Military Train Left Port of Oly at 3PM Wednesday 11-28-07

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Military Train Left Port of Oly at 3PM Wednesday 11-28-07

Submitted by DrewHendricks on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:42am.

I have some more photos to share, it might be a while before these are up on Flickr.

DrewHendricks's blog
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Cool photos

Submitted by Norm on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 1:24am.

Why no protests with the train shipment?

You sound disappointed Norm

Submitted by OlyDowntowner on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:17am.

I thought you disapproved of the port protests.

I'm a little surprised is all.

Submitted by Norm on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:27pm.

I don't disapprove of the port protests. I disapprove of some of the actions/words, made by some of the protesters in the past. Although I am leary of the police response, I disapprove of some of the reactions to the police response, some of the things being said. Some of the people down there are folks I consider friends, and I feel for them, while not agreeing with some of their actions. I still feel for them though, and at least understand why they are doing what they are doing.

An Apology

Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 3:34pm.

Hey OlyBlog Posse, I will take this spot to re-track my "PIGS" slur--

I still feel really alienated from cops in Oly, but I apologize for the offensive language--

I am obviously hurting on this issue (as I imagine most are), and speaking out/up is just a sign asking for help to resolve these strong emotions--

I seriously do not feel trusting of the patrol in Oly... and that is it, always a interaction with cops on patrol--

My other interaction with the local force(s) have been great (like the detective that was on my bike case): real super folks...

What about the patrol makes for such a confrontational vibe?

...and seriously, are the OPD required by law to assist the DoD?

Couldn't they opt not to take the hit and let the resistance face the DoD directly? I'm ignorant.

if this is not the spot to ask these question, then pls feel free to scoot it around or whatever

Thanks for posting the retraction

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 3:52pm.

My ignorant guess is that the Port is responsible for security at the Port, but a blocked on-ramp to I5 in city limits is an OPD matter. I don't think there is much the DoD can do once they leave the gates at Fort Lewis.

As far as I know

Submitted by Norm on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 6:05pm.

The OPD as an agency are required to respond to anything within the city limits that are not being handled by the local county or state agency. Individual officers, however, are not required to respond to anything.....although they risk termination.

I don't know if the DoD could directly provide security for this. They do for other things though, so I'm at a loss. There is also the "state" national guard, but I don't think they are utilized for much.

By the looks of this thread they should just utilize the rail system, it seems to be pretty quiet.

Thanks for posting these, Drew.

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 2:03am.

Those are big vehicles.

I was driving through

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:26am.

I was driving through Tumwater yesterday about 3:30 and saw them. I was going to post it, but by time got away from me. Looked like a big train though.

Interesting

Submitted by DJW on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:04am.

Glad nobody was dumb enough to sit in front of this train.

I don't know what being dumb has to do with it.

Submitted by Rob Richards on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:33am.

It is a federal offense to block rail traffic, that is one reason I wouldn't have blocked it. I think people are also trying to deal with the aftermath of emotions from the week of protests right now, and going out to do it again so soon isn't a good idea for them.

Oh.

Submitted by nich on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:17pm.

Oh yes! That's it!

But...

Submitted by curveball on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 6:30pm.

wouldn't federal arrests gain more attention to the effort?

They might get more attention

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 6:34pm.

but I think the marginal benift would not outweigh the substancial cost of a federal offense. Simple economics and a desire to "live to fight another day."

I did a quick google search

Submitted by olybrett on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:13pm.

regarding the blocking of the "White Trains" in the 80s. Folks monitored and blocked the trains that were transporting nuclear weapons throughout the country. This link is to a book about the subject. It has been done before and regardless of who thinks it is a stupid idea, if this imperialist occupation of Iraq continues, and should it spread to other nations, direct action against the military machine will also escalate. That makes it inevitable that should the DoD continue to use the Port of Olympia to facilitate the movement of the war machine, the trains will get blocked.

or...

Submitted by curveball on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:30pm.

indicative of a level of commitment to the cause. I tried to say that on a different thread, like a week ago. Risk is related to reward, it's also related to how seriously one is likely to be taken.

You mean

Submitted by security_six on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:24pm.

They were afraid of getting charged with a FEDERAL crime that may actually stick, or knew perfectly well a train can't stop as quick as truck.

A train stops for nobody, and can take up to a mile to come to a complete stop. The engineer would just lay on his/her horn, and stop when they can.

Actually...

Submitted by DrewHendricks on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 1:15am.

The train, at the point you see it fading off down Jefferson street (toward the Fishbowl) - is stopped. They attached two Tacoma Rail engines to it to pull it out, and so it was parked across downtown Oly for about 10 or 15 minutes. And no one pepper sprayed them to get them to move. They blocked traffic all the way up both hills, folks say. Course, I was downtown then and not in a car.

Of course, the security (mercenaries?) who train-hopped and walked along the side of the train, armed, were also a deterrent to any action. That, and competent legal advice.

True or False?

Submitted by Ehver Green on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 5:56am.

Is it a federal offense to block military traffic?

The answer to your question is no.

Submitted by Rob Richards on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 10:58am.

It IS a federal offense to block or otherwise "mess with" trains. It falls under federal commerce laws, kind of like mail boxes.

How about

Submitted by DJW on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:15pm.

I'm glad nobody did anything dumb like sitting in front of this train. Not picking a fight, but making a comment.

Train Blockade

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 12:15am.

I was just too tired. I wish the train would have been blocked.

The thing about blocking a train is that people can be all over the place up and down the tracks. And the train can't divert its route. It is either stop or go. There is one way in and one way out.

There were pictures from a recent protest, I think it was G8 in Scotland, of protesters blockading train tracks. I am not sure if it was G8, or if it was in Scotland though, so check for yourself on that one.

So, a train blockade, given a critical mass of support, has the potential to be more successful than road blockade (of course given the engineer's unwillingness to go through or over the human blockaders.)

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