The following letter was written by our supporters from across the country in response to the horrible brutality that happened last Tuesday to Ben and Shannon. We share this letter with you because it is an important statement affirming that what we are doing is not outlandish, but rather a calculated risk amid desperate efforts to save ourselves from total climate catastrophe, for it is far riskier for us and for everyone else to sit idly by and do nothing at all. Love and solidarity,
– Tar Sands Blockaders
October 1, 2012
Statement on the Brutal Treatment of Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Protesters in Texas
Members of Texas Law Enforcement and TransCanada CEO Russ Girling:
We the under-signed U.S. and Canadian organizations and First Nations leaders have learned that while protesting the construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, two US citizens over the course of five hours were repeatedly tasered, pepper sprayed and subjected to prolonged stress positions by the Wood County, Texas sheriff’s office with TransCanada personnel also on hand.
We object in the most strenuous terms to this brutal treatment of peaceful protesters, who are trying to protect their land and families from a dangerous and unnecessary project.
Regardless of our policies on civil disobedience, there is not an inch of daylight between our views and those of the protesters on the dangers of this tar sands pipeline. Keystone XL threatens the health and livelihoods of families with tar sands oil spills and is part of an industry that threatens communities with extreme weather. Tar sands oil undermines our clean energy choices.
These protests are part of rising, legitimate public concern with tar sands and tar sands pipelines. People who are moved to peacefully express their opposition must not be subjected to abuse or any type of violence.
We are watching events in Texas closely and we expect humane and respectful treatment of any further protesters.
Sincerely,
350.org
Burnaby Residents Opposed to Kinder Morgan Expansion (BROKE)
Center for Biological Diversity
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Climate Action Network Canada
Council of Canadians
CREDO Action
Democracy for America
Dogwood Initiative
Earthworks
Energy Action Coalition
Equiterre
Friends of the Earth
Keepers of the Athabasca
Labor Network for Sustainability
League of Conservation Voters
Natural Resources Defense Council
Oil Change International
PIPE UP Network
Public Citizen
Sierra Club
Sierra Club of Canada
Tanker Free BC
