(10/16/98) Confrontation at Grizzly Creek III

Confrontation at Grizzly Creek (III)

by Nicholas Wilson

Observers become protesters themselves

When the word passed that pepper spray was being used again, and perhaps mistaking McKee's chanting for cries of pain, a crowd of supporters surged forward across the highway in protest.

Police pressed them back, but a group of a dozen linked arms and took the center line of the highway, which quickly became the new skirmish line.

For about an hour the protesting observers held that line, standing, sitting, and at one point lying across the eastbound lane of the roadway with their heads on the centerline.

CHP had closed that lane earlier and directed one-way traffic through the lane closest to the lockdown, which now resulted in loaded log trucks passing within a foot of the heads of the prone highway protesters.

One Earth First! activist gestured and shouted to passing drivers, "They're torturing young women over there right now!" Some reacted with support, while some yelled back, "Good!" To those the activist rejoindered, "You're next! They'll get something on you; just you wait, buddy."

Comments? Send a letter to the editor.

Albion Monitor October 16, 1998 (http://www.monitor.net/monitor)

Contact rights@monitor.net for permission to use in any format.