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Seattle activists protest proposed pipelines at Sen. Murray’s office

caption: Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, speaks during a press conference May 5, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
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Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, speaks during a press conference May 5, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Environmental activists in Seattle are protesting a proposed bill in Congress that would open new oil pipelines.

"There are multiple law enforcement officers lurking outside of the office here," said Alec Connon, one of about six people who went to Senator Patty Murray's downtown Seattle office Thursday night.

The legislation in question is part of a deal made with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. Manchin agreed to support the Democrats' climate bill — known as the Inflation Reduction Act — in exchange for concessions on fossil fuels.

Connon says they were forced to leave, but they left a message with Murray's staff.

"We're hopeful that Senator Murray will make the right decision and come out publicly opposing this bill as early as next week," he said.

A Murray staffer said they will meet with activists soon, adding that the senator hasn't had a chance to read the bill yet.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Seattle activists protest Inflation Reduction Act at Sen. Murray's office. This story has been updated to reflect activists protested separate legislation.

This story was updated on Friday, Aug. 19 at 3:20 p.m.

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