Morning protest leads to blocked streets and arrests

Protests started this morning around 7:00 AM.

February 23, 2015; 9:38 AM • by Richard Hayes

According to CBS6 the “Richmond People’s Climate March” began a march this morning at 7:00 AM from the Capitol Bell Tower to the James River at 2nd and Tredegar Streets. At that location the protesters began blocking traffic. Twitter reports at 9:18 stated that arrests were being made to clear the area.

The protesters are fighting the development of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (seen above) which a 550 mile long natural gas pipeline that will travel through communities, and sensitive environmental areas including national forests and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Protesters chanting “system change not climate change” near Tredegar. So far about a dozen issued summons @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/YMKI6pmOya

— Jake Burns (@JakeBurnsCBS6) February 23, 2015

The Dominion Power spin on the ACP.

From the Richmond People’s Climate March Facebook and the main People Climate’s March website.

We will tell our Governor and legislators that offshore drilling is not what we want. That pipelines tearing up communities are unacceptable. That fracked gas is not in the public interest. We will tell them that secret profits for monopolies like Dominion is irresponsible policy. We will sound the alarm – loud and early – that 2015 is the year that we TURN THE TIDE.

Unclear how or if the RPD will attempt to remove this pair. But they say they’re not coming down quietly. pic.twitter.com/RUOuPjmJtz

— Ned Oliver (@nedoliver) February 23, 2015