Climate activists shut down railroad tracks near two oil refineries near Seattle, Washington, resulting in the arrests of more than 50 people.
About 150 people had spent the night in tents and sleeping bags on tracks leading to the refineries near Anacortes, Wash., said BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas. When asked to leave around 5 a.m. PT, most gathered their belongings and left, he said.
But others — 52 in all — were arrested for trespassing, the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management said. One protester was also cited for resisting arrest, the Associated Press reported.
A spokesperson for the activists said she expected the protestors to be released shortly, and that they would continue to protest but not necessarily at the railroad tracks.
The rail line has been closed since Friday, with trains re-routed to avoid the area. The rail line provides passage for trains transporting oil as well as animal feed and other products. Companies Shell and Tesoro said their first concern is about safety and they respect the right of people to protest peacefully.
Hundreds of protesters in kayaks, canoes, on bikes and on foot converged on the area, around 70 miles north of Seattle, to demand action on climate and an equitable transition away from fossil fuels such as oil and coal. A smaller group blocked the railroad tracks, AP reported
The protests are part of a larger movement calling for people to "break free" from dependence on fossil fuels. Other similar demonstrations were held around the country.
Organizers in Washington targeted the two refineries, Shell and Tesoro, they say are responsible for the most greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
