SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted the environmental group Greenpeace and 11 individuals involved in hanging a banner on Mount Rushmore, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday.
Greenpeace trained the protesters, helped transport them and their equipment to the national monument and hired a helicopter to photograph and record the July 8 event in the Black Hills, U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley said.
Immediately after the protest, Greenpeace said three of its members hung the 65-by-35-foot banner reading, “America honors leaders not politicians: Stop Global Warming” along President Abraham Lincoln’s face while others blocked access to the site. The climbers used existing rock anchors to climb the back of the monument and rappelled down the face before unfurling the banner, it said.
The environmental group did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.
Greenpeace is charged with helping 11 people trespass, nine people climb Mount Rushmore, and six people intentionally interfere with a government employee or officer engaged in his duty, Jackley said. The maximum penalty for each of four counts against Greenpeace is a $10,000 fine and restitution, he said.
Some of the protesters tried to impede law enforcement officers by placing locks on security gates and chaining themselves to areas where it would be difficult or impossible for officers to pass without risking injury, Jackley said.
Six Greenpeace members are charged with interfering with a government official. Others are charged with trespassing, climbing Mount Rushmore, and aiding and abetting, Jackley said. Each count against them carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine, and restitution.
The indictment replaces earlier charges of trespassing and climbing that were filed against 11 people. They were released after pleading not guilty.
