A public demonstration that involved seven people dangling from beneath the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver has ended. A group of 12 people climbed up onto the bridge to form what they called an "aerial blockade", beginning on Tuesday morning. Their goal was to prevent oil tanker traffic from getting in or out of the terminus of the Trans Mountain pipeline in Burnaby, B.C. Of the dozen people, seven rappelled themselves below the span, suspended in mid-air above the Burrard Inlet while five others remained on the catwalk above them to provide various supports. The blockade, organized by Greenpeace Canada, was the latest in ongoing opposition efforts against the pipeline expansion project which is projected to lead to a seven-fold increase in oil tankers moving through the Burrard Inlet. "Part of civil disobedience is the open and forthright breaking of certain laws in order to uphold higher morals and higher laws," Greenpeace spokesperson Alex Speers-Roesch said, watching from a distance as the RCMP moved in. At least one person was lowered manually by the RCMP Emergency Response Team. Several others lowered themselves voluntarily from beneath the span and into waiting police boats below. According to the RCMP, those involved in the incident will be facing mischief charges, as well as a charge related to the shipping act. Happening now at the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge where a dozen people are forming an "aerial blockade" in opposition to #TransMountain On the left are the police, or some kind of specialized tactical team. Not sure who you call for this kind of law enforcement response? pic.twitter.com/xuVuQuZPhq —@pieglue Will George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation was among those dangling beneath the bridge. The First Nation has been among the most vocal opponents to the pipeline expansion and has challenged it on several fronts: through formal regulatory processes, the courts, and public rallies. "I'll do whatever it takes to let people know this pipeline won't be built," said George in a telephone interview while he was still hanging in his hammock above the waters of the Burrard Inlet. A group of people were hanging beneath the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge above the Burrard Inlet in Metro Vancouver in a demonstration against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. (Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC) George said he was used to being in the air after spending 18 years cleaning the exterior of highrise buildings in downtown Vancouver. He said by being part of the aerial blockade, he was setting an example of leadership to his son and continuing his community's opposition to the pipeline expansion. The twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline will nearly triple its capacity, to an estimated 890,000 barrels a day, and increase tanker traffic to 34 tankers a month from approximately five. ​ "I don't mind standing in the way and letting people know that tar sands bitumen will not be travelling through my body of water, especially over 400 tankers a year," said George. The seven people hanging in the hammocks were being assisted by five people on the catwalk above. George said that as he heard the traffic moving on the bridge above him on Wednesday morning, he thought of all those people driving to work for the day. "They choose to live here because they love it here. And that's why I'm here. I'm here to protect what they love." Tanker waiting to leave The blockade group said it was successful in preventing one oil tanker from taking its load out to sea. Anchored in the Burrard Inlet not far from the bridge is an oil tanker named the Serene Sea. The blockade group said the tanker was scheduled to leave for China on Tuesday. The oil tanker the Serene Sea (left) loaded with crude oil and anchored in the Burrard Inlet on Wednesday morning. According to a a marine traffic website, the tanker is destined for a port in China, just north of Hong Kong. (Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC ) A spokesperson from Kinder Morgan said the tanker filled up with crude oil at the Westridge Marine Terminal and is "waiting for suitable conditions at its Port of Vancouver designated mooring location." The spokesperson went on to write, in an emailed statement, that the company respects the rights of people to demonstrate peacefully. "It is unfortunate that the actions of these individuals have caused disruptions to vessels and individuals that transit to and from the waters east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge," read the statement. The Port of Vancouver said it was monitoring the situation closely, and that it was not safe for deep sea vessels and others to pass under the bridge while the protesters were in place.