Aided by fine reporting by Paula Horton of the Daily World (Aberdeen, WA), news of plans for shipment through the Port of Aberdeen of war matériel to occupation forces in Iraq is spreading through the Western Washington antiwar community.  --  The press review below includes a phone number to call for "updates on where to go and when we're gathering to protest."[1] ...

1.

IRAQ-BOUND CHOPPERS TO SHIP THROUGH PORT OF ABERDEEN
By Mark Jensen

** Grays Harbor area activists reach out to PMR, contemplate protests **

United for Peace of Pierce County (WA)
May 3, 2007

The Olympian (Olympia, WA) reported late Wednesday that "The Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen has begun receiving military equipment bound for Iraq."[2] Christian Hill reported that helicopters assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry "will deploy from Fort Lewis in coming weeks," and "[h]elicopters assigned to the squadron began flying into the port this week."

Protesters involved in port militarization resistance (PMR) in Olympia in May 2006 and in Tacoma in March 2007 are expected to head to the area to continue their struggle against the use of civilian port facilities for war matériel shipment to an illegal, immoral war.

A brief unsigned statement from the port militarization resistance movement appeared online as a comment to the *Olympian* story, giving an Olympia phone number [870-3127] to call for updates.[3]

Earlier on Monday, a brief AP story said that "Security for the transport ship in the Chehalis River is being provided by the Coast Guard, county sheriff, and Aberdeen Police Department."[4]

The Daily World (Aberdeen, WA) reported midday that "At least 24 military helicopters in groups of eight landed at the Port of Grays Harbor Tuesday as part of the first wave of cargo from Fort Lewis bound for Iraq."[5]

Paula Horton, who broke the story of the military's interest in using the Port of Aberdeen on Apr. 27, said that "Local law enforcement agencies providing additional security for the Port spent the previous two weeks preparing for possible anti-war protesters, but so far none have shown up. . . . The Port’s maritime security standards were elevated one level because of the anticipated movement. Security guards are now posted at the gates to ensure there’s no unauthorized access to the facilities, and concrete barriers and 'no trespassing' signs were also installed."

Another story by Paula Horton published Tuesday reported in considerable detail on the location of "dozens of orange safety cones restricting parking around the Port and neighborhoods several blocks away [that] popped up in preparation for the shipment" on Monday.[6]

"A lot of residents who got coned are 'P-O’d,' one man said," Horton reported. Residents who live in the no-parking-zone area have been told to expect the situation to last "over the next few weeks in your area," but Capt. Dave Johnson of the Aberdeen Police Department said he "hopes everything will go back to normal by this weekend." Residents have received permits for their use an a letter that states: "[P]olice officers will be actively patrolling for violators in these restricted areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will call for towing for vehicles without the city-issued permit.”

A local radio talk show host, Dr. Gary Murrell, said that "Planning for actions [is] underway here." He added that on Tuesday "Aberdeen began taking on the look of a besieged city with the news that the military will now be using the Port of Grays Harbor to ship military equipment to Iraq. Many people here are opposed to the use of our port for these purposes."

Trey Smith of Aberdeen, treasurer of the Green Party of Washington State, wrote to PMR activists to the north: "While there are a lot of folks around here who oppose the war, in theory, there doesn't seem to be a critical mass of us that oppose the war and military, in general. . . . Our small activist community is talking about what steps to take next. I'm sure we'll do something. Whatever we decide though, I want you to know -- This is all YOUR fault! (Note: That last comment is written with sincere admiration for the great work you've all done and in the hope that we here can continue the struggle for peace.)"

Another Aberdeen resident complained about the arbitrary parking restrictions: "Is this legal? When did peaceful protest become a public safety issue? It's an inconvenience for residents and their guests who didn't know they would need a special permit to park in front of their friends' houses. More importantly, it sure doesn't seem to match up very well with the concepts of free speech, peaceful protest, and The Land of the Free. I thought I lived in quiet, gentle, resepctful, freedom-loving Aberdeen, Washington, not a fascist or police state."

***

2.

PORT IN ABERDEEN MAY BECOME PROTEST HOT SPOT
By Christian Hill

Olympian (Olympia, WA)
May 3, 2007 (posted May 2)

http://www.theolympian.com/377/story/96161.html

The Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen has begun receiving military equipment bound for Iraq, and war protesters, including some from South Sound, are expected to head to the area.

