Details about injured activist
IMC-Live relay | 01.06.2003 15:51
About 15 activists from all around the world - UK, Eire, USA, Argentina... tried to blockade a bridge which was about 30m high by taking a piece of rope accross the bridge. Attached to either end was an activist, hanging from the side of the bridge
the police turned up pretty quickly, but didn't really know how to deal with the situation. They started arresting the activists that were on the bridge, dragging them away but did not know what to do about the rope. The drivers in the traffic were getting quite upset and eventually the police just decided to cut the rope.
One activist, reported to be from the UK, fell about 15-20m from the bridge. Fortunately, he did not fall on his head, but has still suffered multiple fractures and is now in a serious (but stable?) condition in hospital.
Luckily, the activists started pulling the rope to prevent the other activist from falling down. The police left them all stranded: the other activist was hanging for about half an hour (the other end of the rope held by about 10 activists) and it was around an hour from the rope being cut before the police would call (and allow through) the ambulances and fire service.
- MOST RECENT NEWS:
- 6 people arrested post action and taken to Lausanne jail.
- others requested to provide a testimonial statement, waited several hours at the police station but then told it was "no longer required".
- 3 of the 6 have actually been released by now (~16:30 UK time)
FURTHER INFO: this action had been performed by an affinity group that is highly experienced. Martin himself is an experienced climber, well versed in the techniques used today. The accident was entirely precipitated by the Police action of cutting the rope.
REPORT TRANSCRIBED FROM IMC-LIVE VIDEO NEWS
IMC-Live relay
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