Tim DeChristopher Found Guilty! The Next Fight Begins.

Rising Tide North America released this statement in response to the “guilty” verdict rendered by a Federal court today against climate activist Tim DeChristopher in Salt Lake City, UT.

“Rising Tide North America stands in solidarity with our good friend and ally Tim DeChristopher, who was convicted today by a federal court on two felony counts. DeChristopher successfully derailed the illegal sale of public land from the outgoing Bush administration to private oil and gas developers and has been heavily persecuted for his non-violent civil disobedience. We applaud the courageous work of Peaceful Uprising for standing with Tim for the past two years and building a strong community to respond to these outrageous actions by the Obama Administration.

 

 

“If we want to achieve our vision,” DeChristopher said. “Many more will have to join me.”  “[I’m] not one finger, easily broken, but part of a fist.”

Salt Lake City, UT– The climate justice group Rising Tide North America released this statement today in response to the “guilty” verdict rendered by a Federal court today against climate activist Tim DeChristopher in Salt Lake City, UT:

“Rising Tide North America stands in solidarity with our good friend and ally Tim DeChristopher, who was convicted today by a federal court on two felony counts. DeChristopher successfully derailed the illegal sale of public land from the outgoing Bush administration to private oil and gas developers and has been heavily persecuted for his non-violent civil disobedience. Wea pplaud the courageous work of Peaceful Uprising for standing with Tim for the past two years and building a strong community to respond to these outrageous actions by the Obama Administration.

“The prosecution of Tim DeChristopher is part of a broader strategy by the federal government and Corporate America to prevent effective action by our movements. Tim’s actions stopped the development of pristine wilderness near Arches and Canyonlands National Park for oil and gas interests, and prevented the release of greenhouse gases causing catastrophic climate change. Furthermore, it cost Big Oil millions of dollars in profit. Corporations and the government don’t want a climate movement willing to take such risks to stop their doomsday economy costing them untold profits.

“Our democracy is broken. Our voices are not heard. Corporations own politicians in Washington and state capitols like Salt Lake City and make it impossible for ordinary people to have a voice on crucial issues such as global warming. Large environmental groups are also compromised as they pander to politicians and seek funding from corporate donors.  Tim’s action is an example of a powerful and courageous direct action that is largely missing from the greater environmental movement and our democracy.

“As we watch uprisings from the Middle East to the Midwest, the actions and words of ordinary people are beginning to be heard more and more. Singling out Tim DeChristopher for prosecution and a prison term only further pierces the veil our elected and corporate leaders have over the general public. The power in Tim’s act of civil disobedience and his willingness to go to prison to advance the climate movement gives us hope. Our fight is only beginning.”

A little over two years ago, our friend and comrade Tim DeChristopher put it all on the line when he entered a federal auction and derailed it so that oil and gas companies could not destroy the planet.

 

Tim is now facing ten years in prison on two felony charges for stopping that illegal sale of public land. Furthermore, federal prosecutors have decided to make an example of Tim, so that anyone speaking out or taking effective action to save their community or the planet will be intimidated into staying home.

 

Rising Tide North America is proudly standing with Tim DeChristopher, and anyone else who takes bold action in the defense of the planet. At his trial on Feb. 28, we’re joining Tim’s group and Rising Tide affiliate, Peaceful Uprising as they mobilize outside the courthouse in solidarity with Tim.

 

If you able to join us, please come to Salt Lake City for the Uprising Summit on Feb 25-27 and Tim’s trial on Feb 28. If you can’t join us, consider organizing a solidarity action in support of Tim in your home town.

Thanks for all your support.

