Anti-windmills protestors sprayed during demonstration

An anti-windmill protest in Brookings was disrupted by local business owners after they decided to ‘wash their sign’ in the middle of their gathering, spraying multiple protesters with cold water.

The group Oregonians Against Wind Turbines have been hosting demonstrations over BOEM’s decision to lease Wind Energy Areas off the coast of Coos Bay and Brookings Oregon. They clashed with the owners of the local boutique A.ell Atelier and Design over Memorial Day weekend.

The group had gathered to protest on a public sidewalk along Chetco Boulevard, where they assumed there would be healthy traffic. One of the organizers, Joe Wilson, expressed the typical response from locals.

“The response has been 100-1 against the windmills, from people and businesses,” explained Joe, “I don’t know if they we’re against the message or just don’t want people in front of their business, but we weren’t blocking traffic or the entrance to their building”

The owners, who have yet to provide comment, took it upon themselves to make the protesters feel unwelcome. On that Memorial Day, one owner threw a protestor’s sign into oncoming traffic on Chetco.

Wilson noticed something was off when they returned for the next protest two weeks later. Large vehicles had been parked for the assumed purpose of blocking vision of the protestors. The boutique also had a power sprayer set up outside.

The business owner and her brother claimed to be washing their sign outside, but video taken by the protesters clearly shows that the intention was to indirectly spray the demonstrators, who seemed to take it in stride, and with good humor.

This ‘sign washing’ carried on for almost an hour according to protestors. Their response was to contact the local authorities to see what could be done. Brookings Police Chief, Kelby McCrae, responded with the solution.

“The sidewalk is public property and the graveled portion in front of the doors of the business is a roadway. Neither can be blocked and neither is her property. You certainly have your freedom of speech and assembly. From the videos you provided, I did not see you violate any law,” said McCrae in an email to protestors.

However, those same rights do extend to the business owners as well.

“Additionally, while annoying, his spraying the sign above you ("indirectly" as you point out) is not in and of itself illegal,” McCrae continued, “Lieutenant Dotson told me that both offices handled the situation well and I hope that this does not occur again.”

Brookings PD had sent a pair of officers to diffuse the situation. Apparently, they had a productive interaction with the business owners, and they consider the issue resolved, though they recommended the protesters find a new location for their next demonstration.

Support for the protests has been high as more and more citizens find reason for concern with the Windmill development. This includes elected officials. During both of their recent Curry and Coos County town halls Senators Wyden and Merkley expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the project is being carried out.

Oregonians Against Wind Turbines have been petitioning for an Advisory Vote on the upcoming November ballots. This will allow locals to have their voices heard in a more official capacity and show governmental organizations where the actual level of support for the project lies.

Until then they will continue hosting protests in Coos Bay, Gold Beach, and Brookings. In addition to seeking a solution and raising awareness, Oregonians Against Wind Turbines are happy to have a healthy and respectful dialogue with their opposition. Getting sprayed with water, however, is not what most would consider ‘respectful dialogue’.

“We will be having more protests, and everyone is welcome. Even if you are pro-windmill and want to have a discussion about it, we’re happy to talk. We just want everyone to be on the same page and understand the impacts it will have on our beautiful South Coast and on our way of life,” concluded Wilson.