UK Statement of Solidarity

We in Rising Tide UK congratulate the Australian "Rising Tide 7" for a bold action with a clear message, at an extremely important target. This kind of effective non-violent direct action is crucial, to demonstrate that the blind self-destructive pursuit of profit through fossil fuel extraction and combustion is unsustainable, destructive and must stop now.

Climate Change is accelerating. The effects are being felt daily around the world. We must take responsibility for our addiction to fossil fuel and the massive part that it plays in driving climate change.

There are alternatives to fossil fuels in the form of community-run renewable energies, that don't emit greenhouse gasses. The grip the fossil fuel industry has on the global economy has to be loosened, so that we can pursue other, responsible options, which don't lead to the catastrophes that an altered global climate will increasingly bring.

The "Rising Tide 7" have demonstrated that people are prepared to stand up and fight back against the injustices of the fossil fuel industry. We stand in solidarity with Rising Tide Australia in their resulting legal fight.

The money that the coal port lost is miniscule compared to the damage that the coal industry is causing in local communities and to the global environment. The legal basis of the claim of “victim's compensation” and the quantity of money being pursued from these individuals is laughable.

If the port's claim is upheld then this will represent a hugely cynical and short-sighted victory for the might of big businesses, against genuinely socially concerned individuals. The current basis of fossil fuel industry profit is intolerable on economic, environmental, and social-justice grounds and actions such as those taken by the "Rising Tide 7" are entirely justified. We all have the right to non-violently stand up to practices that harm our own and others lives.

Rising Tide UK calls on those from the port working on the legal case, to consider the importance of the cause that the "Rising Tide 7's" action represented and the non-violent manner in which the port was shut-down.

We wish the Rising Tide 7 the best of luck in their fight.

Rising Tide UK


What you can do to help?

For ideas on how to support the legal battle visit:-
 http://risingtide7.wordpress.com/support/

RT UK is sending a donation to help with legal costs. If you would like to make a donation too, visit:-  http://www.risingtide.org.au/donation

To contact RT Australia email:-  risingtide@risingtide.org.au