A Cowlitz County District Court jury Wednesday found four longshore union supporters not guilty of blocking a train bound for the EGT grain terminal Sept. 21.
Two ILWU protesters have already been acquitted in jury trials, one on allegations of criminal trespass and another for fourth-degree assault. County prosecutors have dismissed misdemeanor charges against at least 12 other protesters.
Union officials urged prosecutors to drop the all charges against ILWU protesters in light of the jury acquittals.
“We hope that we can move forward and not waste any more taxpayer funds on prosecutions of people who were willing to put their bodies on the line for good jobs and our community,” ILWU Local President Dan Coffman said in a written statement.