via RAN.org
How much are you willing to sacrifice to save a piece of the world?
Today a federal judge in Salt Lake City sentenced climate activist Tim DeChristopher to two years in prison and fined him $10,000. After a 45 minute statement to the court where he said that it’s not that he doesn’t respect law but that he “has higher respect for justice,” Dechristopher was taken immediately into custody by federal marshals. Typically, federal offenders are afforded three weeks to get their lives in order and say goodbye to their friends and family.
In 2008, as a parting gift to the oil and gas industry, the Bush Administration opened up tracts of land in the southern Utah wilderness for development. DeChristopher derailed the auction for that land by falsely bidding in the land sale. The land sale was later proven to be illegal and invalidated. But after an aggressive prosecution by the Obama Administration, in March, Dechristopher was found guilty on two felonies and faced sentencing today.
Since his action, DeChristopher has become one of the loudest voices for civil disobedience against the fossil fuel industry.
Solidarity rallies happened all over the country today in support of Tim. Members of the Salt Lake City community blockaded the entrances of the federal courthouse in response to the sentencing. We held a rally at the San Francisco federal building. Here are some pics:
SF city supervisor and mayoral cadidate John Avalos said he was "Honored to be here in support of Bidder 70."
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Again, the American government shows, that, no matter which party or President is on, civil disobedience won’t lead to dialogue, it always leads to state violence.
Climate activists must be considered a greater thread than child rapists or other criminals, so it was necessary to incarcerate Tim DeChristopher immediately because he is such a huge danger to society.
This is all such a shame, all the empty words of hope and change.
Let us show them that Yes, we can wasn’t only a misused campaign slogan…people who do have a consience and stand together can change a lot.
Please let the public know how we can support Tim DeChristopher and what else we can do right now.
The Obama administration won’t prosecute the criminals at the corporate banks who have caused incalculable global misery, but it aggressively prosecutes climate change activists who are trying to save the world. Unconscionable. Appalling.
Well said, Andy. Another sad example of how corporations own/run this country… not as democratic as we boast we are.
Maybe it’s easier to see it from the outside here in Canada but…… It’s very obvious that Wall Street is running your country not your elected officials. That is why they get the help and their opposition gets a jail cell or a bullet.