London (CNN) — Six women attempted to climb one of Europe’s tallest buildings Thursday to rally against Shell’s Arctic drilling plan.
The women from environmental group Greenpeace said they dodged security guards around the London landmark and once on top, they planned to “to hang a huge work of art that captures the beauty” of the Arctic.
“They expect the grueling project to take most of the day,” the environmental group, Greenpeace said in a statement. “The lead climbers are ‘free climbing’ (scaling the building without assistance) but are fixing safety ropes as they progress. They are carrying the huge work of art in backpacks and will install it this afternoon if they reach the summit. “
The six started their climb at dawn and were live streaming the climb.
They opted to climb The Shard because it towers over the oil giant’s global headquarters on the Southbank of the Thames, according to the statement .
“Shell is leading the oil companies’ drive into the Arctic, investing billions in its Alaskan and Russian drilling programs,” it said. ” A worldwide movement of millions has sprung up to stop them, but Shell is refusing to abandon its plans.
The climbers are from the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Holland and Belgium.
The Shard released a statement it is working with authorities to ensure the climbers’ safety.
“Our primary focus is on the safety of the protesters, and of the workers and visitors to our building, which remains open today,” The Shard said in a statement.
Greenpeace’s environmental campaign aims to turn the area around the North Pole into a global sanctuary and unavailable to industrialization.
Shell defended its Arctic drilling.
“Oil and gas production from the Arctic is not new.,” it said in a statement. “The Arctic region currently produces about 10% of the world’s oil and 25% of its gas. If responsibly developed, Arctic energy resources can help offset supply constraints and maintain energy security for consumers throughout the world.”
Of the protests, the oil giant said it respects the freedom of expression.
“We only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others, including Shell personnel and customers in mind,” Shell said.
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1 of 7. People take part in the first Gay Pride march (Marche des Fiertes) since a French law permitting gay and lesbian marriage was passed, in Paris June 29, 2013.
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Michaela Georgiou Francis called the crime “disgusting”, adding that people like Joseph didn’t “live that life”, and that it was so tragic that it could happen to “such a wonderful loving young man”.
Jeffrey Manso, who went to the same school, St Aloysius, as Burke-Monerville, and had known the family since he was 13, said he was “shocked” about what had happened, and that he wasn’t involved in gangs.
Burke-Monerville was due to go on holiday next week to Magaluf, on the Spanish island of Majorca, which he said would be “a week ‘off’ stress”.
The second victim, a 32-year-old man, is currently in a stable condition in hospital.
Police officers are appealing for witnesses and information following the murder, and no arrests have yet been made.
Two suspects were spotted running from the scene after the shooting towards nearby Pembury Estate, with the first man described as black, while the second is light-skinned, possibly of Asian or Turkish appearance.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At this very early stage we must retain an open mind regarding the circumstances of the incident and any motive.”
Zach Carpenter, 18, saw two men with bandanas covering their faces walk into Hindrey Road yesterday evening, before he heard three loud bangs.
One of the men was black with a red and white chequered bandana, while the other man was white and was wearing a black bandana, he said.
Mr Carpenter said: “I was walking home from the shop when I saw a black man and a white man walking down the main road and turn into Hindrey Road. After about 30 seconds I heard three loud bangs.
“It’s unnerved me a bit because my family live nearby.”
The Aberystwyth University student, whose family has lived in the area since he was 10 months old, said there were known feuds between gangs on rival estates.
“It’s not so much a war, more of a feud between the Pembury and Nightingale estates, and another one,” he said.
Another resident, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said: “With this happening now, I don’t think people will feel safe.
“There have been shootings here before but this is the first murder.”
