rights and businesses that operate within the city's jurisdiction before we meet with them. It may also make sense that the city initiate a meeting with the port since they mentioned the port in their 2014 anti-fracking oil-by-rail resolution, and one of their employees spoke publicly and negatively about the Port,” said Downing. 

The motion to change the agenda was seconded by Commissioner Bill McGregor.

Downing said he was open to a meeting with the city through established channels, which would be between Olympia city manager Steve Hall and port executive director Ed Galligan.

“So far, we have not heard that from the city or conditions for that meeting,” said Downing. 

Commissioner E. J. Zita said that no decisions were to be made that evening about the cargo shipments, and discussion should proceed. 

McGregor suggested waiting until a work session in January to discuss it again. That suggestion was met with some snickers from the audience. 

Zita wanted to extend public comment to the amount of time it would have taken to have that discussion.

“The Washington Public Ports Association...encourages us to allow as much public comment as the people ask for....We clearly have some damage control to do…by taking the Washington Public Ports' advice, we would be taking a step in the right direction....I think they are giving good advice,” said Zita.

Downing responded that he took exception to the phrase “damage control,” saying, “The port is hurting as well...both sides have taken hits.”

Extending public comment to accommodate speakers was denied, but speakers were given more chances to speak that evening. 

Former Olympia city councilmember T.J. Johnson was one of the first to speak at public comment. Now a farmer, Johnson said that Downing's previous comments that protesters should 'move on to the next issue' was ridiculous. 

In response to McGregor's desire to wait until January to speak with the city about future shipments of ceramic proppants, Johnson said, “...Climate change is the issue. Fossil fuel extraction is the issue. The Arctic is 30 degrees warmer than has ever been recorded in history...scientists this week talk about 19 critical tipping points that were just exceeded in terms of climate change. The idea that people are protesting because they just need an issue to protest, no, this is the issue today, tomorrow, and in January, when you get around to your tabled resolutions, and for the next 100 years....” 

Susan McRae also spoke passionately about the shipments.

“The Nuremberg Trials were clear: when facing a great wrong, each individual is responsible for doing the right thing and working to prevent the injustice.  This is why I am here this evening. I consider the Port’s complicity with the fossil fuel industry a form of genocide. Our earth as we know it is being destroyed by global climate disruption....

“The available evidence overwhelmingly indicates that fracking is incredibly harmful. The citizens of Olympia know this.  The citizens of Olympia do not want the Port to be facilitating fracking in any form.”

Several longshoremen spoke: Dwayne Napolean commented that everything on the docks is controversial by somebody's standards, Michael Blocker said that his wages come from the cargo, not the taxpayers, and Richard Korn said he moved here in the late 80s as a young Evergreen State College student against logging. 

“The Port has given me a great standard of living, benefits, my children are happy and healthy and have healthcare...I owe that to the port....The port makes it a much nicer place to live in Thurston County....” said Korn.

Above:  Protesters who participated in the blockade, and bystanders who came downtown to help, assist with cleaning up the aftermath of the blockade, while law enforcement continued to guard the tracks on Friday afternoon, November 18.

Downing Seeks To Censure Zita

Yes, the port passed their 2017 budget and capital investment plan with substantial public comment, with the marine terminal revenue and operations still being the most unstable. 

The port continues to operate at a loss in the millions while taxing homeowners nearly $40 on a $230,000 home. Commissioner McGregor said that while he too hopes the port would be off the tax rolls, that it won't happen in his lifetime. 

Then, accusations of misconduct were leveled by Port Commissioner Joe Downing against Port Commissioner E.J. Zita in what amounted to a spontaneous trial.

Downing sought to formally censure Zita on three alleged infractions: talking to the press or public about information learned in executive session, speaking poorly of port staff, and misrepresenting herself as a port liaison in the rail blockade situation without authority.

Downing said Zita violated the port’s 2008 resolution regarding ethical standards, and two articles of its 2015 code of conduct, on integrity and respect. He also added an alleged violation to RCW 42.23.070 under Prohibited Acts, which states that no municipal officer may disclose confidential information gained by reason of the officer’s position.

To support the merits of his case, Downing used excerpts of stories from Little Hollywood and The Olympian, dated November 15, 16 and 17, which were placed on the viewing screen for the public. He proceeded to pummel her for well over an hour.

Zita capably defended herself, pro se, on each point, saying that the information she learned about a possible raid on the camp was not learned in executive session, that port executive director Ed Galligan had, in fact, called her and told her that the camp may be broken up on Thursday. She said she did not know that this was confidential information.

“We should all share concern for public peace and safety. Your way is to keep secrets. My way is to…not keep secrets,” Zita responded to Downing.