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email A number of pipeline protesters rappelled from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver on Tuesday morning. They are still there as of Tuesday afternoon. There are seven climbers rappelling from the bridge, while five additional climbers are on the bridge’s catwalk. WATCH: Anti-pipeline protesters raise the stakes 1:57 Anti-pipeline protesters raise the stakes Anti-pipeline protesters raise the stakes – Jul 3, 2018 Greenpeace Canada is taking responsibility for the aerial blockade, which it says is to protest the Trans Mountain oilsands oil tanker traffic. Story continues below advertisement The climbers say they are currently in the path of the oilsands oil tanker, Serene Sea, which is currently docked at the Vancouver terminal. They say the tanker was scheduled to leave port on Tuesday morning but is now being blocked from leaving by the climbers. However, in a statement to CKNW, Kinder Morgan said “there is no impact to our operations at this time as there are no vessels scheduled to arrive at or depart Westridge Marine Terminal [Tuesday] morning.” The climbers plan to raise banners reading “Trudeau or Crudeau: Choose”, “Don’t bank on pipelines” and “Respect Indigenous Rights”. The climbers say they will also raise six additional banners reading “Protect Water #StopPipelines,” “Protect Water” and “Protect the Salish Sea” in different languages. READ MORE: Vancouver city council candidate Jean Swanson arrested at Burnaby pipeline protest A Vancouver police boat is on scene and monitoring the situation. We are monitoring a protest on the #IronWorkersMemorialBridge. @VPDMarineUnit are on scene assessing the situation. Public safety, including the safety of the protesters & our officers, is our priority. There's no disruption to vehicle traffic on the bridge at this time. #VPD — Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) July 3, 2018 Traffic on the bridge is not affected at this time. “Prime Minister Trudeau is standing on the wrong side of history,” Mike Hudema, a Greenpeace Canada spokesperson and climber based in Vancouver, said in a release. “Climate leaders don’t choose to buy pipelines. World leaders cannot be allowed to approve projects that violate the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The world is watching the choices you make next, Mr. Justin Trudeau.” Story continues below advertisement PHOTOS of the protest: 3:13 Pipeline protesters rappel from Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Pipeline protesters rappel from Ironworkers Memorial Bridge – Jul 3, 2018<doc-sep>Share this Story: Police remove pipeline opponents from Ironworkers Bridge on day 2 of blockade Police remove pipeline opponents from Ironworkers Bridge on day 2 of blockade Photo by Nick Procaylo / PNG Article content Police have removed all of the pipeline opponents who had been suspended from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge for nearly a day-and-a-half. On Tuesday morning, seven people rappelled from the bridge’s superstructure and spent the day and night suspended from the span, while five others supported them from the bridge. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Police remove pipeline opponents from Ironworkers Bridge on day 2 of blockade Back to video Shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, North Vancouver RCMP said they were working to apprehend the Greenpeace group, which opposes construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. After discussions between senior officers, RCMP took over the situation from the Vancouver Police Department on Tuesday evening. “Public safety is the priority, both for the protesters and the police,” the Mounties said in a tweet. RCMP spokesman Cpl. Richard De Jong said the decision to finally remove the protesters was made “through ongoing overall risk assessment.” The decision was not related to the fact that several tankers were scheduled to travel under the bridge on Wednesday and had been delayed by the protest, he said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Nonetheless, De Jong said that since there could be charges laid under the federal Shipping Act, it made sense for the RCMP to take the lead role in apprehending the protesters. “This is about the safety of the protesters,” he said. Vancouver police had a marine unit on scene to ensure public safety, said Const. Jason Doucette. In a pair of videos posted by Greenpeace Canada to Facebook, police officers could be seen removing people on the bridge structure. They then moved to remove the people hanging below. We're back! BREAKING: Police move in to remove our 12 climbers from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver, where they've sustained a blockade of a tar sands tanker for 34+ hours. Stay tuned for more! #NoTMX #StopPipelines Posted by Greenpeace Canada on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In a statement released through Greenpeace, Will George, a Coast Salish leader and one of the people who had rappelled down, confirmed he had been arrested. “I will remain the fierce opposition. It is in my blood to protect the water. Our Indigenous rights are being completely ignored, the safety of our water is being ignored, and most of all my son’s future is at stake. I will do whatever it takes to protect the water and my family and your family,” he said. A rally was held at noon on Wednesday to support the aerial blockade, at the north end of North Skeena Street in Vancouver, which looks over the approach lanes to the Ironworkers bridge. “Twelve climbers have been suspended in the path of a tar sands tanker in Vancouver for the past 24 hours,” read a Wednesday morning update from Greenpeace Canada. “This pipeline expansion will lock us into 50 years of fossil fuel infrastructure. We can’t let that happen.” The blockade was intended to stop oil-tanker traffic from passing under the bridge. Greenpeace organizers had said the tanker Serene Sea was scheduled to leave from Kinder Morgan’s Westridge Marine Terminal on Tuesday, although Trans Mountain said no ships were slated to depart that day. Early Wednesday, the Serene Sea moved to an anchorage in Burrard Inlet, east of the bridge. According to MarineTraffic.com, the Serene Sea’s next port of call is Huizhou, China, but it’s not expected there until July 23. In a statement on Wednesday, Trans Mountain said the ship was waiting for “suitable conditions” to depart. