Sacrificing one’s freedom to block the intensification of climate change is one thing. Doing it while looking like a cross between Liam Neeson and Sean Connery circa 1990 — that’s simply unfair.
[Credit to our friend Ricardo Toro for the suggestion. We can only use about half of this story, for copyright reasons, but you can follow this link to get the rest of it. Worth a read, especially leading up to the march expected to draw up to 200,000 people in New York on the eve of the UN Climate Summit. — GAD]
On May 15, 2013, Ken Ward Jr. and Jay O’Hara navigated a small lobster boat, named “The Henry David T.,” to a point off the Massachusetts coast near the enormous Brayton Point Power Station, a coal-fired power plant built in 1963 that is the largest source of carbon emissions in the region. They dropped anchor and blocked access to the pier, preventing a cargo ship from unloading 40,000 tons of coal. They suspended banners from their boat reading “#CoalIsStupid” and “350,” a reference to the international climate action group 350.org. Three hundred fifty parts per million (ppm) is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that scientists feel is the maximum level that will allow the planet to avoid catastrophic human-induced climate change. Ward and O’Hara succeeded in blocking the coal shipment. From the boat, they reported themselves to the local police and were later arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard.
O’Hara, a Quaker and a sailmaker on Cape Cod, explained, “We were charged with … disturbing the peace, conspiracy to disturb the peace, negligent operation of a motor vessel and a failure to act to avoid a collision of a boat.” They faced years in prison. They decided to mount a “necessity defense,” admitting that they broke the law, but claiming that they did so only to prevent a much greater harm, i.e., the burning of coal that increases global warming.
Last Monday, Sept. 8, they finally went to court. Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter offered them a deal. He dropped all criminal charges against them in exchange for a guilty plea to a civil offense and a fine. D.A. Sutter then went a step further—a few steps, actually, to the plaza in front of the courthouse, where he shocked the two defendants and close to 100 of their supporters with a short speech:
“The decision [we] reached today … certainly took into consideration the cost to the taxpayers in Somerset, but was made with our concern for their children, the children of Bristol County and beyond, in mind. Climate change is one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced. In my humble opinion, the political leadership on this issue has been gravely lacking … we were able to reach an agreement that symbolizes our commitment at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office to take a leadership role on this issue.”
Click that link above for more. And for even more on the “necessity defense” when it comes to climate change — which OJB is not encouraging people to try, this being Orange County and all, but we think that you should know about it — check out this article on the same events, from which the photo comes.
Climate Rally right here in LA
In just eight days, thousands of people from across the world will descend on New York City to be part of the largest climate march ever.
But if you can’t make it to NYC, please join us in Los Angeles. NRDC and a diverse coalition of local and national groups will take to the streets and make sure leaders in New York and Sacramento get the message: we demand meaningful climate action now!
Join the Southern California climate rally and show world leaders that people are demanding action on climate from coast-to-coast.
What: Solidarity Rally to Support the People’s Climate March
Where: Wilshire & Normandie Metro Station, Los Angeles
When: Saturday, September 20, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Solidarity events are being organized all over the world — together we’ll show the world’s most powerful leaders that the only solution to addressing climate change is bold and decisive action.
I hope you can make it on Saturday for a memorable day of action.
Best regards,
Joel
Joel Reynolds
Western Regional Director, NRDC
The mission of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
https://www.facebook.com/events/780712968618523/
SHOW UP ORANGE COUNTY!
Take the train with us!
Several Orange County residents will be taking Amtrak together to forego the carbon pollution and parking hassles, and enjoy conversations along the way. The #567 Surfliner from OC arrives at Union Station at 11:18am. The LA Purple Metro line runs regularly to the Wilshire/Normandie station (11 min.) From there, it’s a short 4-block walk east to our corner at Wilshire and Kenmore.
For the return trip, Amtrak has trains leaving Union Station for OC at 4:10pm and 5:10pm.
Cost for Anaheim to Union Station round trip is $15 ($12.75 for seniors). The Metro ride from Union Station to Wilshire/Normandie will cost $1.75 each way, $0.35 for seniors.
(pretty sure all this info is correct, but you may want to double check for yourself just to be sure)