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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/21/edf-legal-action-democratic-protest
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| EDF legal action is blow to the right of democratic protest | EDF legal action is blow to the right of democratic protest |
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| EDF's decision to take out a £5m lawsuit against a handful of climate activists represents a new low in corporate attempts to stifle democratic dissent (Protesters who occupied power station sued for £5m, 21 February). As representatives of environmental organisations and civil society, we wish to express our support for the No Dash For Gas activists. EDF should not bring this action, which is against a brave group of people who have taken bold, creative action to protect the climate we all share. If it does, it's likely to deter future activists from exercising their democratic right to protest. Imagine if Rosa Parks or Emmeline Pankhurst had been inhibited by the threat of losing her home or incurring a lifelong debt, as is happening to the No Dash For Gas activists. In attempting to put the brakes on EDF and the government's reckless dash for gas that would push up energy bills and threaten climate targets, this heroic group of people deserve medals, not a multimillion pound lawsuit. John Sauven Executive director, Greenpeace UK Andy Atkins Executive director, Friends of the Earth Emma Biermann European coordinator, 350.org Louise Hazan Cimate campaigns manager, People & Planet Amy Hall New Internationalist Emma Hughes Platform Deborah Doane Director, World Development Movement Ruth Tanner Campaigns and policy director, War on Want Emily Coats UK Tar Sands Network James O'Nions Co-editor, Red Pepper Richard Hawkins Public Interest Research Centre Eveline Lubbers Spinwatch Louisa Casson UK Youth Climate Coalition | EDF's decision to take out a £5m lawsuit against a handful of climate activists represents a new low in corporate attempts to stifle democratic dissent (Protesters who occupied power station sued for £5m, 21 February). As representatives of environmental organisations and civil society, we wish to express our support for the No Dash For Gas activists. EDF should not bring this action, which is against a brave group of people who have taken bold, creative action to protect the climate we all share. If it does, it's likely to deter future activists from exercising their democratic right to protest. Imagine if Rosa Parks or Emmeline Pankhurst had been inhibited by the threat of losing her home or incurring a lifelong debt, as is happening to the No Dash For Gas activists. In attempting to put the brakes on EDF and the government's reckless dash for gas that would push up energy bills and threaten climate targets, this heroic group of people deserve medals, not a multimillion pound lawsuit. John Sauven Executive director, Greenpeace UK Andy Atkins Executive director, Friends of the Earth Emma Biermann European coordinator, 350.org Louise Hazan Cimate campaigns manager, People & Planet Amy Hall New Internationalist Emma Hughes Platform Deborah Doane Director, World Development Movement Ruth Tanner Campaigns and policy director, War on Want Emily Coats UK Tar Sands Network James O'Nions Co-editor, Red Pepper Richard Hawkins Public Interest Research Centre Eveline Lubbers Spinwatch Louisa Casson UK Youth Climate Coalition |
| • As a long-term climate protester, I want to express my gratitude to EDF for their decision to take out a civil lawsuit against protesters who occupied the first of 40 proposed new gas-fired plants in the coalition government's reckless dash for gas. It's been no secret that since the heady days of the Climate Camp, the direct-action scene has been rightly dominated by anti-cuts activists, tax-justice campaigners and others. Ever since the announcement of EDF's spiteful attempt to stifle dissent against their attempts to raise fuel bills and trash the climate, I've seen a torrent of expressions of commitment across social media channels to target the company, its power stations and the dash for gas. This lawsuit, its threat to our precious right to civil disobedience and EDF's plans to massively expand fossil fuel infrastructure is exactly the shot in the arm that the climate action movement needed to mobilise in multitudes once more. Kevin Smith London | • As a long-term climate protester, I want to express my gratitude to EDF for their decision to take out a civil lawsuit against protesters who occupied the first of 40 proposed new gas-fired plants in the coalition government's reckless dash for gas. It's been no secret that since the heady days of the Climate Camp, the direct-action scene has been rightly dominated by anti-cuts activists, tax-justice campaigners and others. Ever since the announcement of EDF's spiteful attempt to stifle dissent against their attempts to raise fuel bills and trash the climate, I've seen a torrent of expressions of commitment across social media channels to target the company, its power stations and the dash for gas. This lawsuit, its threat to our precious right to civil disobedience and EDF's plans to massively expand fossil fuel infrastructure is exactly the shot in the arm that the climate action movement needed to mobilise in multitudes once more. Kevin Smith London |
| • If EDF continues with its vindictive prosecution of the peaceful activists who occupied its West Burton power station last October, might I suggest that customers of EDF make it clear that they will go to another provider for their energy. Certainly McDonald's felt the impact of many customers going elsewhere when it brought a prosecution against two environmental campaigners 20 years ago. It should be made clear to EDF that it could suffer the same consequences. Ernest Rodker London | • If EDF continues with its vindictive prosecution of the peaceful activists who occupied its West Burton power station last October, might I suggest that customers of EDF make it clear that they will go to another provider for their energy. Certainly McDonald's felt the impact of many customers going elsewhere when it brought a prosecution against two environmental campaigners 20 years ago. It should be made clear to EDF that it could suffer the same consequences. Ernest Rodker London |
| • It's odd that this Conservative-led government with its ideological bias against public ownership appears to be quite happy with the principle of UK train services run by Dutch and German state railways. Even more bizarrely, it would seem that the government is now proposing to subsidise the French state electricity generator and distributor, EDF, with billions of pounds of taxpayers' money to build and run nuclear power stations in the UK. Has anyone reported this formally to Joaquín Almunia, the EU commissioner for competition? Alan Rigby St Rogatien, France | • It's odd that this Conservative-led government with its ideological bias against public ownership appears to be quite happy with the principle of UK train services run by Dutch and German state railways. Even more bizarrely, it would seem that the government is now proposing to subsidise the French state electricity generator and distributor, EDF, with billions of pounds of taxpayers' money to build and run nuclear power stations in the UK. Has anyone reported this formally to Joaquín Almunia, the EU commissioner for competition? Alan Rigby St Rogatien, France |
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