Crowds expected this weekend for protest of Skagit refineries

Environmentalists from around the Pacific Northwest plan to put their “bodies on the line to stop the flow of oil into and out of the March Point refineries” in Anacortes this weekend.

The actions near the Shell and Tesoro refineries will take place as part of Break Free PNW, one of six demonstrations in the U.S. and more than 20 around the world calling to “break free” from fossil fuels and keep oil and gas in the ground.

Hundreds to thousands of people are expected to attend various events in and around Anacortes as part of the event Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. They also will be camping at Deception Pass and Bay View state parks.

Saturday is the “Indigenous Day of Action,” and organizers are hoping the most people will come out to show support that day, said Jill MacIntyre Witt, 350 Bellingham organizer.

The full schedule of events and more information can be found at breakfreepnw.org.

Samantha Wohlfeil

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Crowds expected this weekend for protest of Skagit refineries."