Several hundred people gathered today on Pioneer Courthouse Square to protest the use of rail lines and ports in Oregon in ship coal to destinations in Asia. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., gave an impassioned speech to convince Oregonians to block this proposed rail shipment plan. He said that he has been battling the coal industry for many years, and doesn’t want Oregon to fall into this trap. Several organizations were handing out literature opposing the plan, including the Sierra Club, Coal Free Northwest, Coal Free Oregon and Columbia Riverkeeper. These organizations maintain that the risks involved in transporting coal through our communities would be a giant step backwards in cleaning up the environment. Once again Pioneer Courthouse Square provides the perfect place to provide information to the community. For more information on coal exports.
