PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

The six Greenpeace activists who scaled the smokestack at a power plant in Greene County last year were each sentenced to 5 days in jail following a court appearance last week. With the exception of one protestor, who was assigned to an additional 25 days, all of the protestors are now out of jail. All six protestors had decided not to contest the misdemeanor charges filed against them, after negotiating an agreement with the power company to drop all felony charges.

In June of last year, the six protestors climbed up the 700 foot smokestack at the Hatsfield Ferry Power Station in Masontown, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. They then unfurled a 2,500 square foot banner that read "THE BUSH ENERGY PLAN KILLS -- CLEAN ENERGY NOW!"  They were later arrested and originally charged with up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

   * Update : Interview with John Watterburg, one of the Smokestack Six

[  Arrest Info and photos | More details | court appearance info ]