Police arrest I-69 activists

BLOOMINGTON -- Two people face criminal charges after they climbed a 15-story crane in downtown Bloomington to protest plans for the Interstate 69 extension through southwestern Indiana.\nColette Eno and Liam Mulholland were arrested and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct shortly after their Saturday protest, police said.\nThe two had planned to unfurl an anti-I-69 banner from atop the crane's boom. But fellow Buffalo Trace Earth First member Steve Johnson says the crane operator showed up and kicked the rolled-up banner off the crane.\nThe sign they had planned to display read: "I-69: Trading Families, Farms and Forests for Pavement" and "I-69 Benefits Who? Them, Not You!"\nState officials have designated a route that passes near Bloomington for the planned highway extension between Evansville and Indianapolis.\nJohnson said Eno and Mulholland were experienced climbers and had the proper safety gear to rappel from the 151-foot construction structure.\nMulholland said the protest efforts will be followed by others.\n"Though we are disappointed this did not work out, this is only the beginning of nonviolent actions that will be taken to stop I-69," he said.\nAfterward, several highway opponents gathered outside the Monroe County Courthouse to hear speakers from various groups.\nOrganizer Frank Martinez said efforts to block use of the Bloomington route for extending I-69 was continuing to gain support.\nState officials, who expect the Federal Highway Administration to approve the designated route by the end of the year, have said they selected the route because it would do more than others to improve travel time and spur economic development.\nThe route has been opposed by many residents and environmentalists who say it would destroy too much forest and farmland for a minimal economic gain.