Urgent Update:
Tim’s Trial has been delayed once more: the new date is September 13. If you would like to receive the most up-to-date information, you can sign up for our Climate Trial Email Updates
Last year, University of Utah student Tim DeChristopher disrupted an oil and gas land auction in order to allay further climate change. Now he faces trial and ten years in prison. You can read more about it in this article from the New York Times.
It’s time for us to descend on Salt Lake and tell the world:
“Put the polluters on trial, not the planet!”
This letter was co-written by five leaders of social and environmental justice. All recognize the trial of Tim DeChristopher to be a turning point in the climate movement:
- Dr. James Hansen, author of Storms of my Grandchildren, and who is regarded as the world’s leading climatologist
- Naomi Klein, author of #1 international bestseller The Shock Doctrine
- Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of The End Of Nature and Eaarth
- Robert Redford, actor, director, environmental activist, and founder of The Sundance Institute
- Terry Tempest Williams, author of The Open Space of Democracy
Dr. James Hansen
Naomi Klein
Bill McKibben
Robert Redford
Terry Tempest Williams
Dear Friends,
A few months back, you likely heard about a vitally important court case involving the prosecution of a principled young environmental activist named Tim DeChristopher. After several delays, that trial is back on and we are asking for your support on its openings days: September 13-15.
Why is this trial so important to the fight against catastrophic climate change, even in light of unfolding ecological disasters like the BP oil spill? As we all know, this fight takes many forms: huge global days of action, giant international conferences like the one that failed in Copenhagen, small gestures in the homes of countless people.
But there are a few signal moments, and one will come next month, when the federal government puts Tim DeChristopher on trial in Salt Lake City. Tim—“Bidder 70”—pulled off one of the most creative protests against our runaway energy policy in years: he bid for the oil and gas leases on several parcels of federal land even though he had no money to pay for them, thus upending the auction. The government calls that “violating the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act” and thinks he should spend ten years in jail for the crime; we call it a noble act, a profound gesture made on behalf of all of us and of the future.
Tim’s action drew national attention to the fact that the Bush Administration spent its dying days in office handing out a last round of favors to the oil and gas industry. After investigating irregularities in the auction, the Obama Administration took many of the leases off the table, with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar criticizing the process as “a headlong rush.” And yet that same Administration is choosing to prosecute the young man who blew the whistle on this corrupt process.
We cannot let this stand. When Tim disrupted the auction, he did so in the fine tradition of non-violent civil disobedience that changed so many unjust laws in this country’s past. Tim’s upcoming trial is an occasion to raise the alarm once more about the peril our planet faces. The situation is still fluid—the trial date has just been reset, and local supporters are making plans for how to mark the three-day proceedings. But they are asking people around the country to flood into Salt Lake City in September. If you come, there will be ample opportunity for both legal protest and civil disobedience. For example:
• Outside the courthouse, there will be a mock trial, (or, “real trial” as organizers are calling it) with experts like NASA’s Jim Hansen providing the facts that should be heard inside the chambers. Read “The Silenced Defense” here. We don’t want Tim on trial—we want global warming on the stand.
• Demonstrators will be using the time-honored tactics of civil disobedience to make their voices heard outside the courthouse in an effort to prevent “business as usual”—it’s business as usual that’s wrecking the earth.
• There will be evening concerts, film screenings, and gatherings, including a “mini-summit” to share ideas on how the climate movement should proceed in the years ahead. This is a people’s movement that draws power from around the globe; for a few days its headquarters will be Salt Lake City.
You can get the most up-to-date news at climatetrial.com, including schedules for non-violence training, and information about legal representation. If you’re coming, bring not only your passion but also your creativity—we need lots of art and music to help make the point that we won’t sit idly by while the government tries to scare the environmental movement into meek cooperation. This kind of trial is nothing but intimidation—and the best answers to intimidation are joy and resolve. That’s what we’ll need in Utah.
We know it’s short notice. Some of us won’t be able to make it to Utah because we have other commitments or are limiting travel, and if you’re in the same situation, climatetrial.com will also have details of solidarity actions in other parts of the country. If you can contribute money to help make the week’s events possible, please click here to donate. But more than your money we need your body, your brains, and your heart. In a landscape of little water, where redrock canyons rise upward like praying hands, we can offer our solidarity to the wild: wild lands and wild hearts.
