Help preserve the right to free speach through non violent protest....

Discussion in 'Protest' started by Claire, May 14, 2004.

  1. Claire

    Claire Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,855
    Likes Received:
    22
    For the first time ever, the US government has decided to prosecute an entire organisation for exercising its right to free speech through non-violent protest.

    The trial begins on May 17th, and results from a protest against an illegal shipment of mahogany headed for the Port of Miami in Florida two years ago. Unable to find a suitable law against calling attention to environmental crimes, the Attorney General has charged Greenpeace under an obscure 19th-century law designed to stop prostitutes from boarding sailing vessels.

    If they are found guilty, it will mean being branded a criminal organisation

    While Greenpeace is in the dock, those who logged, imported and sold the illegally imported mahogany continue to operate.

    Not only is this a wholly unwarranted and politically motivated attack on an organisation that was attempting to prevent a crime, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for the future of free speech and the right to civil protest in the US. It could also be used as an example in other countries to curb non-violent direct action. The case has been attacked in articles and editorials in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, and Miami Herald. Senator Patrick Leahy of the US Judiciary Committee wrote to US Attorney General John Ashcroft saying his selective prosecution of Greenpeace could "have a chilling effect on free speech and activism of all kinds." Al Gore called the case "highly disturbing" in a speech to MoveOn members. Fellow environmental and civil rights groups have rallied to demand Ashcroft drop the case. But Ashcroft's not listening.

    Now it's your turn to make sure we don't let this case go unchallenged. We need your help. Sign on to our letter demanding Bush and Ashcroft prosecute illegal loggers rather than Greenpeace. To date, 37,000 people have joined this appeal. We want to have 50,000 signatories by Monday. We need to show the US government that people all over the world are watching this trial. We need to remind them they can't silence Greenpeace without silencing everyone who supports Greenpeace.

    Don't let Bush and Ashcroft silence you. Take action now:

    http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/bin/view.fpl/10048/action_id/195.html

    Find out more about the case below:

    http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/news/details?item_id=472552

    Meet some of the people involved and the history of the action and prosecution:

    http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2004-04-29/feature.html/1/index.html
     
  2. Changeyourlatitude

    Changeyourlatitude Banned

    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    0
    Puerto Rico, the passionate protestors for the environment on Vieques bombing range import more Mahogany that FL will think about. We have termites that eat every other types of wood except Tropical mahogany and cedar.

    Every house in PR has these woods throughout their homes. More rain forest is cut down every month to serve our demand than the square acre of Vieques.

    Changeyourlatitude
     
  3. sweatininthesouth

    sweatininthesouth Member

    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi Claire, I think this is a noble cause, but honestly, I thing alot of us are focusing on the evils of our government waging war on Iraq and lessening our freedoms at home. I'm an environmentalist, but right now, at this point in our country's history, I'm personally seeing other things around me that infuriate me more than cutting mahogany trees. No offense, and I hope you get more responses to your request. But I'm more sickened now by what our government is doing in Iraq, alienating the entire world, taking away our freedoms as Americans.....well, the list is huge. Maybe after the November election I'll have more energy to help save the earth's rainforest, but for now, I'm worried about trying to save our own country......

    Peace and good luck with your cause.... is there room for some of us over there in the U.K.???
     
  4. Megara

    Megara Banned

    Messages:
    4,719
    Likes Received:
    0
    no one other than military or authorized personnel should be able to board a ship...how dangerous is that if we let any random joe schmoe run up to a boat and scale it? If green peace can do it, so can a terrorist.
     
  5. Eugene

    Eugene Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,900
    Likes Received:
    4
    I wonder how you prove intent? "sir we found several contraceptives and two porno magazines amongst the group, obviously they were hookers".
     
  6. bluegill

    bluegill Member

    Messages:
    370
    Likes Received:
    0
    did the boarding happen in international waters or US waters, if international watrs than it is not the concern of the US in the first place, but if it was in US waters then the activists should be held accountable for tresspassing under US law, but nothing more, unless there is some law i dont know about....its bullshit though, its the bush way if ya havent figured it out already, i cant wait til his ass gets threw out of washington.....he is supposed to come to my hometown in aug. i would like to organize a group mooning or sumthin...hehe, that would be funny....lol
     
  7. Claire

    Claire Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,855
    Likes Received:
    22
    I think you're kinda missing the point.... The point here is to preserve our right to protest!! It is (kind of) unimportant what this particular court case is about... The most important thing is that we stop the government from taking away our right to protest.

    If they win this case it could have serious consequences to all causes including the anti war movement (of which I am heavily involved in the UK)

    p.s. You are more than welcome to come to the UK me dear:) but only if you promise to vote RESPECT in the European elections:p

    Love Clairexxx:)
     
  8. Megara

    Megara Banned

    Messages:
    4,719
    Likes Received:
    0
    Claire. They are not stopping us from protesting. All around the US people were protesting over the war without anyone trying to stop them. Boarding a ship is illegal in the US.. It should be illegal...why would you even want that to be legal? It is so freaking dangerous.
     
  9. sweatininthesouth

    sweatininthesouth Member

    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Always respect....


    I think after these elections are over in November, my mind will get on track again and I'll be able to focus on other issues like the environment, education, alternative energy. I truly believe the biggest step we can take towards renewed environmentalism, is to get Bush out in November. Then we could all breathe a sigh of global relief.
     
  10. Claire

    Claire Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,855
    Likes Received:
    22
    I am pro direct action. After being one of the 2 million people peacefully protesting against the proposed war on Iraq in London in February of last year... and being completely ignored by Tony Blair, I believe that the only way to make our governments listen is to take direct action.

    Boarding a ship in this instance was justified on moral grounds.

    Laws are supposed to protect people.

    What and who was being harmed here?
     
  11. Claire

    Claire Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,855
    Likes Received:
    22
    I agree, Love Clairexxx
     
  12. kitty fabulous

    kitty fabulous smoked tofu

    Messages:
    5,376
    Likes Received:
    22
    i hope you all heard that greenpeace won! the prosecution's case was disproven before they even got to present their defense!
     
  13. Claire

    Claire Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,855
    Likes Received:
    22
    Great stuff!! Thanks:)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice