Bidder70 - DeChristopher: Donate: Blog

 A full year after I disrupted the BLM oil and gas auction, I still have no regrets for my actions.  The legal case against me continues, and thanks to your support, my legal team and I will make a strong defense when the trial begins on March 15th.  Even as it looks more likely that I will be serving time, those consequences are as worth it as they have ever been.

While I’ve certainly been encouraged by the reversal of the leases, the most important thing that justifies any consequences is the development of Peaceful Uprising.  Over the past year, Peaceful Uprising has become a powerful force in the fight against catastrophic climate change.  We have developed an extremely talented and committed group of people who defend a livable future through empowering nonviolent action.  

Over the past year we have been experimenting with exactly what the role of Peaceful Uprising should be.  We launched the group by taking 30 students to Washington DC for the Power Shift Conference and the Capitol Climate Action.  Being a part of the largest mass civil disobedience in the climate movement, which shut down the Capitol Power Plant and ended their use of coal, was a very empowering experience for those students.  From there we initiated a grassroots lobbying effort which included a novel phone tree that generated almost 400 calls in one day to Blue Dog Jim Matheson about his statements earlier that day.  The pathetic result of the Waxman-Markey Bill helped many people realize that working within the system was not going to save us and stronger action was necessary.  Peaceful Uprising moved on with a powerful flash-mob in August and a highly successful 350 event on October 24^th.  

During this time, the true roles for Peaceful Uprising became clear.  At the dozens of speeches and public events I’ve done this year, countless people have expressed that they respect what I did and see the need for similar actions, but don’t feel empowered to take those actions themselves.  Creating that sense of empowerment is the most important role of Peaceful Uprising.  We do this first through our actions that demonstrate that ordinary people can be bold and effective agents of change. We are also committed to walking people through that personal transformation necessary to realize their potential.  We help people find where they fit into the movement and see that they are more courageous, creative and beautiful than they ever knew.

The other role of Peaceful Uprising is to take the actions that other environmental groups are not willing to take.  Some of our mainstream environmental groups are opposed to the owner of our local Snowbird Ski Resort, Dick Bass, developing a massive coal strip mine on Alaska’s Chuitna River, but they were not willing to wage a boycott against the resort.  So PeaceUp stepped in and created dontskicoalbird.com for skiers and season pass holders to commit to never buying another pass at Snowbird if Bass goes through with the mine.  We will continue escalating this campaign with actions at Snowbird throughout the winter.  Likewise, we will be complementing the campaign of some of our local clean air groups against Kennecott Copper Mine, who runs the only coal fired power plant in the Salt Lake valley, with the confrontational actions needed to stop their coal burning forever.  

Now that the Copenhagen negotiations have catastrophically failed, the need for a bold and honest group like Peaceful Uprising is greater than ever.  The failures of Copenhagen and climate legislation have created a clear moral imperative for direct citizen action.  As we are running out of time to deal with the climate crisis, Peaceful Uprising is a force that can turn the movement’s failure into success.  We now have three people working full time and dozens of others putting consistent effort into our mission.  We are connecting to other bold groups and creative leaders across the country to create the impactful climate movement that we so desperately need.

Many people from around the country supported me when I took a risky move.  PeaceUp will make sure that actions like mine will continue to happen often enough to defend a livable future.  Please help support Peaceful Uprising so that my action is never thought of as a single feat but as just one act in a bold movement.  Your donation can make a huge difference to our success in rising to the greatest challenge we have ever faced.  Can you donate $20 to help defend a livable future?  We run a lean and mean operation, so even a few dollars helps.  Click here to donate now.  

If you’d like to stay up to date on Peaceful Uprising, sign up to receive our newsletter.  If you’re in Utah, stop by our office at 362 S. 300 E. to find out how you can get involved.

Over the past six months since I disrupted the BLM oil and gas auction, I have received a huge amount of support in many different forms from around the world.  Some of you have supported me financially, some helped spread my story, and many of you have given me kind words of encouragement.  I have deeply appreciated this support, and it has paid off in several ways.  After the fraudulence of the December 19^th auction was exposed, most of land on which I bid has been at least temporarily protected from oil drilling.  On June 12^th, the BLM withdrew their demand for $81,000 from me.  I believe all of this was made possible by the public outcry all of you helped to create over my case.

As the criminal case against me proceeds, I now have the opportunity for a much bigger impact.  My legal team and I will be arguing that my actions were justified by the moral imperative of stopping catastrophic climate change.  With the help of some of the world’s most respected climatologists, we will be proving in the courtroom that climate change is a real and serious threat to my future.  This can set a vital legal precedent for our responsibility to ensure a livable future for our children.  Dr. James Hanson has recently said that legal battles may be our best strategy for creating the paradigm shift we need to address the climate crisis.  This is especially relevant now that Congress has made it clear with the Waxman-Markey bill that they will continue putting the interests of the fossil fuel industry ahead of my generation.

To make this case as effectively as possible, I need your support.  My excellent attorneys, Patrick Shea, Ron Yengich, and Liz Hunt, are volunteering their time, but they estimate expenses for legal research, depositions and witnesses to exceed $100,000.  I’m learning firsthand that the quality of our justice system is based on the finances of the defendant.

Please send a donation today and pass this message on to all the people you know who care about the climate crisis.  I believe it is so crucial for this trial to face a jury that I have chosen to risk imprisonment by refusing any plea bargains.  Whether you can donate $70 or $7, your support is critical in making this a landmark case that turns the tides in our struggle for a livable future.

Gratefully,

Tim DeChristopher, “Bidder 70”

www.bidder70.org

Checks:

Tim DeChristopher Legal Defense Fund
c/o Pat Shea
215 S. State St., Suite 200,
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Tim has found himself the darling of the media - latest Flash in a very tired pan.  He has held up under the scrutiny of the past 60+ days and has worked tirelessly to communicate the message he intended to share.  The message is about a liveable future for himself and his entire generation.  He equates where we're at ecologically, is similar to being on a van driving off a cliff.  Do we turn around and ask all the people on the van, whaddya think?  Shall we go over this cliff?  As we're careening towards self-destruction, the youth are standing up and shouting "We Don't Want To Go!"

This weekend, 32 young people (and me) are traveling to our nation's capitol to attend a massive environmental conference called Power Shift.  The message that is being communicated through this mass gathering is, No More Un-sustainable ways!  We Must Change or, as NOAA has pointed out, it will be too late to reverse the climage change damage.  Translation: death of species, absence of water, breathable air. 

Please support Peaceful Uprising.  Make your own statement about your willingness to participate, and then, stand up in your own community.  Demand that your local governing bodies change their ways - stop expanding oil, gas & coal.  Start expanding solar, wind & geothermal, before it's too late.  The donate button on the front page is where you can start.  Thank you from the kids & me,  Julianne

Has anyone else been following the Single-Acre land purchase this week by Greenpeace at Heathrow airport in the UK? By purchasing a single acre of land the addition of another runway and expansion of air traffic at Heathrow has been further complicated and a great deal of media attention generated. Excellent coverage may be found at The Guardian UK.

Seems to me this should work here in the States as well (my opinion, I am not an attorney). Tens of thousands of owners for strategically purchased parcels, now that's a monkey-wrench!

Notes included with checks for Tim - #2

“For the Tim DeChristopher Legal defense fund.  Thanks for your courage!”  S Higgins, Hagerstown, MD

“Friends and I have biked Moab and enjoyed the area – many times.  Good on Tim D!  Good on You Guys! Damn Oil & Gas! Thanks” R Pope, Eau Claire, WI

“Dear Tim – I’m SO inspired by your amazingly creative and courageous action! Also, thank you for having such a strong vision for future generations! I happen to be a Grandmother of 10 and 1 Great-Grandchild!  I’ve loved and backpacked SW Utah for years.  You are the Super Hero for all my family and friends that cherish the environment.  In Gratitude”, P Gardner, Las Vegas, NV  ”P.S.  Please put me on your list for on-going info and needs.  Please use this for your defense fund or towards your bid.  Let me know if more is needed and I’ll do my best to raise more.”

