Nine charged in Calgary Tower protest

Calgary Police have charged 9 people in relation to Tuesday’s Greenpeace protest at the Calgary Tower.

Dozens of police and firefighters were called to the Tower where Greenpeace activists in full climbing gear unfurled a huge banner protesting what they said is a "cozy" relationship between big oil and the federal and provincial governments. The banner itself, eight by 15 metres with the words "Separate oil and state," was held in place by three protesters hanging by ropes from the north face of the tower. The banner was lifted out of sight about 11:20 a.m. About 15 minutes later the protesters were taken up as well.

Investigators believe the protesters entered the building through a ground-level emergency exit that was opened from the inside by other protestors. They were then able to get into the elevators undetected with their climbing gear, and get off on the observation level. They then opened a window to get unto the catwalk of the Tower, where they attached their gear and rappelled from the tower.

Eight people were taken into custody directly following the incident and one more was arrested later that evening. All nine have been charged with "breaking out" and mischief to property under $5,000.

Charged are Ian Scott Wearmouth, 21, of Calgary; Isabelle Charlesbois, 25, of Calgary; Adela Sculean, 26, of Edmonton; Tom Verhaeghe, 28, Belgium National; Jeffrey Charles Harrison, 22, of Surrey, B.C.; Rehn Thibault, 29, province of Quebec; Zane Trevor Lewis, 36, of Edmonton; Steven Erich Andersen, 30, of Grande Prairie; and Frederic Bleau, 30, of St. Bruno, Que.