Tim DeChristopher Arraignment and Rally: Undoing The Bush Years
POST: Tim DeChristopher Arraignment and Rally: Undoing The Bush Years
| Topics: |  Media Coverage |
Do you remember when Bush announced the “peaceful transition of power” to the Obama administration (still looking for video)? That he would even use the word ‘peaceful’ struck me as odd.
It was as if he had generously decided against some ‘other’ option. Or maybe he was just pondering the Herculean task ahead; undoing The Bush Years.
From Orwellian executive orders, stem-cell research, torture, abstinence education to compromised federal appointments, broken countries, armies, educational and economic systems, the undoing will take years (short list).
Interior Secretary Salazar undid the illegal BLM auction at which Tim DeChristopher did his brilliant act of civil disobedience. Regrettably, US Attorney Brett Tolman, a Bush (Hatch) appointment, has decided to prosecute Tim on two felony charges, up to 10 years in prison.
I write today ask you for two things:
I write today ask you for two things:
- Send this to anyone you may know in Utah who can help get bodies to the pre-indictment rally in Salt Lake City on Tuesday morning.
We were ecstatic when another American Hero, James Hansen called to offer his support at Tim’s arraignment (another reason to recommend this post and urge more media).
- Please recommend this post in hopes of getting some national media attention on this travesty of justice motivated by the Oil Lobby and right-wing politics.
We simply cannot let Tim go to jail for THAT!
You will recall Tim DeChristopher is the University of Utah student who disrupted a last minute, illegal oil and gas lease <strike>give-away</strike> auction of pristine public land in Utah last December. Timeline here.
Never mind that the auction was declared illegal Never mind that no one has ever been prosecuted for not paying for BLM leases awarded at auction. Never mind that we raised the money to pay the leases and the BLM rejected it and is now demanding Tim pay an $81,000 fine.
Never mind that US Attorney Brett Tolman is on his way out and simply trying to establish his anti-environmental bonafides (like this guy) in order to run against Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT).
With all the political under currents at play, it’s impossible to predict the outcome. We know Matheson has submitted candidate names for replacement US Attorneys. We also know that an unnamed oil lobbyist knew about the indictment before Tim’s lawyer did.
We as citizens of this planet understand that Tim's actions symbolize something much larger than a dysfunctional government auction but a corrupted system catering to old dirty energy. This fossil fuel pathway is the same one that will lead us over the climate tipping point if we do not ALL peacefully object to its destructive course. Our collective future is at stake, we must stand in solidarity with Tim to advocate for the world we want to see our children grow up in today or face the largest regret in human history tomorrow.
Thank you ALL (and a special thanks to Michael Raysses for his great and 'rescued diary' -Anatomy of a Clusterfuck).
Comments
Posted by Joanna Straughn on May 12, 2009 12:25 pm
If the sale of land was illegal in the first place, Tim did not break the law. This was not an act of civil disobedience in the sense of breaking an immoral law. The government was breaking the law. Tim prevented a crime from taking place in a non-violent, minimally disruptive manner. He made a citizen's arrest on an action taken by the government that was against the law. Tim's action respects law and upheld the law. If he is prosecuted, the prosecution will have to argue that the importance of auctions is superior to the rule of law. The future of life on earth trumps all this and I would support him even if what he was illegal, but the fact remains, he upheld a law that protects the public interest and the interest of a living planet and the future of the human race. He has my highest respect.