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One Greenpeace activist to return to court
One of the 14 Greenpeace activists arrested yesterday scaling bridges to unfurl banners plans to ask an Allegheny County judge today for a reduction in his bail after he was jailed on an outstanding warrant from Japan.
Jonathan Batchelor, 31, of Portland, Ore., was detained on $75,000 bail after prosecutors last night informed District Judge Carla Swearingen that he was wanted in Japan.
Eight people were arrested yesterday as they rappelled from the West End Bridge unfurling a banner. Others were arrested on the Fort Bridge before they could rappel from that bridge.
Kelly Osbourne, 40, of Oklahoma City was jailed on $10,000 bail but she posted that last night with the help of Greenpeace. The other 12 suspects posted bails of $3,000 and less. They all face preliminary hearings Sept. 30.
All the Greenpeace members appeared in Pittsburgh Municipal Court last night wearing green "Climate Rescue" T-shirts. The banner unfurled on the West End Bridge read, "Danger, Climate Destruction Ahead, Reduce CO2 Emissions Now."
Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, 22, of St. Louis, who was one of the activists that dangled from the sign off the West End Bridge, said all of those involved were experienced climbers.
"It's very simple — climate change is an urgent issue. I'm willing to take that chance (rappelling) personally," said Ritter-Soronen, after she was released from jail on her own recognizance last night. "I'm here because I'm depending on President Obama to speak up for finding climate solutions. I felt that hanging that banner was a great way to send a message."