NOLNG Direct Action Lock Down
by Darren Moore
Wednesday, May 17th, 2017, Tacoma, Washington. A day marked by heightened emotions and community resolve, six local environmental activists, now widely known as the “Super 6,” took a crucial stand. United in their frustration after attending countless meetings with apathetic officials, they locked themselves to an auger—a helical blade traditionally used for drilling into the earth—to draw attention to the proposed Tacoma Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility. This direct action was notably in solidarity with the Puyallup Tribe, on whose ancestral and treaty-protected land this industrial project is poised to be built. Trained police officers were eventually dispatched to cut the activists free from the auger, initiating the first wave of arrests in a growing movement to protect Puyallup territory and sovereignty.
Tensions had been mounting for months, with activists consistently attending both Port of Tacoma Commission meetings and City of Tacoma Council public forums. Those occupying the seats of power in these modern settings—places where ordinary citizens have the opportunity to petition their leaders—had heard the activists’ words but failed to grasp their significance. Today, the activists believed, action would resonate louder than words.
As word spread, community and tribal members began to gather at the site. One such member was Chester Earl, a Puyallup Tribe elder who spoke with a gravitas that only comes from a lifetime of experience and ancestral memory. His voice wavered as he explained that the facility, skirting the edge of their reservation and treaty territory, was a threat to their waters, a danger to the tribe and a violation of their sovereignty. The Puyallup Tribe is part of the Medicine Creek Treaty.
The looming Tacoma LNG plant is no minor venture. Designed to hold 8 million gallons of supercooled gas, it will produce between 250,000 and 500,000 gallons daily. And the consequences could be dire. Steven Storms, a retired chemical engineer we had spoken with at an earlier rally, used stark, factual language to paint a grim picture: the facility’s explosive force could equal 166 kilotons of TNT—comparable to over 11 atomic bombs that fell on Hiroshima.
Despite impassioned pleas for additional environmental scrutiny, the bureaucratic machinery has, so far, remained unyielding. The hope of the Super 6 and their growing band of supporters is that today’s demonstration will finally shake the local community from its complacency.
As dusk settled, a spontaneous rally unfolded outside the Pierce County Jail where the Super 6 were being held. About 25 souls assembled—activists, tribal members, and ordinary citizens whose patience with institutional apathy had reached its limit. Liz Satiacum of the Quileute Tribe and her young son, a member of the Puyallup Tribe, led a hauntingly beautiful prayer song. The melody seemed to pierce the jail walls as if attempting to comfort the detained activists. One by one, people seized a megaphone to shout messages of encouragement, hoping their voices would find their way to the Super 6 inside.
As for the Tacoma LNG facility, construction is imminent, hinging only on a few remaining local permits. While the outcome of today’s direct action is yet to unfold in its entirety, the palpable resolve among the Super 6 and their supporters shows that this struggle is far from over. It’s a community awakening, as people become aware that what’s at stake isn’t just an environmental issue, but a challenge to human rights, tribal sovereignty, and the sanctity of the earth we all share.
This is not just a local skirmish but a salient chapter in a broader narrative of resistance. It’s a tale of a community and a tribe refusing to be silenced, empowered by the courage of the Super 6, and driven by an indomitable spirit.
Additional Information: Link to Ancestral Waters Documentary
First appearing on May 17, 2017, this article is part of an ongoing series documenting the Indigenous-led campaign against the Tacoma LNG facility.
The article has since been edited to remove time-sensitive elements, such as calls to action, in order to serve as an historical and educational resource. You can also explore other related articles and resources on the Ancestral Waters page for a more contextual understanding of the issues and events.
While the full “Ancestral Waters” documentary is available for screenings, we invite you to watch the trailer for a glimpse into the comprehensive story of resiliency and activism told in the film.
