MD

On the 17th of September, "We Are Cove Point" took to the water in Annapolis, MD in several kayaks and a sailboat against Dominion's LNG export plant at Cove Point, MD. The kayaktivists were demanding that MD Governor Hogan order a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to determine just how dangerous the under-construction fracked gas export plant really is. Given the recent explosion of leaked residential gas that was enough to demolish an apartment building in Silver Spring, MD, it pays to take the risks associated with natural gas seriously. Several large LNG plants have exploded over the years, and amount of gas potentially involved in such blasts can be measured in kilotons. The Cove Point plant is unique for being in a populated area.

On the 14th of August, the Fraternal Order of Police held a conference at the Hyatt in Baltimore. Black Lives Matter activsts blockaded doors using lockboxes and dropped banners inside in a full court press disruption. Twelve protesters were arrested after police managed to saw through the lockboxes. One of the FOP attendees showed off the "Frat" part of "Fraternal Order of Police" by saying "Move or I'm going to piss on you bitch" to one of the women in the protest. The Hyatt was reduced to forcing people out of the conference-and the hotel and refunding money paid to enter.

President Obama has explicitly said he will not permit the Democratic Party platform to take a position against the TPP trade deal. In response, on the 7th of July fair trade protesters showed up at the offices of Representative Elijah Cummins, who chairs the Democratic Party's platform committee. Elijah Cummins has said before he opposes the TPP and has repeatedly voted against TPP related bills including Obama's treasured "fast-track" bill last year. The protesters were there to say they've got his back and are asking him to stand up to bullying from the Obama administration and ensure that the party platform opposes the TPP trade deal.

Video from the TPP protest at rep Elijah Cummings' office in Baltimore

On the 27th of May, Heather Doyle was convicted of filing a "false" police report for truthfully complaining about being dragged by police from the Feb 3, 2015 crane sit against Dominion's gas export manner in an unsafe manner. She also truthfully objected in that complaint to being assaulted by police. The Calvert County Sheriff's dept turned the tables, denied all charges, and have now successfully sentenced Heather to serve 15 days in jail for filing a compliant for police brutality and recklessness.