Tim DeChristopher deserves and needs our physical and spiritual support in the name of a just and vibrant community. Thank you for standing with us,
Dr. James Hansen,
Naomi Klein,
Bill McKibben,
Robert Redford,
Terry Tempest Williams
Tags: activism, climate change, climate justice, Climate Trial, Direct Action, Get Involved, justice, leaders, people power, solidarity, Tim DecChristopher, trial
38 Responses
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply
Learn more, stay informed, and get active:
When you donate to Peaceful Uprising, your money is funding creative, hard-hitting, dynamic actions.
Subscribe by Email
Recent Comments:
- First Tar Sands Mine in US Faces Fierce Resistance in Utah | Peaceful Uprising on No Tar Sands
- First Tar Sands Mine in US Faces Fierce Resistance in Utah « It’s Getting Hot In Here on No Tar Sands
- Interview with Tim DeChristopher « earthgauge on How “Big Green” is Failing the Climate Movement, and why Direct Action is the Answer
- Friday Uprising: Ted Glick | Peaceful Uprising on Friday Uprising on RadioActive
- Nancy Walther-O'Neal on July 31: Peaceful Uprising Fundraiser in LA
Tag Cloud:
Categories:
Archives:
Photos
2010-01-08 CoalBird Action in Survivaballs!
Go, Tim! Go, earth!
To Naomi, James, Bill, and Terry: thank you.
Catherine in Cleveland Heights
Since the trial is canceled, are McKibben and Hansen still calling on climate activists to descend on Salt Lake City? I have a group from Arizona State planning our spring break around it.
Klein, McKibben, Williams, and Hansen are still calling on climate activists to descend on Salt Lake City, but not until the actual date of the trial. So the answer is … yes, BUT don’t come yet … but do plan to come for the trial when it is rescheduled.
The week after we sent out mass invitations that were reprinted hundreds of times, Judge Benson decided to convert the trial date to a hearing date. No new trial date has been set. So, hold off on your travel plans for the moment. But know that it would be fabulous if you are able to travel to Salt Lake City when the actual trial takes place.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lee Hart and David Gibson, Klima Aktion. Klima Aktion said: Join the Climate Trial « Peaceful Uprising: Blogroll. 350.org · Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) · Climate Prog http://url4.eu/1LOMw [...]
For those with the courage to leave their ignorance behind they can read “The End of the Long Summer” AND “Storms of My Grandchildren”, AND “The Vanishing Face of Gaia” AND “Climate Cover-Up”. Paul Hawken gives us a vision for action and hope in “Blessed Unrest”. The FACTS of global warming are here, NOW! Now it takes a congress who is not beholden to the “fossil fuel lobby” the US Chamber of Commerce and the US banking system.
Thanks for organizing this important next step in the struggle. Hopefully in SLC I’ll finally succeed in getting arrested at an important act of civil disobedience. See you at the front of the line once again. I’ll be there with you.
We’re with you, Tim.
[...] An Activist Hero Needs Our Help [...]
hey Tim they are leasing out the white house…hahaha Great job
[...] This will be an important event. Get involved and support however you can. [...]
Peaceful uprising? LOL. They’re not going to listen and this will matter for little. The time is long gone to tippy toe peacefully around this corrupt behemoth we call our government. It’s time for the masses to bring society to a halt, whenever they get up off the couch.
So Basher, are YOU off the couch?
Everyday millions/billions of people watch or read the mass media. It is designed to support powerful interests, whilst also marginalising the general public from taking action. Keep the public entertained but do not empower or catalyse them into taking action.
You only have to watch:
Noam Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent.
The Yes Men.
McLibel.
Crude.
To see the game in action.
Please add to this list any other documentaries which you think would help.
My idea is simple are 2-fold.
1) Unite the unions and charities/action groups which are funded by donations. Put every donation into 1 bank account. This forces each group to collaborate on how to spend the money. And it creates a critical mass of unionised people who want to help the poor majority. Call it the Global Donation Fund (GDF).
2) Create a globally accessible network of television channels aimed at empowering the public mind. Funded by the GDF, it would stream content created by our leading unions, charities and activists to educate the marginalised masses. It would also broadcasts the concerns of the poor majority on a daily basis. In the same way that Hugo Chavez uses a state channel to listen to the issues of the poor majority, the GDF channels would also listen to the global poor majority, whilst debating solutions.
The mass media have slowed the evolution of a fair and just society for far too long. Many Couch Potato’s still believe in the American Dream. They are not shown any alternatives.