Downing continued with his charges, citing a paragraph in a story posted by Little Hollywood on November 15, “Olympia Rail Protesters Given Notice to Vacate, Port Commissioners Respond,” to accuse Zita of speaking poorly of Galligan.

The paragraph he cited, quoting Zita, states, “Port commissioners are responsible for setting port policy, and the executive director is responsible for carrying out the policy. While the executive director may have played a key role in securing the Rainbow Ceramics contract to move fracking proppants through the Port, future decisions on this matter rest with commissioners.”

Zita responded that the statement was neither accusatory nor inflammatory toward Galligan.

“What are our policies on accepting cargo? We haven’t finished that conversation…This is part of a conversation that we have yet to finish…and it’s our job to do that….” she said.

Downing said he sees it as a pattern of belittling the executive director. Zita denied the charge.

Finally, Downing accused Zita of misrepresenting her authority as a liaison of the port in speaking with the protesters. In response, she presented a string of emails dated November 16 – 23 between her and Galligan.

The emails explain the roles she and City of Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones played as liaisons in order to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation.

Her email to Galligan dated November 17 clearly states, “All involved understand that none of the participants are authorized to make decisions on behalf of their groups – Olympia Stand, the City, or the Port.” (Bolded and underlines are in the original email.)

Commissioner McGregor seconded the motion, “so we can get to public comment.” His second required the public comment, as the censure would be an action item. Weigh in they did - nearly 20 speakers. More than one said that Downing’s accusations were a “witch hunt,” and “embarrassing,” and demonstrated a lack of civility.

Many longshoremen spoke in support of Downing and congratulated him for protecting the marine terminal interests and their jobs.

Kelly Atkinson, senior vice president of Talon Marine Services of Seattle, said he represents the ships and vessels and in all his 20 years of coming to Olympia for business, has never seen a meeting like this. He questioned Commissioner Zita and whether she supported the marina division of the Port, saying she spoke in “political doublespeak.”

Earlier in the evening, Atkinson complimented the port, saying that crews felt safe and welcome in Olympia. He said that 25 vessels came to port, and crew members spent between $10,000 - $12,000 per port of call, dispersed through various channels, including food provisions and Capital Mall, generating about $300,000 a year into the community.

In Zita's defense, Franz Kilmer-Shoultz said that he was one of the protesters at the camp for nine hours a day, and said it was not Commissioner Zita who alerted protesters that a raid was imminent, but that it was, in fact, a city councilmember who told him.

The evening was so dramatic that Downing’s wife, Myra, felt compelled to step up to defend her husband.

Finally, McGregor said that while this has been a difficult discussion, he commended Downing for bringing up his frustration that the port has not been operating as a body of unity.

Instead of voting to censure Zita, McGregor recused himself, and suggested that all three of them be given a verbal warning.

“Let the healing begin,” he said, in part.

Downing said he felt he got his message across, and that the port needs to run more smoothly.

More public comment by a healthy mix of witnesses to the rail blockade raid, community members, longshoremen, and local economic development representatives ensued. For some, it was their first time at a port meeting, and they used a wide range of adjectives to describe the evening.

McGregor Clarifies Port Role in Rail Blockade

Capping off the evening, McGregor had a few words of his own about City of Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts' comments to city council last Tuesday, and clarified the Port's role in the raid on the blockade.

Roberts’ statement was transcribed by Little Hollywood and published in a November 23 article here: http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com/2016/11/olympia-police-chief-denounces-port-of.html

McGregor said that Roberts took an oath of office on the responsibility of police chief and has a legal obligation to respond to those who violate the law. He said he was not going to second guess the appropriateness of the response, and commended officers for enduring taunts and intimidation tactics used by the protesters.

“...While we were involved early on in the planning of the removal (of the protesters), the planning changed dramatically due to sensitive information being disclosed to the newspaper earlier in that week by Commissioner Zita. In a follow up meeting, Port staff and/or commissioners were then excluded and were not part of nor privy to the planned action, date, time, etc. of law enforcement plans that were put into motion....”

An email from Commissioner Zita to Galligan on November 23 and copied to City of Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby and city manager Steve Hall indicates that when Zita walked in on the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement meeting held at port offices on Thursday, November 17, the port's security lead was at the center of the head table. 

Zita says that after she noted the presence of the port security lead, he was then also escorted out.

For more photos and information about the Port of Olympia, the rail blockade of a Union Pacific train, the City of Olympia, Police Chief Ronnie Roberts' statement about the Port of Olympia and ceramic proppants, go to Little Hollywood, https://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, and use the search button to type in key words.

