Protest bold career move for Lawless

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Fri, 24 Feb 2012 6:06p.m.

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless

By Tony Reid

Actress Lucy Lawless and a group of Greenpeace protesters are refusing to leave a Shell Oil ship berthed at the port of Taranaki, after they breached security to occupy the ship's drill tower.

The Noble Discover, due to sail to the Arctic this weekend, has been contracted by Shell to carry out drilling work in the Arctic - something which Ms Lawless and Greenpeace protesters find unacceptable.

“I'm a mother and a human being and I feel very strongly that fossil fuels are terrible for our grandchildren. And what kind of mother would I be if I did not fight like a tiger for the well being of my kids?" says Ms Lawless.

Ms Lawless and her fellow protesters made easy work of the Port of Taranaki security, sacrificing a decoy for arrest which allowed them to reach their target.

“The reason we took action this morning was to stop the drilling rig from leaving New Zealand and heading 6000 nautical miles to the Arctic to drill for oil,” says Greenpeace spokesman Nathan Argent.

Greenpeace says there are 90-million barrels worth of oil in the arctic circle, and that is where they should stay.

“We really need to start weaning ourselves off our dependence on oil and start moving towards a cleaner, smarter way of doing business,” says Mr Argent.

Shell says it is disappointed that Greenpeace has chosen this method to protest, and that it jeopardises the safety of everyone involved.

The company maintains it has taken unprecedented steps to pursue safe, environmentally responsible exploration in shallow water off the coast of Alaska.

But Greenpeace does not see it that way and say they will continue to occupy the vessel, and embarrass Shell.

The move is a bold career move for the Ms Lawless who is big in America – a country that takes a tough line on anyone with a criminal record.

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Comments

03 Mar 2012 12:13p.m.

Uproarious wrote:

Well it looks like Ms: Lawless has Earned her name being placed on the No Enterance and No Flight list watch list,. Under the U.S. Patriot act,. First She and those Green peace Co-hort’s Breeched a what would be considered a Protected Security Area , Yes I ship Yards Port is considered a Protected area just like places at an Air-Port , They Used a Decoy as a diversion to avert entrance detection by they Ports Security / Police , Even if it didn’t happen in the U.S. It still can be considered a Serious High Risk Person Under TSA guide lines and under the Us Patriot Act.

So a BIG Congratulations to Lucy Lawless now your going to have the Test both the Patriot Act and the TSA Bureaucracies for now on.. You should have thought of the Consequences before you Breeched that Ports Protected or Secured Area,.

Regardless of the Criminal Charges Out Come of the more liberal - Lenient NZ Courts. Ms: Lawless is going to be placed on that TSA list

28 Feb 2012 03:29p.m.

atrout wrote:

Bold!!!!??? I don't think so. Dress up in your Action Man flouros and mug it for the cameras. More like something out of a market day demonstration without the face painting. Lucy, if you are running out of acting jobs then you could volunteer for some more meaningful program and really make a difference.

27 Feb 2012 04:25p.m.

LS wrote:

Thank you, Ms. Lawless! May you inspire more to take a strong stand for what is right.

26 Feb 2012 08:41a.m.

AJ wrote:

Don't get sucked in by the phony goals and methods of the eco-terrorists known as Greenpeace. This protest is misguided. Given Greenpeace won't enter into discussions, it shows their true colours. We can't allow protests like this to succeed.

25 Feb 2012 07:16a.m.

james wrote:

good to see so many nice upbeat people commonting here, sounds like your've all got very fulfilling lives. .
good on you lucy, if only more people had complete brain formation mayby they'd understand the problems with continued use of fossil fuels. (NOT using a litle bit now to get around and protest). i guess it must suck to be dumb tho. "Gutted!"

25 Feb 2012 06:37a.m.

cissie wrote:

Battle on Lucy!

25 Feb 2012 12:14a.m.

cyril wrote:

They seem to miss the point which is WEAN us off the use of oil. This is being worked on but will take a long time maybe even centurys. Greenpeace like most NOGOs want this to happen immediately which is never going to happen, makes you wonder if the stated aim is the real objective or just an excuse to hide the real objective, like make money.

24 Feb 2012 10:54p.m.

Jim wrote:

“I'm a mother and a human being and I feel very strongly that fossil fuels are terrible for our grandchildren. And what kind of mother would I be if I did not fight like a tiger for the well being of my kids?" says Ms Lawless. I really doubt she's had any qualms about being driven around in a limo to all the red carpet events she's had to attend. She isn't a US citizen (although she is married to one). And because this is taking place in New Zealand - assuming she and her group are arrested and convicted - I suspect she will have a hard time gaining entry into the US again given the requirement that all criminal convictions have to be declared before you can travel. I really hope this comes back to bite her.

24 Feb 2012 07:02p.m.

Matty wrote:

I'm a fan of your latest work Lucy, but please explain how you traveled to the New Plymouth protest without fossil fuels...

24 Feb 2012 06:34p.m.

Steve wrote:

I suggest the Noble Discover drop ropes and set sail with the protesters onboard and let them fend for themselves.