More than 600 soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry will deploy from Fort Lewis in coming weeks. Helicopters assigned to the squadron began flying into the port this week.

It is the third local port that the Army has used to ship equipment belonging to a major Fort Lewis unit to Iraq in the past year. People protested using the public ports for what they called an illegal and immoral war in May at the Port of Olympia and in March at the Port of Tacoma. About 80 people were arrested during protests at both ports.

Trey Smith of Aberdeen, treasurer of the Green Party of Washington State, said the Army chose to move equipment out of the smaller community to avoid protests and publicity.

“They (protesters in Olympia and Tacoma) were so effective, they moved it here,” Smith said.

Joe Hitt, a Fort Lewis spokesman, said the earlier protests had no bearing on the decision to move the equipment out of Grays Harbor.

“It was selected because of its availability,” he said. “We’ve used the port in the past. We’ve used the Everett port before. This is not unique.”

3.

[Comment]

[From Port Militarization Resistance]

Olympian (Olympia, WA)
May 2, 2007 -- 9:04 p.m.

http://www.theolympian.com/377/story/96161.html

Port Militarization Resistance supports the people of Aberdeen and Grays Harbor County in this time of crisis for their public port. We will follow their lead in any actions we organize in the area.

Persons who wish to join us in our efforts are encouraged to call 870-3127 to get updates on where to go and when we're gathering to protest.

4.

http://www.theolympian.com/130/story/95627.html
or
http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=6459487&nav=menu484_2_8
or
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=6459487&nav=menu438_1

Kiowa and Blackhawk helicopters from Fort Lewis landed yesterday at the Port of Grays Harbor.

They're part of the 4-6 Air Cavalry Wing that is shipping out this month for the Middle East.

Security for the transport ship in the Chehalis River is being provided by the Coast Guard, county sheriff and Aberdeen Police Department.

Similar Fort Lewis shipments have drawn protests at the ports of Tacoma and Olympia.

5.

Local news

MILITARY EQUIPMENT CONTINUES TO ARRIVE
By Paula Horton

Daily World (Aberdeen, WA)
May 2, 2007

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/05/02/local_news/01news.txt

[PHOTO CAPTION: Military helicopters arrive at the Port of Grays Harbor where they will be loaded into a ship bound for Iraq.]

At least 24 military helicopters in groups of eight landed at the Port of Grays Harbor Tuesday as part of the first wave of cargo from Fort Lewis bound for Iraq.

Commercial trucks believed to be carrying military equipment also arrived for staging at Port facilities near The Home Deport in Aberdeen. The choppers, which were quickly secured and prepared for shipment after they landed, and equipment are connected to the 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron that is being deployed to Iraq.

No details were released on how long the equipment would be stored at the Port or when the ship that will likely transport the cargo to Iraq will dock. Details on movements and timelines are kept secret for security reasons, according to a Fort Lewis public affairs specialist. Local law enforcement agencies providing additional security for the Port spent the previous two weeks preparing for possible anti-war protesters, but so far none have shown up.

Parking has been restricted around the Port and several neighborhoods in west Aberdeen as part of the Aberdeen Police Department’s safety contingency plan.

Similar shipments out of the Port of Tacoma in March and the Port of Olympia last May drew hundreds of protesters and resulted in dozens of arrests.

The Port’s maritime security standards were elevated one level because of the anticipated movement. Security guards are now posted at the gates to ensure there’s no unauthorized access to the facilities, and concrete barriers and “no trespassing” signs were also installed.

With the exception of the extra security measures, there are no obvious signs that the military is preparing a shipment.

6.

IRAQ-BOUND CHOPPERS LAND AT PORT
By Paula Horton

Daily World (Aberdeen, WA)
May 1, 2007

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/05/01/local_news/01news.txt

[PHOTO CAPTION: Military choppers landed this morning at the Port of Grays Harbor as part of a military shipment to Iraq.]

[PHOTO CAPTION: City officials placed traffic cones restricting parking along several Aberdeen streets today in anticipation of a military shipment due to be loaded at the Port of Grays Harbor soon.]

Eight Army helicopters from Fort Lewis landed at the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen this morning. More were expected.

Meantime, law enforcement officials are gearing up for possible anti-war protests over the shipment of military equipment to Iraq.

