Dozens of oil train protesters form human blockade on Washington tracks

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Police arrested more than 20 people who formed a human blockade on tracks near the Washington-Oregon border in response to a recent oil train derailment along the Columbia River.

More than a 100 protesters attended Saturday's demonstration in Vancouver. Organizers with the Fossil Fuel Resistance Network, which formed after the June 3 Mosier derailment, said they expected to be arrested.

A news release says that the protest was held to highlight risks associated with fossil fuel extraction and transportation. Some held signs that read "Ban the bomb train."

The derailment forced evacuations in Mosier, about 70 miles from Portland. Less than 10 gallons of oil entered the river.

Oregon transportation officials have asked for a halt to the massive oil trains because of concerns over the strain they put on the rail tracks.