Howie Hawkins, the Green Party's candidate for the governor of New York in 2014, was arrested on Tuesday for disorderly conduct while protesting in the state's Seneca Lake. Hawkins' companions, which are mainly U.S. military veterans, were also taken away by law enforcers.
According to Ithaca Voice, the activist and politician was protesting at the storage center of the Crestwood Gas Facility. During the protests, Hawkins and 12 other individuals blocked the facility's gates to prevent its trucks from entering and exiting.
Hawkins and his companions noted that the presence of the gas facility and its fracking operations are dangerous for the environment. They also called for new programs to be implemented in order to supply New York with 100 percent renewable energy.
Hawkins and the dozen activists are members of the Veterans Against Crestwood and Defending the Climate and Seneca Lake groups. They were immediately arrested by authorities shortly after unveiling their protest banners in front of the facility during the movement which was named as, We Are Seneca Lake. Eleven of those who were apprehended are war veterans.
As reported by Syracuse.com, the arrest of Hawkins and his group is the latest incident involving protesters and authorities at the Crestwood Gas Facility, which received the Federal Energy Commission's approval to operate in 2014. Since October of that year, almost 500 individuals have been arrested at the site.
The news site noted that activists frequently flock the area since its establishment due to its plans to store gas in the salt caverns of Seneca Lake. According to them, not only does this project endanger the lives of people living nearby but it is also has harmful environmental effects.
Hawkins and his companions were processed by the Schuyler County Sherriff's Department and released around a day after their arrest. He and the other activists are scheduled to appear in court on March 16, Localsyr.com reported.