Above: There are more ceramic proppants at the Port of Olympia. Photo taken of the Port of Olympia on November 22, 2016.

Olympia Police Chief Denounces Port of Olympia, Proppant Shipments

Above: In an early Friday morning raid on the rail blockade, about 17 law enforcement officers moved several protesters back with flash bang grenades. This photo was taken at about 5:50 a.m. outside the Fish Tale BrewPub on Jefferson Street.

Longshoremen, City Offer Some Information on Raid 

By Janine Gates

https://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The Olympia city council chamber was packed to capacity with community members wanting to speak at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, or at least hear a detailed report about the rail blockade of a Union Pacific train that ended last Friday. 

Port staff was in the audience, as well as Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake.

Instead, they first heard a stunning, tersely worded statement by City of Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts, who strongly denounced the Port of Olympia and its acceptance of ceramic proppants, stating, “Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.”

The train was blocked on November 11 by protesters taking direct action to prevent it from leaving the Port of Olympia with 15 cars of ceramic proppants. 

The Port of Olympia has had a contract with Rainbow Ceramics for several years to accept ceramic proppants from China, offload the cargo, and prepare it for rail transfer to North Dakota and Wyoming for use in the hydraulic fracking process for oil extraction.

The raid which began Friday morning at 4:00 a.m., was conducted by Union Pacific special agents, Washington State Patrol, Thurston County Sheriff’s department, and the Olympia Police Department. 

The train was able to leave Olympia under Washington State Patrol officer escort at 7:00 a.m. 

Above: City of Olympia Chief of Police Ronnie Roberts speaks to city council members Tuesday evening. “It angers me to have to put our officers in combat gear to face off with members of our community over something I don’t believe in myself,” said Roberts. 

Chief Roberts was invited to speak by Mayor Cheryl Selby at the outset of the council meeting, who gave a statement:

“Good evening Mayor and Council. I would like to take a few moments to share a few comments and thoughts that are on my mind.

I’m struggling to understand why the Port is not aligned with our community values we hold so dear. I care about our climate and our environment and the impact of products coming into our port for the sake of money. 

I do not agree with the confrontational behavior with police who are simply trying to protect the entire community. I understand these actions are based on fear and a sense of hopelessness with the system where they can’t make change. Where the people don’t trust the process, they will resort to other processes that will be more destructive and harmful overall. 

We are all facing uncertainty and concerned with where the county may be going. I am focusing on love and compassion for our community and a desire to be a steward of the land God gave us so it is available for all our children and grandchildren. 

I don’t want to be a part of this and I don’t want my department to be a scapegoat for the decisions the Port made or is making. They have choices and options should they choose to use them to eliminate proppants coming to the Port. 

Continued shipments will only erode more trust of our people and businesses and put our community at risk. If the Port has to accept any cargo, then price your services out of the market so vendors can go somewhere else where it is more acceptable. 

I’ve spent the last five years empowering our department to build trust and to build relationships with our community. I don’t want to lose these efforts. It angers me to have to put our officers in combat gear to face off with members of our community over something I don’t believe in myself. 

The Port is putting me between a rock and a hard spot and I don’t want to be part of it but I don’t have a choice to not protect our community. It is a mandate for police. 

I implore the Port to look for options that are compatible with our community values which have been stated by council. Part of the thing I talk with officers about is, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. 

Tonight, this is sage advice for the Port.

Thank you.”

Cheers and applause from the audience erupted. It is unknown if council members knew what Chief Roberts was going to say.

Instead of responding to Chief Roberts’ remarks, or moving straight to a formal report about the raid, Mayor Cheryl Selby cheerfully moved on with the agenda, without comment, giving special recognition to Senator Karen Fraser. 

The missed opportunity caused some emotional whiplash, but was picked up somewhat when the agenda moved to public comment. Selby informed the audience that 33 people had signed up for public comment and not everyone would be able to speak at the first opportunity of the evening.

Keith Bausch, representing the members of ILWU Longshore Local 47, was the first to speak. About 10 other longshoremen were in the audience.

He expressed concern that had the protest been handled by law enforcement at the outset, the blockade never would have happened and the train could have left Olympia.

“Because of the delayed actions (by law enforcement), more radical elements were able to step in and take over the protest….We hope that plans will be put in place to stop future attempts to blockade rail movements before they get out of hand,” said Bausch.

Bausch said that the train was not going to North Dakota, that it is headed for Wyoming to be used for drilling natural gas wells.

