Protesters Sue To Limit Coast Guard Superferry Plans
Coast Guard Says Zone Safest For Ferry, Protesters
POSTED: 5:34 pm HST September 19, 2007
UPDATED: 5:43 pm HST September 19, 2007
HONOLULU -- Protesters filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to block the U.S. Coast Guard's plans to protect the Hawaii Superferry from demonstrators on Kauai.People who planned to go back into the water to keep Superferry away from Kauai were facing arrest if they entered a huge Coast Guard safety zone. Their lawyer said he has found both constitutional and clerical errors he will use to block the authorities from enforcing the zone."If they do, they'll be activating something that doesn't exist, they'll be acting outside the law," attorney Lanny Sinkin said.The Coast Guard expanded the security zone to all of Nawiliwili Harbor after floating protestors out maneuvered authorities in small boats.The public was also banned from a jetty that extends into the harbor, which was a staging area for the protest in and out of the water.Sinkin said the Coast Guard is legally wrong to use its emergency powers to protect the Superferry."The laws that came out of 9/11 are being used now to go after simple protestors, not terrorists, not saboteurs, but simple protestors," Sinkin said.The Coast Guard said the zone is a legally sound way to balance the needs to facilitate commerce while protecting the ferry and potential protestors.The Superferry is scheduled to resume Kauai service on Sept. 26.Gov. Linda Lingle is going to Kauai on Thursday night to warn protestors that they could also face state charges if they face off with the ferry.A hearing over if and when the ferry can resume Maui service could last into next week.
Previous Stories:
- September 15, 2007: Superferry May Have To Shut Down
- September 13, 2007: Some Worry Protesters Will Be Arrested Blocking Superferry
- September 13, 2007: Superferry Service To Resume In Late September
- September 12, 2007: Lingle Announces Superferry To Resume Kauai Service
- September 12, 2007: State Investigating Rocks Taken From Maui
- September 10, 2007: Environmentalists Attack Superferry's Whale Plans
- September 10, 2007: Kauai Protesters Say They May Block Ferry Again
- September 9, 2007: Superferry Environmental Check Not Uncommon
- September 9, 2007: Superferry Returns To Honolulu From Maui
- September 7, 2007: Judge Rejects TRO For Superferry Kauai Trips
- September 6, 2007: Lawmakers Consider Special Session For Superferry
- September 6, 2007: No Ruling From Judge On Superferry To Kauai
- September 4, 2007: Superferry Puts Kauai Trips On Hold
- September 4, 2007: Coast Guard Meets With Kauai Superferry Protesters
- September 1, 2007: SC: Superferry Must Do Environmental Studies
- August 31, 2007: Sierra Club Willing To Negotiate With Superferry
- August 30, 2007: Superferry Still Banned From Maui
- August 29, 2007: Superferry Protesters Elude Coast Guard
- August 28, 2007: Superferry Cancels Kauai Trip
- August 28, 2007: Opponents Blame Lingle For Superferry Dilemma
- August 28, 2007: Coast Guard Ability Questioned In Kauai Protest
- August 27, 2007: Judge Suspends Maui Docking For Superferry
- August 24, 2007: Superferry Plans To Start Service Despite Ruling
- August 23, 2007: Superferry Environmental Impact Issue Goes To Hawaii High Court
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