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “We respect the right to peacefully demonstrate and there are many ways to express opinions in a safe and lawful manner,” the company said. “It is unfortunate that the actions of these individuals have caused disruptions to vessels and individuals that transit to and from the waters east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, including customers from our terminal and the other marine cargo terminals.” “Our top priority is the safety of the community and marine waterway users, and we look forward to a peaceful and swift resolution to this demonstration.” According to the Pacific Pilotage Authority, a pair of ships were set to move through the Second Narrows on Wednesday, but both had their plans delayed — the Maersk Bering was to depart for China from an anchorage point east of the bridge at 3 p.m., but is also now set to depart on Thursday morning, and the Nord Supreme was to move from an anchorage west of the bridge to Suncor’s Burrard Terminal at 4:15 a.m., but that was delayed to 10 p.m. Wednesday. The Suncor Burrard Terminal is a holding facility for finished petroleum products. Suncor spokeswoman Nicole Fisher said the protest was disrupting fuel supplies to Vancouver Island. “Nothing is getting in or out,” Fisher said before police removed the protesters. “Unfortunately, because of the protest ,we are unable to supply gas and diesel to the Island right now. ” Fisher declined to say how long the protest would have had to drag on before its impact could be felt at Vancouver Island pumps. Suncor ships fuel to the Island twice a week, she said. Good morning from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge where 12 climbers are still here with 7 suspended in protest of @JustinTrudeau's decision to spend taxpayer dollars on violating Indigenous rights and exacerbating the climate crisis. #StopPipelines @GreenpeaceCA pic.twitter.com/XyNiJiDsrd — Emma Jackson (@EmmaJackson57) July 4, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 12 courageous activists and Indigenous leaders in Vancouver have formed a beautiful aerial blockade to stop ships carrying tarsands oil from #TransMountain pipeline terminal down the Pacific coast. Tell Trudeau and take action with them >> https://t.co/hfiFFeZigM #StopPipelines pic.twitter.com/9bYaUbjWUS — Jane Seymour Fonda (@Janefonda) July 4, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Hey #Vancouver! You're invited to join us tomorrow to show support & solidarity with the 12 incredible climbers who are currently suspended from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. For more details, visit >> https://t.co/oGtXwVpRAI #NoTMX #StopPipelines pic.twitter.com/hEB2q1eDpp — Greenpeace Canada (@GreenpeaceCA) July 4, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content — With files from Scott Brown pjohnston@postmedia.com twitter.com/risingaction sip@postmedia.com twitter.com/stephanie_ip Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver Sun Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Vancouver Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. 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Send this page to someone via email RCMP have removed anti-pipeline protesters who were dangling from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge for more than 35 hours. Seven climbers rappelled from the bridge Tuesday morning, while five additional climbers were on the bridge’s catwalk. It took RCMP three-and-a-half hours to get all of the protesters down from the bridge. WATCH: Global News talks to protester 2:17 Interview with Protester under the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Interview with Protester under the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge – Jul 3, 2018 Greenpeace Canada has taken responsibility for the aerial blockade aimed at Trans Mountain oilsands oil tanker traffic. The climbers said they were in the path of the oilsands oil tanker, Serene Sea. Story continues below advertisement On Tuesday, Kinder Morgan said the protesters did not disrupt any operations. LISTEN: Is the Greenpeace protest an effective way to oppose the Kinder Morgan pipeline? However, on Wednesday, Kinder Morgan said in a statement that a vessel loaded with crude oil departed their Westridge Marine Terminal and is now waiting for suitable conditions at its Port of Vancouver designated mooring location. “We respect the right to peacefully demonstrate and there are many ways to express opinions in a safe and lawful manner. It is unfortunate that the actions of these individuals have caused disruptions to vessels and individuals that transit to and from the waters east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, including customers from our terminal and the other marine cargo terminals.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We respect the right to peacefully demonstrate and there are many ways to express opinions in a safe and lawful manner. It is unfortunate that the actions of these individuals have caused disruptions to vessels and individuals that transit to and from the waters east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, including customers from our terminal and the other marine cargo terminals." “Our top priority is the safety of the community and marine waterway users and we look forward to a peaceful and swift resolution to this demonstration” Story continues below advertisement Protesters say the goal is to get the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to prevent this crude bitumen travelling through these waters,” protester William George, who is dangling from the bridge, told Global News Tuesday. PHOTOS of the protest: