For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Solomon
Phone: 516-232-3072
Email: joe@350.org
6/23/2011 – BURLINGTON, VT Demonstrations to shed light on unjust prosecution of activist and danger of climate change.
What: Live music, a reading of Tim DeChristopher’s courthouse speech, a group photo with a banner all the way from Salt Lake City, and fresh calls to step it up with a number of Vermont’s grassroots climate justice campaigns.
Where: Burlington Federal Court House
11 Elmwood Ave (Corner of Elmwood and Pearl St.)
Burlington, VT
When: Thursday, June 23 · 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Burlingtonians have organized to demonstrate solidarity with climate justice activist Tim DeChristopher, a Utah resident who was scheduled to be sentenced to up to ten years in federal prison on June 23rd for his nonviolent protest that precluded an illegal BLM auction that would have rushed pristine public lands into the hands of oil and gas companies. DeChristopher’s original sentencing date marks the 23rd anniversary of Dr. James Hansen’s landmark testimony to Congress regarding the threat of atmospheric carbon levels to a livable global climate. DeChristopher’s sentencing date has since been rescheduled for July 26th, but activists will proceed with demonstrations as scheduled, in order to commemorate Hansen’s testimony and encourage national solidarity among the climate justice movement.
Community organizer Jonathan Leavitt said “While the big polluting corporations of the world were just handed a major victory in the US Supreme Court Monday, climate hero Tim DeChristopher is facing ten years in US Federal Prison for standing up to these very same big polluters. In Pakistan, Australia and now the center of the North American continent, we’re getting a powerful taste of what global warming feels like in its early stages. It’s time to stop letting corporate power make the most important decisions our planet faces. It’s time for Americans to follow Tim DeChristopher’s example and stand up to the big polluting corporations, our world can’t wait.”
The rally in Burlington will be part of over 40 solidarity actions will be happening nationwide Thursday. Find our more about Tim’s story and the way its re-inspiring the climate change movement at peaceful www.peacefuluprising.org
Burlington Rally
https://www.facebook.com/event…
Brattleboro Rally
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