“We need natural gas as an interim fuel to help wean ourselves off of coal and oil….There seems to be a belief that the fracking process is dependent on ceramic proppants. This is a false premise. The U.S. has an abundant supply of silica sand and the oil companies will use it if they can’t get proppants….Stopping this cargo here will have no impact on fracking in the U.S. whatsoever. However, it will impact the job opportunities and future registration for our local. It will reduce needed income for the Port of Olympia, it will also affect the ability of the port to market itself for future cargoes,” said Bausch.

Above: Chris van Daalen, in orange and yellow reflective jacket, observes the situation between law enforcement and protesters outside the Fish Tale Ale on Jefferson Street early Friday morning. Officers held the line while Union Pacific workers and law enforcement cleared the railroad tracks nearby.

Several speakers with first-hand experience visiting the blockade site said the protesters were polite, caring, and thoughtful.

Chris van Daalen spoke, saying he went down to the action to act as a peacekeeper. He was present during the raid, wearing a reflective vest. 

He said he is now involved with a new affinity group that will work to prevent future violence and find common ground and build community with the longshoremen, the police department, and others.

Pat Holm also spoke, and said she made many new friends there. She said that at age 80, she couldn’t risk taking direct action and block the tracks, but was appreciative of the young people who did. She said many protesters have bruises as a result of baton jabbing by officers.

“People were hurt. I feel really sad about that,” said Holm.

Christopher Donnelly spoke, saying that unnecessary force was used against the protesters and the city should ban the use of concussion grenades to suppress protests. He commented that law enforcement was taking surveillance video during the protest, but weren’t wearing body cameras during the raid.

After public comment, city manager Steve Hall spoke, reminding the audience that council unanimously passed a resolution in October in support of Standing Rock. Two years ago, council asked the Port of Olympia to reconsider cargo related to climate change.

Hall said he heard some things in public comment that were not true. He continued, making the following points, some based on his own observations: 

·        The Port has not yet changed its criteria for cargo.

·        Hall saw no injuries related to the clearing of the tracks – “this was my biggest fear that someone would get hurt.”

·        The Union Pacific railroad police asked for assistance from all local law enforcement (Washington State Patrol, Thurston County Sheriff's Department, and Olympia Police Department (OPD).

·        OPD’s main objective was to get people to leave the camp next to the rail lines so that Union Pacific special agents could clear the tracks. The city provided perimeter support so that more people did not get onto the tracks.

·        “In Olympia fashion, the Olympia police provided many, many opportunities for people to leave...Of the 30 or so campers, about 20 left without arrest.” Hall observed patience and lack of aggressiveness by OPD. Considerable aggression, taunts and objectionable language by the protesters was observed.

·        Arrests were handled very carefully  “with no scuffling that I observed.”

·        The issue of the closed track closure is complex.

·        Representatives of the city and Port of Olympia communicated with the protesters on multiple days.

·        The city advised the protesters that other cargo and equipment was also blocked.

·        The city told the protesters that local businesses including L&E Bottling, two metal companies, the independent locomotive operator was trapped, and others were not only inconvenienced, but losing work and work hours.

·        The manager of L&E indicated she would have to lay off 25-30 people at the plant this past weekend due to lack of product getting to them. “That means a lot of people who were counting on holiday wages will not receive them.”

·        Council members Jim Cooper and Clark Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Jones and Port Commissioner E.J. Zita each talked with protesters about options to resolve the issue. All ideas were rejected by protesters.

·        Hall spoke with members of the group on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by phone about ideas to avoid law enforcement. “As often happens, the individuals said that no one speaks for the group and all act on their own accord.”

·        The city offered to let the camp stay near the tracks after the train cleared, spoke about a press conference with elected officials in solidarity with the protest, and spoke about joint statements about the fracking sands.

·        The individuals the city spoke to rejected all these ideas and indicated they would not talk any further.

·        The tracks were cleared on Friday morning.

Hall also said that on Friday afternoon, he and Mayor Selby met with the owner of Rainbow Ceramics and told him that he needs to understand our community and the concerns of our citizens.

Hall said the mayor asked the owner about the environmental impacts of the product. The answer, Hall said, “was confusing.”

“I told him that he should expect protests in the future. If tracks get blocked, the city will do everything we can to avoid use of law enforcement. We are in a difficult spot but we will continue to do our job,” concluded Hall.

“We are not done talking to the Port,” said Hall. 

For more information about the Port of Olympia, ceramic proppants, the blockade of the Union Pacific railroad tracks in downtown Olympia, go to https://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words in the search button.

The Port of Olympia website is www.portolympia.com. 

Editor's Note: The city issued a press release about the raid, conducted by multi-jurisdictional law enforcement, on November 18. An earlier version of this article said that the city had not issued a press release.