We cannot rely only on the internet for change. We need to educate the masses. We need our own mass media. We need the GDF.
Best Wishes, Dave.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
[...] can get the most up-to-date news at peacefuluprising.org, including schedules for non-violence training, and information about legal representation. If [...]
Thank you!
Just remember to emphasize that when Tim entered the bidding the auction prices all went up, and it was quickly obvious an outsider was involved, because there was real competition in the bids! Therefore most of these auctions are essentially prearranged by the extractive industry bidders, rigged, to avoid paying the American people any reasonable price for these resources. This insider corruption is what should be on trial here!
Good points Phillip! Many will agree insider corruption should be on trial.
But the proposed actions are “outside the courthouse” where they are not likely to change anything or move the debate. Unfortunately, main stream media frequently ignore or marginalize street theatre.
Mr. DeChristopher’s brave act will be tried under current laws adopted years ago. The judges hands are tied until we commit to creating new law.
Although noble, civil disobedience and street theatre draw attention and support away from focused political action. Instead, we can elect the right people and lobby them to draft and support new laws that protect humans and habitat.
Richard
“He who determines what politics is about runs the country because the definition of the alternatives is the choice of conflicts, and the choice of conflicts allocates power.” E.E. Schattsneider, The Semi-Sovereign People, 1960, p. 68.
What a bunch of shit. You guys have your panties in a twist for nothing. The Earth is fine. You guys are insane!!
Your ignorance doesn’t astound me it simply enrages me to the point of indifference, therefore when you, your child, or any relative of yours develops cancer due to a pollution derived circumstance I’ll simply say, “shake it off they’re/you’re fine!!” And here’s me crossing my fingers X just to help the possibility of it happening along.
Denny is a wimpy asshole and should find the facts instead of mouthing off. The earth is NOT, I repeat NOT fine.
I’m in. Let’s get some attention drawn to Tim’s plight. And, if he’s convicted, let’s inform the Obama administration that our continued support will be contingent of him knowing how to spell the word P-A-R-D-O-N.
[...] disobedience on environmental issues in the coming years, this is a very important trial. See climatetrial.com for more [...]
10 years in jail for civil disobediance is insane! Your all doing great work trying to prevent that from happening. Thank you!
Good luck with your protests!
SF
Genk
Belgium
Hi Terry, I’ll be there. Let me know if I can help in any way.
[...] Her brave efforts made a huge impact to this issue, which reached national audiences when Tim DeChristopher bid on parcels as an act of climate civil disobedience. Learn more about his actions and upcoming trial. [...]
Good work Tim – we are behind you financially and spiritually.
Way to go, Tim. After H.D. Thoreau was thrown in jail in act of civil disobedience to protest the war on Mexico, his friend R.W. Emerson asked him what was he doing in jail. His reply, “What are you doing out of jail.” You will not be alone. You will not be the last in this struggle against climate injustice.
[...] Action Call: Join the Climate Trial [...]
Electing the right people? After 2000? After this latest mockery of demomocracy by the Supreme Court? I’m afraid this tyranny of the “oily-garchy” can only be stopped by massive–and I mean massive as in Kiev–public demonstrations. Poor Tim has put his finger in the dyke. I cannot be there to support him, but I promise to spread the word!
I am on your side Tim!
Thank you for saving so much of our precious earth.
Well done Tim. The world need more people like you.
Dear Tim,
We, at Climate Camp London wanted to send a message of solidarity and admiration to you for the creative and pointed action you made by bidding on the oil and gas leases and upending the auction. As your trial approaches it is inspiring to see American environmental campaigns uniting and mobilizing around it. We must not let governmental intimidation tactics get in the way of the real issue you so cleverly articulated: that profit and corporate interest are being put before people’s interest and climate justice.
Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Best of luck in your trial, London is with you!
Camp for Climate Action, London
Why not circulate a petition declaring that ‘we the undersigned’ are co-conspirators to Tim’s act of civil disobedience? It could be quite a trial–the Earth 6.8 Billion vs the U.S. Government (oil-agarchy)!
[...] national attention focuses on the Climate Trial in late June, these campaigns will channel and leverage that momentum in transforming Utah’s [...]
[...] [Full Article] [...]
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I simply just read through the whole article of yours and it was quite excellent but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out! I love what you guys are continually up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll. This is a great article thanks for sharing that informative information.. I will take a look at your blog on a regular basis for a few latest post.
Let’s do it!