Protest Thwarted at Rota Port
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030319-02
Release Date: 3/19/2003 8:29:00 AM
By Chief Journalist(SW) Dan Smithyman, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Spanish authorities thwarted an attempt by the environmental activist organization Greenpeace to block the entrance to Naval Station Rota's port recently, when the group's members used small inflatable boats and their mother ship, Rainbow Warrior II, to try impede ship traffic in and out of the port.
The Rainbow Warrior II and crew arrived in Cadiz March 8 after demonstrating in the Netherlands in late February. Their demonstration against war in Iraq continued here when they attempted to stop the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas from leaving port March 13 and by threatening entry into the restricted port March 14.
Local Guardia Civil authorities and the Spanish military used their own boats and a helicopter to thwart the nuisance caused by the activists. At one point, two activists, an American man and Spanish woman, were arrested as they attempted to chain themselves to some buoyant barriers in the port. The Spanish authorities also seized one of the inflatable boats. American assistance was never requested or needed.
By March 15, the Greenpeace activists refused to move the 55-meter, three-mast schooner, and the Guardia Civil boarded the Rainbow Warrior, arrested several crew members, including the captain, and seized the ship. Rainbow Warrior and crew were towed back to Cadiz and eventually released pending charges.
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