At least 12 arrested as protests move to downtown, I-5 entrance Jeremy Pawloski The Olympian November 10, 2007 http://www.theolympian.com/570/story/267840.html OLYMPIA -- At least 12 people have been arrested today as protests of military-cargo shipments from the Port of Olympia moved to downtown and the Plum Street entrance to Interstate 5. ? *Photos: *Military Shipment Protest at the Port of Olympia 2007 ? Share your Port of Olympia protest photos & videos with us! About 12:15 p.m., Olympia police arrested at least three people at Fourth Avenue and Plum Street. About 12:20 p.m., protesters gathered at the I-5 entrance in a failed attempt to block convoys. Police arrested at least nine people there. Protesters on foot blocked traffic at Fourth and Plum about noon by jumping in front of 18-wheelers towing cargo containers containing military equipment bound for Fort Lewis. But Olympia police in riot gear moved in quickly, spraying pepper spray in the faces of the protesters, pushing them with their batons and dragging them away from the road. About 10 protesters partially blocked Plum Street at the entrence to Interstate 5 by linking arms through PVC pipes and sitting in the road. Police shot them with pepper spray guns and, when they didn't move, cut the PVC pipes, handcuffed them and dragged them to a police van. Earlier in the day, Olympia police officers dressed in riot gear used pepper spray and physically removed the 20 or so Olympia Port Militarization Resistance demonstrators who were blocking the entrance to the port about 9:45 a.m. A larger number of protesters stood by and shouted at the police, decrying what they felt were excessive tactics. A smaller group that included some of the truck drivers who were waiting to move military equipment to Fort Lewis voiced quiet support for the police actions. By about 10:20 a.m., a large number of trucks had entered the port and about 20 officers lined the road at Franklin and Market streets, making sure the road was clear of protesters. About 10:30 a.m., several protesters -- including one young woman screaming in pain -- were being treated by paramedics after being pepper-sprayed by police. The line of protesters at the port?s gates, some of whom wore goggles and other protective gear, withstood several sprays and were physically removed by officers who picked them up and threw them away from the road they had blocked. Saturday?s actions by police come one day after protesters were able to halt to two trucks from removing military equipment that had been unloaded from Iraq. All week, OlyPMR has been protesting the use of the port by the USNS Brittin, which landed at the port Monday to unload equipment that was used in Iraq by the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). On Friday, protesters, including several small children, were able to keep two trucks, including one towing a Stryker vehicle, from leaving the port. Olympia police said the department did not have enough officers available to remove the protesters Friday, and that they were not prepared to physically remove children. Olympia Port Commission President Paul Telford said Friday night that he understood police did not have the resources to remove the protesters that day but added he was ?a little disappointed that we didn?t get some police support.? Early this morning, protesters were blocking the main entrance to the port, and overnight a barricade had been built at another road providing access to the port on Market and Marine Drive. Protesters said they were there all night. The barricade, which included the axle of a truck with four wheels attached and plastic garbage cans, was cleared by what appeared to be port workers using a bulldozer about 8:15 a.m. today. Police also cleared protesters from the barricade using pepper spray. Before today's action by police, truck drivers who were waiting to do their jobs said they didn?t feel police were doing theirs. Overnight, truck driver Mike Cutberth said protesters stole equipment from his struck that he had used to secure cargo containers. ?The police response (stinks),? Cutberth said of Saturday?s incation by police. ?We?re a tax-producing business,? said truck driver Tory Liljeblad. ?Why don?t we get protection?? Nathan Forrest added that ?I can?t make a living? with the protesters blocking port access. ?We?re truck drivers; we can?t get in and work,? Mike Smith said. After the trucks rolled into the port this morning, it appeared that OlyPMR?s resistance would continue; police scanners were reporting various actions in the area of the port and on Fourth Avenue after 11 a.m. /For more information, check back at this site and see Page A1 in Sunday's Olympian./