The “sHELL NO” Campaign Continues at The Big Float
The Fennica has arrived. On Saturday, July 25th, Shell’s notorious icebreaking ship docked near Swan Island, where it was confronted with several waves of “kayaktivists”. As they paddled through dim, unduly warm Willamette waters, the kayakers chanted, waved banners, and sailed flags in protest. Organized in part by 350pdx, the event made national news headlines, succeeding in bringing awareness to the ominous shadow the Fennica casts over the river.
sHell No activism continued into the next day at The Big Float, an event intended, according to its website, “to encourage people to ‘get into the river’ and support its preservation and healthy development as a recreational resource”.
Participants entered the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, where they floated on inner tubes, air mattresses, rafts, and kayaks. Despite the overcast skies, hundreds of people showed up to play in the water. Passersby were supportive as 350pdx volunteers joined in, parading several blocks carrying a “sHell No” banner along with a conglomeration of tubes and a small boat. Once they reached the water, 350pdx tied their floats together to create a united front and once again display their signs in protest of arctic drilling.
On the grass, there was a giant slip-n-slide, food carts, live music, and informational stands—including a 350pdx booth. 350pdx volunteers took the opportunity to ask community members for their signatures on a petition to Portland’s mayor and city council, pressuring the government to take action on the Fennica’s presence in our waterways. Participants of The Big Float were interested and eager to sign. Whether they came to the 350pdx table or were approached by volunteers with clipboards, community members were highly supportive of the cause.
As they should be—after all, Shell can’t begin drilling for arctic oil without the Fennica, so any delays to the ship’s needed repairs are beneficial. Perhaps, with more time, public pressure can persuade President Obama to withdraw his approval for arctic drilling.
The arctic is a remarkably delicate ecosystem. An oil spill would be catastrophic, and, unfortunately, quite likely to occur, and nearly impossible to clean. Not only that, but burning fossil fuels obtained from arctic drilling would contribute to climate change at a rate that we just can’t afford. This is our time to act—while the Fennica is in our waters, in our river, and in our home.
More images from the day!
Written by Francesca Varela. She is a local author and 350pdx volunteer.
