Ambrose Protest defused with no arrests

George Stuteville / Indianapolis Star 2apr01

Environmental activists say they're planning further demonstrations in Bloomington this week.

BLOOMINGTON, IN. -- Police cut the locks from two environmental protesters who had shackled themselves to a vehicle outside an Old Navy store Sunday.

Bloomington Patrolman Randy Gelhausen then declined to arrest them -- thus defusing a potentially volatile situation two days after an altercation between police and environmental activists.

Police gingerly used a hacksaw and pneumatic cutters to remove a steel U-lock from around the neck of Marie Mason and the steering column of the gutted Chevrolet Blazer that had been pulled in front of the store at noon -- accompanied by about 45 protesters.

Meanwhile, Earth First! member Cody Hagerty was chained to the frame beneath the vehicle. He lay on a sleeping blanket for about three hours before police moved in.

Mason, 39, of Bloomington, said being shackled was uncomfortable, but her sacrifice was worthwhile.

The protest in the shopping center just off Ind. 37 followed the arrests of seven bicyclists after a rush-hour encounter with police on Friday. The bicyclists were part of the national group Critical Mass, which has staged traffic jams around the country.

The Bloomington demonstrations are part of the resistance planned for this week by the local group Buffalo Trace Earth First! in support of local activist Frank Ambrose, who was charged in January with spiking trees to prevent them from being felled for lumber. Ambrose's hearing has been postponed until May 15, but the protests will continue, said David Agranoff, spokesman for Sunday's action.

Agranoff said Earth First! selected Old Navy to draw attention to their claim that the national chain pays "sweat-shop" wages to overseas laborers who make the clothing it sells.

A local manager referred calls to headquarters in San Francisco. Those calls were not returned.

The Bloomington store was celebrating its grand opening.

Debby Rollins of Bloomington was shopping when the protesters arrived, followed by police, firetrucks and media.

"I guess this is our excitement for the day," she said. "But I think it would be better if they were protesting the loss of jobs at our local General Electric plant to overseas workers."

If you have come to this page from an outside location click here to get back to mindfully.org