Our ship the MY Esperanza has been refused access to docking space in Miami, USA because the local port authorities claim it is a "security risk". The Port of Miami cites an outstanding court case the Bush administration is pursuing against Greenpeace in the USA, as the reason for its refusal to allow the ship to berth.
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| Esperanza is boarded by US Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs official |
The MY Esperanza reached Miami on October 26. Even before the ship dropped anchor, a US Coast Guard vessel, with approximately 20 Customs and Immigration officials on board, arrived. All of the US Coast Guard personnel boarded the Esperanza. Its crew were told to muster on the ship's heli-deck. Later they were all detained in the Bridge while paperwork inspections were carried out.
Two (armed) law enforcement vessels from the Fish and Wildlife department, a US Coast Guard jet and a marine safety helicopter also greeted the Esperanza. A boat chartered by Greenpeace staff was detained by Fish and Wildlife officials, who took identification from those on board away for processing. Officials in the Marine Safety helicopter took video footage of everyone on the boat.
We were denied permission to carry members of the media or visitors in our inflatables to and from shore.
The Port of Miami and the Mayor's office was inundated by calls from people objecting to the decision to refuse us entry. Greenpeace has agreed to compromise on any security measures the port requires, but continues to be stonewalled. Now we are taking our case to the county authorities.
"The Port of Miami has offered shifting, inappropriate rationales for keeping Greenpeace's ship from docking," said John Passacantando, executive director of Greenpeace in the United States. "We can only conclude that the Port does not like Greenpeace's message and wants to prevent the people of Miami from hearing it. The First Amendment does not permit this kind of censorship and discrimination. We call on Miami authorities to do what is right and reverse the Port's decision."
The Esperanza - fresh from a tour of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska - was due to take on supplies in Miami. Greenpeace also hoped to invite the public aboard to learn about our work to protect the Amazon rainforest.
The Bush vs Greenpeace trial will be heard in Miami. A date for the trial will be set during December. The US Justice Department, which indicted Greenpeace Inc (the Greenpeace office in the US) for the peaceful protest activities of its members, is trying to prosecute without a jury.
For more information, visit www.greenpeaceusa.org
