Truck driver arrested on assault with deadly weapon charges following encounter with California protesters
Eighteen protesters and one truck driver were arrested yesterday following an altercation outside of a natural gas storage facility in Porter Ranch, California.
Protesters Gather To Mark Annivesary Of Largest Methane Leak In U.S. History
Yesterday dozens of protesters gathered outside of the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility run by Southern California Gas Co. to mark the second anniversary of a methane leak which was discovered in October 2015. The leak was not contained until February of 2016. Around 109,000 tons of methane leaked during the incident, making it the largest methane leak in U.S. history, and thousands of residents were forced to temporarily relocate. Others say that the leaked methane caused health problems.
We are still getting sick from Aliso Canyon’s toxic emissions 😷😵 2 yrs after massive blowout, we need @JerryBrownGov to #ShutItALLDown now! pic.twitter.com/80Te6U2cg2
— SavePorterRanch (@SavePorterRanch) October 21, 2017
Demonstrators Turn Their Anger Towards Trucker Trying To Enter Facility
Protesters blocked the entrance to the facility and held up posters decorated like tombstones, chanting “Jerry Brown! Shut it down!” Many of the protesters sat in the roadway in front of the entrance to the facility in order to block traffic for several hours.
After the protest had been underway for hours, a truck driver reportedly caused a panic by driving near the protesters. Many of the protesters responded to the incident by stepping forward in front of the semi, laying hands on the truck and waving signs at the driver. Eventually, the trucker was forced to back up to escape the protesters.
You can see video of the incident below.
Here’s another video taken from a different angle.
Truck Driver And Protesters Taken Into Custody
According to Los Angeles Police Officer Mike Lopez, the truck driver was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon charges.
After police tried and failed to disperse the demonstration, eighteen of the protesters were taken into police custody.
Arrests underway at #AlisoCanyon protest on 2nd Anniversary of largest natural gas leak in US history. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/XYKUy4W8Nm
— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) October 23, 2017