Protestors Taking to the Trees to Stop I-69
By: Web Producer
Updated: May 20, 2008
Members of a loosely affiliated group of protesters are supporting two anti-I-69 activists who have camped in the treetops along Indiana 68 in Gibson County, directly in the path of the first phase of the Interstate extension project. A supporter who identified herself simply as Tiga said, "The people in the trees will stay there as long as it takes."
Supporters of the protest say I-69, which will is designed to connect Canada and Mexico, will drain US jobs. Their biggest contention with the project is the loss of private property. Harriet Ray, who is one of the two tree sit protesters, hopes their act of civil disobedience will inspire property owners along the rest of the route to resist construction.
"When you recognize youre neighbor is having their home bulldozed," said Ray, "you start to ask questions.
A representative of the paving contractor that won the bid to build the first 1.77 miles of the road said there is no announced starting date for the construction, and the tree sit protesters may have to wait a long time for a confrontation with their crews. State Police say the protesters could be charged with trespassing, because INDOT owns the land. Instead, police decided to let them stay put for the time being, because they werent causing any problems.
