CODEPINK Press Release: Distraught Shrimper Disrupts BP CEO

[G_j]

http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=5462


Distraught Shrimper Disrupts BP CEO Tony Hayward Testimony
Contact: Medea Benjamin, 415-235-6517
Dana Balicki, 202 422 8624
June 17th, 2010

Demanding Hayward’s Arrest and Permanent Moratorium on Offshore Drilling

Diane Wilson, a fourth generation shrimper from Texas, confronted BP CEO Tony Hayward during his testimony this morning, to advocate for his arrest as well as a permanent moratorium on offshore drilling. She stood up and shouted “Arrest this man, he is a criminal, his company is stealing the livelihoods of thousands of us in the Gulf and killing our coasts. Tony Hayward should be arrested.” Instead, Wilson was arrested and it is unclear when she will be released. Wilson was also arrested in Congress on June 9 for dousing herself with oil to protest BP's dumping on the shrimpers.

Before the hearing Diane made this statement: I came to DC to confront Tony Hayward for the devastation his company has brought to the fishing communities along the gulf. BP is a criminal company that has ignored safety regulations at the health of our oceans and even its own workers. Tony Hayward and BP need to be held accountable for their criminal activities as well as paying every last cent they may have to the families in the Gulf affected by their willful, criminal neglect. Our message to Obama, and Congress: BP must pay to clean up this mess and our government must move to end offshore drilling and move us into a new century of clean energy.” She added, “Pouring a jar of fake oil on myself I can get a year in jail. Tony Hayward’s company is pouring millions of gallons of oil into the gulf every day. He should be the one going to jail.”

Wilson is also a co-founder of the organization CODEPINK Women for Peace. She was in front of BP HQ in Houston, Texas three weeks ago to protest the oilspill and draw attention to BP’s legacy of negligence. Read her most recent article, “The BP oil gusher is just the latest in a long line of assaults on the Gulf of Mexico” published on Grist.com.

For more info contact Medea Benjamin cofounder of CODEPINK and human rights group Global Exchange at [email protected] or call 415-235-6517.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. Thank you Ms. Wilson

Thank you

[kgnu_fan]

2. Yes, I am with you

[TexasObserver]

3. When Code Pink makes our side look good, it'll be the first time.

Their theatrics are childish and don't accomplish anything, other than amuse the CP participants and their small group of fans.

Holding BP responsible is important, and fortunately, sane people are working on that problem.

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Age Of Symbolism...

It's been a thread throughout this latest crisis...the call for theatrics...the "bullhorn moment" per se. There are those who want emotion rather than quiet rational thinking as some sort of panacea for the suffering going on. I saw the outbreak...done for the cameras and not sure too many were able to hear Ms. Wilson while she was being subdued. These theatrics do little to affect what's going on but sure feel good for those who want street theater and emotion.

[TexasObserver]

5. They might as well wear clown clothes and carry seltzer bottles.

They seek a moment on the TV news, and they get it.

It's the mainstream media's opportunity to say "look at these crazy freaks on the left."

[KharmaTrain]

8. They Do It Anyway...

I'm no big fan of Code Pink and think they make lots of smoke but that's about it. I do respect their right to do what they do and admire their persistance in atanding up on the right sides of almost every issue.

Do they make the "left" look bad? Kinda hard to do that when the right wing sucks so much of that oxygen out of the air. Our "fair and balanced" corporate media will always try to find a "left" equivelent of "crazies" to "balance" the real and dangerous unhinged on the right.

Now that you mention the clown clothes and seltzer bottles, I wouldn't put it past CodePink to use that some time.

Cheers...

[G_j]

14. quiet rational thinking

Who is doing that, BP?
Well yes, they have, it's called a cover-up.

[Bandit]

12. Like YOU have accomplished so damn much for our side..

I will side with Code Pink long before I will side with you. They are actually out there on the front lines while you sit behind your computer and complain.

[TexasObserver]

13. You have no idea what I've done for our side.

And I don't intend to tell you.

Your post is a personal attack on me for not sharing your opinion of Code Pink.

Cope Pink isn't in the front lines of anything but the clown show.

[G_j]

16. well gosh

it goes both ways doesn't it?

[Juneboarder]

17. At least she's there saying what I and most everybody would like to say...

That says a lot! Go Ms. Wilson!!

[WinkyDink]

6. Oh, yes, mustn't be disruptive! Mustn't disturb! Such an ill-behaved woman! Kick to the curb!

Some of you would have been great help in 1775.

[muffin1]

7. +1,000,000

:thumbsup:

[Starry Messenger]

9. +

There need to be more Dianes and less cravat-stroking platitudes by yuppies.

[arcadian]

18. LOL

The fealty crowd on this board would have been handing out wig powder and rock candy to the British as they marched through their village.

[blindpig]

10. While I am no fan of Code Pink...

I find their antics a poor substitute for mass action, perhaps even a distraction from thereof, I stand with Diane Wilson on this.

Expropriate without compensation

Tony Hayward to Angola Prison

[Chisox08]

11. BP CEO Tony Hayward should be arrested not Diane Wilson

BP killed 11 people, they have kill an unknown number of animals and the screwed up the Gulf of Mexico.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

15. K&R