Im sure you know that Hurricane Helene has been devastating to many part of Southern Appalachia. And Im sure you know that a lot of support for those affected by climate disasters isn’t done by the federal government or private companies, but by regular people organizing to help each other, gathering supplies, driving up roadways to do wellness checks and using their medical knowledge to treat members of their community.
We want to let you know about three mutual aid groups doing this work, all of whom desperately need your support. These groups work closely together to form network of relief and care for folks affected by hurricane Helene.
Appalachian Medical Solidarity, AMS, is a a collective focused on medical support for both our community members without access to care through the conventional medical system and for people caught in emergent events where 911 is not reliable or even available.
Rural Organizing and Resilience, ROAR, is a long time regional education and mutual aid group that has been setting up supply centers, organizing volunteers, and acting as a hub for mutual aid and supply distribution in the area.
Pittsburgh Disaster Solidarity is a PGH mutual aid group acting as a regional hub for parts of the northeast and midwest. They are gathering need
ed suppl
ies and making regular trips to support folks affected by the hurricane.
On February 23, 2024, the Rising Tide North America’s legal team successfully fought back against Mountain Valley Pipeline’s (MVP) frivolous attempt at an SLAPP suit against land defenders and organizations, when a VA judge (removed) Rising Tide from the case. Rising Tide North America issued the following statement:
“Rising Tide North America is a grassroots organization made up of ordinary people fighting for a better and healthier world. We are glad that MVP’s attempts to curtail free speech and intimidate failed in this case.
When fossil fuel companies feel threatened, they try to attack our basic right to protest. That’s what MVP is doing — and unfortunately, dozens of individuals and additional organizations remain in their crosshairs. We continue to stand with all those facing MVP’s SLAPP suits and resist all attempts at intimidation.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline would harm local communities, disrupt ecosystems and drinking water and continue to fuel the climate crisis. Appalachians have made it clear where they stand — yet Moutain Valley Pipeline and politicians continue to push this disastrous project. We will continue to support all local communities fighting back against fossil fuel extraction.”
Rising Tide North America issued the following statement on the frivolous litigation being brought by Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) against land defenders and organizations:
“This lawsuit is MVP’s latest attempt to intimidate public participation and subvert free speech.
Across the country, fossil fuel companies like MVP are increasingly turning to SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) suits to hang on to their failed business practices that exploit the land, make people sick and destroy our climate.
Rising Tide North America is a grassroots organization made up of ordinary people fighting for a better and healthier world. We resist all attempts to intimidate land and climate defenders and subvert free speech — especially those made by multinational giant corporations profiting off of the destruction of local communities.”
A NSW magistrate has told protesters involved in a demonstration that ground coal exports to a halt in Newcastle that it was clear they acted out of “genuine desire” to bring about change.
The remaining 99 were listed in Newcastle Local Court today and included students as young as 20 and age pensioners in their 80s.
Hundreds of protesters blocked the Port of Newcastle using canoes and kayaks in November.(AAP: Rising Tide)
Magistrate Stephen Olischlager said many of the protesters had done outstanding work in their communities and had a genuine concern for the environment.
“[This was] not selfishly motivated,” he said.
“[They are] valuable contributors to society, persons who are intelligent … and making a real contribution to society.”
Police prosecutor Harry Hall had argued the protesters should be convicted as the unauthorised part of the protest was unsafe and took away police resources from other areas.
“Entering a busy shipping lane places lives at risk,” he said.
Busiest coal port in the world
The Port of Newcastle exports more than 150 million tonnes of coal each year, making it the world’s busiest coal port.
Magistrate Olischlager said, while it was a fundamental human right to protest, people did have to consider the broader impact on the community.
“There was a large vessel due to leave the port and there was some delay caused,” he said.
Despite this, those who pleaded guilty this morning left court without a conviction or fine, as Magistrate Olischlager said they had shown good character.
“Offences of this nature are [often] committed by persons who are of good character,” he said.
“It is a strength of those characters, which on this occasion [means] these are matters that can be dealt with by not proceeding to conviction.”
Reverend Alan Stuart, 97, was the oldest person to take part in the protest.(Supplied: Rising Tide)
Journalist, age pensioners and students charged
Among those facing court today was a writer for Sydney Criminal Lawyers, Paul Gregoire.
He had attended the protest as a journalist but got “caught up” in the action.
He pleaded guilty in court today and was granted a conditional release order without conviction.
“I’m sorry to have wasted the court’s time but I thought it was a necessary, important cause,” he said.
“The climate crisis is escalating, so I thought it was time to put my money where my mouth was and show solidarity with the activists.”
Paul Gregoire was not handed a conviction at Newcastle local court.(ABC Newcastle: Keira Proust)
Newcastle local Bryce Ham, 20, was among those who did not receive a fine or conviction.
“It’s a great sign that peaceful protest in Australia is still strongly respected by the courts,” he said outside of court.
“This is the biggest civil disobedience action for climate justice in Australia’s history.”
Some of the 99 matters are expected to be moved to another day given the sheer number of people who attended court today.
Im sure you know that Hurricane Helene has been devastating to many part of Southern Appalachia. And Im sure you know that a lot of support for those affected by climate disasters isn’t done by the federal government or private companies, but by regular people organizing to help each other, gathering supplies, driving up roadways to do wellness checks and using their medical knowledge to treat members of their community.