Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch (pg. B2), July 8, 2008

UTILITY PROTEST ENDS IN ARRESTS

By Amanda Dolasinski, The Columbus Dispatch

Eight people were arrested on charges of criminal trespassing and resisting arrest yesterday after police were called to American Municipal Power-Ohio to break up a protest.

AMP-Ohio, at 200 Airport Dr. near Port Columbus, is a nonprofit corporation that owns and operates electrical plants and provides power to its members.

The 50 or so protesters from Earth First, which describes itself as an international movement devoted to protecting environmental resources, were objecting to AMP-Ohio's plan to build a coal-fired power plant in Meigs County.

The protesters broke a revolving door, set off fire alarms and threw shrimp at AMP-Ohio employees, who asked them to leave, said Jolene Thompson, the company's vice president of public affairs.

When some of the protesters refused, police were called. Officers used pepper spray on about 20 people, said Lt. William Morrison.

Sarah Azwel, a spokeswoman for Earth First, declined to comment on the group's actions.

adolasinski@dispatch.com