On Monday, dozens of orange safety cones restricting parking around the Port and neighborhoods several blocks away popped up in preparation for the shipment. A lot of residents who got coned are “P-O’d,” one man said.

A public affairs specialist at Fort Lewis confirmed that the 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron is being deployed to Iraq and will be shipping materiel out of the Port. Details on the planned shipment -- notably what else is headed this way and when the ship will dock for loading -- are being kept secret for security reasons.

But if Monday’s activities around Terminal 4 near The Home Depot are any indication, the shipment is anticipated soon. Containers to hold some of the equipment arrived at the Port yesterday and “no trespassing” and “no parking” signs were posted around Port property and throughout west Aberdeen.

A WIDE AREA

The safety cones labeled “No parking without permit; violators will be ticketed and towed” lined streets essentially from Park to Myrtle and from Market Street to the river. The “no parking” cones line the Port Industrial Road down to the Hoquiam city limits.

The restrictions on parking without a permit in the West End are part of the Aberdeen Police Department’s “safety contingency plan,” Capt. Dave Johnson said. Police have been working with Port staff on possible security backup and developing a response plan in case the military shipments draw anti-war protesters.

The plan was developed over the past two weeks after military officials contacted them about the possibility of utilizing the Port of Grays Harbor, Johnson said. The captain declined to elaborate on the plan and wouldn’t say why there is such a wide swath of “no parking” cones.

“I’m not going to discuss our safety plans,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to discuss what’s in it.”

BEING PREPARED

Capt. Johnson did note that police officials contacted “other cities who have gone through a similar event.”

Similar shipments out of the Port of Tacoma in March and the Port of Olympia last May drew hundreds of protesters and resulted in many arrests.

“Based on their successes and their failures, we developed a plan that we were comfortable with to the very best of our ability,” Johnson said. “This is a very fluid plan that changes rapidly and we’re having to adapt and reconfigure our plans.”

RESIDENTS IRKED

The parking restrictions drew the ire of many residents who commonly park their vehicles in front of their homes, but Capt. Johnson said letters about the restrictions were sent to residents Monday, along with permits allowing them to continue to park in front of their homes.

“There was a miscommunication, and the letters authorizing parking and permits should have been sent out before the ‘no parking’ signs were posted,” Johnson said.

The letters from the city’s Public Works Department don’t tell residents why the cones are in place. Johnson said he wasn’t sure why there was no explanation.

The letter, written by Scott Olsen, the city’s sign technician, tells residents that “police officers will be actively patrolling for violators in these restricted areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will call for towing for vehicles without the city-issued permit.”

The letter says residents should expect the “No parking without permit program” to last “over the next few weeks in your area.” Capt. Johnson said he hopes everything will go back to normal by this weekend.

'WITHOUT WARNING'

Cole Cheatham has lived on Market Street for the past 22 years. He says restricting parking in front of his home “without warning, without cause, and not telling us why is completely unfair.

“I went to City Hall today and I asked them, ‘Is the next step going to be parking meters in front of my house?’” Cheatham said.

“I don’t think this is right at all. Let’s say, for instance, we had company in the morning and we went to breakfast and suddenly their vehicle is gone? There’s no explanation for why people can’t park here. They say your vehicle will be towed immediately and there’s no grace period.”

Cheatham said a city employee hand delivered a copy of the letter to him when the cones appeared in front of his home on Monday.

“I am miles away from the Port but they restrict parking here?” he added. “They’re just making people P-O’ed.”

City Attorney Eric Nelson said city statutes allow Public Works Director Larry Bledsoe to declare what areas of the city are off limits to parking or require permits. However, a majority vote by the City Council can override Bledsoe’s decisions, Nelson said.

BEEFED UP

Security has also been beefed up at the Port. The anticipated cargo movement and military training exercises have elevated the Port’s maritime security standard one level, which now requires placing security guards at the gates to ensure there’s no unauthorized access to the facilities, Executive Director Gary Nelson said.

Concrete barriers blocking the long gravel road down to Terminal 4 are a new addition since Thursday when five Army helicopters landed there to inspect the facility. Large signs stating “Restricted Area” and “This is Not a Public Street” were also posted.

The Port of Tacoma is the strategic port for military movements from the Pacific Northwest, but the Port of Grays Harbor was selected for this shipment because of its availability and the type of mission, said Catherine Caruso, a public affairs specialist at Fort Lewis.

--Daily World writer Steven Friederich contributed to this story.