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Two Arrested at Port of Tacoma Late Thursday Night

author: Leah
Aug 01, 2008 03:51

Two activists, K-Tee-O (Katherine Olejnik) and Kelly Beckham, were arrested for crossing a police line at the Port of Tacoma late Thursday night. Both women were thrown to the ground and treated roughly. K-Tee-O was pulled across the line by her hair. They are being held at Pierce County Jail in Tacoma, each on two charges.

As of 3:48 am Friday morning, the women are being held at Pierce County Jail in Tacoma (S. 9th and Tacoma Avenue), each on two charges. K-Tee-O is being held on one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. Kelly is being held on one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of destruction of property. Neither woman resisted arrest or destroyed any property. The police officers, rather than the activists, were obstructing access to a public road.

K-Tee-O and Kelly are choosing not to be bailed, requesting vegan meals, and do have legal support. Please call the Pierce County Jail as often as you can and try to visit. Site with visiting and prisoner info:  http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/sheriff/jailvisiting.htm#Visiting%20Times%20-%20Main%20Jail
Phone number: (253) 798-4668
There's a lot of requirements to visit, so please check the website before you go.

After these two were arrested, the police, all but one of which refused to give name/badge number, continued to act violently - at one point corralling and trapping the entire group with squad cars on a narrow road, holding spotlight beams on the group's faces for extended periods of time, and harassing the activists by continuing in their cars to follow the group after they left the port on foot until the individual activists got into their cars. At one point they threatened to arrest the group for trespassing as they waited for a friend outside a convenience store.

Stay tuned for video footage of these events and more information on meetings - there are still Strykers in the port as of early this (Friday) morning.

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