“I know, I know, It’s a trifle.  But I very much do want to express my support! Tim DeChristopher is not only a person of courage, but of imagination.  And humor!  Doubtless many across the nation share my glee at how the oil sharks have been stymied – even if only temporarily.  I’ve traveled the length of Utah, and been to Zion & Bryce Canyons.  The discussion needs to be linked to the Redevelopment of Public Transportation.  Solidarity”, J Forman,  Albuquerque, NM

“Thank You, Tim for being so brave & thoughtful”, S Lane, Las Vegas, NV

“Wow! Tim!  What an heroic thing you did.  Thank you”  E Dickerson, Weed, CA  “P.S. I hope Robert Redford hears about this.  I think he would contribute lots of money.”

“Thanks for your help to this courageous young man, and for all your work”,  L & B Cobb, St. George, UT

“You GO, Tim!” Anon, San Francisco, CA

“ Dear Folks;  Enclosed is a check to be used for Tim DeChristopher’s defense fund.  I heard the story yesterday on Democracy Now and found this address on the internet.  It was a brave thing Tim did and a real act of love for good stewardship of these pristine lands.  Thank You and good luck” T Olson, Ithaca, NY

“I am sending a check to help out in the defense of Tim DeChristopher.  I am so grateful for his action and his obvious heartfelt connection to the Earth & the lands of Southern Utah.  I hope you are able to provide him with the best legal aid the United States can muster.  Thank you for your services”, Sincerely, T  Venerable, Santa Fe, NM

“Good Luck!  Southern Utah is one of our favorite places!”  B Davis, South Colby, WA

“Thank you Tim!  Wish I could give more!”  read about your escapades on Common Dreams.com –the article by Amy Goodman.”  Best, L. Heinz, San Cristobal, NM

“For the Tim DeChristopher Legal defense fund.  Thanks for your courage!”  S Higgins, Hagerstown, MD

“Friends and I have biked Moab and enjoyed the area – many times.  Good on Tim D!  Good on You Guys! Damn Oil & Gas! Thanks” R Pope, Eau Claire, WI

“Dear Tim – I’m SO inspired by your amazingly creative and courageous action! Also, thank you for having such a strong vision for future generations! I happen to be a Grandmother of 10 and 1 Great-Grandchild!  I’ve loved and backpacked SW Utah for years.  You are the Super Hero for all my family and friends that cherish the environment.  In Gratitude”, P Gardner, Las Vegas, NV  ”P.S.  Please put me on your list for on-going info and needs.  Please use this for your defense fund or towards your bid.  Let me know if more is needed and I’ll do my best to raise more.”

“I know, I know, It’s a trifle.  But I very much do want to express my support! Tim DeChristopher is not only a person of courage, but of imagination.  And humor!  Doubtless many across the nation share my glee at how the oil sharks have been stymied – even if only temporarily.  I’ve traveled the length of Utah, and been to Zion & Bryce Canyons.  The discussion needs to be linked to the Redevelopment of Public Transportation.  Solidarity”, J Forman,  Albuquerque, NM

“Thank You, Tim for being so brave & thoughtful”, S Lane, Las Vegas, NV

“Wow! Tim!  What an heroic thing you did.  Thank you”  E Dickerson, Weed, CA  “P.S. I hope Robert Redford hears about this.  I think he would contribute lots of money.”

“Thanks for your help to this courageous young man, and for all your work”,  L & B Cobb, St. George, UT

“You GO, Tim!”  Anon, San Francisco, CA

“ Dear Folks;  Enclosed is a check to be used for Tim DeChristopher’s defense fund.  I heard the story yesterday on Democracy Now and found this address on the internet.  It was a brave thing Tim did and a real act of love for good stewardship of these pristine lands.  Thank You and good luck”  T Olson, Ithaca, NY

“I am sending a check to help out in the defense of Tim DeChristopher.  I am so grateful for his action and his obvious heartfelt connection to the Earth & the lands of Southern Utah.  I hope you are able to provide him with the best legal aid the United States can muster.  Thank you for your services”, Sincerely, T  Venerable, Santa Fe, NM

“Good Luck!  Southern Utah is one of our favorite places!”  B Davis, South Colby, WA

“Thank you Tim!  Wish I could give more!”  read about your escapades on Common Dreams.com –t he article by Amy Goodman.”  Best, L. Heinz, San Cristobal, NM