 

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Appalachia Rising: Day of Action

MEDIA COVERAGE:

CNN: Protesters arrested outside the White House

Washington Post front pageAbout 100 arrested in mountaintop mining protest

Huffington Post: Mass Arrests in DC: We Shall No Longer Be Crucified Upon the Cross of Coal (Jeff Biggers)

The Hill: More than 100 arrested at coal mining protest in front of the White House

DC Indymedia: Thousands march, about 100 arrested protesting mountaintop removal mining

Friends of the Earth (U.S.): Photo Coverage

It’s Getting Hot in Here: 1,000 Calls for Appalachia- Dept. of the Interior Action report


  • Mountain Justice arrestees released from jail
  • Rally arrives at White House- crowd is addressed and civil disobedience. Climatologist James Hansen: “We cannot enrich the experience of a few at the expense of many” before arrest with others, including Kayford Mountain, WV resident and activist Larry Gibson.
  • 35+ students, Quakers, RAN members blockade flagship PNC bank in downtown D.C., Reverend Billy gives a Sermon on the Mountaintop  Removed. 4 arrests so far, including Kate Rooth (Appalachian native + lead coordinator for Appalachian Voices)
  • Coalfield Residents Accompanied by Demonstrators converge on DC HQ of the Army Corps of Engineers.  An in-office occupation is quelled with 9 Rising Tide activists drawn out of the building.  Rally circled building and two Kentucky coalfield residents are granted meeting with ACE officials.

Previous Actions from FRIDAY:

“Pepcoal” target of flash mob at Appalachia Rising!

DC Rising Tide surprised Pepco(al) customers and staff today in the Pepco(al) lobby as they burst into song criticizing Pepco(al) for their delivery of electricity from coal, including coal from Mountain Top Removal coal mining in Appalachia. In this “flash mob” event, the activists entered the customer service area in Pepco(al)’s headquarters in Washington DC and called them out for “Destroying Mountains, Destroying Communities.”

The singers also demanded that Pepco(al) stop sourcing energy generated from burning coal, particularly coal from mountaintop removal mining, use renewable energy like wind and solar instead, provide reparations to communities impacted by their power plants and by climate change, and cancel rate hikes for folks in DC.

The flash mob comes one year after DC Rising Tide initially delivered demands to Pepco at their headquarters. DC Rising Tide returned today as part of the Appalachia Rising movement to save the mountains, culminating in massive street demonstrations on Monday the 27th.

Appalachia Rising is a mass mobilization in Washington DC on September 27, 2010 calling for the abolition of mountaintop removal and surface mining. It is a culmination of the national movement against surface mining and a foundation upon which to build a pan-Appalachian movement for prosperity and justice. Coalfield citizens and organizers envision a vibrant mobilization of thousands – coalfield residents, students & youth, Christians & people of all faiths, families, celebrities, underground miners, activists, artists, and all who yearn for justice – to converge on Washington DC for a day of non-violent action and dignified civil disobedience targeting the politicians and agencies who could abolish surface mining with the stroke of a pen.

We cannot enrich the experience of a few at the expense of many

Activists Drop Banner to Remind Oregon LNG of Local Successful Resistance

Banner FrontRipplebrook, OR- Forest defenders from all over the US convened this week to artistically confront the local liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposal in Oregon, with Oregon LNG being the newest target.

In recent news, Northern Star, the corporation that was previously funding an LNG terminal near Astoria called Bradwood Landing, declared bankruptcy. And just last week, Palomar pulled its application from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Palomar Gas Transmission, a company that proposed an $800 million natural gas pipeline across the Oregon Cascades told the FERC that their project is in indefinite delay, and needs to secure “additional commercial underpinning” before it can progress. Palomar claimed it “was reviewing its project plan” in light of the bankruptcy of its biggest prospective customer — a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River that suspended its own permitting efforts in May of this year.

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Boston Climate Activists Hang 30-Foot Banner Off Harvard Bridge During U.N. Climate Conference

Boston, MA – Activists with climate group Rising Tide hung a 30-foot banner reading, “System Change, Not Climate Change” on the Harvard Bridge (Massachusetts Ave.), the largest bridge spanning the Charles River this afternoon. The action comes in the final days of the United Nations Climate Talks in Copenhagen, as 115 world leaders arrive while negotiations have deadlocked. In the past week, over one thousand activists have been arrested in protests.

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