Local activist detained

Indonesia arrests Greenpeace member after protest

greenpeace

Greenpeace activist Stephanie Goodwin at the APP mill in Indonesia on Tuesday.

Published: November 26, 2009 5:33 a.m.

Last modified: November 26, 2009 1:35 a.m.

(1)

Print article

Text size

A Greenpeace activist from Vancouver is one of 14 people being detained in Indonesia after the group protested at one of the world’s largest pulp and paper mills, shutting down the facility.

Stephanie Goodwin, 36, who spoke to Metro Vancouver from her hotel room on the island of Sumatra, said she wanted people to know the mill is a massive contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Goodwin was on a boat near the mill as 12 Greenpeace activists scaled four cranes, then dangled there with banners reading “Climate Crime” and “Forest Destruction: You can stop this” to stall pulp exports.

“Indonesia is the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions and 80 per cent of their emissions come from deforestation and land degradation,” Goodwin said.

She was arrested on Tuesday and spent nearly 14 hours at the police station, where she was interrogated with the other protesters.

“I don’t know for certain what will happen,” said Goodwin, who suspects she’ll be deported today. Her passport has been taken away and is being held by police.

“I don’t think it ever really feels pleasant or safe to be detained by the police in any fashion, no matter where.

“Of course I weigh the risks before doing an activity like this and for me, what’s really important is providing outcomes that actually encourage climate change.”

more local stories

Raonic helps Canada even France at Davis Cup

VANCOUVER - This time, Milos Raonic got the better of Julien Benneteau.

Concrete slab tumbles during crane collapse

COQUITLAM, B.C. - A massive piece of concrete tumbled into the Fraser River on Friday when part of a crane collapsed during construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Metro Vancouver.

Telus profit rises 4.9 per cent in Q4

VANCOUVER - Telus (TSX:T) says fourth-quarter profits increased 4.9 per cent as it signed up more subscribers to its TV services, but fell short of overall analyst expectations.

Add your comment

Comments are not reviewed before posting. If you believe a comment has violated the commenting guidelines, please alert a moderator using links provided.