At the same time, ExxonMobil is suing Greenpeace aimed at silencing us from exposing Exxon's corrupt environmental policies.
The case stems from a peaceful protest that occurred at ExxonMobil's headquarters last May when activists, some dressed in colorful tiger costumes, declared the HQ a "global warming crime scene." The activists were protesting ExxonMobil's continued denial of the science behind global warming and ExxonMobil's blatant efforts to undermine the Kyoto Protocol and other solutions to the problem, as chronicled in our report, Denial and Deception. Texas authorities have charged the protesters with criminal offenses that could be treated as felonies, potentially subjecting them to significant prison terms.
This case is part of an alarming trend of U.S. and local law enforcement, along with its close allies in industry, using heavy-handed legal tactics to deter peaceful protest. In Miami, we faced and defeated similar charges brought by the Department of Justice, for our efforts to highlight the import of illegal mahogany from the Amazon rainforest.
We need to send a strong message that ExxonMobil needs to use its resources taking action to clean up Alaska and fight global warming, not blocking Greenpeace from our right to peaceful protest.
The Defendants
In many ways it was a classic Greenpeace protest, with an element of humor included, as some protestors donned tiger costumes to bring attention to ExxonMobil's negative influence on climate change. The volunteers included a Baptist minister, a mother and son, a young woman participating in her first act of civil protest. They came from Texas, New York, California, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, even as far away as Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom. But a peaceful protest at ExxonMobil's headquarters in Irving, Texas, could become a felony trial for 36 individuals who exercised their freedom of speech.
The Case Against ExxonMobil
While many environmental crimes occur in our oceans, ancient forests, on pristine beaches, or at a nuclear power or chemical plant, environmental damage just as devastating also occurs in corporate boardrooms. In the case of ExxonMobil, it is inside the Dallas headquarters where campaigns are launched to weaken environmental regulations and derail international actions to combat global warming.
Our Campaign Against ExxonMobil
Over the past two years, Greenpeace offices around the world have increased efforts to expose one of the world's worst corporate polluters -- ExxonMobil. From publicizing Exxon's misconduct, to seeking talks with ExxonMobil officials, to protesting at Exxon service stations around the world, Greenpeace has been at the forefront of a global effort to stop this company's attempt to manipulate a dirty energy policy in the United States and interfere with international climate change negotiations.
Working with Companies for Corporate Reform
Though sometimes at odds with corporations, Greenpeace has a long track record of working with companies to stop environmental destruction. Throughout its more than 30 year history Greenpeace's style of non-violent action has exposed industry crimes and spurred crucial environmental changes within major corporations.
Peaceful Protest on Trial
From the Boston Tea Party to the modern civil rights movement and beyond, public protest and civil disobedience have been an essential means of spurring positive change in America. But now the Bush Administration and other law enforcement authorities are breaking with this time-honored tradition. They are threatening the free speech rights of all -- with overly harsh criminal prosecutions, overly intrusive investigations, and unwarranted restrictions on peaceful protestors around the country.
List of Supporting Organizations
The following organizations are supporting Greenpeace and our activists in Texas: Amnesty International Group 413 (Mid-Cities), Blue Skies Alliance,Citizens for Environmental Justice, Downwinders at Risk, INFACT, Latinos por la Paz, Mothers for Clean Air, National Lawyers Guild, Texoma Region, North Texas for Justice and Peace, Pax Christi Dallas, PACE International Union, Physicians for Social Responsibility (Austin), PODER, Public Citizen, SEED Coalition, Southwestern University SEAK, St. Edward's University Environmental Club, Texans for Peace, Texas Environmental Action Coalition at Texas A&M, TexPIRG, Texas Center for Policy Studies, University of Texas Campus Greens, University of Texas Progressive Collective